OiS

Damn Thieves!!!!

Ok, so I have now had 2 bikes stolen in Singapore. The first was a top end, custom made road bike. Custom steel frame, DA parts, and although about 8 years old was an absolute dream to ride. The only thing I had needed to swap out, was the wheels, after having snapped the first spoke ever on the original DA wheels, for some new HED Bastogne's (only about 2 months prior to it being stolen!). I never used to leave it in places for very long, and the time it was stolen was no exception. I stopped at a mall for less than 30 mins, and, as I always did, locked my bike to something solid, with my TWO bike locks, a U-Bolt lock through front wheel and frame, and a cable lock through back wheel, frame and very thick metal pole. Nevertheless, stolen.

Ok, so I was peeved. Reported to the police of course, put up on local bike forums, but nothing. Anyway, eventually got another bike, this time, scaled it down in price, but still bought a nice MTB. A nice Scott Voltage.

So, had fun with that one for a couple of months before that one was stolen from the bike parking space in the basement of my condo! So much for 24 hour security and walls around the perimeter. (Not to mention a lock on that bike too of course.)

After that, I briefly contemplated not having a bike at all, but, no, I damn well wasn't going to let a bunch of thieves deprive me of one of the joys of my life. Quite the contrary actually, I bought a new road bike, full carbon and top end components including Di-2 shifters, and, NO lock at all. As for why NO lock at all, well, they just give a false sense of security, they make you think your bike is safe, when it really is not. So now, with no lock, I can't leave it anywhere. I go out for a ride, and I do not stop anywhere that my hand is going to be more than 1 foot from my bike, and never a door or window inbetweeen. I go out and ride and come back home and bring my bike inside with me, where there is ALWAYS someone at home.

What then is the dilema? Well, my work is moving offices soon, and the public transport is not great to the new location, and they also have bike racks and showers in the office, so, riding to work sounds a great option!

Thing is of course, I do not want to ride my top end bike to work and trust in the work security measures to protect my baby. So then, which bike to get?

I love good quality components on a bike, and I like my bike to look cool (to me anyway), but of course I am now thinking that combination is basically a thief magnet!

What can I do**********

x136 

First off, you need to reexamine your locking strategy. Cable locks are a second-tier deterrent. Use those to lock other things to a securely-locked bike, like the front wheel and/or the saddle. Use the much-stronger U-lock to keep the bike from going anywhere. I generally wrap the U-lock around the seat tube, rear rim, and a solid, immobile object.

As for a bike, look around for something used, probably steel, with 8- or 9-speed STI/Ergo shifting. Should be racy enough to be satisfying, but cheap enough that it neither looks like a target, nor is something you'd be too overly distraught about were it to be stolen.

Doohickie

This jumped out at me right away as well. Why use a U lock if you're not going to attach it to anything?

Retro Grouch 

Given a little time thieves can defeat any locking system and steal any bike. Ride-to-work bikes are actually easier to steal because they usually get parked in the same place every day. That gives thieves the opportunity to look it over first and decide what tools they need to bring.

Frankly, If you can't bring your bike inside with you, I'd get a semi-expendable, ride-to-work bike and a lock that I'd leave on the bike rack at work.

stapfam

I have the best lock going---In fact two.

It is my hand or my butt. At least one is on the bike all the time. I never leave my bike anywhere. Even at Home I have a bike shed where I store the bikes. Two alarms- one on the door and a Movement sensor inside the shed. On top of that the bikes are secured by a hawser to an Eye bolt through the floor.

My son-in-law rides to work and leaves it in the bike rack with a Kryptonite D Luck and Hawser. And that is in a secure compound that has a Motion sensor and CCTV. Didn't help his mate though- His bike went and the CCTV showed a stranger just walk in and steal his bike.Son-in-Law now takes his bike into his office.

Steely Dan

if your place of employment won't allow you to take a regular bike inside with you, maybe ask if they would allow you to bring a folding bike inside if you put it in a bag first. the only true bicycle security is to get it off of the street.

BlazingPedals

+1

LarDasse74

Save the nice bike for riding for fun. Buy a $50 bike and a $100 lock. Get a crapola bike at a second hand shop or out of a dumpster for riding to work. Upgrade the wheels to reasonable quality alloy rims and hubs when the originals start breaking, but leave the bike as ugly and scratched up as possible. Also get decent saddle (cover with an old plastic bag to keep the rain off), and decent handelbar grips. Paint the bike with black metal primer. If you have any quick releases on the wheels or seat, lock them closed with hose clamps.

Nice wheels and tires and proper maintenance will make the bike good to ride, but not attract attention of theives. Make it so it is not worth a theif's time. Riding home on a crummy bike is less of a bummer than walking home because your nice bike got stolen.

fishymamba

Get a folding bike and take it inside with you. No other way really.

