Expert Answers about Bike Locks

• Should Cable Lock be Added to Yakima BackRoad if Only Carrying 2 Bike
• That's a good catch, and when only carrying a pair of bikes, if you want to keep them secure it is definitely a good idea to add a separate cable lock to go with the Yakima BackRoad 4-Bike Rack # YA44FR. The cable lock that comes integrated with the # YA44FR is for the fourth bike (furthest from the vehicle) so to secure just two bikes you can use a standard cable lock with a key, the etrailer Cable Lock # e98891, or if you don't want an extra key then go with a combination cable lock,...
  view full answer...


• Does the Swagman Upright Roof Bike Carrier # S64720 Lock to Crossbars
• Many bike roof mounted bike racks do indeed have locks to secure them to a roof rack, but the Swagman Upright Roof Bike Carrier you referenced is not one of them. The most reasonably priced rack we offer that is compatible with the Thule AeroBlade crossbars that can lock the bike and lock to the crossbars would be the Inno Fork Lock III Bike Carrier # INA391. This is a fork mount rack, so the bike would need quick-release front hubs. I have attached a review video of the Inno Fork Lock...
  view full answer...


• Does Swagman Dispatch Have Locks For Bikes
• The only lock that comes with the Swagman Dispatch Bike Rack # S44FR is a hitch lock for the rack itself in the receiver. If you wanted to lock the bikes to the rack you would also need a cable lock such as the etrailer Cable Lock # e98891 or Saris Cable Lock # SA981. There are replacement arms that fit the Dispatch # S44FR which do have locks, the Replacement Locking Long and Short Hooks for Swagman Chinook, Dispatch, G10, or E-Spec Bike Racks # SP428. These, however, do not come with...
  view full answer...


• How to Lock Bikes to Bike Rack Adapter for Stromberg Carlson Hitch Mounted Cargo Carrier
• To lock your bikes when using the Bike Rack Adapter for Stromberg Carlson Hitch Mounted Cargo Carrier # CC-125, the best thing you can do to prevent theft is use a cable lock. You can thread these locks around the hitch receiver, through the mesh floor of the cargo carrier, or wherever is the most convenient. For cable locks I recommend the etrailer 10' Long Cable Lock # e98891 or RockyMounts Hooligan Chain Lock # RKY3802. If you do it through the mesh floor of the Stromberg Carlson...
  view full answer...


• What Are The Locking Features On Thule Helium Aero Bike Rack For 2012 Chevrolet Camaro
• The Thule Helium Aero 2 Bike Rack, part # TH9042PRO actually has 2 locking features. One is the locking knob on the hitch pin that secures the bike rack to the hitch. The other is a steel reinforced cable in the mast that secures the bike to the carrier. There is no fail-safe lock system available, but most thieves will not use the effort to try and get through the locking system. I have attached a link to an installation video for this carrier on a Camaro you can check out.
  view full answer...


• Bike And Hitch Locks for RockyMounts RKY10223 WestSlope 3-Bike Rack
• The cable and hitch lock that's compatible with the RockyMounts # RKY10223 WestSlope bike rack are available separately as part # RKY10224. The WestSlope bike rack is one of my favorite designs, primarily because the U-shaped rack allows you to step in closer to the rear of the vehicle which makes in easy to load the bikes that are closest to the vehicle. I've linked to description videos for both the bike rack and the lock kit I recommended.
  view full answer...


• Option For Locking Older Reese Outfitter Adventure Bike Rack
• The Swagman lock you asked about is 5/8" diameter, but has longer TPI, and there isn't a hitch lock that we offer that can work with the Reese Outfitter Adventure bike rack you have. The best option is going to be a cable lock that you can wrap around the bike rack and attach through the chain anchors in the hitch or around the hitch itself. You can go with one that has keys or a combination if that is easier: - Master Lock Quantum Self-Coiling, Combination Cable Lock - 1/2" Diameter x...
  view full answer...


• What Is The Locking Mechanism For The Thule EasyFold XT Bike Rack Which Secures It To Vehicle?
• The Thule EasyFold XT Bike Rack # TH903202 does secure itself using the anti-rattle tightened down inside the receiver on your tow vehicle. There is a lock on the knob which prevents the anti-rattle mechanism from being loosened and that is what secures it to your vehicle. The locks on the knobs are the same locking mechanism used to secure your bikes to the bike rack. We have tested the locks in our facility and they are very secure and we have tested the bike rack on your speed bump courses...
  view full answer...


• Can the Swagman Quad 2+2 Bike Rack Add-On Be Locked to the Rack and Can a Truck Tailgate Be Opened
• There is not a specific option for locking the 2-bike add-on for the Swagman Quad 2+2 Bike Rack # S64FR. But, you could use a cable lock like the # e98891 to lock the add-on to the main part of the bike rack. With the Swagman Quad 2+2 Bike Rack # S64FR laid completely flat/folded down, you will be able to open the tailgate of your F-150. Tailgates sit at the top of the bumper and the Swagman Quad 2+2 Bike Rack # S64FR does not clear the top of the bumper when laid completely flat.
  view full answer...


