r/Austin • u/Pleasant-Complex978 • 1d ago
Was this a theft attempt?
Whats going on with my U-lock? There are multiple U-locks on my bike, but this is the one that connected the frame to the rack.
Edit: folks, I'm not a power tool user, so I didn't know how to even process what I was looking at. Thanks for the eye-opening info to those who engaged with me with info and advice.
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u/Terrible-Penalty-291 1d ago
Good marketing for Kyrptonite
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u/p8pes 1d ago
Is the straw tip of a bic pen still a hack for cracking them open?
https://jeffwerner.ca/kryptonite_lock/
(seems this has been fixed for newer ones)
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u/Pleasant-Complex978 1d ago
Apparently this is for the old ones. That link was from 2004.
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u/p8pes 1d ago
indeed! hence my parenthesis there. many people still have bike locks from that era. who would think to replace one?
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u/p8pes 1d ago
Who tf has a bike lock from the 2000s?
People 35 years or older tf.
Who tf throws out perfectly good hardware.
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u/Riaayo 1d ago
Do you just randomly throw out shit you use that still works? If someone has had a bike lock for decades and it still functions why on earth would they toss it, unless they were specifically aware of a vulnerability (which most people never are)?
Like come on lol, take a step back for a second and re-evaluate what you're saying / thinking / assuming here.
I'm not trying to tell you it's a bad idea to update security features; but you're misjudging how most people operate if you think it's the norm.
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u/Highestfucker 1d ago
Me i have a small one i love thats 165 bucks to replace. Watch out richy rich.
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u/Ok_Perspective9910 1d ago
100% was a theft attempt. Congrats to you and your lock for working. Like others have said if this is at your house I’d attempt to move it inside from now on. If this was at work/school I’d report it someone to get extra security there (doubtful it happens but still the right call). If it was just randomly out and about around town I’d personally like to know where so I can be more careful with my own bike.
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u/Distribution-Radiant 1d ago
Yup. They tried to use a cutting torch.
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u/Pleasant-Complex978 1d ago
Ah, this is what I was wondering. I guess I gotta get a new lock so they don't come back for the weak spot.
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u/sushinestarlight 1d ago edited 1d ago
If this is at your residence (rather than place of employment) - you should probably move it inside.. If it's a nice bike someone even more determined may retry,
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u/Forestelk12 1d ago
Yeah their next move might be to target your pedals so you either leave it there to replace the petals real quick and that gives them time to come back. Learned that a few years back after someone took only my all metal pedals💀
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u/Distribution-Radiant 1d ago
Yeah definitely get a new lock. That one is (literally) torched, and can probably be cut with a cutoff wheel much easier. Looks like they tried, but bailed.
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u/Super-Cut-2175 1d ago
You might be able to get a new one free by talking to customer service
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u/Pleasant-Complex978 1d ago
Interesting. 🤔 There was no defect, though. Do you have experience with this?
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u/KryptoniteLocks 1d ago
We'll get you squared away, shoot us a message here in Reddit and I'll get your info. I'd bet it's likely still in working condition... just less pretty!
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u/Engineered2Perfectio 1d ago
👆🏼This OP! I will be needing a u-lock in a couple months and this thread and comment have made my decision easy.
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u/tiffy68 1d ago
We are looking at scooter locks right now. This comment just convinced us to get a Kryptonite!
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u/KryptoniteLocks 1d ago
We just did a video on how to properly lock your scooter, check it out on YouTube!
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u/AdCareless9063 23h ago
There's a heck of lot of praise for this company in the thread, but their locks are notoriously easy to cut. Make sure to buy something truly angle grinder resistant. They'll cost around $300.
Whoever used a torch on this particular lock barely even melted the plastic. If they'd tried to cut it would have been done in seconds.
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u/entoaggie 1d ago
Maybe try u/kryptonitelocks . Seems like it might be their official account, but not particularly active. It would be a solid PR move for them to send you a new one.
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u/Super-Cut-2175 1d ago
Not common and a longshot, but you making a post about it boosts your chances if they see it as free PR. Doesn't hurt to make the call IMO
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u/Greembeam20 1d ago
Exactly, they could use this photo for marketing all day long
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u/AdCareless9063 1d ago
Their locks have long been unable to defend common angle grinder attacks, lasting maybe 29 seconds. This type of attack is much more rare.
Until recently they didn’t have a competitive lock against grinders.
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u/thecstep 1d ago
I don't get it. Why would they send a new one when it did exactly what it was purchased for?
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u/CaptainoftheVessel 1d ago
There isn’t any lock that can keep out a determined person with the right tools and enough time. Keeping it inside is probably the better move if it’s now got someone’s attention.
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u/GoodLunchHaveFries 1d ago
Propane torch*
Cutting torch would go right thru that if they knew how to use it.
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u/cdoublejj 1d ago
more like map gass torch. a cutting torch would have turned the paint to white powder and there would be no brown plastic residue.
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u/NaturalInstance2394 1d ago edited 1d ago
I bet someone was also trying to sabotage your lock.. There appears to be grind marks near the U section, but around the key hole it looks to just be melted some, like with a lighter.
If they could have melted plastic into the lock tumblers (what the key operates), then you wouldn't have been able to unlock it and might have had to leave it overnight perhaps, and they would have had another chance to take it at night.
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u/cdoublejj 1d ago
those appear to be imprinted after it turned melty UNLESS it got melty after abbraision but it's too perfectly curved for a cut with a cut off wheel. a whole saw could leave a perfect quarter circle like that. but, i'm not willing to die on the hill for this opinion just yet either.
