Comments on Philadelphia Bicycle News: Bike Locks Being SuperGlued In Center City?

This happened to me on the 4th in front of Suburba...

2009-11-06T02:37:39.295-05:00

This happened to me on the 4th in front of Suburban Station (16th street side). I tried acetone and it didn't work, and was luckily able to get help from a messenger who had a cordless grinder. I'm out $60 for the new lock, but better that than buying a new bike.

Folding bike! However, knowing about the glue dis...

2009-11-05T21:35:04.438-05:00

Folding bike!

However, knowing about the glue disolver is good to know for next time or anytime there is a crazy glue catastrophe.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. Unfortunately, ...

2009-11-05T17:25:11.099-05:00

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. Unfortunately, I tried the nail polish remover and struck out. Without Septa running, given the time of night when I was dealing with it, I had no way to get to a store selling hacksaws. The last thing that I was going to do was deal with it the next day and give the potential thief an opportunity to steal the bike by leaving it overnight. I am on my 4th bike in this city thanks to scumbag thief’s but it’s not going to keep me from riding.

Suggestion: Lock up in full view of one of the hun...

2009-11-05T16:05:55.439-05:00

Suggestion: Lock up in full view of one of the hundreds of surveillance cameras, and we'll have a better chance of nailing the culprits!

Not that I want to encourage destroying U-locks, b...

2009-11-05T15:49:37.105-05:00

Not that I want to encourage destroying U-locks, but instead of a locksmith, a hacksaw with a carbide blade will get through even hardened steel in under 5 minutes.

The solvents are a much better idea, though.

Also, I am so sorry. What a terrible and cruel thing to have to deal with.

Get a bottle, put it in your desk at work: http:/...

2009-11-05T15:44:22.117-05:00

Get a bottle, put it in your desk at work:

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0093p?&C=RGD

Nasty thing to do to somebody.

TWU = transit workers' union (member)

2009-11-05T14:49:11.060-05:00

TWU = transit workers' union (member)

what's a TWU?

2009-11-05T14:47:07.139-05:00

what's a TWU?

probably TWUs who are angry at the bike the strike...

2009-11-05T13:31:33.889-05:00

probably TWUs who are angry at the bike the strike campaign.

Really, any acetone (nail polish remover, paint th...

2009-11-05T13:20:09.037-05:00

Really, any acetone (nail polish remover, paint thinner) should have easily dissolved the glue as well.

Next time around, you could use a Cyanoacrylate De...

2009-11-05T11:56:14.133-05:00

Next time around, you could use a Cyanoacrylate Debonder. It will loosen / dissolve cured superglues. It is typically found at hobby stores, maybe Utrecht or Pearl?

As a preventative measure, you could load the lock's internals with grease, to prohibit any adhesion. To do this, liberally apply grease to your key, then insert it into the lock, opening and closing it a couple of times. It should be possible to substitute more common household items like petroleum jelly or neosporin, in place of grease.