12ammkv

Be for I get bashed for not searching the topic, I did and seen they were from a few years back.
I'm talking about storing a bike when you go I to a store or eatery, that doesn't have a bike rack or does for that matter. I myself have (I think I do) A nice road bike, there has been a few times were on the way home from work I need to go to the store and pick up a few things, but I know I'll get chased out of the store because I brought my bike in (which I guarantee is cleaner the the shopping carts) and god forbid I wear my clips in (which I get I might fall and sue, if I fall I'm the idiot who wore them). But honestly I'm not locking my bike up outside, why it's a hassle. If I did I'd have to bring 3 locks or on ridiculous chain. Why 3, quick disconnect wheels sure I could look the frame and hope no one takes the wheels or my seat (they like to do that around here). "But hey, I though you said you had to get some quick things, your bike will be fine". A chance I would not like to take. So what are people's thoughts and opinions, do you suck it up and chance it outside, walk in with it like it's not even there. Thanks for listening to my little rant folks.

italktocats

living in amsterdam AND not ever having my bike stolen i think some things work
1) dont make people steal it (most dont go out looking for something to steal, they take/steal it when its just toooo easy)
2) people steal bikes to sell, having a bike that looks too personal is hella hard to sell (and easy to spot)
3) beaters, beaters beaters, but dont neglect them, a neglected bike is an easy steal


about locking your brand new carbon bike to random places; do it or dont do it, just decide and stick with it, theres no magical way to not have your bike stolen, imo taking the wheels off just to grab something from a store.. youd just park in front of it, wouldnt you?

12ammkv

In all actuality you are probably right, but I do live in a crazy city where I have chained up my bike before in my seat was stolen in my front wheel was stolen. Yes it was my fault for not chaining up front wheel but I'm not bringing three locks in a backpack when I'm riding my road bike. I'm I being paranoid most likely. My bike is my baby and I don't want to lose her. I'm trying to save some money for another bike that is less flashy. Thanks for your opinion man.

FBinNY 

I take my bike inside where it and I are welcome (I'm very rarely refused, maybe because I ask nicely). Where it's not that welcome, I use a simple lock on the front wheel and downtube, and put the bike in sight of the window. Of course I can't watch every minute, but my 50 years experience doing this in NYC and elsewhere is short term parking in front of a window discourages thieves, or at least has so far.

For ultra short term parking, where I can keep an eye (sort of) on it, I open the front QR, and take the wheel out of the fork, but still trapped by the brakes and rest the fork on it. I've been doing that for years and no one has ever bothered it except for once, when a helpful passerby stepped into the store to tell me my bike was broken.

BTW- merchants have a legitimate objection to cleated shoes, not only because of the risk of a trip and fall suit, but because many cleats scratch floors. I wouldn't expect them to ask you to lift your foot to check, so many just say no, which is entirely within their rights. Of course it's your right to opt to shop elsewhere.

Coal Buster

What I've seen in NYC is, people take a bicycle chain, slip it into an inner tube and then chain the seat to the chain stays using a chain tool. That eliminates one of the three locks you're talking about.

FBinNY 

Yes, this is fairly common with messengers, and some commuters who leave bikes locked up on the street all day.

OTOH, as the OP points out, the requisite security devices add significant weight, and defeat the purpose of buying a light bike. Before spending dough to armor a good bike, I'd buy or build a decent beater, that doesn't need as much armor, and wouldn't be a great loss if stolen.

BTW- my experience in NYC is that you can gain effective security with psychological warfare. If your bike is locked up in a way that says, you're gone all day, it's more likely to be targeted than if locked in a way that says you're keeping an eye on it, or will be back in a minute.

The OP has to make his own decisions, but bike security isn't a choice between fortress mentality and nothing. There's a large gray area he can navigate in.

To the OP - if/when asking permission to bring your bike in, plan ahead by scouting where you plan to leave it out of anybody's way, and ask specifically about bringing it in and leaving it there. You're more likely to get a yes, if the manager sees that you're as concerned about his needs as you are about your own.

yote223

I see No reason for QD's. Just a theft waiting to happen. Delta Hub-Lox's are a much better choice. Use a security cap screw for the seat and put a "U" lock through the seat tube and rear wheel and prob solved for the most part.

12ammkv

FB thanks for your info, I was thinking about making the trek in to the manager and asking about leaving my bike safely and out of customers why. The worst they can say is no and I'll be on my way. I'm trying to get money together for a beater but unfortunately it's taking longer then I'd hoped. Thanks for your Insight sir.

Yote- thanks for the tip I'll look into those

and thanks to everyone else weighing in on the topic.

Keith99

Remember thieves sometime also scout a spot. Places you go only occasionally you more apt to just need enough to stop a grab and go kind of thief. Some place you park for an hour or more on a regular basis is a completely different matter.

For places I can sort of see the bike the whole time, like a bakery where I'm stopping for a snack, I just hook my helmet through the front spokes. I figure if anything happens it is a 90% chance they only figure out what I did when they face plant. With any luck I'm on them before they can get up.

squirtdad

in many cases businesses insurance will not allow bikes inside. Local Ace hardware is that way. Very apologetic, but firm no. Liability and responsibility issues. You put your bike in the business, some one else takes it out......now you sue. Sad but a lot of people are that way.

