General Cycling Discussion - locking stuff to bike

I was wondering if there was a way to lock stuff to your bike while you were gone, such as helmet and lights and what not. I figure if there was a way to make them un-removable, i would not have to take them inside everywhere i go. I already lock up my bike to a rack but i am just worried about everything attached to the bike.

I've been known to use a small cable that I lock to my U lock. It's called a seat saver and it works for your seat, post, and helmet. I don't have any great ideas about your lights

Only thing I lock onto my bike is an immovable object like a Lamp post. Everything else goes with me. I have a D Lock and Long cable the cable goes through the frame- wheels and saddle rails but then it is heavy to carry around.

Most U-locks fit through helmet vents, so you can leave your helmet locked to the bike. There's always the risk of vandalism, though.

You can run a cable through QR attached stuff such as saddle, or get locking QRs. The latter means you're essentially making it less Q to R, so it's kind of goofy in my opinion.

Various multitools are common nowadays, so it's easy for a casual passer-by detach pretty much anything on a bike. One could use less-standard fasteners instead of a Phillips screw or a hex bolt. Alternatively you can stuff Loctite or something similar in the bolt head, making it more time consuming to fit the right tool in.

There are thin wire nets you can wrap around your panniers, so they are less prone to someone just grabbing them or opening them. These might be especially handy when solo touring - saves you from carrying all your gear when you stop for groceries, for example. I pack my dirty laundry on top when touring. It seems to offer the same level of protection. :D

--J

First of all, consider the environment. If you are in a large city and locking stuff to a bike, expect it gone, as tweakers walk around considering any removable object in grams of meth they can get from a fence or pawnshop. Its almost an art ensuring that a bike's frame, wheels, seat, and drivetrain still remain intact in some areas.

If you desire to lock up a backpack or duffelbag, consider PacSafe's locking mesh protectors. They will keep honest people honest at most places, but a determined thief with proper tools will have it open in a minute or two at most. PacSafe has smaller locking items (stuff sacks helmet bags, etc.) that you can use, where you can quickly remove stuff like your headlight and bike computer, put it in the stuff sack, then lock the stuff sack.

For a helmet, you can use PacSafe's helmet bag (which keeps the lid dry if it gets rainy), or you can use a steel cable and lock it to the bike... Helmets with broken straps have zero resale value, so most thieves won't bother, especially if the helmet looks worn. Using a U lock through the vents is even more secure -- most thieves won't attempt to crack through the helmet's shell to get it out.

For a bike rack, I wonder if you can find tamper resistant bolts for it, like pin head torx or five-sided Allen-like heads. That will steer pretty much anyone from trying to take the racks off. As for lights, similar... if you can replace the bolt with something more secure than an Allen head, they should remain on, assuming you are not in an area where bullets fly come nightfall.

Thanks guys, really helpful. I don't think i will need to arm myself up to the teeth is locks since i am just in suburbia outside of NYC so it is rather safe. I am just worried about the pothead kids and delinquients walking around at night and seeing a bike locked somewhere and deciding "hey, that light looks cool, i am going to take it." I doubt they will be carrying screwdrivers and other tools along with them.


I think i might get one of the stuff bags you guys suggested. All i am really going to remove is my two headlights and a rear blinker. Just attach it under the seat and lock it up before i go inside.

Thanks for all the suggestions and input guys.

I don't secure anything to the bike and I've never had anything stolen (he said with his fingers crossed...). But the city I live in is changing fast, so I imagine that's about over.
When I ride in San Francisco or LA, I use a good-sized handlebar bag (a Rivendell Hobo Bag, but they're no longer available). Everything that's easily detachable will fit in there, and it takes about 15 seconds to get it off the bike and carry it with me. I sometimes worry about the bike itself and the Brooks saddle, but at some point your toys start playing with you, and i'm not going to do that.