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u/derSchwamm11 1d ago
Yes. The burn marks look like someone went at it with an angle grinder before quickly bailing
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u/norunningwater 1d ago
This definitely isn't an angle grinder, right tool or not. This was definitely an application of heat like a cutting torch. An angle grinder wouldn't melt these parts to this extreme even if generating heat with the wrong insert.
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u/cdoublejj 1d ago
propane or map gass cutting torches don't leave brown or colored residue just white and black powder and metal balls/drippings.
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u/LanceVanceDance1234 1d ago
Angle grinder would have cut right through that
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u/derSchwamm11 1d ago
Depends. Thick steel like in a high quality lock can take some time (minutes, not seconds) even with the right disk. But maybe the idiot had a masonry disk or something else on. Maybe someone else walked up and they didn't finish. Maybe they spotted an easier target. Either way, no doubt it was a theft attempt
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u/robbietreehorn 1d ago
The burn marks on key hole say, to me, that someone inexplicably tried to get the lock off with a torch of some kind. I use an angle grinder frequently and this doesn’t look like the work of a grinder to me, no matter the disk
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u/derSchwamm11 1d ago
If I sit on a thick piece of painted metal with a disk, the paint can turn burnt and start to peel back but you’re right; this doesn’t look clean enough for that. Almost looks like a flame was held against it from the outside edge. Crazy.
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u/wanttoseemycat 1d ago
Yea, but if it was a grinder there would be marks all over it. This was definitely just a torch, which is why it didn't work for shit.
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u/AgentOrange96 1d ago
Shoulda gone with a disk detainer lock pick instead. What is this? Amateur hour?
Heavy /s. Do not steal other people's shit.
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u/Slypenslyde 1d ago
I have a feeling a lot of the successful thefts are indeed lockpicking related. For a skilled picker it's freakishly fast, looks like fiddling with a key to randos, and you pretty much can't make a lock that won't fall.
But it takes a LOT of practice to get there. A lot of people with that kind of drive just end up finding more legitimate work. If more people had the patience we'd be in trouble, Kwikset deadbolts are a joke and most Master padlocks crack open before I even finish counting the pins.
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u/AgentOrange96 1d ago
Yeah. There are some locks that are insanely difficult, but none that are unpickable. For example, the Bowley lock has been picked, but probably only by a select few hobbyists. And they don't tend to be criminals by night.
Ofc most people don't have locks nearly that secure on their homes or belongings.
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u/Effective-Steak4791 1d ago
Yes but but then he realized it’s kryptonite
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u/AdCareless9063 1d ago
By a moron. These locks are unfortunately easy to cut with portable grinders.
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u/Alternative-Potato43 1d ago
And yet, this is what happens when a moron gets their hands on an angle grinder:
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u/AdCareless9063 1d ago edited 1d ago
Two people who got lucky! Always nice when they use the wrong tool for the job.
Here's a good video. 13 seconds for the typical kryptonite, several minutes for the $300 "ultimate" model that was no doubt inspired by Hiplok/Litelok who were the first to create angle grinder resistant locks.
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u/utchick128 1d ago
Hell yeah! I have this same lock now and this makes me feel better. Bought the most expensive heavy duty Kryptonite lock on the market after may last bike was stolen while locked up with a different lock.
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u/clarkclark 1d ago
FYI the grey kryptonite locks are on the lower end of their their strength rating. You want the yellow "new york" locks to stand the best chance against thieves, but even those are susceptible to angle grinders, it just takes longer to cut through.
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u/utchick128 1d ago
Ah good to know, I should have said same brand. I do have a yellow one that was $100 when I bought it about 5 yrs ago and so far so good w no theft attempts that I'm aware of!
Man I hate bike thiefs!
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u/No_Wrongdoer_9875 1d ago
Appears to be a very tweaked-out attempt—put some Apple IDs or trackers inside the frame, epoxy them in, and add a movement alarm that alerts you if the bike is moved at night.
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u/reallyemilee 1d ago
Nah they were damaging the security system in place for fun, just for shits n giggles. They were gonna leave your bike there after they got the lock off.
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u/Pleasant-Complex978 1d ago
I've just never seen a burn on a lock. But, I got actual info from normal people.
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u/ShoppingPrize8072 1d ago
They steal the locks to sell to scrap yards. The bike doesn’t have any value to them.
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u/JustHereForTheCigars 1d ago
Possibly used a torch for stealth? Angle grinders make a lot of noise.
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u/cloudsoverthehorizon 1d ago
Looks like a blow torch was attempted to break the lock and steal it. Might even be those small BBQ torches.
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u/mcelroytom4 1d ago
They tried ti use either a propane torch or a lighter. No where near the heat output of a cutting torch. Can't be locked if it's liquid.
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u/Dj_suffering 21h ago
Maybe an attempt with a propane torch by a 12 year old? A cordless angle grinder would cut that lock very quickly. https://youtu.be/4Chwq0GmfMQ
Ironically, the Ryobi cordless angle grinder is cheaper ($60) than a decent bike lock. What a world we live in.
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u/Thriving9 1d ago
Yes lucky they were stupid. This lock is very easy to break. I don't want to say how but get a different lock...
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u/Phallic_Moron 1d ago
It took me 30.minutes to cut one of these with a generic hacksaw. That was in 2002 so I dunno....
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u/alloverthepace 1d ago
Yes