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5 Side Allen Bolt?? Anti-Theft Skewer? Help!!!

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5 Side Allen Bolt?? Anti-Theft Skewer? Help!!!

Old 10-28-16, 08:28 PM
  #1  
cazzooo
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5 Side Allen Bolt?? Anti-Theft Skewer? Help!!!

Hi I just bought a used bike that has a 5 sided Allen/Hex skewer for the front and back wheels. These is not Pinhead anti-theft skewers. They are 5 instead of 6 sided Allen bolts. Does anyone know the tool to use on these?
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Old 10-28-16, 08:38 PM
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Can't answer your question but it won't be too hard to cut the skewer off if you don't find the wrench. BTW didn't the seller mention this security "feature"? Andy.
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Old 10-28-16, 08:42 PM
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Trans-X Security Skewers, most likely.

There are apparently 5-sided allen keys out there, but they don't seem to be particularly easy to find. Maybe grind a suitably sized hex key to fit?
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Old 10-28-16, 08:47 PM
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Tamper Proof | Penta Nut Security Nuts | Bryce Fastener

Tamperproof Locking Bolts | Penta Plus | Bryce Fastener
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Old 10-28-16, 08:52 PM
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Allen = hex= six-sided. There is a line of Penta five-sided security bolts and nuts but don't see any bike stuff on their sites.

Yes, does look like Trans-X.
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Old 10-28-16, 08:53 PM
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It looks like a Trans-X Security Skewer. More popular in the UK and there are a few sets available with the key on the UK Amazon site.

Here is a set... https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/hub-spar...black/?geoc=US


-Tim-
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Old 10-28-16, 09:43 PM
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That the tool is hard to find is the whole goddamned point.
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Old 10-29-16, 01:41 AM
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Originally Posted by ThermionicScott
That the tool is hard to find is the whole goddamned point.
Heres one (with a new set of skewers) https://www.amazon.com/Tranz-TRANZ-Q.../dp/B001V581NG
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Old 10-29-16, 07:55 AM
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Originally Posted by ThermionicScott
That the tool is hard to find is the whole goddamned point.
I'd bet that any professional bike thief would have one...
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Old 10-29-16, 09:42 AM
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Originally Posted by AlexCyclistRoch
I'd bet that any professional bike thief would have one...
Sure, a professional bike thief can steal anything, though. The goal is to make your bike a little more annoying to steal than the one next to it.
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Old 10-30-16, 04:21 PM
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Fire Hydrants went to a 5 sided bolt for their valve on the Hydrant.

Hot Summer in the City and someone will get the water turned On, just hope the mains have enough for a Fire.
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Old 10-30-16, 07:25 PM
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Special fastener originally developed by a military contractor at the Pentagon used for bolting the $640 toilet seats in place on the C-5A cargo plane toilets.




Sorry, I couldn't help it.
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Old 10-30-16, 08:11 PM
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Originally Posted by AlexCyclistRoch
I'd bet that any professional bike thief would have one...
Unlikely, a serious pro carries one tool. A cordless angle grinder, everything else is irrelevant.

For that matter, I'm sure it would make short work of that nut.
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Old 10-31-16, 02:59 PM
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Try using an easy-out.
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Old 10-31-16, 03:43 PM
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what is an easy-out?
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Old 10-31-16, 10:01 PM
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Don't use an easy out or grinder to destroy it, bad karma, get a five side off one of the cheapo Chinese anti-criminal skewers on ebay for a few bucks. You then can carry the thing around in your jersey for both bikes with this level of protection, such as it is.
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Old 11-01-16, 09:25 AM
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Originally Posted by cazzooo
what is an easy-out?
Let Me Google That
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Old 04-30-18, 08:01 AM
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I'm way to late to help @cazzoo but I can share a recent experience with these "anti theft" skewers.

Where I work front wheels tend to disappear. So I replaced the quick release skewers on my bicycle with these 5 sided special tool skewers. Over the years the front wheel never disappeared so that's a good thing but this weekend I went for a long 27 mile bike ride. In the middle of the bike ride I noticed that my front tire slowly deflated. Luckily I was able to stop by bicycle community workspace where they help you to repair your bicycle. I'd say they are equipped and skilled like any other bike shop. Of course they didn't have the special tool, nor did I take it along for the ride. Staffers were puzzled a little about what to do.

I grabbed a medium sized flat screw driver that fit-jammed into the 5 sided slots so I could keep it from turning and unscrewed the other side with a pliers. It really didn't take any effort.

My conclusion:
- I'm glad the security of these skewers is ****ty so I could fix my tire.
- Repetitive use of the flat screwdriver and pliers method will cause horrid wear to these axel. (Thumb screw is aluminum and you can now already some shaving by the pliers.)
- Using normal non-quick release skewers provides the same security while allowing for emergency bike repairs the proper way.
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Old 07-06-21, 01:56 PM
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Thanks. I'm in Canada and this was killing me. Had my front wheel stolen and then got a new one installed with a security bolt. Now regreting it 7 years later...
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Old 07-06-21, 01:59 PM
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Originally Posted by TimothyH
It looks like a Trans-X Security Skewer. More popular in the UK and there are a few sets available with the key on the UK Amazon site.

Here is a set...

-Tim-
Thanks. I'm in Canada and this was killing me. Had my front wheel stolen and then got a new one installed with a security bolt. Now regreting it 7 years later...
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Old 07-07-21, 02:00 AM
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All these front wheel thefts. Do people not lock both wheels and the frame when locking their bikes?
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Old 07-07-21, 11:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Camilo
All these front wheel thefts. Do people not lock both wheels and the frame when locking their bikes?
Not on the bolted ones unless you have a really expensive bike. (mine was a Linus french style commuter bike) It was in front of the concierge desk too with a whole bunch of other bikes too. Bastards
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Old 07-07-21, 03:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Camilo
All these front wheel thefts. Do people not lock both wheels and the frame when locking their bikes?
One place where I habitually park there's one person who locks only his QR front wheel to the rack. Next to him every day is someone who only locks his back wheel and frame to the rack. Two quick releases and a bit of parts mixing and I'd have one nice bike from the two in about two minutes.

Amazon currently has the device under discussion as SUNLITE Locking Skewer Set, US sourced, so quick delivery.

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Old 07-07-21, 03:32 PM
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Originally Posted by cbike
but this weekend I went for a long 27 mile bike ride. In the middle of the bike ride I noticed that my front tire slowly deflated. Luckily I was able to stop by bicycle community workspace where they help you to repair your bicycle. I'd say they are equipped and skilled like any other bike shop. Of course they didn't have the special tool, nor did I take it along for the ride. Staffers were puzzled a little about what to do.
You can patch a tube while the wheel is still on the bike.
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Old 07-07-21, 03:35 PM
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I am seeing a number of 5 point Torx wrenches forsale. One may fit close enough.

An option if there isn't a rush is to find the supplier of the QR and either buy a second set or see if they'' sell just the wench.
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