Commuting - Darn! My bike got stolen...

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At a shopping mall.
Waiting for the police now, for whatever good it would be...
Almost new, less than 2 months, and a gift to boot, didn't even really got used to it. Damn 3 times...
Oo, that rots. My bike is about as old as yours, and also a gift. Would suck to walk out and find it gone.
phillypino215
09-26-08, 11:09 AM
sorry to hear man.
I'm sorry to hear about your loss. Was it locked?
Yes, It was, good cable lock. I tugged it a bit to check if it really was locked too... :(
Was the lock cut or what?
Don't know, seems that thieves took it with them.
Yikes, I use a cable lock too! Maybe it's about time to invest in a good U Lock.
rugerben
09-26-08, 11:42 AM
I was just thinking that. Time to buy a U-lock to put around the frame, and then use my cable to lock the wheels up seperately.
I already have a cable run and permanently fixed through the rails of the saddle down to the seatstays, so nobody's taking off with my saddle without a fight, but that's it. I want to get more security for the bike.
harleyfrog
09-26-08, 12:10 PM
Yikes, I use a cable lock too! Maybe it's about time to invest in a good U Lock.
That's why I roll with a Kryptonite Evolution Series 4 u-lock and a New York Noose. Heavy as hell, but will discourage most would-be bike thieves.
Ok, police had arrived, we filled in all the paperwork, they said that there is _some_ chance that thief will be found, but I'd better to save on a new bike, too much cases already, and adviced what to do if I see it myself, and never ever park it on that particular spot...
Damn all bike thieves.
P.S. When buying, ask a clerk to put s/n in as legible handwriting as possible, I'm still not sure thart whatever ended up in my testimony is the real s/n.
alanbikehouston
09-26-08, 01:23 PM
Losing a bike is more like losing a dog than losing a "thing"...bikes become a member of the family. Use ONLY a five pound u-lock for bikes you care about. Cable locks are a billboard that says "free bike right here".
Put the five pound u-lock around the rear wheel, and a beefy steel post that is set in concrete, such as the traditional parking meter. Use a two pound "mini" u-lock to attach the front wheel to the frame. The Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit is an example of a "heavy" lock for the rear wheel and the OnGuard "mini" Pitbull is an example of a light u-lock for the front wheel.
But NEVER live a bike worth more than $400 or so out of your sight. Professional crooks can open ANY lock, and once a bike is up above the $400 price range, its value makes it a target for professionals.
Losing a bike is more like losing a dog than losing a "thing"...bikes become a member of the family. Use ONLY a five pound u-lock for bikes you care about. Cable locks are a billboard that says "free bike right here".
Put the five pound u-lock around the rear wheel, and a beefy steel post that is set in concrete, such as the traditional parking meter. Use a two pound "mini" u-lock to attach the front wheel to the frame. The Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit is an example of a "heavy" lock for the rear wheel and the OnGuard "mini" Pitbull is an example of a light u-lock for the front wheel.
But NEVER live a bike worth more than $400 or so out of your sight. Professional crooks can open ANY lock, and once a bike is up above the $400 price range, its value makes it a target for professionals.
Good advice, and yes, it seems to be a professional job, there were 2 other bikes, and they selected the best one, :( Despite the fact that 2 others had cheap $10 cable locks, not at least somewhat strong one I had.
Foing to do something not related to my bike for a while...
bikinpolitico
09-26-08, 01:45 PM
Scum buckets!
Yes, It was, good cable lock. I tugged it a bit to check if it really was locked too... :(
I had a cable lock cut with my bike only 12' away as I was eating lunch. Luckily I got the bike back and the thief lost some blood - thanks to a good samaritan bike commuter turned ninja....:thumb: Bottom line there is no such thing as a good cable lock. You need a u-lock or a chain lock to secure your bike. If you use a cable lock as a back up cool, but not as your main line of defense.
capejohn
09-26-08, 01:56 PM
Wouln't it be nice to run into that sonofabchiton the way home.
GearsForFears
09-26-08, 03:33 PM
When we say cable lock do we mean a lock made of only cable? Or do we also mean a cable-style lock like the OnGuard Rottweiller that's wrapped in armor and/or chain? No one seems to be able to answer this and the ratings are all over the board on that kind of lock. One year Cycling Plus is saying it can be cut in X seconds with a hand tool and the next year it is on their "recommended" list. OnGuard doesn't have it on their insurance list but the folks at my LBS swear you can only snip it with the most ridiculous bolt cutter. For now I'm using a U-lock with the Rotty but I'd love to know how secure the armored cables really are for quick locking in the daytime and emergencies when there's no place to fit a U.
The second most sad part about the post was the fact that in two months, that bike had only been used 3 times.
I hope your next bike has a more full existence.
Seriously though...I'm sorry this happened. U-Locks are better than cable locks...but cable locks of appropriate thickness will deter most thieves. I'm talking like 3/4" cable, not the stuff that looks like a thin power cord.
The second most sad part about the post was the fact that in two months, that bike had only been used 3 times.
That was 3 damns, not 3 rides. :)
It was really more like 150 km in thirty or so commutes and rides. I just have changed saddle to one that fits, it stopped raining all the time, I really looked forward to this weekend... I just started to like it... Ahh, doesn't matter now...
Sorry about your luck, man.
Make sure you put an NRA sticker on your next bike. :)
Coreyviper
09-26-08, 05:04 PM
What did the police say to do if you saw the person who stole it with your bike? Or riding it?
No NRA here. :) We're peaceful Euros with no crime, no wait... Just kidding. Thanks everybody.
Back to trying to do something with my mothballed DSB. Good I kept it. <sour grin>
Barabus
09-26-08, 05:10 PM
Maybe fate will smile on you and you will get a better bike!
What did the police say to do if you saw the person who stole it with your bike? Or riding it?
Usual stuff, - not to play hero, try to either get help ASAP or follow it. Didn't say yes or no on trying to contact the thief through messageboards or otherwise, but as I understood it mostly falls under "playing hero".
That sucks. I had a bike stolen last year and the police were useless. I don't think they put the slightest effort into finding the thief - they just added my report to the stack.
But in the end I replaced it with a nicer bike that got me riding more and for longer rides - so I can't say it was all bad.
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