wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Joined: 07/04/2006
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Cables and chains can be cut. So can lock shackels. There is no way to stop a dedicated thief.. However by using locks and cables you can suggest to a thief that he seek easier targets. and in a campground there are always easier targets
Of course you could use a leash attached to the bike rack on one end and Brutis on the other...he's 250 pounds of underfed rotweiller. (NOTE. I prefer the concrete fido method...... That way when you are hauled into court for harboring a vicious animal you can say to the judge that you have CONCRETE PROOF your dog did not attack anyone, Wheel in the statue of the dog, See, you honor. CONCRETE (Thunk thunk on the "dog")
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
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Pangaea Ron
Anacortes, WA, USA
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Joined: 12/20/2004
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I use the integral cable on my hitch mounted Thule bike rack. I also use my coated cable and padlock that I use when biking away from the MH. When in really questionable areas I also have a 3/16" diameter 30' long coated steel cable and padlock that I can loop through lawn chairs etc. Not perfect but it should slow someone for a bit.
* This post was
edited 10/11/08 10:02am by Pangaea Ron *
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Lantley
Ellicott City, Maryland
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I'm sure bike thefts do happen but they are rare and there is no need to be overly concerned. Lock bikes with cable, chain or whatever. Locks are only a deterrent a determined thief thief can easily cut any lock chain or cable with the right tool. There is no foolproof lock!
That being said, lock you bikes as securely as possible and don't worry about them. Thefts are rare and most any lock will serve as a deterrent. I seldom if ever lock my inexpensive Wal- Mart bikes. Maybe the thief will by pass your locked bikes and take mine.
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havedreamwilltravel
Southern California
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We lock ours up to the trailer at night or when we're going to be gone. Since we have the removeable front wheels on our bikes, the cable goes throught the tires and then through the frame of all 4 bikes and all is attached to the frame of the trailer.
If anybody wants anything they will get it no matter what you do. Someone else said it - make yours more difficult and they'll move on to something easier.
Beyond that, I try not to worry too much. Bikes can be replaced.
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Visaliaipa
Visalia, CA
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Usually are boys (6&7) just prop their bikes up on the side of the trailer and we haven't had any problems as of yet. If we leave the campsite then we put them inside. The purpose of a lock, IMHO, is to act as a deterrent. Someone stealing bikes in a campground is looking for an easy target and a locked bike presents a challenge, albeit some locks are easier, but regardless they got to hang around and that draws attention.
Bottom line is that if they want it they will get it. Where I live in California auto theft is very prevelant. Whats are one of the easiest and frequently targeted vehicles to steal. A Cadillac Escalade. You would think a vehicle that expensive would be like Fort Knox. Just the contrary, very easy to steal and as the saying goes, if they want it, they will get it.
Its pretty sad when you really have to worry about getting your or your kids' bikes stolen when your camping.
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jesterdog
Texas
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Joined: 05/04/2007
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Well, you got to look at the motivation behind the theft. A person does not steal your bike because he wants that bike for himself. He is stealing it because he can pawn it for $20 to $40 maybe. He needs cash to buy drugs. I think the removal of the front tire/seat and locking with lock and cable is the best method. No pawn shop is going to buy a bike missing the seat and/or the front wheel because it is, without a doubt, stolen property. Not to mention it ain't worth $10 in that condition. Likewise, the thief is not going to buy a new seat and/or a new wheel and tire just to pawn it because he would spend more on the seat/wheel that he is going to get from the pawn shop.
Do thieves know the difference between a $75 and a $3000 mountain bike? I don't know. Does it change the dynamic....not so sure that it does. The pawn shop owner definately knows the difference. He also knows a crackhead can't afford a bike like that. If he is unscrupulous, he may gamble on fencing known stolen mechandise.
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quabillion
Fulltime Native Texan
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Lantley wrote:I'm sure bike thefts do happen but they are rare and there is no need to be overly concerned. Lock bikes with cable, chain or whatever. Locks are only a deterrent a determined thief thief can easily cut any lock chain or cable with the right tool. There is no foolproof lock!
That being said, lock you bikes as securely as possible and don't worry about them. Thefts are rare and most any lock will serve as a deterrent. I seldom if ever lock my inexpensive Wal- Mart bikes. Maybe the thief will by pass your locked bikes and take mine.
Yeah, right tool!!!
Have yall seen that all a thief needs to get a tubular lock open, is a BIC PEN!??
Thats right, no gimmick or joke here, a bic pen is all it takes to open many of these bike locks, and vending machine locks.
See the video here
Also, I had one of these locks on MY bike several years ago.
While I was out drinking one night my keys became lost. Seeing how I needed to get home, sans keys to my bike or home, I found a pen on the ground, and within 5 seconds the lock was in 2 peices on the ground.
I was quite surprised!!
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havedreamwilltravel
Southern California
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quabillion wrote:Lantley wrote:I'm sure bike thefts do happen but they are rare and there is no need to be overly concerned. Lock bikes with cable, chain or whatever. Locks are only a deterrent a determined thief thief can easily cut any lock chain or cable with the right tool. There is no foolproof lock!
That being said, lock you bikes as securely as possible and don't worry about them. Thefts are rare and most any lock will serve as a deterrent. I seldom if ever lock my inexpensive Wal- Mart bikes. Maybe the thief will by pass your locked bikes and take mine.
Yeah, right tool!!!
Have yall seen that all a thief needs to get a tubular lock open, is a BIC PEN!??
Thats right, no gimmick or joke here, a bic pen is all it takes to open many of these bike locks, and vending machine locks.
See the video here
Also, I had one of these locks on MY bike several years ago.
While I was out drinking one night my keys became lost. Seeing how I needed to get home, sans keys to my bike or home, I found a pen on the ground, and within 5 seconds the lock was in 2 peices on the ground.
I was quite surprised!!
This is older information and Kryptonite, when this was found out, changed their locks on their U-locks to a more "pick" (or is the Bic) proof one. Not sure about the other makers. But yes, I remember this.
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bobsallyh
Livingston, Tx.
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Joined: 01/08/2004
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Buy cheap bikes, nobody wants cheap.
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rockylarson
Jersey Shore
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Joined: 12/25/2007
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We use TREK folding bikes with 20inch wheels. 8 gears and hand brakes. Dahon has soft cases for storing and carrying. Can't see them at all in the back of our CRV. Takes less than a minute to go from stored to riding and just a few more from riding to storage.
Used TREKs are out there (They may have stopped production) and Dahon and others are readily available.
Good Luck
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