Leaving a bike carrier attached...

[Alberto Balsam]

Evening all, I've got a Buzzrack tow bar cycle carrier. Up to now, when I've got to my destination I go to the trouble of taking the rack off and locking it in the car while I go for my ride. Am I being paranoid. Does anyone else do this? Or do you just leave the rack on the car and get on with your life???

 

[Yellow Saddle]

If your rack has a lock, you are paranoid....or live in a ghetto.

 

[figbat]

I always put the rack in the boot too. It takes 2 minutes and significantly reduces the risk that the rack, or any of its parts, could be stolen or damaged, leaving you potentially unable to take your bikes home.

 

[Paulus]

I always put the rack in the boot too. It takes 2 minutes and significantly reduces the risk that the rack, or any of its parts, could be stolen or damaged, leaving you potentially unable to take your bikes home.

I would also put the rack inside the car.
For the couple of minutes it takes it reduces the risk of having it nicked.

 

[Alberto Balsam]

Thanks guys. So 75% in favour of sticking it in the boot then. 👍

 

[roubaixtuesday]

I've got a roof mounted one. Took it off last weekend after...

Spoiler

About a decade.

 

[Alex321]

I never take mine off in that circumstance. But to take it off, you have to take off one of the arms, because with them on the outside of the supports, it doesn't fit my bike, while with them on the inside, you can't close it enough to come off the towball.

If I was a bit more paranoid, it has a holed for a padlock which would stop you folding it at all.

 

[Emanresu]

Another one for folding it up and putting in the boot.

Top tip for roof racks - take the bike off before going under low bridge. Will help you understand why you need the tow bar mounted ones.

 

[Lookrider]

Had a roof rack on last vehicle
I never thought at time if purchase but afterwards a policeman friend of mine advised to remove the rack whenever it's not in use as thieves will see the rack and follow the vehicle home as your advertising you have bikes around ....and worse still the bikes themselves are advertised on the roof fir thieves to view first
I never did take his advice but I now have a van with blacked out windows

 

[JonBuoy]

Removing the rack also stops people walking or driving into it which, in some circumstances, they are likely to do as it extends outside the vehicle's 'standard' profile.

ETA: A similar effect to driving under low barriers with a roof mounted rack.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Top tip for roof racks - take the bike off before going under low bridge. Will help you understand why you need the tow bar mounted ones.

I think I'm more likely to hit something with the tandem sticking out either side of the car with a towbar mount TBH

 

[Sixmile]

I always remove my seasucker seeing it takes on average 8 seconds to take off. Sometimes I'll put it in my backpack if needed elsewhere.

I just have to remember to leave a dribble of water to reattach

 

[Alberto Balsam]

Thanks all. The consensus seems to be in favour of removal then. An angle I hadn't though of was that someone might crash into when parking... Thanks to JonBuoy for that one. 👍