Bringing Your Bike Inside Stores Coffee Shops Etc
#101
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Get a used beater steel no suspension mountain bike. An old Trek or Specialized Hardrock from the late 1990s, off Craigslist for $100-150. Then get a Burley Nomad trailer. A brutally fat chain and lock, throw it in the Nomad. There is your run to the store utility bike.
Ride your sweet $7500 bike when you are only riding, and not going to the store.
If I had a $7k bike, I'd be afraid to park it in my garage, let alone at Whole Wallet. I'd probably be half afraid to ride it for fear I might drip sweat on it or something. Really. I'd never leave it out of my sight for 10 seconds. I'd probably sleep with it.
I'd way rather haul any significant cargo my trailer than on the bike. In the trailer the weight is practically at the level of your rear axle. Super low COG. Bike handling hardly affected at all.
Ride your sweet $7500 bike when you are only riding, and not going to the store.
If I had a $7k bike, I'd be afraid to park it in my garage, let alone at Whole Wallet. I'd probably be half afraid to ride it for fear I might drip sweat on it or something. Really. I'd never leave it out of my sight for 10 seconds. I'd probably sleep with it.
I'd way rather haul any significant cargo my trailer than on the bike. In the trailer the weight is practically at the level of your rear axle. Super low COG. Bike handling hardly affected at all.
#102
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I am new to the biking community and had some questions about biking etiquette.
I am currently looking at a bike in the $7500+ range and the though of leaving it outside when I run into a coffee shop leaves me a little worried.
I know I could bring a heavy duty lock (I just dont want to have to carry around a heavy lock) or sit where i could see it but I would feel better if it was with me.
Example scenario - I live 4 miles from whole foods, If I were to ride there, would it be acceptable to roll my bike in while I pick up whatever small item I came for? My bike is cleaner than the shopping carts or many of the whole foods hippies for that matter.
Or a coffee shop same scenario, assuming that there is enough room to roll in without being in the way.
Anyone with any experience on the matter please help me out.
Thanks ahead of time.
I am currently looking at a bike in the $7500+ range and the though of leaving it outside when I run into a coffee shop leaves me a little worried.
I know I could bring a heavy duty lock (I just dont want to have to carry around a heavy lock) or sit where i could see it but I would feel better if it was with me.
Example scenario - I live 4 miles from whole foods, If I were to ride there, would it be acceptable to roll my bike in while I pick up whatever small item I came for? My bike is cleaner than the shopping carts or many of the whole foods hippies for that matter.
Or a coffee shop same scenario, assuming that there is enough room to roll in without being in the way.
Anyone with any experience on the matter please help me out.
Thanks ahead of time.
I've had $75.00 bikes stolen from me. The advice of the other posters here is good. Buy a errand beater.
#103
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Someone has already mentioned this, but the OP isn't necessarily looking for a bike to run errands on. The OP specifically mentioned stopping by a coffee shop, as well as picking up small items at a grocery store (which may be more spontaneous than planned errands). He may intend to do those quick things while doing recreational/fast rides on his nice bike. Buying a beater bike wouldn't answer his question.
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#104
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if the store is small they may object
i usually take it into stores that have a big shopping cart storage area up front
usually there is room
a coffee shop - what if someone knocked it over?
it could be a $400 fix
another thought - forgiveness beats permission
i never ask
i just do it
but your bike is too $$$ to be riding 3 miles to the grocery store
sorry
wle
i usually take it into stores that have a big shopping cart storage area up front
usually there is room
a coffee shop - what if someone knocked it over?
it could be a $400 fix
another thought - forgiveness beats permission
i never ask
i just do it
but your bike is too $$$ to be riding 3 miles to the grocery store
sorry
wle
#105
Senior Member
a coffee shop - what if someone knocked it over?
it could be a $400 fix
I've accidentally knocked over my bike and I cannot imagine how it would be possible to incur any damage approaching that amount.
it could be a $400 fix
I've accidentally knocked over my bike and I cannot imagine how it would be possible to incur any damage approaching that amount.
