which do you think is the best bike theft deterrent, I think the best bike deterrent is "never lock your bike".:eek:always keep your eyes open

I try not to have to lock my bike, in other words keep it in sight all the time, actually I'm kind of paranoid about it.
When it's unavoidable, I put a cable lock through the frame and both wheels to suitable solid object. I have a u-lock as well, but don't like carrying it as it's heavy and rattles, although if I know I'm going to have to lock the bike up I'll take it as well. I had one bike stolen where I thought it was locked to a solid sign, but the thieves lifted the sign (it was one of those portable ones on wheels) right off the ground and slid the u-lock off still attached to the bike (I didn't find the sawn off portions of the lock nearby). Of course I never saw the bike again!

I've always had faith in my Kryptonite evolution 2000. I ride everywhere so it's not practical to be able to keep my bike in sight at all times. Of course my bike is a few years old now and not much of a target anymore. I think it's good to always have a bike around that isn't much of a target for thieves and a serious riding bike for those long tours or whatever. Failing that, I've always thought about a 9mm with a silencer so as not to attract too much attention downtown. If you really have to make some distance between yourself and your bicycle, a few hours of training and practice with a sniper rifle might be good, particularly if you live or work in a highrise and your bike it parked a long ways down below. It all really depends on where you are parking and how many people are around. That's how I judge where I park my bicycle. Parkades are great because the bike rack is usually close to the entrance where the toll booth is. Of course there's the possibility of insider corruption where the parking attendant is in on the bike theft ring. They you go back to the 9mm option.:)

Huffy Stickers! ;)

When i rode my bike to school, i would lock it up with a 3/8" 6' long cable, and a Kryptonite NY lock... Thats almost 6 pounds of locks, but well worth it, i had one of my bikes stolen from inside my garage, now i never take a chance, i keep all my bikes inside the house, and lock up everytime, even if its just a 30 sec run into 7-11 to pick up some red-bull. I also try to lock my bike where theres alot of foot traffic, and a good sturdy item to lock it too. I also tend to keep my bike a little durty (the frame) as a theft would probly want a clean bike, rather then my mud covered bike :)

:D Yes, I agree with you a Glock 17, would be a good deterrent, but then you will end up in jail, specially if your in Toronto, If somebody call the Police, and they say that a person is brandishing a gun the whole Police Force, The ETF, the Swat You name it they have it here will swoop down on you like a plague, but call then about a bike being stolen right in your eyes, they will say the police are on their way, like 5 minutes, later,

I always thought smearing it with "cow pies" would do the trick :p, but I suppose keeping a few locks on it would be sufficient in most cases--on to a post or something...

I think I remember reading that rule of thumb on a site somewhere, that the more difficult you make it for the thief to steal the bike, the more apt he/she won't wisk it away. Also, it mentioned that most bikes are stolen because the owner didn't bother to lock up the bike.

Yes I agree that firearms are a good deterent. Since I am an advocate of owning firearms , I am also for the safe use and knowledge of a firearms lethal force. I do however think that carrying a snipper grade rifle along on a commute is not only obvious but a little extreme. Talk about drawing attention to yourself.

Whatever lock you use, make sure you lock it through the frame. The best lock in the world cannot protect against poor locking techniques. The fact is that you will never physically stop a professional theif, so all you can do is make it difficult for them.

Chris

I agree with Joe, keep your bike muddy and dirty (except your chain & sprocket), i`ve learned it from a bikemessenger in A`Dam.
He also put pvc tape on his expensive components, they even took a brown (rusty color) airbrush to paint some parts of the bike rusty.

If i had to place my bike in big city,s every day, i should get two or tree locks and get `N OLD & DIRTY camouflage on it.

"Ride my bike of the daik"

Mark b.

I have two sources of knowledge (as most people do): things I've read, and personal experience.

Things I've read:

1) Use both a u-lock and a thick cable lock, since the tools needed to cut each type is different, and also very bulky, so that a thief will not usually be carrying both types at once. Also, if you can't position the u-lock around both the frame and a solid object, lock it around the frame tube and the rear wheel. Anyone who wants to remove this set-up will find it's like one of those "car boots" that some parking lot owners clamp to the wheel of your car when you don't pay. Almost the only way to remove it is to hacksaw the rear wheel, a very expensive and valuable part of the bike. (But I've always wondered, "What if the theif doesn't figure that out until AFTER he steals it?")

2) Lock it in a place that is "under surveillance" by passers by, or preferably yourself.

3) Bring the bike indoors (not the garage).

4) "Uglify" the bike.

5) Don't use cheap imitation u-locks

6) Never let the girl out of your sight (or guy, as the case may be).

