Sad reminder - lock your wheels
#1
Thread Starter
asleep at the wheel
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 976
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From: Chicago
Bikes: Custom Richie Ditta Track Bike, Eddie Merckx Corsa, Marioni Custom Pista, Dolan Cyclocross
Sad reminder - lock your wheels
This is yet another reminder that bolt on wheels offer very little protection against theft:
https://www.craigslist.org/sfc/bik/63070920.html
Seen way too many wheels stolen in the city recently.
Either lock them to the frame, use a cable or get some of them fancy locking track bolts. Please don't assume that just cause it takes a small tool to remove your wheels they're safe.
https://www.craigslist.org/sfc/bik/63070920.html
Seen way too many wheels stolen in the city recently.
Either lock them to the frame, use a cable or get some of them fancy locking track bolts. Please don't assume that just cause it takes a small tool to remove your wheels they're safe.
#3
Many the day I lament the world passing me by as I sit in the backwaters of Northern NY. Then I think how I often ride down to the local grocer, lean my bike against the wall outside the door and go shopping.
30 minutes later it'll still be there.
30 minutes later it'll still be there.
#4
Originally Posted by dobber
Many the day I lament the world passing me by as I sit in the backwaters of Northern NY. Then I think how I often ride down to the local grocer, lean my bike against the wall outside the door and go shopping.
30 minutes later it'll still be there.
30 minutes later it'll still be there.
ha ha I was just thinking the same thing about living in small-town Ohio.
#5
cyclist/gearhead/cycli...
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,166
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From: DC / Maryland suburbs
Bikes: Homebuilt tourer/commuter, modified-beyond-recognition 1990 Trek 1100, reasonably stock 2002-ish Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo
Sucks
This happened to me before, with quick release wheels yoinked in broad daylight... that was a nice welcome to the big city world for me. In college in a small town, I routinely left my bike unlocked, had it stolen once in 4 years but got it back cause it was such a small town.
My proposal is that we give police an opportunity to get the brutality out of their systems... whenever they catch a bike thief!
This happened to me before, with quick release wheels yoinked in broad daylight... that was a nice welcome to the big city world for me. In college in a small town, I routinely left my bike unlocked, had it stolen once in 4 years but got it back cause it was such a small town.My proposal is that we give police an opportunity to get the brutality out of their systems... whenever they catch a bike thief!
#6
The Silver Hammer

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 787
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From: Philadelphia
Bikes: Surly Steamroller, Specialized Hardrock, Lynskey Cooper
i just never park my bike by itself....i always find some gorgeous cannondale etc... and lock it right next to it figuring that no matter what my bike will pale in comparisson and wont get a second thought...maybe this is dumb...but it allows me to sit in class knowing that my bike is locked up in one of the worst neighborhoods in the country
#9
I've just started hauling the front wheel around with me. I figure, if they're going to take the bike, they're going to have to carry it, then go find another wheel, or at least go and jack someone else's front wheel. Just as long as I can make 'em work for my piece o' crap beater. And plus, I was getting sick of dealing with the U-lock AND the krypto-cable. Too much crap and work IMO.
#10
You know, growing up we didn't have to lock our bikes. I remember leaving mine out without concern. And yet I can't imagine doing that today. Wild.
Anyhow, I lock my front for two reasons: my rear is nutted and my front is QR. It's QR secured by a hose clamp, but still QR. Who's to say which is easier to get off, a hose clamp or 15mm nut?
But secondly, I think stupid bike thiefs at this point have been conditioned to look at the front. If the front is locked to the frame most will move on.
Just my theory.
Anyhow, I lock my front for two reasons: my rear is nutted and my front is QR. It's QR secured by a hose clamp, but still QR. Who's to say which is easier to get off, a hose clamp or 15mm nut?
But secondly, I think stupid bike thiefs at this point have been conditioned to look at the front. If the front is locked to the frame most will move on.
Just my theory.
#11
Originally Posted by emayex
i just never park my bike by itself....i always find some gorgeous cannondale etc... and lock it right next to it figuring that no matter what my bike will pale in comparisson and wont get a second thought...maybe this is dumb...but it allows me to sit in class knowing that my bike is locked up in one of the worst neighborhoods in the country

CHEERS.
Mark
#12
Better than you since 83!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,117
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From: Up a big F'ing Hill
Bikes: Fixed Gear 79 Schwinn Sprint
I strap my U lock around my rearwheel and my seattube, two birds with one stone, and as soon as I get my new wheels (next week) I'm going to start locking up my front. I'm thinking mini krypto.
#13
cyclist/gearhead/cycli...
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,166
Likes: 1
From: DC / Maryland suburbs
Bikes: Homebuilt tourer/commuter, modified-beyond-recognition 1990 Trek 1100, reasonably stock 2002-ish Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo
Originally Posted by junioroverlord
I strap my U lock around my rearwheel and my seattube, two birds with one stone, and as soon as I get my new wheels (next week) I'm going to start locking up my front. I'm thinking mini krypto.
#15
no one wants an alien

Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 784
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From: Brooklyn
Bikes: grandis track bike, cesare track bike, bianchi road bike
when i can find a post that's not too wide, i'll lock both wheels with my chain - tho when i'm feeling truly paranoid i bring a u-lock specifically for the back wheel.
i had a chuckle back at monster track when i ducked out to check on my bike, and ran into a couple of people doing the exact same thing.
i had a chuckle back at monster track when i ducked out to check on my bike, and ran into a couple of people doing the exact same thing.
#16
Café Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28
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From: Chciago
Bikes: KHS Flite100, Bianchi Premio, Yokota franken-bike, Dahon Boardwalk
I'm not sure if I read this on Sheldon Brown's site or somewhere else, but I simply use a mini lock to lock up the back wheel. As long as you lock it up inside that rear triangle, you don't have to worry about locking the frame up as well. I was really tired of seeing nicks all along the lower end of my seat tube. Of course, I'm only lucky so far that I still have a front wheel, but at least it's a bolt-on.
#17
cyclist/gearhead/cycli...
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,166
Likes: 1
From: DC / Maryland suburbs
Bikes: Homebuilt tourer/commuter, modified-beyond-recognition 1990 Trek 1100, reasonably stock 2002-ish Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo
Originally Posted by Devious Golden
I'm not sure if I read this on Sheldon Brown's site or somewhere else, but I simply use a mini lock to lock up the back wheel. As long as you lock it up inside that rear triangle, you don't have to worry about locking the frame up as well. I was really tired of seeing nicks all along the lower end of my seat tube. Of course, I'm only lucky so far that I still have a front wheel, but at least it's a bolt-on. 

Er... I don't mean to disparage your locking strategy at all, it's a good one
, it just reminded me of something.
#18
Zugster Bags

Joined: May 2004
Posts: 526
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From: San Francisco, CA
Bikes: Nishiki fixed gear commuter, Trek 560 road bike
It amazes me how many people don't lock their wheels in SF, especially when they have really nice hubs. Have these people never seen the homeless bike mechanics at Duboce & Market? I see those guys wrenching on stuff all the time, and their shopping carts are often stuffed full of wheels. The crackheads are definitely hip to allen wrenches, at minimum.
#19
Employee

Joined: May 2004
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From: Berkeley, CA, USA, Earth
Bikes: Bridgestone 450, A Camera, 46x18 Fixed Gear, Homebrew Tandem
If it's going to be longer than 5 min, I'll pop off the front and lock it with the rear. Takes 20 seconds and I know I'll be able to ride home.
#21
cyclist/gearhead/cycli...
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,166
Likes: 1
From: DC / Maryland suburbs
Bikes: Homebuilt tourer/commuter, modified-beyond-recognition 1990 Trek 1100, reasonably stock 2002-ish Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo
Originally Posted by slvoid
Any of you tried using these security screws?








#22
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 718
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Originally Posted by moxfyre
Where do you get those? I've seen skewers with the second type of heads, but don't know where I could get them...
#23
I drink your MILKSHAKE

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 15,061
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From: St. Petersburg, FL
Bikes: 2003 Specialized Rockhopper FSR Comp, 1999 Specialized Hardrock Comp FS, 1971 Schwinn Varsity
Originally Posted by Devious Golden
I'm not sure if I read this on Sheldon Brown's site or somewhere else, but I simply use a mini lock to lock up the back wheel. As long as you lock it up inside that rear triangle, you don't have to worry about locking the frame up as well. I was really tired of seeing nicks all along the lower end of my seat tube. Of course, I'm only lucky so far that I still have a front wheel, but at least it's a bolt-on. 

#24
Grease Monkey
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 132
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From: Dirty Jersey, no really its dirty.
Bikes: 05 Bianchi Pista, Senshin framed 20" street bmx featuring parts from Profile, We the people, primo, fishbone, Alex, Demolition, Snafu, etc etc.
Originally Posted by potus
I've seen these used on bathroom-stall doors. I'm pretty sure once they're screwed in that can't be unscrewed. not that I'm in the business of removing bathroom-stall doors...
#25
Bike Dork

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 108
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From: Philadelphia, Pa
Bikes: Independent Fabrication steel delux(my baby), Raleigh Highlife (Single Speed Cyclocross), Surly CrossCheck (commuter.work bike when I was a courier), 1957 Schwinn Panther, Bilenky, Surly Karate Monkey Single Speed 29er, Specialized Stumpjumpper 29er,
I lock my frame and rear wheel to a poll. for the front, I use the krypto qr replacer or a hose clamp.
I also dont lock my bike by itslef anywhere for too long. If I am at a show or something, there is always someone out there keeping an eye on her.
I also dont lock my bike by itslef anywhere for too long. If I am at a show or something, there is always someone out there keeping an eye on her.