Personally I never carry a lock for my good road bike.

I do have locks for my other bikes, but they are cheapies that i should upgrade, but....I never leave the bikes for long and they are kind of beaters so not too attractive.

also to remember.....a hacksaw will go through any frame really fast....some times there is more, safer money in the components


Good discussion....and maybe a place to lobby cities for reg changes, make it required to allow indoor bike storage with business protections

FBinNY 

It's amazing what folks lay off on insurance companies.

You can be fairly sure that insurers who write BOPs, and general liability polices for retail spaces don't write in a bunch of exclusions. The owner may feel that a bicycle is an added risk and doesn't want the hassle of a possible claim, but I'll bet a dozen beers against $1.00 that you won't find this exclusion in the fine print of the policy.

General liability premises coverage is just that --- general.

Cyril 

Regarding cycling shoes with cleats;
Take them off and walk in your stocking feet.
Works for me

digibud

If you can't see your bike and get to it within two minutes you better either have a ULock or be prepared to lose the bike. A backpack with large bolt cutters will cut through almost any cable and if you're gone for 10 minutes in a store you'll never see what happened. There are tales of people on one side of a window watching a thief steal their bike. I'll go in a store if I can keep my eye on my bike. I slide the chain off the front chainring and put a tiny cable lock on the frame. On tour, with all my gear, I never leave my bike unattended and agree with those that say "If I can't bring it inside, I don't go inside".

I-Like-To-Bike

Got it; when on tour you are chained to your bike.

Chris516

I have a bag velcroved to the top tube, that I keep my lock in all the time. So I can lock it up, when I go out. I will loop it twice through the front tire, around whatever vertical object I am securing it too, and once through the back tire.

Chris516

This is subjective to. How many average people are going to have a pair of bolt cutters in their backpack. Also, If you lock it up outside, in a high crime area. You are asking for trouble.

GP

I carry a mini-U or cable on my touring/all-round bike. I don't lock the wheels or saddle.


No lock on my road bike but I'll wheel it in the store (or porta-potti) if I'm not comfortable leaving it unlocked.


Most shopping and errands are done on a bike that people won't steal and if they do, it's easy to identify.

digibud

I'm not worried about average people. They don't steal. A tiny cable of any kind will stop an the average kid who might want to hop on the bike and ride away. There are professional thieves in many large cities. Even smaller cities. People on this forum ride better bikes than the average person and I think it's reasonable to consider a thief with bolt cutters. Even ULocks get cut open in some places so nothing left unattended is entirely safe which is why I -never- leave a loaded touring bike unattended and keep a reasonably close eye on my expensive road bike.

italktocats

Unfortunately, bicycle theft in Amsterdam is widespread: in 2005, about 54,000 bicycles were stolen and every year between 12,000 and 15,000 bicycles are retrieved from the canals.

im a statistic wonder

getting a seat or wheel stolen is just bad luck, **** happens imo, you CAN prevent it, but for my daily use its not worth it, however ive seen people use the steroetypical dutch ringlocks on the front too, on most bikes theyll fit and its easier/lighter than extra cable/ulocks

welding/bolting your seat is easy

12ammkv

Thanks for all the tricks and tips guys. Really appreciate it.

Booger1

It goes where I go,otherwise I shop elsewhere.If a double wide baby stroller or shopping cart doesn't block the aisle,neither does my bike.

FBinNY 

Of course you're free to shop elsewhere, but comparing your bike to a stroller with child is arrogant nonsense.

A parent cannot leave a child and stroller locked up outside a store, or in their car. First of all it's stupid and dangerous, secondly it's illegal and can result in arrest. So mom has no choice about bringing the child into the store.

OTOH- your bicycle is a vehicle, which can be safely (relatively) and securely be left outside, locked as necessary. It's fine to bring it in if the merchant doesn't mind, but it doesn't in any way have the same status as a stroller and child. Cyclists making this kind of comparison is the kind of stuff that makes folks that we're all arrogant and too full of ourselves.

I-Like-To-Bike

Have you actually given that excuse to a store manager when told not to bring your bicycle inside a place of business? Did anyone find it convincing and change his/her mind or policy? Or are they happy to show you the door and point to another store that might welcome your business?

Booger1

The OP doesn't want to lock his bike outside,I bring my bike in with me,It doesn't take up more space in the aisle than a baby stroller or shopping cart....If you wish to read more into it than that....wonderful,we can argue about what if's.

I didn't say anything about leaving the kid locked in the car or chained to the bumper.....

Half the time around here,strollers have some kind of rat dogs in them....Does that count too?...

I'm not going to try and convince anybody,it's their store.If they don't want my money,I'll shop elsewhere...Easy.

Not to long ago,I couldn't use a drive-thru,most places are OK with that now....Same with stores.Some won't let me,most do.

practical

If you're not going to be gone long, I would think a simple cable lock would do. If you're worried about your seat and wheels, remove the quick release feature and have bolt-on wheels. I'm guessing that most bikes thefts are crimes of opportunity - a bike is left unlocked, or for an extended period of time, or overnight in a bad place. One more think you might do is to purchase a decal with your name on it. I've seen them on some bikes and thought that the names had been painted on.