Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Stolen bike - downtown Chicago 9/12

Hi folks,

My girlfriend's bike was stolen today. I imagine it's a longshot that anything will come of posting here but please indulge me. I'm guessing downtown Chicago area riders are reading this forum often and I tend to read this forum most often as well (as a lurker mostly), so that's why I am posting here.

The bike is a Specialized Dolce Sport womens, 54cm, black, mostly stock. Has two bottle cages, cateye wireless computer, cross top levers, combination platform/SPD pedals, and is new enough to still have all reflectors on it :/

It was stolen at 1130 am today 9/12 from Randolph/ Michigan from within our eyesight. It was locked along with my bike with a kryponite cable (I know, major lesson learned). My bike had a U-lock through it and was spared. Couldn't fit it through both of our bikes so hers was only locked with cable.

I'm still just amazed the bike was stolen from this location in broad daylight and with us sitting just across the street from where they were locked.

Thank you.

Ouch...you say within eyesight? So you saw it being stolen?

Do you have a picture of the bike? I think it's a lost cause in Chicago to find your girlfriend's bike. Next time use a u-lock and cable.

I was reading the paper and looking up every few minutes to check on them. It was grabbed in between glances. I had to do a double take to confirm my eyes weren't deceiving me. The guy next to us said he saw the guy take it 2-3 minutes before we noticed. He was so nonchalant about it the eyewitness didn't even think anything of it until we said something.

http://www.doobybrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/new-york-legend-lock-1.jpg

This is what I use; it's never failed me. I live in a pretty physically safe town, but unfortunately it's a little bit notorious for bike thefts. I got my aluminum Trek hardtail stolen a month or two ago, so I decided to amp my security a bit.

That quick, it hurts.

Well, you can post up a photo here. File a police report at your local precinct, just to get in on paper, say if you do spot it around or for sale. Keep your eyes peeled on Craigslist/other mediums/pawn shops in the area and the like.

All the best.

Isn't Chicago supposed to have surveillance cameras everywhere? If the guy sitting next to you saw the theft maybe there is a camera that saw it too. I'd ask the police dept if they had a camera covering that area. Sorry to hear about your GFs bike being stolen, the only thing worse than having your bike stolen is having your NEW bike stolen.

We filed a police report.


Isn't Chicago supposed to have surveillance cameras everywhere? If the guy sitting next to you saw the theft maybe there is a camera that saw it too. I'd ask the police dept if they had a camera covering that area.

There was a camera nearby that might have captured the incident; however, the police didn't seem willing to go that far to investigate.

I can't find one picture we took of her actual bike. Here's a stock photo. The bike was pretty much stock. It has a shorter Specialized stem with a fair amount of rise, cateye wireless computer, two black bottle cages.

http://www.evanscycles.com/product_image/image/e3c/a7e/c89/40383/large/specialized-dolce-sport-27-2010-womens-road-bike.jpg

I am heartbroken that I locked her bike somewhat carelessly and this happened. So thanks for taking it easy on me.

the good news is these are pretty cheap on CL
169357

those Kryptonite chain locks....cant they just be cut with a bolt cutter?? are they really stronger than a U-lock??

That's what I first thought, but I think it's a special steel that's similar in strength to the U Lock's. I think the advantage of them is that you can't fit a jack into the links like you can a U Lock. Buys some time.

Isn't Chicago supposed to have surveillance cameras everywhere? If the guy sitting next to you saw the theft maybe there is a camera that saw it too. I'd ask the police dept if they had a camera covering that area. Sorry to hear about your GFs bike being stolen, the only thing worse than having your bike stolen is having your NEW bike stolen.

Ask the Chicago police to look at surveillance footage of downtown of a bike being stolen? lol

cops are too busy arresting potheads, they have a real tough job those cops

Check out www.thechainlink.org (basically it is facebook for the chicago cycling community) and in their forums section look for the chicago stolen bike registry to report it as stolen. It is at least as effective as the chicago police.

This is a perfect example of why I've posted before on locking bikes as I have. When at an open patio coffee house or restaurant, lock your bike as close to where you are as possible on the same side of the street. Never let it be out of sight. The buddy system works, 2 cyclists, watch them in shifts. One goes into Starbucks or where ever and gets their order, comes back out and relieves the watch and the other goes in and gets theirs if it's that complex a custom order. And if the first goes in, they can even get the other's order at the same time for a simple food/beverage run.

That had to suck and then to learn that those next to you saw it happen and not even say a word. Did they even have a description of the thief ? Well, anyway, it's gone.

Check out www.thechainlink.org (basically it is facebook for the chicago cycling community) and in their forums section look for the chicago stolen bike registry to report it as stolen. It is at least as effective as the chicago police. meaning not effective at all right? I love this city, but man, sometimes it really sucks here. in other news, i ride a lot, so ill keep my eyes open, but i highly doubt ill see it.

Check out www.thechainlink.org (basically it is facebook for the chicago cycling community) and in their forums section look for the chicago stolen bike registry to report it as stolen. It is at least as effective as the chicago police.

Thanks for the tip. In a thread on the site I also noticed some references to flea markets to keep an eye on.

meaning not effective at all right? I love this city, but man, sometimes it really sucks here. in other news, i ride a lot, so ill keep my eyes open, but i highly doubt ill see it.

I am very happy to report the Chicago Stolen Bike Registry is effective! We filled out a report and the bike was recovered from a swap meet over the weekend! I still can't believe the odds of this. I'm grateful and have definitely learned a lesson about locking bikes.

Many thanks to Howard, Jami, and the Stolen Bike Registry. And to Chicagobent - thank you for the tip!

nice