If you’re an avid cyclist who loves to ride or explore new routes, you’ve probably invested in a hitch frame to transport your precious bike. But with bike thefts on the rise across the country, you may be wondering – can hitchhiking bike racks be stolen?
The vulnerability of the downwind frame
A tailwind frame is indeed a tempting target for thieves. These frames are usually easy to spot on vehicles and can accommodate multiple bikes, making them valuable bargaining chips for criminals. In addition, hitch cars are parked in parking lots, campgrounds, and even on roadsides, often unattended, providing ample opportunities for thieves.
Tips for protecting downwind frames
While the risk of theft is real, you can take the following steps to protect your hitch frame and the bike it carries:
Invest in a fixed pin: Many tailwind frames have fixed pins that can be attached to your tailwind receiver. This can deter opportunistic thieves from trying to steal the entire rack.
Using cable locks: Consider using additional cable locks to secure your bike to the rack itself. This adds an extra layer of security and makes it more difficult for thieves to snatch your bike.
Parking strategy: When you park your vehicle with a hitch, choose a well-lit and busy area. A thief is unlikely to target a clothes hanger in a conspicuous position.
Take down the racks when not in use: If your car is left unattended for long periods of time, consider taking down the racks on your hitch and putting them in a safe place.
FAQ
Are bike frames often stolen?
Although less common, bicycles can be stolen from a shelf, especially if they are not locked to the shelf. Even worse, if your bike is valuable, some thieves will take both the frame and the bike if the bike is locked to the frame. You may want to consider insuring both your bike and your frame.
How can I prevent a bike from being stolen from the frame?
Small u lock + square chain.
Use a chain to connect the front wheel to the bike frame and run the chain through the hitch bike rack. When fixing the U-lock, leave as little space as possible within the chain by fixing the lock to the front wheel, frame, or pedals (see illustration).
How do I lock my bike to the trailer?
The first lock should be around the back wheel, frame and bike rack. The second should go around the front wheel, frame, and best bike rack as well. This means that the frame is fixed in two places, and both wheels are fixed to the frame and the bike rack.
Can you hang the bike rack on the rope?
The tailwind frame fits the receiving tube of your vehicle and comes in three basic styles: suspension, pallet and vertical. Suspension racks support your bike by attaching its upper and lower tubes to horizontal poles.
How common is bicycle theft?
In the United States, a bicycle is stolen every 30 seconds. That’s about 2 million bikes a year, worth a total of about $350 million. To give you some perspective, less than a million cars are stolen each year in the United States. There may be more bike thefts than reported.
