If the thieves want it, they'll get to it. Having been a victim of car theft years ago, I'd like to deter the more prevalent bike thieves. Was curious of various deterrent measures specifically for a hitch rack.

How do you guys secure your bikes to your hitch or roof rack, let's say for lunch and beer after a morning session? For overnight trips, do you take it into the hotel rooms?

Most of the time I carry the bike inside my 4Runner. When I need to carry additional bikes I have a Thule 916 XTR hitch rack. The bike trays have built-in cable locks. Like you say, it's not totally secure but it's enough of a deterrent where (hopefully) nobody will swipe the bike while I'm having lunch/beer after a ride. It hasn't happened yet. I see you're in Irvine so you probably ride all the same trails I do (Whiting, Luge, Aliso, Crystal Cove, Santiago Oaks, etc.). Never had a problem in this area.

I never, EVER leave bikes mounted to it overnight and/or anywhere unattended for extended periods.

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I like a 6' cable with eyes on the end. thread it through any lock you've got. That way you can wrap it through wheels and the frame. But definitely agree, if they want it; they'll get it.

Yakima's got a similar cable as well. I might just leave the bikes home (piece of mind!) for an upcoming mammoth trip since we'll be doing long hikes and unable to store the bikes at our lodge.

I run a cable lock though the bike's frame and the trailer chain loops on my 4Runner's hitch. That way the bike is directly secured to a solid metal point on the vehicle.

Someone could get it with a big pair of bolt cutters, reciprocating saw, or even a socket set to remove the whole hitch. However, I don't know what would stop a determined theif other than a hardened chain, serious pad lock, and a welded point to secure to on the vehicle's frame. Even that would only slow down someone with a grinder.

So, my approach is to stop the petty thieves with moderate security measures and play it smart when the bike will be left unattended (e.g. parking in a conspicuous area). You could also wrap a tarp over it or remove the wheels and throw it in the back so it is less obvious you have an expensive bike.

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Great Tip!

Integrated cable locks keep honest people honest. They can be cut easily. If you leave your bike on a rack for any period of time where your bike will be out of your sight, get a heavy duty sheathed chain and loop through the car frame or hitch loop. Cables can be cut in seconds. The arm lock on a t2 can be defeated be deflating the front tire and sliding the whole bike out. The arm is not hard to bend either.

https://www.amazon.com/ABUS-10KS-Sec.../dp/B005UMCBL4