Northeast - Visiting NYC with bike--lock advice?

In a few weeks I'm going to ride from rural Utah to NYC and stay with a friend in Whitestone. I'd like to see the city, and thought doing it on my bike would be cheaper than taking public transportation, but I don't know what kind of lock I'd need. I used to live in San Jose, and have a Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit. But that's pretty heavy to take on a tour, and more than I need for where I live now, so I'm thinking about downgrading. What kind of lock should I have in New York? Here's (http://www.flickr.com/photos/iaindalton/2582885345/) a picture of my bike; will thieves even care about a touring bike?

Really, if you don't want it stolen in the city, don't leave it out of your sight for more than 60 seconds. Get a cheap disposable beat up bike locally if you want to tour the boros.

.

Bring the fugeddaboudit. They use Brooklynese for a reason.

U-Lock + cable lock - requires 2 different tools to defeat. See sheldon brown locking method. Make sure your bike is actually locked to something that cannot be removed.

Take the seat with you.

Surly is desirable so you might want to wrap tape or a tire around the frame.

You might be better off buying a cheap folding bike off craigslist.

yes, you need the best lock for that bike.

Buying a cheap bike sounds more convenient than bringing heavy locks just for my destination, but I don't see any for under $20 on craigslist, so maybe public transportation would be cheaper for a short stay. Thanks for the advice.

Buying a cheap bike sounds more convenient than bringing heavy locks just for my destination, but I don't see any for under $20 on craigslist, so maybe public transportation would be cheaper for a short stay. Thanks for the advice.

From Whitestone you can get in some really nice rides around LI, where a super lock might not be as important as in NYC proper. I think a weekly unlimited metro card is now $27. Its good on all regular city buses and subways. from Whitestone you'll need to get a bus to the subway. Closest is the 7 train in Flushing. You'll find public transit from there sluggish (especially on weekends) but do able. And with a weekly unlimited card pretty cheap.

In a few weeks I'm going to ride from rural Utah to NYC and stay with a friend in Whitestone. I'd like to see the city, and thought doing it on my bike would be cheaper than taking public transportation, but I don't know what kind of lock I'd need. I used to live in San Jose, and have a Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit. But that's pretty heavy to take on a tour, and more than I need for where I live now, so I'm thinking about downgrading. What kind of lock should I have in New York? Here's (http://www.flickr.com/photos/iaindalton/2582885345/) a picture of my bike; will thieves even care about a touring bike?

Why don't you ship your lock to your friends house in whitestone? flat rate box from USPS will be $5. Also, what kind of tires you got on your bike If your gonna ride around NYC, ESPECIALLY IN THE OUTER BOROOUGHS, you better have some decent tires. I have armadillios and just took my bike through some nasty streets in the bronx with no issues.

I have pinhead security skewers on my bike and use the fahgeddiboutit lock and just lock my frame to the wrought iron gates in front of my apt on the upper east side. Got my seatbag and pump stolen but the rest of the bike is untouched

I wouldn't lock that nice bike up in NYC. It's asking for trouble.

I have about 50 bikes here, and I'm close to NYC. It's a short train ride. You could even stop here on your way. I'll loan you one of my beater bikes. You can even stay the night if you like.

I grew up in Manhattan and have ridden all throughout NYC. I could also give you a tour, on bike, of course.

Tom

Thanks for the generous offer, Tom, but I'd feel bad if I got one of your bikes stolen (even though you have 50 (!) of them). That metro pass sounds pretty good; I'll probably go with that.

Too bad. Bike is a great way to see the city.
How about a rental? I've rented when visiting Chicago and San Francisco and it's worked out well.

honestly, doing both is a good option. It can be difficult getting from the outer boroughs into Manhattan on bike if your not familiar, but you can take your bike on the subway system.

Either a .22 or a .45 :)

Iain, don't be silly. I have bikes that the thieves wouldn't bother with. If you'd like to ride in the city, reconsider my offer. I'd love to meet a traveler.

And bike is a great way to see the city.

Tom, you're very generous, and I'd take you up on your offer, but my plans have changed. I took too long in the planning, and a tour from Utah to New York would now be rushed. I'm going to tour locally this summer, and start my tour the day finals end next year. I'll keep your offer in mind until then.

I'll disagree with I think everyone who's thus far replied to this thread: Go ahead an bring your bike; do carry the heavy lock.

*Disclaimer: I shall not be held accountable by this advice or by any other means for any sort of harm sustained by your bicycle, including but not limited to its loss, theft, damage, and vandalism.

Tom, you're very generous, and I'd take you up on your offer, but my plans have changed. I took too long in the planning, and a tour from Utah to New York would now be rushed. I'm going to tour locally this summer, and start my tour the day finals end next year. I'll keep your offer in mind until then.

Very well.

Email me at noglider@pobox.com to get my address and phone number. We can keep in touch that way.

NYC is like a bike cemetery, the only bikes i saw locked up outside looked like this (pic from my last trip to NYC in Jan)...looks like the lock worked though

151243

Don't be cruel. That's an exaggeration. You don't even have to turn your head to see someone on a bike there. There are plenty of bikes intact on the street. The cannibalized bikes are bikes left overnight for a long time.

Bike thieves in New York will steal just about anything. A friend of mine had an ancient beater bike, and thieves tried to steal it at least 3 times before they actually succeeded. One joker even slapped his own lock on the bike, hoping my friend would abandon it instead of clip the interloping lock.

As such, I'd recommend you take the bike into town on the days when you want to see the sights and the streets, e.g. Central Park, Times Square, Wall Street and so forth. Bring the big u-lock and a cable lock for the front wheel, and possibly lock down the saddle as well.

Then, take mass transit on the days when you want to go into buildings for extended periods and/or indulge in libation, e.g museums, restaurants, bars, clubs, strip clubs, etc. ;)