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 Post subject: Bike locks
PostPosted: Mon Aug 28, 2017 10:26 am 
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Hi all,

This weekend I was biking Laguna Meadows with my wife. We ran into a mountain biker who was on a loaner bike b/c he got his bike stolen. Apparently he had it on a hitch rack with two cable locks. Stopped in to grab a bite to eat in Reno for only 30 minutes and the bike was gone with both cables cut.

I did some reading and found http://thebestbikelock.com/ website, which has a LOT of reviews on various types of locks. The first thing they say is that cable locks are basically trash, which is unfortunate b/c that's precisely what I (and many others I've seen) use right now. So I am thinking about getting one of their recommended chain locks, specifically the Kryptonite New York Noose (http://thebestbikelock.com/best-chain-lock/kryptonite-new-york-noose-1275-best-portable-chain/). I'm a big fan of the flexibility and length* it offers with the "noose" feature.

The big downside of the chain is the weight, but since this is going to go on the back of my car (1Up Platform hitch rack) I'm really not too concerned about that. There are heavier/thicker options** but I'm thinking they are perhaps overkill.

Anyway, I wanted to get a ideas from the community about this. What do you use to secure your bike to your car?

Cheers,
Mike


* That's what she said?
** Also what she said?

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 Post subject: Re: Bike locks
PostPosted: Mon Aug 28, 2017 11:26 am 
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I use the Abus Brooklyn Key Bicycle Chain Lock - 120cm x 10mm (Black) and got it for $76.58.

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 Post subject: Re: Bike locks
PostPosted: Mon Aug 28, 2017 11:29 am 
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I use invisibility as a main deterrent. If they can't see what I have they cannot steal it.

With the advent of li-ion powered angle grinders, there is really not much that a thief cannot cut through fairly quietly and in less than a minute.
And often, if the bike lock on a bike rack looks daunting, thieves will simply defeat the easier security of the the hitch rack and steal bike and rack together.

So, if yer gonna stop for a bite to eat, it better be where you can sit and actually see your bike at all times.

In general, bike thieves are varmints, and varmints usually learn pretty fast, so there is never a way to stop them that will last very long. Unless they're dead...

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 Post subject: Re: Bike locks
PostPosted: Mon Aug 28, 2017 12:56 pm 
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I have similar chain locks as 406.

Agreed keeping it out of sight is the best deterrent. I try to keep my bike in the back seat of the truck whenever possible where it's less visible. But that is often not possible on road trips, nor is it convenient.

Sure the chain can be cut, but not as easily or as inconspicuously as a cable.


Inconceivable, guess you don't know the biker but for anyone who runs into someone who had a bike stolen in Truckee-Reno area, police recently busted a theft ring up there. Hopefully the victims can get their rides back.... http://www.abc10.com/news/local/bicycle ... /466451930


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 Post subject: Re: Bike locks
PostPosted: Mon Aug 28, 2017 1:03 pm 
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Yes, definitely get a good lock, But if you can't see your bike from where you're eating, best look for another place to park, or even go to another restaurant.

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 Post subject: Re: Bike locks
PostPosted: Mon Aug 28, 2017 2:51 pm 
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There's not a lock and chain on the market that cannot be easily and quickly thwarted. At least with the best locks/chains, the scum need the right tools on hand (high-power battery grinder as already mentioned), or in some cases a big-ass bolt cutter.

If the bike is in sight, don't take your eyes off of it.

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 Post subject: Re: Bike locks
PostPosted: Mon Aug 28, 2017 3:02 pm 
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Yes, I acknowledge that there is no fail-safe option. I've seen plenty of YouTube vids by now of even the best chains being cut through with a grinder.

However, I also think that a fail-safe solution isn't really necessary. You just want to make things difficult enough so that most thieves would rather go after somebody else's bike (pro tip: always travel with somebody with a better bike and crappier lock :lol: ).

I'm not a big fan of the idea that you always have to have your bike in sight. That requirement is overly constraining and impractical. It removes any opportunity to do any non-bike activities (like say, on a road trip to Sedona which also includes a side trip to the Grand Canyon), and there's nothing that sucks the fun out of any trip like constantly having to worry about your bike. Yes, I realize that leaving your bike unattended involves some risk, but if we weren't able to stomach some risk, we wouldn't be mountain bikers! :bang:

I'm looking for solutions that decrease risk w/o significantly decreasing fun. :)

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 Post subject: Re: Bike locks
PostPosted: Mon Aug 28, 2017 3:13 pm 
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 Post subject: Re: Bike locks
PostPosted: Mon Aug 28, 2017 3:58 pm 
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 Post subject: Re: Bike locks
PostPosted: Mon Aug 28, 2017 4:10 pm 
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Inconceivable wrote:
However, I also think that a fail-safe solution isn't really necessary. You just want to make things difficult enough so that most thieves would rather go after somebody else's bike (pro tip: always travel with somebody with a better bike and crappier lock :lol: ).

