3alarmer 

...more precious than platinum.

dwkindig

Here's a fourth necro. Just FYI, this post is the first result for "bike post fell in tube" on Google. It's clearly getting a lot of attention in the 9 1/2 years since it was started, way more than the replies alone would indicate, as suggested since Google uses clicks and linkbacks as part of their algorithm for ranking searches. This post probably deserves some sort of place of honor or distinction. Or to be locked, so there's not a fifth series of replies in one-or-more year's time.

Anyway, thought I'd just throw in that the hanger method worked fine for me. Being once-upon-a-time a pizza delivery driver in a cold climate, I've locked myself out of my car more times than I can recount and so am used to jimmying things with sturdy wire hangers: The hangers I used were steel, a little over 2mm thick, and I doubled up on them for extra leverage. Since I had trouble visualizing how it was going to work, I've attached some pictures I was going to attach some pictures, but being as it's my first post, I can't do that or post URLs. So, if anyone wants the pictures (or wants to post them for me), and you are familiar with Imgur's album URL format, you can look for album Y5MoUrz to see the three pictures I took. As you would have seen/will see, you want the hooking end to be really narrow and rather long, unless you have a super-thick bit of wire you're using, 'cause the wire will get deformed as you pull up on it.

Leaneely

So good to hear this. I did try the hanger last night but gave up quickly. I've been working on this thing all night.

Peace327

The wire hanger worked like a charm. Just remember to add a tiny hook at the end. Then pull like hell. Thank you very much!