WARNING: DO NOT use the bike racks at 3 WFC in NYC (Vesey & West Streets)

For years I have left a commuter bike locked up outside during the day at various locations without problems. I realized the risks and had heard the advice against it. I was finally burned on Friday. Leaving work, I had the horrible experience of finding many of the parts from my bike stolen. The handlebars, STI shifters, stem, cables, seat and seat post were all neatly dismantled. This happened in broad daylight.

My office recently moved downtown to the WFC and I was using the racks at corner of Vesey and West streets. It is a covered from rain and there are several security cameras on it. I had been enjoying my new commute down the Westside highway path.

This neighborhood has cops and security guards everywhere. There is always a cop car directly across the street from the racks where my bike was locked. I am not interested in blaming anyone but the thief (and me). Two weeks earlier, someone from my building had approached me to ask for my email for a petition to get the building to provide an indoor rack because there had been so many thefts of bike parts from that outdoor rack. The bottom line is I finally do not believe it is safe to keep a bike on the street. I will be lobbying my building to provide an indoor rack.

Anyone have non-stolen parts they want to sell? My LBS, Metro Bicycles at W 96th, suggested ebay and they would put them on at no charge. David at the shop recommended this since even basic STI shifters cost so much. On an aside, David and the W 96th shop have always been great to me. Even before I bought my new commuter bike from them, they would not charge me for little adjustments. I purposely bought my commuter bike there because of their good service.

I need:

- 9 speed STI shifters
- seat post (27.2mm)
- drop handlebars
- stem (1’’ diameter)

I have been looking at ebay but would love to get back riding as soon as possible.

--Tim
ter208at yahoo