Originally Posted by Artkansas

Actually, Little Rock is pretty good for not having your bike stolen. BA's is the first I've heard of in 7 years here, so it's not surprising that you can get lulled into a false sense of security.

Originally Posted by Gnosis

BikeArkansas, I mean the following respectfully (as I hate to see anyone robbed of that which they’ve rightfully paid for) however; you apparently haven’t learned the fullness of your costly lesson.

You’d have to ride on another uninhabited planet to avoid crime, as crime happens EVERYWHERE and even crime statistics are subject to manipulation (to make a city appear more desirable than it otherwise would be due to its objectionable crime rate), so if you presume your next bike would be any less prone to potential theft when left unattended and unsecured to a permanent structure just because it’s in a perceived “lesser crime area”, then you’re setting yourself up for your next significant loss, costly lesson number two.

You should be dealing with this theft scenario like those taught to handle a weapon, that being, always view the weapon as though it’s fully loaded, its firing mechanism cocked, and its safety is off therefore NEVER cross any portion of anyone’s body lines with the weapon unless you intend to kill them. Heeding this teaching prevents innocent individuals from being accidentally maimed or killed by a weapon that malfunctions and discharges for whatever reason.

In like manner, you should always presume a thief is present and awaiting the opportunity that YOU provide them to steal your bike, in which case, you must always securely lock your bicycle and wheels to a permanent structure if it will be out of eyesight or out of your immediate control and since all locks, cables, and chains can be compromised in a fairly short duration with an appropriate cutting device, an expensive bike should never be left unattended. When shopping requires leaving a bike unattended, an inexpensive Wally World bike is the way to go (perhaps the best $90 ever spent to save a bike worth many thousands from being stolen when left unattended).

Now, if you wish to ride your expensive bike with a group of friends and you know there will be stops along the way, appoint one or two dependable friends to remain with the bikes at all times as virtual guard dogs. I do this with mine and my cousin’s bikes all the time. After they come out of the store, I’ll go in and purchase what I want or they’ll purchase what I want for me while I guard our expensive bikes. When I’m by myself and I have to leave my bicycle unattended while I shop, I’ll only ride my inexpensive Wally World bike to the store. Even so, I still lock its wheels and frame securely to a permanent structure and I make great haste moving through the store, so I get in and out very quickly.

I’m 56 years old and though I live in a relatively high crime location (just outside of west Philadelphia), I’ve never had ANY cars, motorcycles, or bicycles stolen (though several non-heeding family members have including my two know-it-all sons who had their motorcycles stolen the same night) and it’s no mere coincidence that I’ve remained theft free, as I persistently apply every precaution to prevent them from being stolen. So you might want to heed that which works for those with wisdom concerning this matter.

Originally Posted by contango

Not possible - a GPS receiver has no capability to transmit its location.

Originally Posted by Tom Bombadil

This is the lock that I carry, unless I'm going to ride in Madison, where I will use a heavier lock. https://www.onguardlock.com/?page_id=329
It isn't a lot of protection, with its thin 6mm cable, but it will stop someone from just jumping on & riding off. If they have any kind of cutting tool, it can be snipped in a few seconds. I like the settable combination, set it to my favorite 4-digit code and don't have to keep track of a key.

Originally Posted by Tom Bombadil

I don't know about their stolen bike statistics, but Little Rock is significantly higher than the national average for property crime.

Originally Posted by Phil85207

I need to take this as a wake up call as I do the same thing as he OP. I never carry a lock on a CF bike. I left a message with my homeowners insurance to see if mine is covered.

Originally Posted by chasm54

Please don't encourage people to buy this sort of lock. Quite apart from its flimsy cable, I can pick that sort of combination lock in well under two minutes, and I am neither a thief or a locksmith.

You're right, it will stop someone just getting on your bike and riding away, but anyone who has bothered to find out how can open that lock without carrying a cutting tool.

Originally Posted by Tom Bombadil

If that lock takes you two minutes to pick it, then it has done it's job.

Like I said, I only use it in very low risk areas, not anywhere where bike crime is an issue. And where I'm not far from the bike. Where I'm talking about, if someone is standing there trying to pick it for two minutes, then they are going to be noticed.

Originally Posted by chasm54

It would take a practised thief less than 30 seconds. And to any observer, he or she would look exactly as if (s)he was simply unlocking their own lock. If you're happy, that's fine. But I think it is sensible to warn people that these locks provide virtually no security.

Originally Posted by BikeArkansas

When we do not expect honesty and integrity from people, there will be none.
When we do not punish the criminals among us, they will flourish.

Originally Posted by goldfinch

So, what do you do with a road bike? People don't take big, heavy locks. There are times you must leave the bike. Like when using a restroom. I find this to be a PITA. My biggest struggle with longer distance biking alone is finding a place to pee where I feel secure about my bike. (I am a woman so I have less choices on sneaking a pee).

Sorry about your bike BikeArkansas. This winter I rode with a leisure ride group and we would stop for breakfast. We parked our bikes in a bunch and no one ever locked them. It was a risk.

Originally Posted by Tom Bombadil

I do find it intriguing that someone could find the right combo out of 10,000 different combinations in 30 seconds.

I tested one of them before buying this. I've seen real cheap versions of these where when you get the first number correct, the lock pulls part way out, so you just spin it to the second number, then it pulled out further, until you worked your way through all 4. But this lock doesn't do that. If if put the first three numbers to the correct combination, and then pull on it, it doesn't move any differently than when the first three numbers are all incorrect. There's no movement at all until you get all 4 digits correct.

Originally Posted by bruce19

FWIW, a local punk stole my son's race bike (motorcycle) from his locked shed. We knew who did it and confirmed that he did it but the police were powerless to act (long story). A few months later the thief was on a stolen dirt bike fleeing from the police when he was hit and killed by an F-150. That night my son and I went out for a beer to celebrate "one less a--hole in the world."

Originally Posted by goldfinch

I grew up doing overnight canoe trips, I have no problem sneaking into the trees. But I have been visiting southern Iowa and places to sneak away have been tough to find. It is also wet here right now and trudging through the ditch in my road shoes to find a spot isn't going to work. Due to some "issues" I have to go to the bathroom fairly frequently. I go through little towns and use ratty restrooms leaving my bike outside. Sometimes someone is around that I can ask to watch the bike. But I question how close they watch it. I do like the helmet strap idea, though my biggest risk is someone coming along and throwing the bike in the back of their pick up truck.

Disabled facilities? Ha! Not in rural America.

Originally Posted by BikeArkansas

When we do not punish the criminals among us, they will flourish.

...14 year old boy snatched a man's wallet at a convenience store and took off on his bicycle. The man chased him down in his van, ran over him, and then beat him. He died. The man got his wallet back, but was charged with murder.