MichaelMcCycle
New Member
- Location
- Dublin, Ireland.
Hello, new member here and my first proper post. Would appreciate feedback and thoughts from you fine folks.
Has anyone got opinions on wheel security using Pitlock and other systems in addition to usual U- locks-on the-wheels-through-the-frame?
What about other suggestions, though?
Thieves seem to break down into three groups:
1. Drug users/junkies/streetdrinkers who will steal any unsecured bike and sell it ASAP for the price of
their next fix;
2. Younger criminals who are 'semi pro', and carry a few basic tools; and
3. Sophisticated full-time serious bike thieves looking for upmarket machines (often stolen to order and
loaded into vans) armed with whatever tool it takes.
One fulltime thief interviewed in the UK press said he would spend up to five minutes on a good bicycle, work as part of a two-man team with a spotter, and come back repeatedly to steal a very expensive machine. But he wouldn't spend more than a minute or two on a typical bike, so if yours can survive that 90 second test you will get to keep it.
Straw poll only, but I I spotted just one Pitlock-type skewer set on a machine in town yesterday out of about 50 bikes I took note of, and it was locked front and rear to a solid metal railing using two U locks as well. 10/10.
That would be my approach, too.
Carelessness demands a high price but could actually good news for those who do lock up properly.
Do you think that psychology is a big part of it? Hey, if they really want your bike and you leave it for an extended period they will take it, so is it mostly about sending a message that your pride-and-joy is not worth the effort when oh, look - there's a nice Giant or a Cube 20 feet away badly locked that can be gone in 60 seconds...
I bought MTK EZ quick release pedals (popular on Brompton folders) for my Boardman Hybrid Comp. Hard to cycle away on a machine without pedals and pushing a bicyle along a street after stealing it is probably any thief's less-prefered option. 10 seconds to pop off and not that heavy in a backpack.
Any other ideas, guys and gals?
I think that is the point though: every one of the 3 minutes you spend locking up properly (and choosing a good spot to leave your bike in) means lots of extra work for any thief.
Has anyone got opinions on wheel security using Pitlock and other systems in addition to usual U- locks-on the-wheels-through-the-frame?
What about other suggestions, though?
Thieves seem to break down into three groups:
1. Drug users/junkies/streetdrinkers who will steal any unsecured bike and sell it ASAP for the price of
their next fix;
2. Younger criminals who are 'semi pro', and carry a few basic tools; and
3. Sophisticated full-time serious bike thieves looking for upmarket machines (often stolen to order and
loaded into vans) armed with whatever tool it takes.
One fulltime thief interviewed in the UK press said he would spend up to five minutes on a good bicycle, work as part of a two-man team with a spotter, and come back repeatedly to steal a very expensive machine. But he wouldn't spend more than a minute or two on a typical bike, so if yours can survive that 90 second test you will get to keep it.
Straw poll only, but I I spotted just one Pitlock-type skewer set on a machine in town yesterday out of about 50 bikes I took note of, and it was locked front and rear to a solid metal railing using two U locks as well. 10/10.
That would be my approach, too.
Carelessness demands a high price but could actually good news for those who do lock up properly.
Do you think that psychology is a big part of it? Hey, if they really want your bike and you leave it for an extended period they will take it, so is it mostly about sending a message that your pride-and-joy is not worth the effort when oh, look - there's a nice Giant or a Cube 20 feet away badly locked that can be gone in 60 seconds...
I bought MTK EZ quick release pedals (popular on Brompton folders) for my Boardman Hybrid Comp. Hard to cycle away on a machine without pedals and pushing a bicyle along a street after stealing it is probably any thief's less-prefered option. 10 seconds to pop off and not that heavy in a backpack.
Any other ideas, guys and gals?
- Removing one of the (in my case) two small screws on the handlebar stem. Takes steering control away from the fecker and slipping it back is a 10 second job.
- A sticker near the locks warning the machine is GPS protected (even if it isn't!)?
I think that is the point though: every one of the 3 minutes you spend locking up properly (and choosing a good spot to leave your bike in) means lots of extra work for any thief.
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