I'm not a big fan of the idea that you always have to have your bike in sight. That requirement is overly constraining and impractical. It removes any opportunity to do any non-bike activities (like say, on a road trip to Sedona which also includes a side trip to the Grand Canyon), and there's nothing that sucks the fun out of any trip like constantly having to worry about your bike. Yes, I realize that leaving your bike unattended involves some risk, but if we weren't able to stomach some risk, we wouldn't be mountain bikers! :bang:

I'm looking for solutions that decrease risk w/o significantly decreasing fun. :)


I'm with you on the 1st paragraph and we usually have (4) bikes not within our sight every time we stop to eat on the way home from a ride. I use the lock on the Thule racks and then have a long, cable snaked thru the bikes and I've never had an issue...yet. However, that's a big HELL NO for me on your 2nd paragraph. No way I'd leave my bike unattended in a situation like that no matter what kind of locks I owned.

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 Post subject: Re: Bike locks
PostPosted: Mon Aug 28, 2017 4:27 pm 
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Not sure if this will be helpful, but since we have an old-style Swagman 4 bike holder that clamps down on all 4 bikes with a big metal clamp that screws in, if I bring a "good" bike, I will load it on the spot closest to the vehicle, then put the rest of the bikes, which tend to be somewhat "crappy" kid bikes on the 3 outside spots, clamp them all down and run an old cable lock through it all.

What results is a pile of bikes that look generally crappy, and the screw on clamp takes several minutes to undo. So if someone were to seek to steal the "good" bike buried in there, they would have to spend at least 7-10 minutes messing with a pile of crappy bikes, cutting the cable, etc.

I have used this system to eat lunch and take a shit on road trips and so far it has worked. I would not trust it overnight though, or for even several hours. Just short breaks.

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 Post subject: Re: Bike locks
PostPosted: Mon Aug 28, 2017 6:32 pm 
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Inconceivable wrote:

I'm not a big fan of the idea that you always have to have your bike in sight. That requirement is overly constraining and impractical. It removes any opportunity to do any non-bike activities (like say, on a road trip to Sedona which also includes a side trip to the Grand Canyon), and there's nothing that sucks the fun out of any trip like constantly having to worry about your bike. Yes, I realize that leaving your bike unattended involves some risk, but if we weren't able to stomach some risk, we wouldn't be mountain bikers! :bang:

I'm looking for solutions that decrease risk w/o significantly decreasing fun. :)


Remove the wheels, stash them inside the vehicle if there is room, and cover with a blanket (but first use that new heavy duty lock/chain snaked through the frames and wheels). If you lock them up on a rack in a tourist (theft) area like the Grand Canyon, the risk of them being gone when you come back is way too high. The first is a calculated risk. The 2nd is "Free Bikes!".

It's a conundrum without a perfect answer unfortunately.

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 Post subject: Re: Bike locks
PostPosted: Mon Aug 28, 2017 7:05 pm 
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There's also the battery-operated rebar cutters. Will go through your chain like buttah.

Then there's this: 5,000 F and 2 seconds to freedom:

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 Post subject: Re: Bike locks
PostPosted: Mon Aug 28, 2017 7:33 pm 
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...and after snaking that big cable or cables through everything, take a smaller cable and run it through your seatrails if you will be away for even a minute. Best is to pull the whole seatpost and hide it inside, but that can be a pain with droppers. Definitely don't use a QR on your dropper.

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 Post subject: Re: Bike locks
PostPosted: Mon Aug 28, 2017 10:55 pm 
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I've found if people want something they'll get it. Some people might remember me getting my fox 40 stolen in whistler. They ended up taking it apart through the stanchions because we wrapped a cable between them. Took the dang front wheel. My fault those as a buddy and I cut riding short and ending up drinking for hours in the village.

Another thing if say your locking the bike up on a post or something (probably more commuter bikes)but take the chain off the front ring. That'll catch the thief off guard. ( just remember to put it back)

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