#106
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so you would just leave it leaning on a chair, in a 400 sq foot coffee shop?
expensive damage possible to:
frame [carbon fiber - scratches weaken it]
finish [nah - who cares about finish on a $7500 bike]
rear derailleur bent
derailleur hanger - bent
shifters
bent low count spokes
yeah on 2nd thought you are right
just leave it where anyone can knock it over
not worth leaving at home or outside locked
wle
expensive damage possible to:
frame [carbon fiber - scratches weaken it]
finish [nah - who cares about finish on a $7500 bike]
rear derailleur bent
derailleur hanger - bent
shifters
bent low count spokes
yeah on 2nd thought you are right
just leave it where anyone can knock it over
not worth leaving at home or outside locked
wle
#107
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I don't even leave my car outside the coffee shop.
Don't know why that image isn't loading up right...
Here is a different one.
Don't know why that image isn't loading up right...
Here is a different one.
#108
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actually i don't even GO to a ''coffee shop''
and all i have is a 45,000 mile bike i paid $375 for, 13 years ago..
wle
and all i have is a 45,000 mile bike i paid $375 for, 13 years ago..
wle
#109
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#110
Senior Member
so you would just leave it leaning on a chair, in a 400 sq foot coffee shop?
expensive damage possible to:
frame [carbon fiber - scratches weaken it]
finish [nah - who cares about finish on a $7500 bike]
rear derailleur bent
derailleur hanger - bent
shifters
bent low count spokes
yeah on 2nd thought you are right
just leave it where anyone can knock it over
not worth leaving at home or outside locked
wle
expensive damage possible to:
frame [carbon fiber - scratches weaken it]
finish [nah - who cares about finish on a $7500 bike]
rear derailleur bent
derailleur hanger - bent
shifters
bent low count spokes
yeah on 2nd thought you are right
just leave it where anyone can knock it over
not worth leaving at home or outside locked
wle
My bike (€4300+) came with a kickstand. This is the most expensive bike I've bought to date but it's just a bike. It gets me from A to B and does so with considerably less effort than my previous bike. The only bikes over here that don't come with a bike stand require the rider to wear spandex.
Actually my Brompton doesn't have a kick stand but then again, it doesn't need one.
Last edited by Dave Horne; 06-06-14 at 01:28 PM.
#111
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Carbon bars + high-end brifter(DA,Red) + hitting the ground at just the right angle = $400+ easy.
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#112
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Grocery store manager here. I speak with authority! Department store bikes are cheap. Keep em outside of my store. nobody would steal one even if you fail to lock them.
ha ha ha just kidding....
Yes! By all means bring your bike in. Keep it with you, don't lean it up blocking access to the redbox or lotto because were not gonna keep an eye on it for you and if I come across a bike doing just that you'll hear me announce "attention shoppers! To the owner of the shiny blue bike you'll find it outside in the bike racks just to the left side of the west enternce."
bmx bikes parked inside with the front wheel pointing to the entrance usually means some kids gonna run and jump on it with some stolen Monster energy drinks so we move them into a free check stand. Love those expressions!
If its late I'll offer to watch it for you while you shop but only to admire it (if it's a nice classic or vintage model).
ha ha ha just kidding....
Yes! By all means bring your bike in. Keep it with you, don't lean it up blocking access to the redbox or lotto because were not gonna keep an eye on it for you and if I come across a bike doing just that you'll hear me announce "attention shoppers! To the owner of the shiny blue bike you'll find it outside in the bike racks just to the left side of the west enternce."
bmx bikes parked inside with the front wheel pointing to the entrance usually means some kids gonna run and jump on it with some stolen Monster energy drinks so we move them into a free check stand. Love those expressions!
If its late I'll offer to watch it for you while you shop but only to admire it (if it's a nice classic or vintage model).
