In many parts of the country, winter has already started to creep into the days. This has resulted in ice and even snow. While most people do not bike when it is cold enough for ice, there are those that do. As a result, bike locks sometimes become frozen shut. The most important thing to avoid is adding more water. While dumping hot water on a lock may melt the ice and work in a pinch, it actually adds to the problem.
When water is dumped on the lock, some of it gets stuck inside of the lock. This water then freezes when left alone for too long. A much better idea for treating a frozen lock is using a lighter or some de-icer. De-icer can be found in containers that are small enough to fit in a toolkit that is carried on a bike. A lighter is something of a no-brainer when it comes to removing ice.
Rather than treating the problem, it could be a good idea to look into preventing it all together. A lock can be prevented from freezing if it is kept properly greased. The first thing to do is take the lock inside a nice, dry place to let it dry out completely. Once the lock is completely dry, it can be sprayed down with bike grease, WD-40, or some other type of lubricant. WD-40, while it is cheap and effective, does have a tendency to wash out rather quickly.
Contact a Bike Lock Dealer
For more information on protecting your bike lock from the winter weather or on what type of bike lock is best for you, please contact the bike lock experts of A&J’s bike locks by calling 708-460-2999.