7) Try not to lock the bike in the same location everyday.
That way, any prospective thief would have to come upon your bike by chance, rather than by planned attack.

I always carry a Kryptonite Evolution 2000 and a Kryptonite cable (a lot of extra weight) for emergencies,
but so far I've always used options #6 and #3.

I heard a story once (so has everyone else, but it may apply). Two campers were about to go to sleep for the night. One started putting on running shoes. "What are those for?" asked the other guy. "Bears," said the first. "You can't outrun a bear," the other said. "I don't need to outrun the bear, just you." Moral: make your bike harder to steal than the other guy's.

I use the Kyprtonite U locks plus a 6' (1/2"dia.) cable around a secure post or tree plus I usually don't leave it out of my site on short trips.

When I went on a 3 week camping trip in Europe I locked the bike with other cyclists so we had several locks around each others bike. If unable to do that I placed the bike inside the tent I was using than placed a lock & cable on it. It's out of site so susposedly less of a target.

I've seen people use these personal alarm devices on bikes (the things women use in advent of being attacked). There is a small cable on it that if pulled out without the key inserted it will let out a ear peircing screach. It like a car alarm for bicycles. Just don't forget yourself that you have it on otherwise it can be embarasing.

Did anyone see the film Diamonds are Rorever with (Sir)Roger Moore...where his Lotus is specially fitted with an anti thieft device that blows up if a thief tried to nick it.

Maybe some bomb expert could come up with a device to fit underneath a bike saddle...just remember to turn it off when you get back...

Could work...! I know I'd pay good money for it, well, if it was made out of titanium and anodised purple..

Rich, the only problem with a bomb under your seat is that instead of your bike being stolen, it will be blown to bits. How depressing!!! :(

Good Point Marcy,

Still, what a deterrent eh!!! :)

At the moment I am looking to engage the services of a sniper to stop anyone coming near my baby. Do any of you have any contacts? :p

Chris

Christ L,
I know that your joking, but the website, is probably being monitored, and I don't want to sound like I am an "alarmist, I am a little bit paranoid, :dance:

I wonder if Charlton Heston of NRA fame owns a bicycle. I'm not a firearm advocate myself but extreme violent measures are good to keep in mind when democratic society falls into anarchy.
At the mention of Exploding bicycle seats, I thought of Mad Max and his rigged gas tank. A bicycle frame pipe bomb would be interesting but possibly a bit unstable in a wipeout.
Oh well... any more subversive thoughts like these and I'll have my own CSIS spies monitoring my own internet connection.

Yes, Kittyfury,
I remember a while back, that a top CSIS spy lost a "portpolio" and this portpolio contains top secret document,while watching a Maple Leafs Game, back here in Toronto, you don't want anything to do with this people If I where you I will not trust this so called "super sleut", You might as well give your bike to the thives :D

Orguash -- the website being monitored mightn't necessarily be a bad thing, after all, someone might read it and then decide not to target my bike! :D

Chris

BTW, I was joking above, but having had a bike stolen in the past, I know how it feels!

Chris

getting monitored is really not a problem, as you were saying they will eventually relent, and leave you alone, so the best bike deterrent is really a Glock 17, remember only to shoot straight and when you starts shooting don't close your eyes and blink;)

stay with it
keep it inside and unseen
if you have to ride somewhere you can't do the above ride a "trashmo" and lock it good

I like Specialized's new "Wedlock"(harder to break than a pre-nuptial agreement). It's like an old folding carpenters' ruler made of hardened steel w/ stainless pivots. It's lighter and more versatile than a U-lock, and can't be broken w/ conventional tools eg. bolt-cutters.
I read somewhere that 80% of bikes are stolen from the owners' residence-not locked in garage or backyard-even dorm room balcony.
Also like the idea of painting with off white latex house paint-ugly, but it washes right off.

My bike is no longer at risk of being a target (13 years old), but back when it was new I covered it with stickers as I toured. As the stickers aged, peeled, and decomposed (it didn't take long) the bike looked like a piece of crap and does to this day.

I also carry a kryptonite lock.

Bubba

A couple of weeks ago, I rode from work straight to the gym downtown (still far from my house).

It is a long story, but I forgot my bike lock.

Still, I had to teach a class at the gym and didn't have time to go home (and couldn't bring the bike inside).

I did have my tools so I took the pedals off and loosened the handlebars from the forks.

When I returned, there was my bike - untouched.

For a moment, though, I thought how fun it would be to bring some old bike downtown, loosen the handlebars from the forks, and park the bike unlocked. You could sit at a table near a big window of the coffee shop across the street and watch the thieves crash their way to judgement. Now THAT would be entertainment.