WonderMonkey

I have not read a receont post about workplace bike parking so I thought I'd make one. Also didn't see a better forum for it.

So...

Just this past weekend the company I work for moved buildings. Fortunate that they have a small gym and a place to shower. Right outside of the locker room there is an open area that I can put my bike. The problem is there is nothing to lock it to. If I can come up with something reasonable the facilities owner will allow me to do it. No attaching to walls or drilling into the floor (concrete with utility carpet). It is going to have to be something that sits right on the floor. I know this means that someone could steal rack + bike and drag it through a door but it's a chance I MAY be willing to take based on what is found.

The area is largely open with a door which leads to the outside. Great for me but also great for someone to run in, grab a bike that isn't locked, and run out. The building has security but they can't be everywhere all the time.

Something like the below might work. I'd put it together and grind the thread so it could not be easily taken apart. Obviously this is ALSO making it hard for ME to take apart if I ever needed to (unless I did more grinding). The below is a cheap stand and if that type of thing is what I go with I'll try to find a heavier one for sale.



Thoughts on what has worked for you in the past?

WonderMonkey

I am also talking to the facility about how many of their tenants would use something if available. They have outdoor racks but I'd like to have something indoors if it works out.

bbeasley

One option when you can't attach to walls or floor is make it darn inconvenient. What about locking your bike to a large kettlebell?

WonderMonkey

Not a bad idea! Especially the one that makes it unlikely that it gets carried out! I wonder what would be better, the heavy object (kettleball) or the one that won't fit through the door (bike rack)?

Telly

The key to preventing theft is TIME... the longer it takes for someone (...or more than 1 person) to physically detach and carry your bike outside, the better the chances he/she/they will pick some other easier target.

So having said the above, even a very heavy object chained to the bike can be lifted by X number of people and taken out of the door. On the other hand, a large, light bike rack which doesn't fit through a door will pose more of a time deterent since it will have to be dismantled before it the bike can be taken; and if the bolt/screw heads are worn away, so much the better. The best of both worlds would be to fill the hollow sections of the bike rack with something to weigh it down (i.e. sand).

Hope this helps!

WonderMonkey

Good thoughts. If I get a bike rack maybe I can attach something heavy like the Kettle Ball, my ex-wife's thighs, etc. Similar to the sand idea. With sand I'd worry about it leaking out and becoming unwelcome in an area that I'm being allowed to be in. I know I could take precautions in sealing it and would if I end up going that route.

Cheap bike rack with threads and such ground down then chained to something else heavy.

Thanks for the thoughts.

tsl

You know, that wouldn't be bad as a decorative object outside the gym either.

linnefaulk

A cheap option is a 5 gallon bucket filled with cement. And an o ring imbedded to attach a lock.

WonderMonkey

True, nice thought! Especially if I did two of them. Fine ideas.

This forum has the smartest and most clever people.

WonderMonkey

Several years ago I used rebar, cement and a bucket to make anchors for a floating golf green. I bent the rebar like an omega shape in the bucket of cement and when it dried it worked great. Two of those would do the trick except that it could still be carried out by a few people. Attaching them to my cheap bike rack would work.

Of course all anybody actually does is reduce the chances that your bike will be taken. Very difficult to eliminate the chance in my situation. Moving the numbers in my favor is all I can do. Start with either the cement buckets or cheap bike rack then add the other and it's a fair solution.

gdhillard

I used a Dahon Speed 8 folder, and put it under my desk.

WonderMonkey

Can't do that at this new facility. I went from having an office and parking a bike in it to a cube and parking my bike in it to having a spare room in a warehouse to park my bike in now this new facility has none of that.

TransitBiker

In an automobile-centric area, it can be frustrating to see the lack of places to lock up ones velocipede.

- Andy

WonderMonkey

This facility has a few outdoor racks so I give them points for that. I'm looking for indoor storage.

Leebo

If it has drop ceiling, it bet you could find a sprinkler pipe up there. Loop a long cable around it and have it hang down near a wall.

50voltphantom

^I'm gonna recommend not doing that for several reasons.

WonderMonkey

That sounds risky. If the pipe breaks that could be a very expensive mess.

fietsbob

How many tribes of Vandals are there in Vandalia ?

for History Buffs : Vandals - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

WonderMonkey

We have a total of three Vandals. Low key ones and are usually limited to going in doors that are clearly marked "Exit".