Texas - Questions about commuting in UT-Austin area

Hi all, new to BF although I've been a longtime lurker.

Quick bio: I used to have 2 Wal-Fart bikes ($50 MTB and $120 roadie) that were both stolen despite locks. A year later, I am back in the game. I just got a fantastic 2006 model Giant OCR-1 road bike with oodles of upgrades and I LOVE IT! It will be my primary mode of transportation for the next 8 years, barring theft or smite (or a motorcycle purchase). I really don't want to have to go through the whole theft process again, especially with a bike of this caliber. It took me way too long to get here and I don't want to mess things up again.

I live in West Campus, about 5 blocks from UT, and I will be using the bike mainly for commuting to class. (yeah, it's 5 blocks, but I HATE walking, maybe it's the lack of attention span) Security-wise, at night I keep my bike on the 2nd-floor patio of my apartment, and given the fact that it's on the inside of a U-shaped complex that's guarded by keycard-activated doors, I'd say it's pretty safe at home. The only time I will not be baby-sitting the bike is when I am at class during the day. That's where I worry.

With all that said, my questions are:

1) What is the most cost-effective bike lock, given our area? Austin is supposedly a high-level bike theft city, so I don't want to cut corners I can't afford to be cutting. But after splurging on the Giant, I have close to no money left for a lock ATM, so I've been taking my bike into class with me. (I don't plan on doing this for much longer)

2) Is the Kryptonite New York lock worth the extra coin? I've been torn between that and the Evolution 4. I like the guaranteed peace of mind, but not the price. Some guys down at OZONE also rec'd the NY chain and mini U-lock combo, which apparently is an all-in one solution for the cable/U-lock combo UTPD recommends. I also have quick-release wheels, and a carbon fiber seatpost.

3) Is it legal to bike through the crosswalks of intersections (mostly West Campus ones) instead of dead-stopping in the middle of the street?

4) How light is 21 pounds in the spectrum of road bikes? I'd like to upgrade my components to carbon fiber in a year or so, but I don't think a difference of a few hundred grams is worth the $200+ carbon fiber components.

5) What else should I get to get started? I've bought a red blinker light for nighttime riding and a basic 1 cm combo cable lock so far.

6) Got any other tips for a newbie?

Thanks!!!

4) How light is 21 pounds in the spectrum of road bikes? I'd like to upgrade my components to carbon fiber in a year or so, but I don't think a difference of a few hundred grams is worth the $200+ carbon fiber components.


A 21 pound commuter that you plan to keep for 8 years doesn't really need carbon upgrades.
Spend the money on locks or a more comfortable saddle.

Hi all, new to BF although I've been a longtime lurker.

Quick bio: I used to have 2 Wal-Fart bikes ($50 MTB and $120 roadie) that were both stolen despite locks. A year later, I am back in the game. I just got a fantastic 2006 model Giant OCR-1 road bike with oodles of upgrades and I LOVE IT! It will be my primary mode of transportation for the next 8 years, barring theft or smite (or a motorcycle purchase). I really don't want to have to go through the whole theft process again, especially with a bike of this caliber. It took me way too long to get here and I don't want to mess things up again.

I live in West Campus, about 5 blocks from UT, and I will be using the bike mainly for commuting to class. (yeah, it's 5 blocks, but I HATE walking, maybe it's the lack of attention span) Security-wise, at night I keep my bike on the 2nd-floor patio of my apartment, and given the fact that it's on the inside of a U-shaped complex that's guarded by keycard-activated doors, I'd say it's pretty safe at home. The only time I will not be baby-sitting the bike is when I am at class during the day. That's where I worry.

With all that said, my questions are:

1) What is the most cost-effective bike lock, given our area? Austin is supposedly a high-level bike theft city, so I don't want to cut corners I can't afford to be cutting. But after splurging on the Giant, I have close to no money left for a lock ATM, so I've been taking my bike into class with me. (I don't plan on doing this for much longer)

2) Is the Kryptonite New York lock worth the extra coin? I've been torn between that and the Evolution 4. I like the guaranteed peace of mind, but not the price. Some guys down at OZONE also rec'd the NY chain and mini U-lock combo, which apparently is an all-in one solution for the cable/U-lock combo UTPD recommends. I also have quick-release wheels, and a carbon fiber seatpost.

3) Is it legal to bike through the crosswalks of intersections (mostly West Campus ones) instead of dead-stopping in the middle of the street?

4) How light is 21 pounds in the spectrum of road bikes? I'd like to upgrade my components to carbon fiber in a year or so, but I don't think a difference of a few hundred grams is worth the $200+ carbon fiber components.

5) What else should I get to get started? I've bought a red blinker light for nighttime riding and a basic 1 cm combo cable lock so far.

6) Got any other tips for a newbie?

Thanks!!!

I am being serious -- for commuting, use an old used piece of junk or what you had before, Wal-Mart specials...you can start looking here (http://austin.craigslist.org/search/bik?query=&minAsk=min&maxAsk=75)...the less desirable the better...downtube shifters a plus

It's been a while since I've ridden a bike at UT Austin (graduated in 1999), but here are my 2 cents:

There's a lot of bike and petty theft in the surrounding UT area. I had someone try to steal my bike from outside my West Campus apt patio in 1996 (unsuccessful) and again at my North Campus parking garage in 1998 (successful). My bikes at the time were just cheapo Wal-Mart MTBs, so I didn't really shed too many tears. If you have a pretty nice bike I would recommend keeping it inside of your apt if at all possible.

I wouldn't worry about your bike while it is locked outside of class. There is a lot of pedestrian foot traffic on campus and thieves are not going to cut a U-lock in front of thousands of students. As far as locking it outside on the Drag or at a store - if you get a decent Kryptonite U-lock then you should be ok. There are so many bikes around campus that they'll just move to the next bike that is only secured with a cheap cable lock.

No one will ticket you for riding through the crosswalks in West Campus. However, I have gotten 2 tickets for riding on the sidewalks on the 40 Acres (both at the same intersection - Speedway and 24th). The first time they made me go to a Bicycle Safety Course and the second time they just let me go with a warning.

Since I left UT Austin, I've noticed they closed off Speedway to all vehicular traffic. Must be really nice biking on campus nowadays. I remember there being just sooo many people walking around the area that I always had to be careful navigating my bike. I remember having one low-speed collision with a student and another time I got doored by someone opening their car door in front of CPE.

Anyways, when I was in school I never wore a helmet and didn't have any lights on my bike. My seatpost was probably ridiculously low as well. Nowadays I avoid sidwalks, my bike is lit up light a Christmas tree, and I wear an ANSI-2 vest everywhere I go. You live and learn.

I am being serious -- for commuting, use an old used piece of junk or what you had before, Wal-Mart specials...you can start looking here (http://austin.craigslist.org/search/bik?query=&minAsk=min&maxAsk=75)...the less desirable the better...downtube shifters a plus

Yes. The answer is to never lock up a bike you can't afford to lose.

Get a beater and keep your bike inside. Theft aside, you don't want to be leaving it exposed to the elements on your patio.

For 5 blocks to campus, you don't need a good bike- get any old single-speed clunker and off you go.

Otherwise, I'd leave the bike INSIDE the apartment, and not out on the patio. And get renter's insurance, too.

I gather that the high quality U-locks are the best general choice, (as opposed to chains or especially cables) but which thief can cut which lock in which place is anyone's guess.