#113
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I will bring my road bike into the store or coffee shop ONLY during times of slow business. I don't enjoy riding "beater bikes" for errands because it isn't fun, enjoyable, or plush enough of a ride. I have never had a problem bringing my bike during the off hours into any shop.
#114
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My bike in my hand surgeon's office...
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The value of your life doesn't change based on the way you travel. - Dawn Schellenberg (SDOT)
The value of your life doesn't change based on the way you travel. - Dawn Schellenberg (SDOT)
#115
Senior Member
Wow, 115 posts in this thread.
Let's see if we can make this 200.
Let's see if we can make this 200.
#118
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I'm gonna build a grocery store and provide utilitie bikes instead of carts.
Two wheeled bikes and shopping carts will not be welcomed. Sorry.
Two wheeled bikes and shopping carts will not be welcomed. Sorry.
#119
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In another post I listed a number of reasons to be a runner instead of a bicyclist. I would like to add this thread as another major reason. :-)
#120
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Except that they probably have a sign somewhere in the store that says they can refuse service to anyone.
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The value of your life doesn't change based on the way you travel. - Dawn Schellenberg (SDOT)
The value of your life doesn't change based on the way you travel. - Dawn Schellenberg (SDOT)
#121
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My first impression of you is some snotty rich person who thinks you own the place and you're entitled to do something just because your 7k bike is a lot "cleaner" than their shopping carts. Not to mention you insult your fellow shoppers by calling them names. Quite frankly, continue riding your bike to Whole Foods so you can continue to show off your bike and eventually get stolen. IMO, I think you already knew the answer to your question before coming here.
#122
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I find your perception of someone being rich to be interesting. I have a $20,000 car. Do you consider me rich?
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The value of your life doesn't change based on the way you travel. - Dawn Schellenberg (SDOT)
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#123
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Ha, had this same problem as OP; coffee shops, the Y, even convenience stores just to get a Gatorade [I must look nutty, dashing in and out, checking the bike, dare not leaving it more than a few seconds...even when I've locked it].
thought I'd be smart...'I'll just get a beater for around town". "Hmm...maybe if I get a steel bike; no one wants a steel bike. They'll steal the carbon fibers sure, but not steel".
"Hmm.." I thought some more, "still want a performance ride, so maybe I'll just get a nice steel bike. hey, Bianchi I've heard still makes nice steel." So, went to LBS, and ordered a nice 'Vigorelli'...ha. When it arrived, All that celeste shines brighter than any carbon fiber I have [or seen]; so I defeated my purpose...and the Bianchi stands out, calling out to thieves like the Sirens calling to Odysseus. Thing of it is, it surely is not a 'beater'...but perhaps my nicest ride now.
Ah well. I don't think there is an answer to this problem. Anyone see the videos by the New York 'expert' who grades bicycle lockdowns? Bicycle tanks would not be that much fun I think.
I do take my bike inside my motel rooms though. I've never had anyone complain on that at least.
Anyway, the beater was a good idea. But we still want the nice ride.
#124
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I am currently looking at a bike in the $7500+ range and the though of leaving it outside when I run into a coffee shop leaves me a little worried...
Example scenario - I live 4 miles from whole foods, If I were to ride there, would it be acceptable to roll my bike in while I pick up whatever small item I came for? My bike is cleaner than the shopping carts or many of the whole foods hippies for that matter....
Example scenario - I live 4 miles from whole foods, If I were to ride there, would it be acceptable to roll my bike in while I pick up whatever small item I came for? My bike is cleaner than the shopping carts or many of the whole foods hippies for that matter....
#125
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Just bring your expensive bicycle inside. I do, and just carry the bike through the aisles. This works perfectly if I just need a quick something to eat post ride. Don't bring your bike inside and keep it up front somewhere, out of sight, as you go searching through the store for stuff to buy. That would be dumb.
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