When my TerraTrike was stolen off my rack when staying in a hotel, they cut the cable and were gone. When I visited that same hotel again I had my GreenSpeed replacement and the manager let me park it in her office. Now I'll fold it and take the wheels and seat and take them to my room. I also cover everything else in my Forester using a flat black single sheet. It's a pain, but cheaper that going thru the hassle of going thru police report. When I called the Los Angles Co Sheriff's Office to file the report "the theft of my trike'. I had to explain that it wasn't the Murray tricycle I got for Christmas when I was a kid. My homeowners insurance covered part of my loss, but prorated the amount covered. I also have an alarm installed and will be adding an AirTag.
Bad people will take your stuff no matter what. You make valid points. You can slow a thief down, probably not stop them. Best advice I can give is lock stuff ,never take your eyes off. I've ridden recumbent's for almost 20 years, bikes, over 50 years. You can keep honest folks honest but won't stop a thief. Thanks for the great work Mickey. RF
I have a GTS and a Spyder. I find a sturdy post, bike rack or such, and pass the u-lock itself around the post through the rear triangle and wheel. This ensures that my trike cannot be just picked up and walked off with if I use the cable as you depicted, which is much easier to cut through. I find this works best with a bike rack. But I will say it's hard to get everything inside of the u-lock, depending on the size of the post I'm using. When riding my Spyder, it is always underneath me or no more than 3 steps away! ❤❤❤
I have one of the early catrike villagers, back when the serial number was just a sticker which is easy to remove. I etched my drivers license number on the frame under the seat cover where it can’t be easily seen, you would have to take the seat cover off to find it.
my wife stole my electric bike mikey 😢 i don’t know if our relationship can recover from this? how will i trust? who will i follow? how can i keep up with pedal assist 5?
I've found a vibration motion detector alarm handy when I'm staying close to my trike but may be out of sight of it for a short while. I also have my trike and batteries and their serial numbers registered with Bike Index.
depends on your city. In Toronto, theives have cable cutters so I usually don't recommend using a cable lock. A 10/10 rated Ulock for each tire plus one for frame, is harsh but necessary. One for each quick release wheel and another for locking to something. Also add an AirTag from Apple or equivalent to the bike so you can track it. They may look for that now too but that can help. Going to look for a vibration detector alarm next.
The moment the cable is involved it can be bolt cut easily. It's tough getting a u lock around the frame and something solid, but it's the only way to be sure.
Due to the invention of battery-powered grinders or any cut-off tool, they can cut off any lock in a minute. That's why catalytic converter thefts on cars are epidemic. It only takes 90 seconds to steal one. I don't know if opportunist is still a factor because they are taking time and risk to use a car jack to be able to access the Cats. It seems way more have been stolen than trikes.
Called today re: Topeak mtx pannier bag. We were wondering if there's a way to just get the part on the bottom of the bag that slides in along with the clip lock? If not, if you have another bag in stock?
Soon to be moved to a trike.. have an older (20 year old that is) 2 wheel SWB bent... with electric assist. at 70+, the old balance is not what it used to be. Time to get more stable. I live in Pinole, just north of Berkeley... Love the bay trail that is getting more and more done here. I also take along a "whistle" dog tracker, charge it up and throw it in the sack with all of the other must haves... It will track the bike within about 50 feet of wherever it goes.. . Thanks for your insight on locking the trikes.. you might have a new customer soon.. do you take bent trade ins? Chris
That's a place where manufacturers need to improve. If the design doesn't include a secure triangle, they should be welding a lock ring onto the frame so folks have something to pass a chain (not just a cable) through.
I'd like to add a note here. If your trike (or bike) is stolen there are now easy ways of tracking them. Things as easy as a hidden air tag to GPS trackers.
I have a mega chain but its heavy. I use only once in awhile. A u-lock and cable is good for the fast snatch and grabbers.We just got in the ABUS lock with an alarm, but haven't tried it out yet.
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When my TerraTrike was stolen off my rack when staying in a hotel, they cut the cable and were gone. When I visited that same hotel again I had my GreenSpeed replacement and the manager let me park it in her office. Now I'll fold it and take the wheels and seat and take them to my room. I also cover everything else in my Forester using a flat black single sheet. It's a pain, but cheaper that going thru the hassle of going thru police report. When I called the Los Angles Co Sheriff's Office to file the report "the theft of my trike'. I had to explain that it wasn't the Murray tricycle I got for Christmas when I was a kid. My homeowners insurance covered part of my loss, but prorated the amount covered. I also have an alarm installed and will be adding an AirTag.
