Bicycle theft December 02, 2019, 12:14:46 pm A friend and camping buddy just returned from a trip along the central California coast. While camping along the Ventura coast, he woke to discover that his prized bicycle was missing from the rack on the back of the motorhome. Someone was able to cut the cable and remove the bike quietly enough that he never heard it leave.Off to Craigslist to find another bicycle.Harold
Re: Bicycle theft Reply #1 – December 02, 2019, 02:25:32 pm That's a shame; unfortunately, thefts of expensive, desirable items is very common. Your friend might want to ask Larry W. about the chain he uses to secure their e-bikes to the rig rack; maybe some really determined skel with a plasma cutter could get through it, but the average 'grab and go' crook would likely be put off by the mass and weight, i.e., links about half the size of my fist and the power to hold a cargo ship in a storm! 2 Likes
Re: Bicycle theft Reply #2 – December 02, 2019, 02:36:03 pm I end up with 3 low value children's bikes tangled on the rack in front of mine so that even I can't get my nice bike off without 30 minutes of pulling and tugging and busting knuckles. Asking the kids to put their own bikes on the rack makes it even more fun. I never really thought of it this way, but I guess they're doing me a favor?It's really hard to stop a determined bike thief. My guess is that e-bikes will also become targets. Even if you lock the bike, high dollar parts like batteries can be stolen unless removed. Bike Insurance is an option too: Bicycle Insurance | Markel SpecialtyRich'03 MB in NC 1 Likes
Re: Bicycle theft Reply #3 – December 02, 2019, 02:40:42 pm I just don’t clean or wash my bike anymore. It looks like hell but still eats up mountain trails like nobody’s business. No theft problems, yet
Re: Bicycle theft Reply #4 – December 02, 2019, 08:04:07 pm I woke up from a nap mid-afternoon in New Mexico to my dogs (Rico (RIP) and dear old Smudge) making a ruckus. Some old man was trying to steal my bike seat. I no longer leave it on the bike, but the dogs saved the day as an early warning.So sorry to hear about a nice bike going for a solo-ride. Maybe it will show up on Craigslist itself.
Re: Bicycle theft Reply #5 – December 02, 2019, 09:01:56 pm I just researched all this as I got a new bike. Bottom line, nothing will stop a good thief. Best thing is to make your bike look more bothersome than the other bikes around and have insurance on it.Home owner/renter policies will do riders for bikes and accessories (no deductible).Kryptonite locks includes insurance for their locks - covers the bike (or insurance deductible) but not accessories.Kryptonite offers some great locks - including ones rated for bikes left out overnight in NYC - bike theft capitol (they offer their insurance on these locks).Bike thieves carry around angle grinders to go thru bike chains in something like 20 seconds - cause they practice a lot. Even if you heard them, they are gone by the time you get out there or some hollers hey, that guy is stealing a bike.Yup, they will take just about any accessory, there are some locks making it harder to take accessories.Having two types of locks - one needing an angle iron and one requiring a very large cable cutter means the thief has to have two tools, which is not as likely. Making your bike the hardest target of the other ones around works well - e.g. putting it where it is very visible, making it harder to grab and ride it away (multiple different types of locks or more work to get to it/be able to ride it away).Jane 1 Likes
Re: Bicycle theft Reply #6 – December 02, 2019, 10:14:18 pm Harold,Sorry for your friends loss. Thieves are one of the lowest bottom dwellers on this planet. As it’s been said, if they want it badly enough they will get it. I certainly don’t make our Treks easy targets...EVER.I added about 15+ pounds of locks and chains (cables are worthless for securing a bike) to my new Trek DS4.I did quite a bit of research before my purchases. I use the toughest Abus pad locks, U Locks, and chains. Here are my padlocks (2) https://youtu.be/FfFTNsowDvkHere is my Abus U Lock https://youtu.be/PtdiO1ZiiXkAbus chains come in several gauges and can be ordered on line or built to order with a cloth cover to protect your bikes paint. ABUS is prominently printed on the cover to give the thieves an idea of the trouble they are about to encounter. Take that ya bums. One of my chains is permanently locked to the tow loop on the rear bumper of the LD. The chain loops through the Tule bike rack and through two bikes where it joins the other chain which snakes through both bike frames and wheels and finally pad locked together.The Abus U lock goes through the frame of the inner bike and secures both chains and locks around the Tule rack. Come and get ‘em. Kent 3 Likes
Re: Bicycle theft Reply #7 – December 02, 2019, 11:32:45 pm Quote from: Kent Heckethorn - December 02, 2019, 10:14:18 pmHarold,Sorry for your friends loss. Thieves are one of the lowest bottom dwellers on this planet. As it’s been said, if they want it badly enough they will get it. I certainly don’t make our Treks easy targets...EVER.I added about 15+ pounds of locks and chains (cables are worthless for securing a bike) to my new Trek DS4.I did quite a bit of research before my purchases. I use the toughest Abus pad locks, U Locks, and chains. Here are my padlocks (2) https://youtu.be/FfFTNsowDvkHere is my Abus U Lock https://youtu.be/PtdiO1ZiiXkAbus chains come in several gauges and can be ordered on line or built to order with a cloth cover to protect your bikes paint. ABUS is prominently printed on the cover to give the thieves an idea of the trouble they are about to encounter. Take that ya bums. One of my chains is permanently locked to the tow loop on the rear bumper of the LD. The chain loops through the Tule bike rack and through two bikes where it joins the other chain which snakes through both bike frames and wheels and finally pad locked together.The Abus U lock goes through the frame of the inner bike and secures both chains and locks around the Tule rack. Come and get ‘em. Kent Kent, you should have issued a warning, "Click on these links at your own risk." I got hooked on the Lock Picking Lawyer's picking skills and found it difficult to stop watching his videos.Chris 4 Likes
Re: Bicycle theft Reply #8 – December 03, 2019, 12:22:29 am I know what you mean, Chris. He’s kinda like Mr. Hand on the Mr. Bill show but a bit more helpful. 🥴https://youtu.be/cRJE2n3qjrYKent
Re: Bicycle theft Reply #9 – December 03, 2019, 01:16:26 am Thanks for the lock recommendations Kent.Harold