seypat

You are camping in a tent when you can afford a 5-8K bike? No credit card touring?

modelmartin

Seriously? A 5-8K bike for camping?

K.Katso

I wouldn't take a bike that expensive on a camping trip, but that's just me. When I travel with my bike, it's either:

1) under me
2) locked to the roof of my car
3) in my hotel room with me

In the case of #2 , if the car is not in my direct line of sight (such as overnight in a hotel where they won't let me bring it in), it is locked through the frame to the roof rack with a heavy-duty motorcycle chain lock that I use to lock up my Ducatis and Aprilias. At home, I don't even keep my bike in my garage - it has a place in my home office in the attic and it only comes down when I take it out for a ride. Call me paranoid, but it's just too easy to steal and too difficult to replace, so I don't take any chances.

MikeD1

If I had that kind of bike money it would be two different bikes for sure. Personally, I'd never want to rely on a lock for anything costing much over $1K.

roadwarrior

I don't lock it. I don't ride in a manner that requires it to be locked.

From the garage to the road and back.

Back of the car, to a riding destination, ride the bike, back on the car rack, back to the garage. If I stop during a ride for some reason, I am standing over the bike so if someone wants it, it is over my dead body.

I have reached a stage in my life that if my hotel room lacks a fridge, microwave, etc...I am roughing it.

indyfabz

Read the OP again. He mentions organized events like Ride the Rockies. They are supported camping tours.

I have done several such tours with my custom IF, including three Cycle Oregons. I also do loaded touring with camping. (Some people, like myself, camp for the experience, not because they cannot afford motels.) While the risk is generally low, it can go up in certain circumstances. The last night of the 2012 edition of Cycle Orgeon was speant in Klamath Falls, which has some not so well off areas and residents. Over 2,000 people camping in a local park. Five people had their bikes stolen.

I did the Bon Ton Roulet with the GF last month. We both ride custom IFs. The event was supported campiing. We brought a u-lock and cable. We usually locked the bikes together in a way that would make it difficult to walk off with them. One night we pitched the tent near an athletic field stands and locked the bike to it. Another trick is to run the cable around a tent pole. Anyone trying to walk away with your bike is likely to wake you up.

When I am out touring with my Surly LHT and gear on my own I bring a cable and combo lock and make a risk assessment in every situation. Am I going to lock the bike when I pop into store in a flay speck of a town? No. Am I going to lock the bike when I am using the public library in Missoula. Absolutely.

Bike Gremlin

I'd buy a car for $ 3 - 5 k, a bicycle for around $500.

jerrycan42

8 steps to %100 percent bike security while you're camping.
1. buy a cheap tent for your bike.
2. You're driving, so bring plenty of good quality chain and a U-Lock
3. Setup the bike tent close to a tree.
4. Run chain around a tree and into the bike tent.
5. U-lock the bike, and wheels to the chain in the tent.
6. Post a large dog outside the tent.
7. Sleep with your bike inside the tent.
8. Forget all that and leave the bike at home.

KonaRider125

You don't lock up a expensive bike and leave it unattended.

Most people with expensive road bikes also have other less expensive bikes for leaving locked up places. Get a $500-1000 bike for commuting, camping, grocery shopping, ect and save your good one for serious cycling use.

surgeonstone

This is the correct answer, I never lock my bikes- never. They are always close to me.

gsa103

Put the bike in the car. The seat mast shouldn't really matter. You mentioned S vs XS frame, so either way, its not going to be super tall post. On any car with folding rear seats, you should be able to remove the front wheel and fit no problem. If the rear seats don't fold, you can probably remove front and rear tires and toss it in the trunk (or hatch). If you can't fit a S frame in the trunk...well +1 for new car.

I do have a small cable lock for my bikes. I mainly use it to secure the bikes to a rear rack, so I can do things like stop for a quick lunch.

chaadster

I don't agree with that in terms of the TiGr locks; they're both light (within the range of locks) and convenient to mount/use/carry, and discreet. Whether they look or not is a matter of taste, but in my experience as a user, people generally find them cool and interesting.

indyfabz

Maybe you don't, but I do. Pretty hard to some great events without doing so. Sometimes I leave my expensive road bike unlocked and unattended. On the first night of my first Cycle Oregon we camped on a cattle ranch that was nearly a dirt road mile from the nearest highway. The beer garden and food area were a few minutes walk from the camping area. Risk of theft was extremely low.

My touring bike and racks would cost about $2K to replace. The panniers and gear I tour with adds another $1K+. More importantly, it's my transportation. I sometimes carry a lock, but last year I did an 8-day, solo camping tour without a lock. I think there is too much unfounded fear and not enough realistic risk assessment.

chaadster

I know that's right!

Brian Ratliff

I'd just use a U-lock and cable. If I was really worried I might rig something up to make noise if it were moved.

You could use fishing line and tie one end on the bike and the other around your toe .

Brian Ratliff

Also, to be serious for a moment: you aren't going to prevent a bike from being stolen by a determined thief with time on their hands. What you can do is make it extremely inconvenient for them and cause them to pass it over. This is why cable locks work in the first place. Snatch and run thefts are the most common and most bikes are stolen for impromptu transportation, not for sale.

If you are really worried about theft, find a way to lock it into your car. i.e. maybe rent a van for the duration of your trip. In fact, if I were going to invest in a week long trip with a road bike, this is exactly what I would do: rent a van for the week and lock everything up inside when you aren't using it.

Smokehouse

A. I don't own a $5K bike...but mine is probably just around $4K...and I wouldn't take it camping. I have a Specialized Crossroads I just took on vacation.

B. My road bike lives in my house and is with me AT ALL TIMES when I'm out...I never lock it up...ever...

indyfabz

Why wouldn't you take it on a camping event ride like BTC or Cycle Oregon?

Ironically, the only place I have ever had a bike stolen was from inside my house--while I was home and awake.

TakingMyTime

Years ago I had what I thought was a really nice bike. Mid 70's full Campy, Columbus tubing etc. I bought it used but it was my pride and joy.

One day I was at a friends BBQ (I had ridden my bike there) and started talking to a guy and he asked my why I don't have a lock. I just let him know that I never take my eyes off my bike, ever. He just couldn't believe it. He went on and on about "what if I went to the store and hand to leave it outside" and I just let him know that I wouldn't do it. I think it was the first time he had ever run into a real bike nut. He just couldn't believe I would never leave it out of my site. It was actually a fun little exchange we had.

Tusky

I have a cheap bike alarm with motion sensor that at least lets me know when somebody touches or moves the bike. It works but I haven't had to deal with anybody who is still there after the alarm goes off. I don't think I would go off in a tent with a bike worth more than the car I have now.

kbarch

I cringe at the thought of running a chain or a lock around my bike. If I were to go camping, I'd tend to take something less precious, and I'd merely strap it to the car or lay it on a tarp and cover it to protect it from the damp.