Advocacy & Safety - Paranoia - locking bike in toronto

I live in downtown Toronto and have a brand new trek 4300.
im afraid to park it outside 'cause it might get stolen - i already bought the new york kryptonite U lock which im using to secure my frame/rear wheel.

I don't know too much about my bike but Im worried that people will take my wheels as they're quick release....is it worth it to buy Pit locks for ~$65? are my wheels worth that much that I need to secure 'em?

also, what do you think about filling all screws with epoxy and a ball bearing? 'cause now that i think about it, they can strip off my seat, kickstand, gears, ? forks just by unscrewing the screws...

i hate thieves.

Well, I know this is like closing the door after the cows have escaped, but this is why many commuters get beater bikes for commuting.

If a thief wants your bike, he will get it. Locks buy you time and keep honest people honest.

Do you have a co-worker that can store your bike in the trunk of their car? That's what I do.

Sorry, I'm not familiar with the layout of your workplace, so I can't be much help beyond this.

Buy a wheel cover and take the front with you, and the seat post.

get a cable lock too, and just wrap your bike up as much as possible... NEVER park it in the same place (have like 4+ places you lock it and keep changing where you park it). disconnect the brakes when you leave, so even if they do get your bike, hopefully they get smashed up when it doesn't stop :D


but like he said, if they want your bike, your bike is as good as gone

Plus 1 on all the above. It also does not hurt to have insurance on your bike. I think some home owners insurance may cover theft even if it is not at home.

most bike shops in toronto also carry the cables to secure your front wheel and seat to the U lock. The front wheel cable looks pretty secure, but the saddle cable looks pretty easy to cut.

Why can't you take it inside with you?

also, what do you think about filling all screws with epoxy and a ball bearing?

I think it is a bad idea. How are you ever going to adjust/remove/etc things that need to be adjusted in the future?

Maybe you could get two cable locks, to lock each wheel to the frame, along with a U-lock to secure the frame itself.

if they want your bike, your bike is as good as gone
The same can be said for almost any part. It is not possible to lock everything down. If you don't think your bike is safe there, you have to find a different place to park.

I would never put a decent bike on a rack in a city. But that's one of the reasons I don't want to live in one.

Take it inside at night, best thing you can do to keep it. Replace the QR on front wheel and seatpost with bolt on and that with a NYC lock will give you much better odds than the average commuter lockup system. I can't stand removing anything to secure my bike, pisses me off won't do it