Weird dropout
 

Anybody seen this?
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cde57e786.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f78bc130b.jpeg
trying to change the tube on a neighbor’s bike. The bike is a Giant Sedona.

It looks like some sort of a security skewer. It looks like it's made so that you can tighten it easily but not loosen it easily. There may be some sort of a special key that is designed to work with those. What does the other side look like?

The dropout isn't weird, but that looks like an anti-theft skewer, which is what I guess you are interested in. Specifically, it looks like a Pinhead skewer. You'll need a tool that's keyed to the exact arrangements of divots. It looks like Pinhead can recover that information for you based on a photo, but they charge for the service.

I'm pretty sure the owner has no idea where this lock came from nor is the original owner of the bike. I doubt she'll want to pay for a key either. I'll take a drill to it to get it off and put a QR back on it for her and instruct her to get a cable plus u-lock combo. The front wheel was a QR.

Should be able to get a grip on it with a vice grip pliers. Once removed, replace it with a standard QR skewer.

Common on stolen bikes, at one of the shops I worked at we would see that all the time where the owner had no idea but usually they weren't the thieves but poor saps who bought them from the thieves for way too much money.

You wouldn't be able to get a key without knowing the key code. I doubt that Pinhead would be able to guess the key based on a picture. If you are careful you can use a punch or chisel and hammer to get it out but the grooves aren't super deep.

Worst case a dremel/angle grinder and make a couple wrench flats

What type of nut is on the drive side? I mean we can’t see it but surely there isn’t a quick release, or a different nut that can be more easily removed on that side is there? Obvious I know but just gotta ask.

Dan

What's on the other side?

+1 - probably your best bet depending on what's on the other side. If it's yet another security nut then this may be your only option.

The other side is smooth and rounded. Like I said, I would take a drill to the threads. There isn't much to grip with a vice grip. I'll have to see if I have a 135 QR, I don't think I do. Maybe I have a 130 that would still work.

I'd think if they are a security nut or theft prevention, then they'll be made of tool steel or something harder. Getting a grip on those rounded edges will be hard to do. May ruin a drill bit or two also.

I'd go for the angle grinder and either cut it off all together or make a slot for a big screw driver. The current skewer in there is toast anyhow.

Though with a good very sharp edge of a chisel or punch on the major circumference and a whack with a hammer aimed in the direction to unscrew it, you might get it to start loosening.

It wasn't made out of anything out of the ordinary. It's a relatively cheap bike component. "All components are precision forged from corrosion-resistant CrMo steel and aircraft aluminium alloys" IOW, bike materials.

That's an anti-theft nut that is usually used to assemble bathroom stalls in public places so people can't fiddle with them. They're also commonly used on signs to prevent theft. When installed, they are not intended to be removed. Some idiot put them on the bike to prevent the wheels being stolen so they could lock up the frame and all would still be intact when they returned. Unfortunate for the person that needs to service the bike. Most are simply a soft alloy, IE: aluminum.

PINHEAD security nuts. Lock Nut - Pinhead Locks

An update: I saw my neighbor trying to do something, anything, with the bike so she could at least get it to a bike shop. I offered to try one last thing to get it off, a vice grip. Et voila! I was able to grip it enough to turn it, with the top jaw in the dropout slot. I did it a few times and then it was loose enough to turn by hand.

And this brings up another point. If this is supposed to be a keyed security skewer, it isn't very effective if I could get it off in an instant with a vice grip.

Based on your posts' timestamps, it took you nearly 4 days to remove that wheel! I'd say it did its job ;)

Except now that I know how, it won't take more than 30 seconds to make off with a wheel. It'll only stop someone from just grabbing it. Any determined thief would have that off in a jiffy.

I hope you were able to see all the sarcasm in my post...I agree that nothing will stop a determined thief, or home-mechanic for that matter. Having been in similar situations with automotive locking lug nuts and very recently a feeble saddle lock on a bike I bought for my niece, just having the right tool at hand will make for very quick work of most theft preventative measures.

The 'serious' part of my post as you've noted is that those locks do serve some purpose. A tool-less, would-be thief can't just grab the wheel like they could if it had a quick release skewer.

When my heavy, Kryptonite NY Fuhgeddaboudit lock disappeared from the bike rack outside my office where I would leave it overnight I realized every lock was breakable. Luckily my bike wasn't connected to it. It is probably the heaviest regular production lock available. Don't count on one to save your bike!

But yes, I did get the sarcasm!