Commuting - Rohloff built-in security!

Today a guy tried to steal my bike while it was parked against the wall of the sandwich shop I stop at every morning. While I was inside and waiting in the queue, he snatched the bike, jumped on and tried to race off with it, but I saw this happening and ran out of the shop to find him on the ground, scrambling to his feet before running off! Reason? Every time I get off the bike knowing that I'll be stepping away from it for even a minute, I turn the Rohloff shifter to 1st gear. It's been a habit for the last two years, but today's the first time I saw a demonstration of the benefit! If you use a Rohloff, I'd recommend it as a good habit.

That is a really good idea! Glad it worked. I shall be doing that for now on!

For us non rohloff types what does putting it if 1st do...make it really hard to pedal or ???

For us non rohloff types what does putting it if 1st do...make it really hard to pedal or ???

Ejection gear!

Ah - no - sorry - 1st gear is ridiculously easy for ultra steep hills, so his legs spun much faster than he was expecting and he fell off the bike. 14th gear might have worked too! On a Rohloff you can change to any gear while stationary, without having to lift the back end of the bike and pedal like you do with a derailleur. I found that pretty useful on some tours too, being able to change gears after <ahem> unexpectedly losing momentum, when the bike is fully laden and on a steep hill...

thanks..... it would seem the could build a "lock' function into the hub also.......

thanks..... it would seem the could build a "lock' function into the hub also.......
Universal and works with any set of wheels :P

http://www.velo-orange.com/ringlock.html

Universal and works with any set of wheels :P

http://www.velo-orange.com/ringlock.html

My wife's breezer came with one of those. The breezer dealer doesn't like them 'cause they're trivial, but it seems like they'd serve the main goal of keeping honest people honest, at least. I like the spin-defense too (which the breezer can also do)

If you must leave your bike for a few minutes without locking it, there are a few other methods for slowing down any would-be thief: As already mentioned, put it in the lowest or highest gear; lay the bike on the ground so they can't so quickly take off; disconnect or loosen the brake cables at the calipers if it is easy -- although I would hate for a thief to get killed in traffic for just the sake of a bike; or take the chain off the chainring.

If you must leave your bike for a few minutes without locking it, there are a few other methods for slowing down any would-be thief: As already mentioned, put it in the lowest or highest gear; lay the bike on the ground so they can't so quickly take off; disconnect or loosen the brake cables at the calipers if it is easy -- although I would hate for a thief to get killed in traffic for just the sake of a bike; or take the chain off the chainring.

Anyone who tries to steal my bike deserves what they get... I usually use my fixed gear bikes for general errands and they come with a built in ejection system for the uninitiated.

:)

You left a Rolhoff equipped bike leaning against a wall outside a shop with nothing but a low gear to keep it safe???

I'm very trusting of humanity, but not that trusting. If this was me, I'd chalk this up to the universe paying me back for all the rotten stuff that's gone down in my life with this one second chance. That, and I'd buy a honkin' big lock.

I never leave my bikes unlocked... the time it takes someone to grab your bike and ride off is only a few seconds and I can't run like I used to.

It only takes a bike thief with a pickup truck a few seconds to throw it in the bed and take off. A ring lock or low or high gear on the Rohloff is useless with that kind of thief. Even if you leave your bike for a minute lock it with a big cable or U-lock.

I leave my bike unlocked occasionally. I "sabotage" it by putting it in the big chainring and the big sprocket, then push the shift levers forward, so the bike has to shift both derailleurs while taking off. I also undo both quick release skewers. If the front wheel falls off, that will stop the thief quickly. The rear wheel will move forward in the dropouts and rub hard on the chainstays, making the bike hard to pedal. I also undo the brake cables so stopping is a challenge.

I never leave my bikes unlocked... the time it takes someone to grab your bike and ride off is only a few seconds and I can't run like I used to.

There are bike thieves in Canada? Say it isn't so!

I unclip both my brake straddles.

Sure, a thief may ride off with it; but we'll I.D. them after scraping what's left from the grill of a truck at the first intersection.

^^^
That's some harsh justice. Harsh, and kind of hilarious.

I lock my bike up with a Krytonite FU lock and chain, every time. It looks really silly when it takes longer for me to lock and unlock the bike than to walk into a store and realized that I've forgotten my wallet. Again.

I leave my bike unlocked occasionally. I "sabotage" it by putting it in the big chainring and the big sprocket, then push the shift levers forward, so the bike has to shift both derailleurs while taking off. I also undo both quick release skewers. If the front wheel falls off, that will stop the thief quickly. The rear wheel will move forward in the dropouts and rub hard on the chainstays, making the bike hard to pedal. I also undo the brake cables so stopping is a challenge.

