Originally Posted by wearyourtruth
maybe not so much a matter of expense but personal worth, but the question remains. every once in a while on campus i see a really nice bike jammed in to a rack between all the walmart specials, getting beaten up and scuffed to crap. kinda makes me cry... today i saw a 2000 Cannondale R3000
linky locked up and was saddened, it wasn't even put in the slot for the wheel, it was leaning up against the end, right on the rusty rack. maybe it's just me but i figure if you can afford a several thousand dollar bike then you can afford a bit of a "beater" bike to commute with? i won't even park my sub-$500 bike on the racks unless i absolutely have to!
I would have to be out of my mind to lock a bike next to those beaters. I can assure you, those nice bikes jammed won't be there for too long. Soon, the department store riders will try to steal or brake components on the "nice bike" and then you'll never see such a bicycle parked there an wonder why? I had a nice bike and it took a beating from all the crooks who tried to steal it on the rack!
Public bike racks used to be a good way to secure your bicycle about 75 years ago. Today, bike racks are a bad idea that only the inexperienced cyclists will use until his bicycle is attacked! It's sad to say but bike racks attract the worse crooks on the planet. If you visit this forum, there are monthly horror stories about forum members expereince with bike racks. Type in the search word "bike rack" and you'll read story after story of bikes ripped off! I suspect, 70% or more bike thefts occur on bike racks go unreported.
On a college campus, you have to find a spot in the parking lot far away from foot traffic. It might mean walking to class but it's better safe than sorry. Unfortunately, it's safer to park in a lot with motorist than a bicycle rack with cyclists.