Faulty bike lock - what is reasonable

[kiethton]

The lock that secures my bike outside the flat seems to have stopped working this morning (key and all spares turn half way but not beyond) leaving me on the train.

The lock and chain are about 6 weeks old so will be returned to the big jungle but the other issue is actually removing the thing. Is it reasonable to assume that they will refund the cost of a locksmith removing it as well? If not would claiming this direct cost be a lost cause?

[Tebbers]

Pick up some graphite powder to lubricate the lock, it's what I use on mine when it sticks like yours does

[Djtemeka]

Easier to get wd40

Could have been the rain that did it

[defblade]

Lots of lube and jiggling.

After that, you can go sort the lock out

[ging84]

wd40 is never a good way to lubricate a lock
it works in the short term but it also causes dirt to cling to it, not something you want on such a fine mechanism as a lock
this is why lock smiths will use graphite, it's dry and will never make anything sticky

[kiethton]

Thanks for that all, makes sense.

Is it something that Robert Dyas would sell? If not I'm likely to just WD40 it and get it sent back for a refund - always seemed a bit temperamental/st (Oxford HD)

[TheLemming]

Ah there we go - the mistake was buying from Oxford.

They are frankly crap.

[DrDeAtH]

A pencil will be a good supply of graphite powder. Just scrape a stharp blade along the lead to powder it onto some paper. Resharpen the pencil to get more lead. G ntinue until you think you have enough to do the lock.

[kiethton]

Thanks for all the pointers guys, got it unlocked that evening with some lube as advised.

Think this'll be an added job alongside the chain lube/tighten and checks when I do them.