what do you do with your bikes on your car when you're out?

[blurgirl]

I saw this posted elsewhere. Bic pens can be used to crack U-locks
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=66128

[han-grrl]

My hubby's and my bike nearly got stolen off the roof our car. they were locked into our Thule bike rack (no front wheel). we caught them with one of the bikes, they dropped it and ran. they ripped the darn tray RIGHT off the car. our friends have similar racks and they had already gotten to their bikes. so even if your bike is locked to the roof, if they want it, thieves will take it. the best thing to do is to either lock the bikes inside your car, or to make sure they bikes are in view at all times.

my two cents

Hannah

[Irulan]

there are no guarantees... my friend had the windows busted out of his Jeep and they stole his bike, and few other things.

Irulan

[spazzdog]

There's always the good old country way...

Chain your dog to the bike rack (well, not my dog ) and don't feed him/her. Especially those little yappy ferocious ones.

Thieves HATE messing with dogs.


** for all concerned: this is not necessarily a serious suggestion, although I've seen it work quite well.

[snapdragen]

[i]
Thieves HATE messing with dogs.

My fuzz-butt corgi would show them where the key was hidden! Then follow them home, cheap tart that she is.

[pedalfaster]

Originally posted by Irulan
there are no guarantees... my friend had the windows busted out of his Jeep and they stole his bike, and few other things.

Yeah I know a few people with the same story. Be sure that your homeowners/renters policy covers your bikes. A friend found out the hard way that having her bike stolen out of her car was not covered by her auto policy.

I still think that inside the car/van is the best way to secure a bike. If your vehicle is going to be out of your sight, try to make sure your bike is out of sight (in the trunk with both wheels off or toss a blanket or cover over in a van or wagon).

[triscuit]

When I was using a roof rack, (a thule big mouth and a yakima king cobra) I used the locks on the trays themselves, but then also added a u-lock and a cable if I parked somewhere. Mostly because the trays do not actually lock to the bars, at least these two don't, though the bars are locked to the car.

After a little incident with the king cobra and a parking garage, I am now using a saris bones trunk rack. I lock the bikes to the rack with a cable lock, then put a u-lock through one of the little holes for towing in the car frame under the trunk and loop another cable lock to the u-lock and rack, locking the rack itself to my car. Of course, if someone had a cable cutter, they could still get them. But I never leave for too long, and I figure it is about as much deterrant as I can get. But I have to remember to unlock the rack/frame stuff before driving away.

The only problem now is I just replaced my kryptonite u-lock with an onguard u-lock and I don't know if it will fit in the little towing hole.

[Maine-iac]

Definately check to see if it will be insured. Our home owners will cover theft from inside the car, but not from the roof rack.
If I'm likely to be away from the car, I lock it in the car....I'm lucky to have that capability.( it's a CR-V) I've also been known to back it up so that the rear is butt up to a wall, eliminating the "easy" route.

[Trek420]

I got a Yakima Cobra roof rack installed. Now watch, next a piano falls ON my car from above ;-)

Heading out to get the little locks so theives can't easily pop the rack off the car. Also got a step stool in the trunk, even with my low car it's a stretch. Ultimately sounds like putting the bike IN the car is the way to go but I'm blissfully car-payment-free right now and enjoying that.

[spazzdog]

On my trip to NYC, I picked up what the natives call a "bodega lock", basically what all the shop owners use on their barred gates that come down at closing time. In addition I've ordered a Kryptonite NY chain.

Now, I don't need it where I live, but when I go anywhere else, this 10 lbs of steel will be my companion.

And the cool part... you wear it as an accessory... a belt. Tres chic!!

[Maine-iac]

And who said NY's didn't have any style?

[spazzdog]

OK... the Kryptonite NY Chain arrived.

It weighs at least 10 lbs! Now, I saw 100's of folks with these things around their waists or slung across their shoulders bandolero style but I fear that if I do either I'll fall down.

This thing is HEAVY!!!

Well, you'll know me if you see me. I'll be the accordianed cyclist buried in huge chain links on the road beside a pretty zebra bike.

spazz

[Maine-iac]

New form of weight training!