ohplease

So I've got my first "real" bike. Let's just say that it's a nice hybrid that costs enough to make this newbie worried, while at the same time making part of me wish I had just gotten another beater (I had two stolen in college). Anyway, now I want to commute to work at the Sears Tower.

I scoped out the rack across the street this morning and saw some nice mtb's, a Specialized Sirrus, a Trek 520, some beaters. My bike would be on the nicer end of average on that rack. Behind that rack is a parking garage that offers bike racks in a locked cage for $30 a month.

Now either way, I'm going to get a good lock, but part of me thinks there're nicer bikes than mine on the rack on the sidewalk - what am I so afraid of? Part of me thinks I should pay the $30.

What would you do?

spider-man

I would use two good locks. Leave one of them at work (on the rack, if possible) and carry the other with me. I would also replace my quick-releases with lockable models.

rs_woods

This reminds me of a blues song about a man stressed out about his stolen car. It goes: "I should have listened to my sensible self. I should have parked it in a lot. It woulda cost me $16.50 instead of all the cool I've got."

I reckon it would be a smart idea to rent the space for the first few months first, and every time you pass into work check the rack to see if any of the bikes there have been tampered with or stopped showing up.

Guest

Security at the Sears Tower is unbelievably tight. I've taken expensive bikes worth a lot more than your hybrid there and left it outside with no problems. I have good locks, so there's no need for me to take that next step. Instead of paying the 30 bucks for something unnecessary, put $100 into a great lock like the NY Fagedaboudit (spelling?) and a strong U lock from On Guard. It should be more than enough for you.

There is also a bike lock stand on the corner of Franklin and Jackson- actually it's on Franklin Street, on the south end... that last bike rack before you get to Jackson. Park your bike there. The guards of the building are in plain view of that stand, and you will not have problems with good locks and parking your bike there.

Don't pay the $30. It seems like overkill.

Koffee

supcom

I assume the $30 keeps the bike out of the weather? If so, perhaps it's worth the $1.50/day.

ohplease

Sort of. The cages are in the corners of the first level of the parking garage. There's overhang from the structure, but otherwise open air. The $30 mainly keeps the bike out of direct contact with the public.

Thanks for your input everyone. I'm leaning towards getting a kryptonite new york 3000 or one or two onguard minis and risking the street rack.

Also: I've been noticing all these abandoned u-locks on racks all around the city - sans bikes. What's the story there? Wouldn't taking the bike also correspond to making the lock disappear, too?

jharte

You will want to do a search on the lock issue associated with Kryptonite and the U locks like it. The abandon locks you see may have fallen into the "open it with a bic pin" issue.

I agree with finding a good lock and parking it outside.

I have a cheapo seat on mine, but I take it off and bring it in with me. Just my .02

noisebeam

Often folks leave their lock at the place they use it. I assume this abandoned ones you talk about are locked to a rack or other secure item.

As to the $30 cage. Could you also keep stuff in it overnight, like a waterproof bag with some emergency supplies, change of clothes, pump, tools, shoes, etc. That is a side benefit perhaps.

Al

Crazy Cyclist

I would pay the 30.00 per month, you get piece of mind and the bike is kept out of direct contact from the public, it sounds like a small price to pay. JMO !!!

genec

Too bad they don't offer bike lockers for that $30 a month. Had something like these at my last employer and it really made life nice... place to leave shower stuff, bike was out of weather, and I even kept some extra clothes in there in case I forgot...

The ones we had were wedge shaped so two of them together would make one rectangle.

Check these out... perhaps you can drop a hint in a suggestion box.

DiegoFrogs

Does that $30 include a security guard and some sort of insurance just in case something does happen? It's not like cars haven't ever been broken into in parking garages before... And generally cars are only paying for the space, there being no insurance policy if someone or something does break your windows or steal your mag's, or if theres a fire, etc. "park at your own risk" and "owner is not liable for lost or stolen goods" come to mind. You could always find something to lock it to on the street. If there's no real added security, you're just putting your bike in a dark secluded area and paying 30 bucks a month for it... So depending on the specifics of what you get for the money, there may not even be peace of mind. Just food for thought.

super-douper

I would get 2 good locks and lock it to the free rack. $30/mo would buy that insurance or theft protection or whatever that most lock companies offer. It'd suck to have your bike missing when you came out and needed it to get home, but if you had the insurance hopefully you'd be able to get the money and a replacement quickly.

