im afraid of this rack getting stolen when im biking; how secure is the lock and cable to your car? is it difficult to store in car when not in use?
1558159
It's very secure and I don't think there is a way to take it of your car other than by cutting those cables. Lock apears secure. Easy to fold it and store in the trunk of my MB sedan. Overall, I changed few bike caring sisters ( trunk and roof) and like this one the most!!!!
1558160
Overall I like the rack, but I am not convinced that the lock will deter a determined thief.
1558161
We used this rack in a cross-country trip and had no problem with it. We did not put it inside the car. I guess the safety issue depends where you go. Someone could theoretically steal it if they snipped the cables and worked at it, but that would essentially be ruining it for them. When we stopped at night, we would take the bikes off the rack and put them in our motel room, but the rack remained on the car.
1558162
I think it would be difficult to steal. There is not enough slack in the cables once tightened correctly to remove it easily. I would think someone would need to cut the cables. I have had mine on for a year with no issues. I feel that it is very secure if installed properly. Due to the weight and bulk of the rack it would be difficult to store in the car.
1558163
Personally I wouldn't be concerned with someone wanting to steal a bike rack because they wouldn't assume it fit their car unless it was the exact same car as yours. But yes, I feel that the lock is secure, it only locks one set of the cables, I suppose someone could cut the cables but then the rack would be completely useless. If you wanted to store it inside your car it would fit in the back seat of a sedan without any problems. The dimensions might make it difficult to put it inside some trunks. We've taken week long trips across several states, staying at hotels and never worried about the security of the rack but would take the bikes inside overnight. Personally I wouldn't be concerned with someone wanting to steal a bike rack because they wouldn't assume it fit their car unless it was the exact same car as yours. But yes, I feel that the lock is secure, it only locks one set of the cables, I suppose someone could cut the cables but then the rack would be completely useless. If you wanted to store it inside your car it would fit in the back seat of a sedan without any problems. The dimensions might make it difficult to put it inside some trunks. We've taken week long trips across several states, staying at hotels and... » Read More Personally I wouldn't be concerned with someone wanting to steal a bike rack because they wouldn't assume it fit their car unless it was the exact same car as yours. But yes, I feel that the lock is secure, it only locks one set of the cables, I suppose someone could cut the cables but then the rack would be completely useless. If you wanted to store it inside your car it would fit in the back seat of a sedan without any problems. The dimensions might make it difficult to put it inside some trunks. We've taken week long trips across several states, staying at hotels and never worried about the security of the rack but would take the bikes inside overnight. « Show Less
1558164
The cables only lock on one side. It would be more secure if the cables locked on both sides. If your trunk's is empty it should fit easily.
1558165
The rack is really amazing and I'm am very pleased with it! It is locked securely to my car and I do not worry about it during long bike rides. It also locks the bikes securely which was a huge bonus -- this way I no longer worry when I make a stop after my bike ride. I give the unit a total two-thumbs up!!!
1558166
I've traveled all over the country with this rack (last road trip 7000 mi). I share your concern, but agree with the other answers that it's fairly secure. Just in case, however, I do attach a steel cable to a tow point located on the frame of my Prius under the bumper which is then run up through the rack... Just as added security. You could store it in the car- it folds up small enough- but I wouldn't.
536812
Parts of it will be locked inside of the trunk. If you still feel unsafe, you can lock the entire rack in the trunk when you are not transporting the bike.
1971290
No - anyone could pop the release in back so you should take that with you. The rack itself is secured to the seat post with an allen wrench, but you could thread a cable lock through it as well.
5555
You have to purchase a lock separately. It has a place for a lock that connects to the red screw handle to keep it from turning - but not just any lock. It is a specific accessory you have to purchase. But, you can also use a standard bike lock to lock your bike to the rack. As far as locking the rack to your car, this rack does not support that at all. You'd have to come up with your own solution.
1336569
There isn't a locking mechanism with the rack. It's easy to use the usual bike cable lock looped through a bracket at the hitch, when leaving unattended. That's a secure fix for me.
1336571
There is no specific locking device, but you can run a cable around the bike and hitch mount, just like you would lock it at a bike rack.
1055650
It uses torx bolts, so it is not a very common tool, but if someone has one, sure it can be easily stolen. By the way, mine broke using a thule 591 bike rack. not recommended for using with other stuff that attaches tightly around these bars...