Sorry to hear that! The more precautions the better.
Bad people will take your stuff no matter what. You make valid points. You can slow a thief down, probably not stop them. Best advice I can give is lock stuff ,never take your eyes off. I've ridden recumbent's for almost 20 years, bikes, over 50 years. You can keep honest folks honest but won't stop a thief. Thanks for the great work Mickey. RF
I have a GTS and a Spyder. I find a sturdy post, bike rack or such, and pass the u-lock itself around the post through the rear triangle and wheel. This ensures that my trike cannot be just picked up and walked off with if I use the cable as you depicted, which is much easier to cut through. I find this works best with a bike rack. But I will say it's hard to get everything inside of the u-lock, depending on the size of the post I'm using. When riding my Spyder, it is always underneath me or no more than 3 steps away! ❤❤❤
Wise advice that everyone should know & do. Thanks for the refresher.
I have one of the early catrike villagers, back when the serial number was just a sticker which is easy to remove. I etched my drivers license number on the frame under the seat cover where it can’t be easily seen, you would have to take the seat cover off to find it.
-- *_Thank you, Micky!_*
my wife stole my electric bike mikey 😢 i don’t know if our relationship can recover from this? how will i trust? who will i follow? how can i keep up with pedal assist 5?
I've found a vibration motion detector alarm handy when I'm staying close to my trike but may be out of sight of it for a short while. I also have my trike and batteries and their serial numbers registered with Bike Index.
bike index is great. Have my trike listed there.
So do I
Thanks for the info and the lock recommendation!
You're welcome! Always our pleasure :)
Good info and advice!
depends on your city. In Toronto, theives have cable cutters so I usually don't recommend using a cable lock. A 10/10 rated Ulock for each tire plus one for frame, is harsh but necessary. One for each quick release wheel and another for locking to something. Also add an AirTag from Apple or equivalent to the bike so you can track it. They may look for that now too but that can help. Going to look for a vibration detector alarm next.
Temu has great rechargeable motion alarms with wireless remotes that work great, $20 up but many choices under.
The moment the cable is involved it can be bolt cut easily. It's tough getting a u lock around the frame and something solid, but it's the only way to be sure.
529 Garage is great for registering trikes, bikes, scooters, etc.
That's the way I do it. A U-lock to the frame. As you mentioned, most thieves are opportunistic. Thanks for sharing.
Due to the invention of battery-powered grinders or any cut-off tool, they can cut off any lock in a minute. That's why catalytic converter thefts on cars are epidemic. It only takes 90 seconds to steal one. I don't know if opportunist is still a factor because they are taking time and risk to use a car jack to be able to access the Cats. It seems way more have been stolen than trikes.
Never get more than 3 ft away from it
Called today re: Topeak mtx pannier bag. We were wondering if there's a way to just get the part on the bottom of the bag that slides in along with the clip lock? If not, if you have another bag in stock?
Soon to be moved to a trike.. have an older (20 year old that is) 2 wheel SWB bent... with electric assist. at 70+, the old balance is not what it used to be. Time to get more stable. I live in Pinole, just north of Berkeley... Love the bay trail that is getting more and more done here. I also take along a "whistle" dog tracker, charge it up and throw it in the sack with all of the other must haves... It will track the bike within about 50 feet of wherever it goes.. . Thanks for your insight on locking the trikes.. you might have a new customer soon.. do you take bent trade ins? Chris
Do you have a model number to the lock set you used? Thanks
I believe this is the one shown: 001966
If you don't have an easy triangle to lock to, try putting the Ulock through the crank
That's a place where manufacturers need to improve. If the design doesn't include a secure triangle, they should be welding a lock ring onto the frame so folks have something to pass a chain (not just a cable) through.
I'd like to add a note here. If your trike (or bike) is stolen there are now easy ways of tracking them. Things as easy as a hidden air tag to GPS trackers.
Get a low jack.
When my bike was stolen, they left the lock and chain like it was still locked!
the only time you should ever use cables it to prevent your wheels from being taken. always us a good chain, cables are so easy to cut it isnt funny.
I have a mega chain but its heavy. I use only once in awhile. A u-lock and cable is good for the fast snatch and grabbers.We just got in the ABUS lock with an alarm, but haven't tried it out yet.
Too many feet away from it