• Effectiveness of Cable Locks Included in Bike Racks Like Kuat Transfer 2 TS02G
• The Torx wrench required to remove the integral cable lock on the Transfer 2 bike rack TS02G is not one commonly found in hardware stores, according to my contact at Kuat. But yes, this is what is required to remove the cable lock from the rack. The reality of bike rack locks, and most other types, is that they all can be defeated by a thief with enough time and determination. The true anti-theft benefit of a lock such as the cable type included in the excellent Kuat Transfer 2 hitch rack...
  view full answer...


• Does the Thule Gateway Pro 2-Bike Rack # TH88VR Come with Locks
• The Thule Gateway Pro 2-Bike Rack, # TH88VR, does not come equipped with a way to lock the bikes to the carrier or the carrier to the vehicle. These products are sold separately. For this we offer the Thule Cable Lock, # TH538XT, to lock your bikes to the carrier and the Thule Passive Security Strap, # TH533, to secure the carrier to the vehicle. Simply loop the cable around your carrier and close the puck end in your locked trunk or rear hatch so your carrier cannot be removed.
  view full answer...


• Does Kuat Replacement Lock Come With Specific Locks
• At one point, Kuat had specific lock numbers available but they have changed that recently in order to make ordering locks easier for their bike racks; due to this, specific lock numbers are not something Kuat makes available. The correct lock is going to depend on what rack you have and your hitch size. - Kuat NV 2.0, NV 2.0 Base, and Sherpa 2.0 with 1-1/4" Hitch: Hitch Lock for Kuat Bike Racks # HL1 - Kuat NV 2.0, NV 2.0 Base, and Sherpa 2.0 with 2" Hitch: Hitch Lock for Kuat Bike Racks...
  view full answer...


• Can you Keep the Same Lock and Key Numbers with the Thule T2 2-Bike Expansion Accessory
• This rack comes with locks for both the carrier and the bikes. and they are all keyed alike. The Thule T2 Pro XTR Bike Rack, # TH69TX, kit can be set up to carry 2 or 4 bikes as needed.
  view full answer...


• Can the Thule Cable Lock Match the Locks on My Thule Bike Rack
• You can change the lock core in the Thule Cable Lock, # TH538XT, to match the lock cores on your Thule bike rack. You will just want to buy a replacement lock core in addition to the cable lock. The part numbers for the Thule replacement lock cores begin with THLOCK and end with the part number. For example, if the number on your current lock cores is N117, then the part number you will want to order is # THLOCKN117. If you want to tell me the number on your current keys or lock cores,...
  view full answer...


• Purpose of Integrated Cable Lock in Replacement Locking Ratchet Arm Assembly for T2 Bike Carriers
• One of the features of the Replacement Locking Ratchet Arm Assembly for T2 Bike Carriers, # 752-1272-001, which you referenced, is the integrated cable lock which provides extra security for your bike. It retracts inside the upright post. You simply pull out the cable, and feed it through the frame of your bike. The cable comes back around into the plastic housing. A lock core secures the cable to the plastic housing. Check out the linked video which shows how this cable lock is used.
  view full answer...


• How to Best Discourage Theft of Bikes
• You're right. Any lock can be defeated by a thief with the time and sometimes the tools to do so. Locks are primarily included on items like bike racks to act as deterrents. In other words, to an extent they "work" sometimes just by encouraging the thief to take another bike that will be easier to steal than yours. Bolt cutters, hack saws and other tools can make short work of stealing a bike or a bike rack or both. There is, sadly, no such thing as "theft-proof". The best way to decrease...
  view full answer...


• How Secure is the RockyMounts RKY3511 Bike Lock
• Rocky Mounts gives their # RKY3511 Warrant bike lock a security rating of 8 on a scale of 1-10, and I'd agree with that. The hardened steel construction would make cutting the lock difficult unless something like an angle grinder was used. If you look closely at the lock, the removable lock bar doesn't extend past the lock's shackle at the ends, which makes it more difficult for a hammer to be used to knock the bar off. Although there's no such thing as a theft proof lock, I'd consider...
  view full answer...


• Is There a Lock Pin to Replace Upright Bolt on Hollywood Racks Sport Rider Bike Rack
• The Hollywood Racks Sport Rider Bike Rack part # HR1000Z does have locks, for both the bikes and hitch but it's not a Brinks truck either. If a thief has the time and right tools he will get the rack and your bikes. There isn't a way to make the rack completely theft proof unfortunately. That said, to answer your specific question, no, there isn't a lock designed to replace that bolt and yes, if someone had enough time and knew enough about the rack they could remove the upright and your...
  view full answer...


• Keying Thule AeroBlade Roof Rack, Bike Rack and Cargo Box Alike
• It is certainly possible to add locks to your roof rack and replace the existing locks on your cargo box and bike rack so they are all keyed alike. Thule offers their replacement lock cores that are all keyed alike. You can get them with either 2 locks # TH450200, 4 locks # TH450400, 6 locks # TH450600, or 8 locks # On the rack feet, you'll remove the knock-outs and install the locks as shown in the video I linked to. With your bike rack and the cargo box, You will use the Thule Universal...
  view full answer...


• Can You Pick Key Number of Hitch Tite Anti-Rattle Hitch Lock
• You are unable to choose the key number of the Hitch Tite Anti-Rattle Hitch Lock for Saris Bike Racks with 1-1/4" and 2" Shanks # SA3022.
  view full answer...