Security and the Knowledge Gap
 

I was out this morning for a ride and had to stop at the convenience store for a couple of things. No bike lock. Decided to secure my bike using The Knowledge Gap (tm).

The bike: 71 Schwinn Paramount. Downtube shifters. Clips and straps.

The method: On approach to store, shift to big ring/small cog. Park bike. Use heavyweight, color-matched rubber band on front brake lever as "parking brake." Go inside, buy stuff.

The logic: Any thievery in this situation would be a crime of opportunity; the badguy sees an unsecured bike, jumps on and rides away. However, it is 2015. Shifters are supposed to be on the bars. Pedals don't have cages. And while rubber bands are still common enough, you can't see mine from a riding position. Imagine a drug-addled twenty-something trying to figure out how to make that bike go in less time than it takes me to notice he's messing with it. Ain't gonna happen. Too many WTFs to process in a totally foreign environment.

Zero protection against stuff like throw it in the back of a pickup I suppose, and I certainly wouldn't do this while in the grocery store or something like that. But for a quick stop where the bike is only out of your sight for twenty or thirty seconds? I'll take the bet.

I'm waiting for an anti theft device that involves taser electrodes sticking out of the saddle cutout. Might not be a good idea with my memory though. :eek:

Ever see the movie gone in 60 seconds.....I wouldn't leave my Paramount with the rubber band as security.
JM2C , Ben

I live near a very bike "savvy" town where bike thievery is rampant. Vintage bikes are also popular here. Our thieves would have had lots of practice already.

A manual transmission in a car is an excellent theft deterrent in the U.S. for the same reason. Not perfect but very effective.

It depends on the "thief".

Many thieves may not ride bikes with brifters either.
Although the most prolific ones may get to try out a bit of everything.

As far as your bike, an experienced rider would sum up the shifting pretty quickly, and can diagnose brake drag on the fly. I like to shift down when starting, but I can take off easier in the highest gear than the lowest gear (unless it is heading uphill).

Around here, I've seen some bikes locked with the "upside-down lock".

Apparently the owners think that if they turn the bike upside-down, the thieves won't think about turning it right-side-up and riding off.

I have thought that my little Fiat. While it would be simple to hot-wire, since it doesn't start by turning the key, it would add a second level of security. Not to mention, a non-synchro manual transmission (requiring double clutching).

Good thought but slipping the chain off and/or popping the rear wheel out part way would work better IMO. Ultimately, though, there are probably as many "toss in the van or pickup " as there are ride away.

Let's see.......

Tucson, AZ + convenience store = favorite shopping place for pill poppers with pickup trucks (ratrod or modified)

Why tempt them?

I'm not gonna throw out my real security or anything. But in a pinch for an unexpected few seconds, versus the majority of thieves, I think it's pretty solid.
...Not saying I didn't cast an eye in that direction every ten seconds or so. ;)

I used to also throw the quick-release levers to the open position. Especially effective with horizontal dropouts since the wheel will shift and jam against the left chainstay as soon as the thief stomps on the pedals to get away.

But now I always carry a light combination cable lock for those situations. Won't stop anyone with tools, but will prevent the opportunistic thief who may view an unlocked bike as too tempting a target.

I like that. If I find myself in this situation again I'll add it to the recipe. :)

Mostly I imagine someone trying to sneakily, but hurriedly, go from zero to getaway starting off in the highest gear (after finally figuring out the brake thing). "WTF this isn't any better than before!?! :bang: "
:lol:

But I was only in there for a second!
Better safe than sorry...again JM2C Ben

The best lock for my new 74 Peugeot suggested by my LSB owner Al Stiller, "hold on to it" as I was perusing the display of cables, chains and ulocks on the wall. I did buy a small chain that could wrap around my waist or fold into my back pocket for running into a store.

I wouldn't try that here.

Need real security? Move to the mountains of NH. :D

Hah! I just came back from a trip to the grocery store. When I had just about arrived, I realized that I had forgotten my u-lock (it was in the bag I took on an earlier ride today, which was on a different bike). My strategy in these instances is to kind of make the bike look like it's locked: firmly situated in a bike rack, near a U-lock that seems to permanently reside there, and with my helmet strap around the front wheel, rack, and down tube. Perhaps it's a testament to the lack of desirability of my commuter/grocery getter, but it was just where I left it when I was done shopping.

I sometimes take the chain off the chainrings. Opening the QR's sounds good too.
But not with a 71 Paramount.

After you park the bike (large gear, large cog) move your levers in the oppose direction. If anyone tries to "pedal off".... they'll drop the chain with their first stroke. Just remember to return the levers to normal before you ride off. The tip works with indexed and brifters as well.

But with extra nice and collector bikes.... I'd worry about workmen leaving the store seeing the bike and throwing in in their truck or van. Even if it's properly locked... they have the tools and they know how to use them.

I wouldn't try that for a hot second in the Bronx or any other big city for that matter. I would rather not have my day ruined if I missed the theft or the thief's day/week ruined if I catch him.

Hit the QR on front wheel, remove wheel and take it inside the store with you.

+1 If you can't take the whole bike with you.... take one of the wheels. I like that!

I went to the post office to mail some letters today. As usual... I took the bike inside with me.

I rode my chrome paramount to the local watering hole once. The bike rack was in the alley behind the bar. Needless to say the paramount came inside with me. It's just not worth risking your bike for convenience. Also leaving a bike unlocked and out of site..... I've had too many friends go into the store happy and come out in tears. Quit trying to booby trap your bike and get a lock!!!

I can't help but picture you locking the bike to yourself as you go into a store.

i always take the bike in with me. they're beautiful, and i like talking to people about them (like in line at the grocery). at a 7-eleven, i leave it inside, at the front along the windows while i get my rainier tall boys and pretzels.

I take the nicer road bikes into a lot of places, and supermarket personnel often recommend a spot for it, either in an unused checkstand aisle (during their slow hours before closing, when I always shop) or even in the stockroom or employee's lounge. They know me by now.

I've got a small bike alarm with remote key fob, and a pocket cable lock for when I dine with bike in view of my table. I also sometimes take the rear QR skewer with me. It might also be helpful that I ride a 25" framed Motiv Defiant commuter that's cheap and heavy.

In a bad part of town I would use a not-so-nice Varsity, very heavy for anyone to carry off, but still a great rider while having low resale value.