Here's an idea (though very specific
):
If you have no choice but to un-mount your ride but can actually have a visual of it from time to time but nothing to lock it on;
- Shift on smallest chainring (granny ring?)
- Shift on largest cog/sprocket
- If possible or applicable, adjust seatpost to disturbing heights
Bike specifics or what I do specifically with mine:
- I jam a suitable Allen(L-Type hex) key on the shifters, priority on the front derailluer (I use it on Shimano Dual-Control Rapidfire™ levers). I hope someday a similar locking system can be integrated on shifters. Might not do as much but at least it would help if someone tries to run away with your ride, I think
. If I remembered it correctly a brake lever with model MX/RX-5 from way, way back has this feature where you could lock your brake through a button shaft on the actual lever body.
- I bring a heavy-metallic rod with a hidden 8" blade inside. Bought it from some peddler on the piers (where I work). Hopefully I wouldn't be in some situation where I would use it
.
Only got to see this in action this one time in Mandaluyong (hope it'll be the last. Hehe!)
I recently had this set of digital pictures index-printed and s'yempre the photo shop wouldn't give a rat's a$$ about my valuable bike. Done the mentioned above (all of it) and proceeded to claim my prints. I looked beyond the doors from time to time having a visual on my bike's foreside. Maybe the fourth time I looked, the bike was gone. Half-panicked I ran outside and saw this thin "gusgusin-but-not taong grasa-type" sprinting to hell with my bike.
I would usually say "he" but I lost respect for his humanity so, "it" tried to garner as much speed from a uphill-shifted bike to which "it" cannot mount the saddle, but "it" can't even do 15kph with my bike, not even now that "its" life depended on it
. While I was running after them and looking about for accomplices, "it" looked behind a few times and saw a 180cm, 88kg dude clutching a blunt weapon running towards "it" at a faster rate then choose to abandon the botched heist and dropped my bike on the ground and ran like a sissy girl. The bike ended up with heavy scratches on the fork and pedals but I thought, hey much better than a pristine surfaced Trek on a bike-snatcher.
Noteworthy though, if conditions are met:
- Won't really work if your bike is lifted onto another vehicle.
- They know what you are doing.
- You're dealing with more than one perp.
- You're against a gun.
- If they take you down first (Ouchie!).
- You're up against Lance Armstrong.
- You're up against Tito Ortiz.
- Either you or the perp (or both) are pissed-drunk/drugged.
Godspeed everyone and do use sunscreen. ;D