PALux

Yes. Any additional security is well worth the price. Check for a program like this.

Here in Washington we have a Commute Trip Reduction program. Certain employers are required to reduce single driver commutes and submit reports. Is there a similar program where you are at? Your employer may subsidize your parking. Ask. The worst possible answer is ‘no’ and you haven’t lost anything. Anything short of ‘no’ is good. Are drivers given parking subsidies? If so, demand your own.

All the locks in the world only keep honest people honest. If someone wants your bike they will get it and they can get it fast. Make sure you can remove all items not secured by locks. Buy the best quality locks you can. The covered storage will at least have some protection from weather. Always carry enough change for bus fare.

I have indoor parking in a stairwell just outside the receptionist area. I have had a computer and taillight ripped off once and a taillight only another time. These were bolted on. My employer reimbursed me both times.
Phil

palmertires

I am surprised the Sears Tower doesn't have some bicycle parking in the building. I can't imagine you are the only one that works there riding a bicycle to work. It's a pretty large place...have you checked with your office, other offices, other workers?

Guest

There is no parking in the building.

Koffee

dfw

I park my bike in my office next to my desk.

Moochers_Dad

I would not get a lock and leave it on the rack. The city will remove those. They make sweeps of the racks using a truck with all the right cutting tools to remove locks and abandoned bikes.

Over the past month I've seen signs they put on locks and racks along the lines of "this looks abandoned and we're going to remove it."

Personally, I think it's rude anyway. It's like you have a bike but are too lazy to carry the lock on it and you are claiming the free rack as yours. I see them all over in various states of rust they are ugly, sitting alone rusting up the sidewalk.

Also, don't assume just because guards somewhere can see your bike they will remember who locked which bike. I also wouldn't assume that because someone is wearing a guard uniform that he/she isn't or doesn't know a bike theif.

You just want it to take longer than a theif is willing to work to get it. In chicago, I use a U-Lock with a cross bar to deter prying; and then a NY chain around the rear wheel and chain and if it's long enough, the rack again.

Also, make sure when you lock it on the Chicago racks; that it's not moveable up and down. Someone might come along and see if he/she can rip the bike from the rack easy enough. It will be locked too good to be removed but a lot of damage can be done in about 10 seconds.

Dahon.Steve

Agreed.

The crooks might be inside the garage and paying the 30 bucks a month for access to good quality bikes to steal! I hate bike racks and prefer to hide the bike away from traffic period. In your case, I would have looked into getting a small folding bike that would have gone under my desk.

alanbikehouston

A New York 3000 on the rear wheel, and a OnGuard Mini on the front wheel make your bike theft-proof, if it is locked to a steel post set in concrete. If you have a quick release on the seatpost, replace that with a bolt. The $360 a year the parking garage would charge you for indoor parking is the price of a good hybrid...if your bike is worth $6,000, fine, but pay $360 to park a $400 bike?

77Univega

palmertires
"I am surprised the Sears Tower doesn't have some bicycle parking in the building. I can't imagine you are the only one that works there riding a bicycle to work. It's a pretty large place...have you checked with your office, other offices, other workers?"


// Ha ha, It's the TALLEST building in the USA, but no room for bikes!!
.

Guest

Not no room... just don't accomodate for it. There's parking all around the building itself, so you're expected to use those parking lots.

Koffee

jagged

I join those who recommend you pay $30 a month to keep your expensive bike in an enclosed area. Even a Kryptonite New York Lock will only protect your frame and a wheel. A thief with some Allen wrenches and a bit of know-how can take your brake calipers and deraileurs off your frame, no matter how well you've secured your frame. If you have expensive parts (Ultegra or Dura-Ace), those can be worth as much as, say, a used Trek 520.

CommuterRun

I would probably pay for the more secure parking. Particularly if it's out of the weather. In spite of the fact that I regularly ride in the rain. To me there's a difference between riding in bad weather, or bright sun, and letting the bike just sit out in it.

Guest

It's still not necessary. In the loop, there's always an awning or scaffolding or an overhang nearby you can park your bike under if it's raining.

Good locks. It's unnecessary to pay that much money for something you can do on your own for a fraction of the price.

Koffee