In short, they’re not steal-proof, barely steal resistant. Easy to remove when not in use though
Colinhevans75 on
The plastic cover is locked on but can be torn off with a screwdriver If someone really wants to get at it. After that, it just requires an Allen wrench.
That said, I’ve used these in a big city and not had problems. It probably comes down to the risk of theft in your area.
aunt-jamima on
There are keyed locks on the towers. I haven’t heard of theft of the bars but I have heard of theft of the things mounted on the bars if they are not locked on. Roof tents, cargo bins, baskets. It’s not common but can happen.
jwilli10 on
You can get locks for the bases, but in general the people who would be inclined to steal such things either don’t have the intelligence to do so. Same reason we aren’t worried that homeless people are going to steal the rear shocks out our bikes.
g00dmorning99 on
I have a Thule rack and live in a large city in Colorado and have had zero problems with people trying to steal my rack. And that is my bike rack which I never lock and rtt
kwik_study on
A friend had his removed off his car. Locks and all. Thieves walked away with a full cargo box of ski gear. He figures they must have punched out the locks. Just took it all, roof bars too.
I’ve had roof boxes and bike racks for 20 years and personally never an issue.
SunshineInDetroit on
racks aren’t what people want. it’s the stuff attached to the racks that people will want.
Nizamark on
it would be an ordeal to steal a rack like that if it’s properly installed and locked. but not impossible. not sure it’s a high value item among thieves. your bike on the other hand………….
aurizon on
Racks with clips are inherently weak. The only protection would be a security fastener. https://losspreventionfasteners.ca/
And the best is direct roof attachment into the front and rear cross beams where there is extra metal to attach to. If you can enter the head liner you can drill out from inside from the cross beam to fit the external rack metal. Youtube has lots of hints.
Gearsforbrains on
I’ve had a family member have their rack of this attachment style removed with a crowbar. Frighteningly quick as well.
Occhrome on
The fit really varies by vehicle. I’m not impressed by them.Â
fuzzybunnies1 on
I’ve had small stuff taken like a wheel holder, or the end of the bike carrier. Currently need to order 2 wheel holders, 2 end caps, and I think I’ll now screw the end caps on. But in 30 years of living in Rochester, Albany and NYC the worst I’ve had is the wheel straps/holders and end caps taken.
opavuj on
I have the same rack on one car, I think they’re fine. Hitch racks like Kuat or OneUp are a hot commodity amongst thieves, but a roof rack is so vehicle specific that they’re hard to sell. I think you’ll be fine. Just don’t leave a bike locked to them, the locks are not secure, to say the least.
am2o on
Nobody really cares about the rack, but they will steal the bike from the top if left unattended for 5 min…
johnny_evil on
I had a set on my street parked car for something like 9 years. NYC parking.
TimeTomorrow on
nobody is going to steal your crossbars. Are you worried about people stealing whats on the crossbars? That’s a legit problem if you have bikes or something up there, you can let them out of your sight for about 12 seconds safely.
16 Comments
In short, they’re not steal-proof, barely steal resistant. Easy to remove when not in use though
The plastic cover is locked on but can be torn off with a screwdriver If someone really wants to get at it. After that, it just requires an Allen wrench.
That said, I’ve used these in a big city and not had problems. It probably comes down to the risk of theft in your area.
There are keyed locks on the towers. I haven’t heard of theft of the bars but I have heard of theft of the things mounted on the bars if they are not locked on. Roof tents, cargo bins, baskets. It’s not common but can happen.
You can get locks for the bases, but in general the people who would be inclined to steal such things either don’t have the intelligence to do so. Same reason we aren’t worried that homeless people are going to steal the rear shocks out our bikes.
I have a Thule rack and live in a large city in Colorado and have had zero problems with people trying to steal my rack. And that is my bike rack which I never lock and rtt
A friend had his removed off his car. Locks and all. Thieves walked away with a full cargo box of ski gear. He figures they must have punched out the locks. Just took it all, roof bars too.
I’ve had roof boxes and bike racks for 20 years and personally never an issue.
racks aren’t what people want. it’s the stuff attached to the racks that people will want.
it would be an ordeal to steal a rack like that if it’s properly installed and locked. but not impossible. not sure it’s a high value item among thieves. your bike on the other hand………….
Racks with clips are inherently weak. The only protection would be a security fastener. https://losspreventionfasteners.ca/
And the best is direct roof attachment into the front and rear cross beams where there is extra metal to attach to. If you can enter the head liner you can drill out from inside from the cross beam to fit the external rack metal. Youtube has lots of hints.
I’ve had a family member have their rack of this attachment style removed with a crowbar. Frighteningly quick as well.
The fit really varies by vehicle. I’m not impressed by them.Â
I’ve had small stuff taken like a wheel holder, or the end of the bike carrier. Currently need to order 2 wheel holders, 2 end caps, and I think I’ll now screw the end caps on. But in 30 years of living in Rochester, Albany and NYC the worst I’ve had is the wheel straps/holders and end caps taken.
I have the same rack on one car, I think they’re fine. Hitch racks like Kuat or OneUp are a hot commodity amongst thieves, but a roof rack is so vehicle specific that they’re hard to sell. I think you’ll be fine. Just don’t leave a bike locked to them, the locks are not secure, to say the least.
Nobody really cares about the rack, but they will steal the bike from the top if left unattended for 5 min…
I had a set on my street parked car for something like 9 years. NYC parking.
nobody is going to steal your crossbars. Are you worried about people stealing whats on the crossbars? That’s a legit problem if you have bikes or something up there, you can let them out of your sight for about 12 seconds safely.