2176981
The cable that comes with the lockbox is junk and just through it away. The cable is used to attach the lockbox to something secure so your lockbox doesn't get stolen with the valuables secured inside. I purchased a cable at tufnut.com. Go to security cables section on the site and purchase mc2 or mc3. I purchased mc2 and I use the cable to secure to the metal frame under my seat in my car. If someone breaks into your vehicle they don't walk off with your lockbox without a bolt cutter. The price with shipping for the cable is about 3 bucks. If you need instructions on how to attach the cable when you get it, just let me know. Hopefully this helps! The cable that comes with the lockbox is junk and just through it away. The cable is used to attach the lockbox to something secure so your lockbox doesn't get stolen with the valuables secured inside. I purchased a cable at tufnut.com. Go to security cables section on the site and purchase mc2 or mc3. I purchased mc2 and I use the cable to secure to the metal frame under my seat in my car. If someone breaks into your vehicle they don't walk off with your lockbox without a bolt cutter. The price with shipping for the cable is about 3 bucks. If you need instructions on how to attach the... » Read More The cable that comes with the lockbox is junk and just through it away. The cable is used to attach the lockbox to something secure so your lockbox doesn't get stolen with the valuables secured inside. I purchased a cable at tufnut.com. Go to security cables section on the site and purchase mc2 or mc3. I purchased mc2 and I use the cable to secure to the metal frame under my seat in my car. If someone breaks into your vehicle they don't walk off with your lockbox without a bolt cutter. The price with shipping for the cable is about 3 bucks. If you need instructions on how to attach the cable when you get it, just let me know. Hopefully this helps! « Show Less
1955248
Hey J I park this at a rack with the rear tire in the rack. The bike rack is a poor design. I put the U lock through the frame and rear wheel and to the rack and use the cable to secure the front wheel. It works great. You should have no problems locking it to a rack or a pole or post.
1273162
Not this model, you'd have to get a separate lock to able to secure bikes or the rack itself. The RS model does have locks however, it might be worth checking that one out.
1796999
There is an additional clip and cable that can be purchased. It fits over a window so when rolled up it "locks" in place. Would only keep honest people from stealing as one could easily break the window and remove. It's so simple to remove & reinstall, I prefer to do that. If you want something permanent, then I'd go a different direction - I don't want a fixed rack so this is perfect to put on when needed.
2039808
Yes. I bought one from an Amazon store.I purchased the rack, a locking cable, and a locking bolt.The rack is locked to the car with the locking bolt.The cable is a 8ft cable that I thread through the arms of the rack and the frame/tires so my bike is locked on too.Am enjoying the rack a lot. It's great.
2023755
My racks are secured in a garage so I didn't need a lock loop. I looked at mine and there is no loop that I could see unless they're saying you could run the cable through the two bottom bars which you could do. It won't be the strongest or most secure, but it will lock your bike.
147553
No. Don't plan on leaving your bike with this rack. I don't know of a way to lock it.
5787
Yes you should have a lock to secure your bikes. If you dont use a locking hitch pin than anyone with vise grip pliers or some crescent wrenches can remove the rack (and your bikes if on the rack.)
2098666
I take it off! it's very easy and I want it to be secure. When I leave it on is typically when my bike is on it. The front has rack has the ability to have a padlock keep somebody from removing the bike easily. Usually do this after a race when I am stopping to get something to eat. Although the bike and the rack under these circumstances aren't totally secure, it dissuades somebody from fooling around. Hope this helps. Bob
88344
I do have a little wobble of my yakima rack, maybe 1/2 to 3/4 inch (?) at the most. I do not find it an issue for me. I have had 2 bikes on the rack for a trip of 8 hours straight one way and did not have any issue with the rack feeling like it was bouncing back and forth. The pin has stayed in place and I have not felt as though I have needed to re-tighten the bolt. The moveable wheel base on the rack, I do retighten from time to time. I got a yakima hitchlock to use on the bolt (although you do have to play with it a little to get it to lock). I feel better about leaving the rack on the car unattended and not getting stolen, but I also feel like it is one added safety feature to keep the bolt from coming off. And an FYI, I have had problem with getting the arm to 'lock' good when it is on my bike and have had it release as soon as I am taking off in the driveway. I have been able to avoid that issue with using a bike lock around my mid bike to the rack that holds the arms that slide up and down. With using that, I have had no other issue and have never had a bike come loose while on the road. If you have more play than what I described, I can only suggest going to a local bike shop to see if they can help you troubleshoot the issue. I hope this helps.