OiS

Appreciate all the suggestions, thanks!

Actually think the folding bike might be an option if I can get permission to bring it into the office with me, so will look into that one first. If that is a no-go, then I guess it is the cheapish expendable bike, maybe with a few nice bits on it, but nothing that LOOKS nice!

Funny I never thought about using the U-Bolt as the lock to secure it to something, although it makes perfect sense. Lesson learned for next time!

dougmc

Really? Actually, let both locks secure it to something.

Using the U-lock to immobilize the bike but not secure it to something is of some use -- somebody isn't likely to ride the bike away -- but it's of limited use, as they'll just carry the bike away after cutting the cable lock. That said, U-locks are a good deal harder to defeat than cable locks, especially if you have a good one and it's a mini one (the minis make it harder to get a jack in there.) If you use a U-lock or two and use them properly, the thieves will likely just steal somebody else's bike most of the time.

531phile 

Isn't the crime rate in Singapore suppose to be one of the lowest in the world??? Don't they cut off hands of thieves there and cane their groin area???

OiS

Not sure what the penalty is actually, I do hope it is as harsh as that! Still, have never seen anyone in Singapore with no hands....

Crime rate is apparently low here, but, bike theft is not nearly as low as it should be.

009jim

Wait - isn't Singapore the country where you get a $1000 fine if you throw a cigarette butt in the street. Oh, Oh, I see now... they don't give a crepe about bikes getting stolen; it's all about revenue raising so the fat cats can get chauffeured around in limos while ordinary people struggle for justice. Oh yeah now I'm seeing it clearly. The more harsh the penalties, the more corrupt the system?

Artkansas 

That's no assurance either. I've had a bike stolen while my butt was on the seat and my hands were on the handlebars and I was moving. A 1964 Chevy Impala pushed me to the curb with its fender and a gang of folks piled out of the car.

dchsueh

As Steely Dan already mentioned, get a bag specific for the folding bike.

Examples:
Dahon: https://www.dahon.com/accessories/2010/carryon-cover
Bike Friday tikit: https://store.bikefriday.com/product_...ducts_id=12631

fietsbob

Brompton has a cover that stows in a bag on the seat, and a very nice front bag system
to carry your stuff in . and fun to ride .
and you can take it inside and put it under a desk or table..

lucille

Another vote for a folding bike. Bike Fridays are a dream to ride, Tikit is made to be a commuter bike. It folds quickly and makes a small package with 16" wheels. You shouldn't have any problems bringing it to work, shops, or even hop on the bus if the weather turns bad, especially if you have it hidden in a bag. And you can keep it in your condo.

Getting a crappy bike of course is an option. If you want to have a crappy ride.

Do you have home insurance? Bikes should be covered under it. Look into it, you may get at least some of the money back.

hybridbkrdr

I think maybe one of the cheapest ways to get a higher end bike is to get a groupset at a place like bike24.com like a Tiagra or Deore and get a cheap Nashbar frame. Either that or find some discounted bicycles on the net. I know Chainreactioncycles has some half price. I found a WTB Freedom Ryder 23 rim on sale at eBikestop and a Tiagra hub on sale at Niagaracycle. And some of the rest were somewhat cheaper Origin8 parts like seatpost clamp, headset spacers, seatpost ect.

You could also try to make the bike ugly. Like painting the frame weirdly and putting a plastic bag on the seat when parking it.

I don't know if those are the best solutions, just some ideas.

hybridbkrdr

Here's a more complete post to what I wrote before just in case you wanted more details. hehe

