Living Car Free - How to lock up?

Hi guys,

I though people around here would be better able to answer my question rather than other such as the commuting forum.
Thinking about going semi-carfree, or hoping really. I don't drive that much anyway and my excuse is that when I catch public transport I get to read my favourite books, which I can't while driving. Ultruistic huh?

Anyhoo, I want to expand my riding repertoire to shopping trips and other errands around the place. The problem is, how to lock my bike up when I walk into a store and such. I know U locks etc etc. But I am more worried about accessories on the bike. Things like, lights, frame pump, saddle bag that are already on there. Saddle post I could just lock up I spose. Is the only option to take these accessories off?

I don't live around a high crime area, but that doesn't stop idiots and prevent me from being paranoid.

Thanks

replace all your QRs with allens. The typical opportunist isnt running around with hexkeys and time to spare. If you have an expensive saddle, maybe a small cable from rails to frame just in case.
When running errands, leave the pump at home. maybe throw a minipump in the back pocket if youre far from home.

when I'm running errands I just leave all that stuff in my backpack when I leave the house rather than strapping it to the bike. That way it comes with me and I don't have to bother with taking it off or anything.

I do what steveo does. No quick release anything on a bike that you park on the street. I've had stuff pilfered from bikes and bikes stolen from squeeky clean low crime neighborhoods.

when I'm running errands I just leave all that stuff in my backpack when I leave the house rather than strapping it to the bike. That way it comes with me and I don't have to bother with taking it off or anything.
Me too. I lock my helmet with the bike and take the LED lights off and put them in the back pack or in my pocket.. Tools and minipump are always in a little pouch in the back pack. If you prefer to carry your tools on the bike, think about a wedge bag or handle bar bag that can be easily detached and carried into the store.

just ride a track bike, with no brakes, no lights, no gears, no bosses, no nothing, and definately no qrs. that way, they cant steal anything off it, and if they try to break the lock somehow and ride away, youll come back to see it lying on the ground a few feet from where you locked it up in the first place.

Depends on you enviroment?
Think like a thief ready to buy some meth.
Never can have to many locks

I concur with trackstar10 but would add to attach the saddle to the frame with an old piece of chain. A decent messenger bag or backpack will hold all your purchases, including 20# dog food.

just ride a track bike, with no brakes, no lights, no gears, no bosses, no nothing, and definately no qrs. that way, they cant steal anything off it, and if they try to break the lock somehow and ride away, youll come back to see it lying on the ground a few feet from where you locked it up in the first place.

Theft is the reason why I miss selling my old scratched up Univega hybrid. That bike had about $150.00 dollars worth of new parts and ran like new but looked used up. Yet, it made the perfect commuter bike because while it looked worthless, the bike shifted perfectly. I never had any fear leaving that bike locked up (hidden) on the street so long as I avoided bike racks.

just ride a track bike, with no brakes, no lights, no gears, no bosses, no nothing, and definately no qrs. that way, they cant steal anything off it, and if they try to break the lock somehow and ride away, youll come back to see it lying on the ground a few feet from where you locked it up in the first place.
I don't know about where you live, but most places they don't steal the gears and brakes. They either steal the whole bike, or a saddle or a wheel, something like that. I also would not recommend riding without lights at night. At least use LEDs, which are easy to clip off and stow in a pocket.

I don't know about where you live, but most places they don't steal the gears and brakes. They either steal the whole bike, or a saddle or a wheel, something like that. I also would not recommend riding without lights at night. At least use LEDs, which are easy to clip off and stow in a pocket.

In the main, I agree. I have had whole bikes stolen, but never any part. (I would hate to forgo the convenience of the quick release hubs.) I typically U-lock the rear wheel through the triangle and use a cable for the front wheel.

I think it makes sense to think about where you park too.

Anyone ever consider using triple squares, if at all available? I mean, most DIY mechanics don't have 'em, a bike thief wouldn't have the slightest clue what to do with 'em.

In the main, I agree. I have had whole bikes stolen, but never any part. (I would hate to forgo the convenience of the quick release hubs.) I typically U-lock the rear wheel through the triangle and use a cable for the front wheel. I had a wheel stolen, but then it was QR and not locked (no cable through it or anything).

Today I ride a bike that has a QR front wheel and seat post and an allen rear wheel. I use a U-lock to lock both front wheel and the frame to the rack/post. Then everything else (computer, lights and the QR seat post) goes in with me.

Here's how I lock up at work. I have QR wheels, cargo, and seat on my main commuter.

I usually take the front wheel with me to my office. When I'm out and about, I lock the front wheel to the rear wheel. I pass the cable through the seat rails, through the holes in my helmet, through the frame, through the wheel(s), then to a bike rack, light post, or anything stationary, then I take my pump and lights off and toss them in the handle bar bag (which comes off easily and has a carry handle) Toss that in my duffle bag before I go into the store. Voila. Someone could MAYBE steal my cargo rack. When I'm at work my bike might sit unattended (but in a parking garage not frequented by outsiders) for as many as 8 hours. Taking the front wheel with me not only keeps it from being ridden if someone DOES take all that time to cut my cable, and since wheels are some of the most popular (and easy to sell) parts for bikes, it's half as tempting as other bikes around town.