If a bike has a chain that doesn't move, it's abandoned. If the owner still wants it after letting it get to that point, they're going to most likely pay quite a bit more than it costs to get a decent used bike in Chicago.


I have NO patience with people who leave things outside to rot that way.


In fact, one of the reasons it is "acceptable" to do that in Chicago is the availability of cheap good quality bikes. I think a DECENT used bike should cost more than the $150-200 it would cost to repair a bike left out over the winter, and a good one should be quite a bit more. In Chicago the ready availability of $60 lugged steel road bikes makes them "disposable".