Nashar touring fork $49.00
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes//Produc...2_511246_-1___
Nashbar touring frame $99.00
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes//Produc...2_511239_-1___
Shimano Deore LX trekking (touring) groupset (crankset, rear derailleur, front derailleur, shifters, brake levers, brakes, cassette, chain) as low as 271.21 euro (depending on which options you choose); with shipping to North America (means you don't pay European VAT tax) is $368.33 US dollars (the exchange rate fluctuates)
https://www.bike24.com/p29129.html
WTB Freedom Ryder 23 rims 36 hole $18.45 (times two = $36.90) (I put the link here from eBikestop for people who want to order from Canada, shipping for large items is cheaper from eBikestop last time I ordered)
https://www.ebikestop.com/freedom_ryd...rim-RM2241.php
Shimano Tiagra rear hub 36 hole $27.89
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=414678
Shimano Tiagra front hub 36 hole $19.84
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=407883
(I haven't chosen that yet, you can look below why)
Velox rim strip $1.83 (times two = $3.66)
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=432533
Dimension spoke protector $3.00
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=419815
Sunlite wheel reflectors $2.49
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...oducts_id=5777
DT Swiss Champion 14g (2.0mm) spokes
for rear wheel
(I measured both hub and rim and used two sizing calculators for that rim and rear hub and chose 287mm and 289mm spokes, 18 of each length)
287mm $0.43 (times 18 = $7.74)
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ducts_id=32422
289mm $0.51 (times 18 = $9.18)
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ducts_id=32640
for front wheel using this calculator https://lenni.info/edd/ says it's 290mm both sides
290mm $0.51 (times 36 = $18.36)
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ducts_id=32638
DT Swiss Champion 12mm, 2.0mm brass nipples $0.26 (times 72 = $18.72)
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ducts_id=32619
Dimension chainstay protector clear $5.95
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=501118
Origin8 classique sport seatpost 27.2mm x 300mm silver $26.08
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=509738
Origin8 seatpost clamp 31.8mm gold $5.99
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=431892
Origin8 headset spacers 1-1/8" (ten x 10mm) silver $6.20
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=431892
Origin8 headset threadless 1-1/8" gold $31.99
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=431753
Origin8 stem threadless 1-1/8" 25.4mm silver $21.99
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=431946
Origin8 handlebars 625mm long 25.4mm clamp 40mm high silver $19.80
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=431636
Black Ops platform pedals clear $14.99
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=432203
WTB Freedom Relax saddle light brown $36.98
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=433923
Dimension hand-stiched leather grips light brown $14.88
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=408543
Continental tubes 700x28-47mm Presta $6.26 (times two = $12.52) (or the thicker Michelin tubes)
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=424089
Continental TourRide tires 700x37mm $26.96 (times two = $53.92) (or Michelin Tracker tires) (you can also get these in cream color with reflective strips from bikexperts.com in Germany if you ask them)
https://www.amazon.com/Continental-To.../dp/B0013DZGVG
Well, here the total without the shipping cost for amazon.com, niagaracycle and eBikestop and cost of assembly is $915.40
Sunlite bottle cages $1.99 (times two if you want $3.98)
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ducts_id=12697
Sunlite Tec HD tourer rack $24.99 (these were actually all silver when they arrived)
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=430988
Axiom Rainrunner trekk reflex 700c fenders $54.00
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=426889
Avenir Softside City panniers $42.56
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=507460
Trek Lime bell $7.99 (you can click on additional views to see the 8 colors, I would choose white)
https://store.trekbikes.com/jump.jsp?...ProductID=1439
Civia two leg kickstand $27.00 (right now I'm not sure what the top plate model means yet)
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=710999
Halo hex key skewers $15.00
https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...s.php?id=12529
Cateye Strada cycling computer CD-RD100 $21.51 (this one is the black on sale but I've seen the white on sale before)
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ducts_id=13708
The total at this point would be $1112.43
Kryptonite Kryptolock Value Series 2 (make sure to grease the mechanism inside) $32.16
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ducts_id=30504
Giro Hex helmet $67.95 (depends on size, color)
https://www.amazon.com/Giro-Mountain-...6885571&sr=8-2
Dimension eyeglass mirror $10.50
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=411405
Fox Racing gloves $21.95
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=702678
Bellwether rain jacket $119.99
https://www.amazon.com/Bellwether-201...888369&sr=1-44
Bellwether AquaNo pants $60.39
https://www.amazon.com/Bellwether-Aqu...6895452&sr=8-3
The total at this point would be $1425.37
If you chose to go with a dynamo front hub and front and rear dynamo lights, this could be a choice
Busch&Muller D'Toplight Plus rear dynamo light 17 euro
https://www.bike-x-perts.com/en/produ...ucts_id/133927
Busch&Muller Lumotec Lyt Plus 25 lux front light for dynamo hub 24 euro
https://www.bike-x-perts.com/en/produ...ucts_id/359500
(you could also choose the IQ Cyo 60 lux front light but that's 64 euro)
https://www.bike-x-perts.com/en/produ...ucts_id/359497
Shimano DH-3N72 dynamo hub 58 euro (actually, I wanted to choose the Deore LX model for this message but the spoke calculator did not include this one, I can only measure it once I order it)
https://www.bike-x-perts.com/en/produ...ucts_id/242167
(The spokes for this would be 283mm both sides with the WTB Freedom Ryder 23 rim)
DT Swiss Champion 283mm spokes $0.49 each (times 36 = $17.64)
https://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=92390
So, if you chose a dynamo hub 58 euro, front light 24 euro, rear light 17 euro (plus the 283mm spokes minus the 290mm spokes and Tiagra front hub), it would be $1539.26 without the shipping from bikexperts
I'm a little surprised I did all this work. But, please tell me if I missed any bike parts.
You can always use the frame sizing calculator at ColoradoCyclists.