Thief proof my bike parts
#26
Palmer
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 8,784
Bikes: Mike Melton custom, Alex Moulton AM, Dahon Curl
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1,135 Posts
#28
Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Northern California
Posts: 9,331
Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.
Liked 1,391 Times
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925 Posts
I long ago got over the idea that I could expect to return to an unmolested expensive bike left unattended.
So, for my errands, I always use a decent-but-inexpensive thrift-store-find bike, and with a good well-used (damaged-looking) saddle on it from one of my club-ride bikes.
My hybrid has a suspension seatpost that I don't want to lose, so I use LocTite on the clamp bolt so that it takes two Allen wrenches to loosen (Allen bolt plus Allen nut from a brake pad).
I use a short rope-style lock with large-diameter tubular armor over the cable that will at least resist a quick cut, and since the bike is pretty heavy (including urban tires, so no patch kit or pump), so it can't so easily be carried away.
When I need to shop while out on my road bike, I use it like a shopping cart and just walk through the store. I recommend good safe-walking cleats like SPD-SL for walking on tile and linoleum.
Some stores will allow bike parking in any unused checkstand aisle at the low-traffic times of day, and a mini cable sidearm lock (also armored type to resist pocket cutters) that fits in a pocket will prevent ride-away incidents there, or at the coffee stop.
Luckily I haven't lost more than an old headlight for quite some time now. I normally take my headlight with me and no one has taken my bolted-on taillight yet.
I also recommend never to clean any bike that will be left outside since you basically don't want it to look like merchandise.
So, for my errands, I always use a decent-but-inexpensive thrift-store-find bike, and with a good well-used (damaged-looking) saddle on it from one of my club-ride bikes.
My hybrid has a suspension seatpost that I don't want to lose, so I use LocTite on the clamp bolt so that it takes two Allen wrenches to loosen (Allen bolt plus Allen nut from a brake pad).
I use a short rope-style lock with large-diameter tubular armor over the cable that will at least resist a quick cut, and since the bike is pretty heavy (including urban tires, so no patch kit or pump), so it can't so easily be carried away.
When I need to shop while out on my road bike, I use it like a shopping cart and just walk through the store. I recommend good safe-walking cleats like SPD-SL for walking on tile and linoleum.
Some stores will allow bike parking in any unused checkstand aisle at the low-traffic times of day, and a mini cable sidearm lock (also armored type to resist pocket cutters) that fits in a pocket will prevent ride-away incidents there, or at the coffee stop.
Luckily I haven't lost more than an old headlight for quite some time now. I normally take my headlight with me and no one has taken my bolted-on taillight yet.
I also recommend never to clean any bike that will be left outside since you basically don't want it to look like merchandise.
#31
There was a cheapo road bike locked to a bus stop outside our shop here in Eugene. Completely out in the open on a very busy 4 lane road.
Before the end of day 1 the front tire was ripped off, now the bike won't make it home. The next morning it was stripped. Frame and front rim locked to a pole. Today it's gone.
The homeless guys have a nice little bike shop going in the parking lot on 11th, where ever they've made their camp for the week. You can probably go buy your parts back for a few dollars.
My bike is safely parked inside, too many shiny parts to leave outside. My wife's bike is on the bike rack in the parking garage. Her bike is the newest of the bunch, but a subtle grey and black trek fx2 flys under the radar.
Before the end of day 1 the front tire was ripped off, now the bike won't make it home. The next morning it was stripped. Frame and front rim locked to a pole. Today it's gone.
The homeless guys have a nice little bike shop going in the parking lot on 11th, where ever they've made their camp for the week. You can probably go buy your parts back for a few dollars.
My bike is safely parked inside, too many shiny parts to leave outside. My wife's bike is on the bike rack in the parking garage. Her bike is the newest of the bunch, but a subtle grey and black trek fx2 flys under the radar.