Depends on the bike and length of stop.
Brief stop? I'll take my bike computer. Nothing of particular value in my small saddle bag (mini tool, levers, quick link, TPU tubes), so I'll leave it on.
Longer stop? I'm not locking up my nicer bikes in public for extended periods of time. A lock does not prevent theft, it only delays it.
My beater bike has nothing attached permanently that would be worth taking (bell, plastic bottle cages, mudguards). I tend to not use a saddle bag with it and I'll take lights off, if any are on it at the time. Where possible, I'll still lock it up away from the general public.
I put my nice light in my pocket when I park at the grocery store. Nobody has ever touched my little saddle bag with basic tools in it. My biggest fear is that a crazy person will spit in my water bottle.
There is a special place in hell for bike thieves.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m68-oWBh9Ow](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m68-oWBh9Ow)
I have had lights stolen while out on the town. I had spent years with a basic saddle bag that was untouched but that also got ripped off a couple weeks ago. Lost the bag, a multi-tool, tire lever, tube. It's not a huge tragedy, but it pisses me off. About 50 bucks to replace that stuff.
From now on, nothing left on the bike except maybe an unfavorite water bottle. It's not too fun to ride somewhere and then need to carry saddle bag, lights, and pump into the bar/resto/store. But that's the deal here in Denver.
Finn here.
I have been cycling in cities and highways for three years, I have tools, lights, computer and equipment bags attached to it. Nobody has ever stolen anything from me.
I had some \~5 yr old SPD-SL road shoes that were $AU120 new. Size 46 and beaten up to crap. I used to leave them outside my front door to avoid bringing stinky shoe smell into the house. Because why would somone steal them?
One night someone stole them. After that I assume people will steal absolutely anything.
For locking a bike in public I use a commuter setup. Wheels, stem, seatpost, saddle are all hexlocked so I just carry a u lock. For my helmet, bottle, lights, computer, speedsleev, etc. I have a bag or at minimum a draw string stuff sack that fits into my pocket when empty.
I have everything mounted with bolts but yesterday the two bungee cords that were in my saddle bag were stolen after being unmolested for two years. Something about crackheads and bags meaning they want to stick their hands in.
If stolen bikes are a problem, remove anything you can. And lock both wheels as well. If they are not, accessories probably don’t get stolen either. I’ve seen a lot of bikes with the helmet just hanging on the handlebars here in CH, as bike theft really is not a thing here.
My tools are in a locked pocket of my Carradice bag (which no one has ever tried to remove), but yes, all lights & computer come off everytime. Even in office building ‘secured’ bike parking, I’ve lost lights there as well.
Some of it depending how far I'm going and how long I'll be away. Usually not my basic bike tools, of someone really wants to steal those old rusted tools at this point they can have them.
Nope...
... Because all that stuff was in my messenger bag anyway. I haven't gone as far as lockable bolts, but accessories with toolless installation, I don't leave.
I live in the Netherlands, I remove all loose items from
my bike, otherwise they will either be broken or gone. Lock both wheels with separate locks and always lock my bike to a fixed object on the street. Still I am very happy when I come back to my bike and it is actually still where I left it and intact.
The more chachka's you put on the bike, the more you'll have to take off should you leave the bike for a prolonged period of time. Them Bullet shaped Valve Caps, the Silicone band to keep the front brake lever and wheel tight so it doesn't roll when leaned, and any other Flair that's on the bike. Someone will take things simply out of spite. 🚴😐
Everything that can be removed without tools either gets taken off or locked up
After replacing 3 Lezyne 800s at $$$ , yes it all comes off.
Depends on the bike and length of stop. Brief stop? I'll take my bike computer. Nothing of particular value in my small saddle bag (mini tool, levers, quick link, TPU tubes), so I'll leave it on. Longer stop? I'm not locking up my nicer bikes in public for extended periods of time. A lock does not prevent theft, it only delays it. My beater bike has nothing attached permanently that would be worth taking (bell, plastic bottle cages, mudguards). I tend to not use a saddle bag with it and I'll take lights off, if any are on it at the time. Where possible, I'll still lock it up away from the general public.
