Securing a bicycle (i.e. keeping it from getting stolen)

I think my Taco Truck is going to be my new bike hauler. I was using my Nissan Rogue (bought because I could get my bike in without taking any wheels off.)

However, my hauling my bike with the truck would be easier and result in less wear and tear on the headliner of my Nissan.

The only issue is security. I need a way to lock it to the truck. The tiedowns can be unscrewed, so don't offer the best security.

I've thought of running a cable around the frame between the cab and the bed. would that be dangerous?

 

Cable can be cut. I am assuming you need security when not driving? If so, maybe store the bike inside the truck when not driving? Does your bike have quick release wheels and seat?

 

Rocky Mounts Driveshaft SD.

 

The safest way is getting a camper shell and leaving the bike in there, out of sight out of mind. Chains and cables can be cut...if its a frequent thing I would get a shell, if its a once in a while type of deal I would just risk it with chains and cables I guess.

 

Thule makes a bed mounted carrier with locks. I have one and love it.

$240 Thule 822XT New Bed-Rider Fork Mount Carrier

http://www.amazon.com/Thule-822XT-B...13402063&sr=1-3&keywords=thule+truck+bed+bike

 

This is probably the best bike hauler I have ever had. You can buy the extension and haul up to 4 bikes. It has 2 locks per bike already on it and if you throw on a cable or chain around the bike and then to the rack itself your bikes will be triple locked.

http://www.thule.com/en-us/us/produ...bike-carriers/thule-t2-2-bike-916xtr-_-916xtr

 

I went for seven years without a car, bike only. The only way to prevent a bike from being stolen is to not have one.

My "more hassle than it's worth" setup was:

Kryptonite lock, locking the frame to something immovable. Stair railings are good.
1/4" cable looped through both wheels and attached to frame and if possible above-mentioned immovable object. Quick disconnect on the seat and take it with you, or permanent bolt the seat so it can't be stolen. Seats get stolen all the time.

I cannot see any way you're going to be able to pull it off in a truck. I use a shell and throw mine in the back, but then I take it out and ride when I get to my destination. I'd no sooner leave a good bike in the back of my truck than one of my good guitars, or anything else valuable for that matter. A vehicle is just not very secure.

 

It depends on where you live and will have the bike.

A cable lock works for places like Fruita, but in Oakland CA people will bash windows on a shell to get a bike.

You have to do your own risk management here as nobody has an answer that applied directly to your situation.

Consider how much your bike costs, your renters/homeowners deductible (if it covers theft), how much hassle you want to deal with, how much you want to spend on locks to prevent a theft...

 

Exactly.....
To the OP: If your bike isn't anything special and/or isn't worth much (under $500 for example) - A Cable lock will do just fine to act as a preventative measure.

A thief isn't going to waste his valuable time trying to cut a cable for a bike that's not worth anything to him. There's just not enough cash flow on a used average bike.

If he is crazy enough to cut the cable & take it....Let him. He obviously needed it more than you did for whatever reason. Rather let him take the bike than take your truck. Does insurance cover it?

Or...you could spend a shit-ton of money - more than what the bike is worth - to totally secure it. Why? You could buy yourself a new bike with the amount of money you could spend on security.

 

I should have added that I just need something to keep someone from walking off with it in the event I have the bike and I want to stop for dinner or something. It's not a super expensive bike but it's extremely valuable to me.

 

^^^ This.


I've got a handful of these, I took some 3/16"x3" plate I have sitting around and bolted it to the bed. Right now I have the plate across the entire bed, which isn't necessary, but it was fast. In preparation for a biking/wheeling trip to Moab, I'm going to redo this, by cutting short pieces of the plate, just long enough to span 3 ribs in the bed, bolted down with 4 bolts - one per corner - and have 2 or 3 of these offset on the bed for handlebar clearance.

They're really handy because they're extremely stable, lockable, and fast (enough). This is the only method I feel comfortable with leaving my bikes in the back of the truck for extended periods of time without having to trust a cable. The height also *just* clears (about 1" extra) my softopper - 27.5 Pike 160, 5.5" HT and 20mm rise bars. Only bike I can't fit back there is a 29er with long travel, or my cross bike with the topper on - seat post and seat tube are too tall on the cross bike to fit, and any bikes I put back there I slam the saddle if it's a dropper, or just pull the post.