OK that sounds like it takes longer than locking up.

I occasionally gamble that no one can figure out the hydraulic-STI-flippies (under pogies) and low-normal derailleur before I come out of the coffee shop.

I guess they could still throw it in the back of a truck.

I strap my helmet through the wheel and don't leave it out of my sight.

I leave my bike unlocked occasionally. I "sabotage" it by putting it in the big chainring and the big sprocket, then push the shift levers forward, so the bike has to shift both derailleurs while taking off. I also undo both quick release skewers. If the front wheel falls off, that will stop the thief quickly. The rear wheel will move forward in the dropouts and rub hard on the chainstays, making the bike hard to pedal. I also undo the brake cables so stopping is a challenge.

Is carrying a lock against your religion? ;)

Is carrying a lock against your religion?

Yes?

(I know the question wasn't directed at me).

For emergency longer-term parking, I'm also willing to bet no thieves of opportunity can figure out the powerlink in a SRAM chain if I "chain it" to a post.

OK that sounds like it takes longer than locking up.

That's what I was thinking.

The other day I walked out of a store and realized I had left my lock keys right in my lock. Imagine if somebody just grabbed my keys as a cruel trick?

To add hypothetical insult to injury, imagine that he/she stood there watching until I finally walked home to get my other keys and *then* he simply unlocked my bike and rode away.

For emergency longer-term parking, I'm also willing to bet no thieves of opportunity can figure out the powerlink in a SRAM chain if I "chain it" to a post.
That's genius!

I was out once before without my lock... I wish I would have thought of that. Would've been perfect. I was going to be in the store for five minutes. Instead, I turned around and went home.

If I stop in the coffee shop on campus or downtown where there isn't easy access with a truck I might leave by bike unlocked for a few minutes. My newest build is a fixie, so that helps. Half the time it has candies, which helps even more. I often disconnect the front brake too.

That's genius!

I was out once before without my lock... I wish I would have thought of that. Would've been perfect. I was going to be in the store for five minutes. Instead, I turned around and went home.

how do you get the powerlink to pop off so easily?

how do you get the powerlink to pop off so easily?

Once you've opened the link a few times, they open easily. I usually use the pliers on my leatherman.

Universal and works with any set of wheels :P

http://www.velo-orange.com/ringlock.html

Clever Cycles imports a high end Axa ring lock that can be used with an optional chain that attaches to the lock body for added security. For low risk areas the ring lock is the handiest lock I have tried and the chain can be used to attach the bike to an immovable object. Practicallly universally used in Holland and also very common on bikes in Germany too.

A thief trying to ride off on a bike with a ring lock in use is going to be in for a big surprise!

Once you've opened the link a few times, they open easily. I usually use the pliers on my leatherman.

It also helps to be wearing full-finger gloves you can wash when you get home.

Or have a really, really clean chain.

Is carrying a lock against your religion? ;)

No, but I don't need one from day to day, so it's out of my habit. Then I find myself needing to leave my bike for a few minutes. I don't leave it out on the street like that unless it's a very low-crime area. For instance, I might leave it like that in the bank or doctor's office, away from the public's eye.

I carry a "coffeee shop" lock. It's a lightweight retractable cable -- the kind you lock up a laptop with. It won't stop a well-equipped thief, but it's fine to stop grab-and-dash jobs.

I am taking delivery of a ring lock for my Trek Soho this week, the frame has the holes built in! Just tonight on the commute home from work I stoppeed off for an empanada, but I had lent my ulock to my wife, so I just carried my bike into the store - seems that the stores I frequent never seem to mind if I carry my bike in, which is really cool - beer store, vitamin store etc. Had I had the ring lock installed I would have been ok leaving it on the sidewalk for 2 min.

... But a rohloff bike...

I guess with the Alfine 11 coming out soon at $400 I guess the rohloff's are going to be devalued somewhat so I guess it's okay to leave unlocked now :)

If I leave my bike unlocked I will turn it upside down and "lock" my helmet strap around the rim in the rear triangle. That way if someone tries to steal my bike they will have to flip it over and either fiddle with my helmet or hopefully the strap will get caught and slow them down. If it's a mountain bike I will sometimes unlatch the brakes. I also shift into opposite gear ratios hoping that the thief will try and bike away quickly only to have the chain fall off.

I usually lock my bike and take the pedals (they are quick release).