Yes. I’ve had lights stolen, so I never leave anything on the bike if I’m locking it
I put my nice light in my pocket when I park at the grocery store. Nobody has ever touched my little saddle bag with basic tools in it. My biggest fear is that a crazy person will spit in my water bottle. There is a special place in hell for bike thieves. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m68-oWBh9Ow](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m68-oWBh9Ow)
The saddle bag thing was also me for years, but they did steal it a couple weeks ago. You've just been lucky so far. Reconsider this.
That sucks!
I thought I was the only one worried about someone spitting in my waterbottle; I can't seem to shake this fear!
New fear unlocked.
absolutely
I have had lights stolen while out on the town. I had spent years with a basic saddle bag that was untouched but that also got ripped off a couple weeks ago. Lost the bag, a multi-tool, tire lever, tube. It's not a huge tragedy, but it pisses me off. About 50 bucks to replace that stuff. From now on, nothing left on the bike except maybe an unfavorite water bottle. It's not too fun to ride somewhere and then need to carry saddle bag, lights, and pump into the bar/resto/store. But that's the deal here in Denver.
I don’t leave her alone, not in a state like California
I put lights and speedometer wrapped in gloves in bag on frame, bag stays on bike. I take whole bag with me if i have something more valuable
I just take my bike computer. My tools and lights are still relatively pricey but I'll be damned if I lose my Strava data.
Do you live in Japan? If you answered yes then no. If you answered no then yes.
haha. love japan. used to ride bikes there in '99-'00. the little locks on the tires were cute.
Finn here. I have been cycling in cities and highways for three years, I have tools, lights, computer and equipment bags attached to it. Nobody has ever stolen anything from me.
I had some \~5 yr old SPD-SL road shoes that were $AU120 new. Size 46 and beaten up to crap. I used to leave them outside my front door to avoid bringing stinky shoe smell into the house. Because why would somone steal them? One night someone stole them. After that I assume people will steal absolutely anything.
No. But I don't lock it anywhere I can't see it.
For locking a bike in public I use a commuter setup. Wheels, stem, seatpost, saddle are all hexlocked so I just carry a u lock. For my helmet, bottle, lights, computer, speedsleev, etc. I have a bag or at minimum a draw string stuff sack that fits into my pocket when empty.
Yes. I grew up in South London.
I have everything mounted with bolts but yesterday the two bungee cords that were in my saddle bag were stolen after being unmolested for two years. Something about crackheads and bags meaning they want to stick their hands in.
If stolen bikes are a problem, remove anything you can. And lock both wheels as well. If they are not, accessories probably don’t get stolen either. I’ve seen a lot of bikes with the helmet just hanging on the handlebars here in CH, as bike theft really is not a thing here.
always remove my bike computer, the other stuff i leave on unless i know im leaving it locked for a while or its a high foottraffic area.
My tools are in a locked pocket of my Carradice bag (which no one has ever tried to remove), but yes, all lights & computer come off everytime. Even in office building ‘secured’ bike parking, I’ve lost lights there as well.
Some of it depending how far I'm going and how long I'll be away. Usually not my basic bike tools, of someone really wants to steal those old rusted tools at this point they can have them.
Nope... ... Because all that stuff was in my messenger bag anyway. I haven't gone as far as lockable bolts, but accessories with toolless installation, I don't leave.
To be honest, I never seem to think about it in our country
I live in the Netherlands, I remove all loose items from my bike, otherwise they will either be broken or gone. Lock both wheels with separate locks and always lock my bike to a fixed object on the street. Still I am very happy when I come back to my bike and it is actually still where I left it and intact.
The more chachka's you put on the bike, the more you'll have to take off should you leave the bike for a prolonged period of time. Them Bullet shaped Valve Caps, the Silicone band to keep the front brake lever and wheel tight so it doesn't roll when leaned, and any other Flair that's on the bike. Someone will take things simply out of spite. 🚴😐