That's it. I can't afford to purchase another bike so I'm done. Managed to get through a U-lock AND a cable lock. I'm just sick. It wasn't even a really nice bike but I had built into a single speed and left the frame all beat up to keep this from happening. I freekin' give up. :mad:

http://site.closeoutautoparts.com/pics/giant1.jpg

If I can't even keep a piece of sh*t like this, why bother.

Bob, I am very sorry to hear this. Hopefully you will be able to join our ranks again.

Bummer to hear about the bike. Was it stolen at work?

i'm interested in how it was stolen. What kind of ulock, and how did they get through it?

Sorry to hear that some miserable, low-life, waste of oxygen stole your bike. I understand when you say that you can't afford to keep replacing bikes. Is this the first bike you've had stolen? You're pissed-off right now (and rightfully so) but I bet after you drive or use public transportation for a few weeks you'll be dying to start commuting by bike again. Hang in there!

Seriously... don't bother buying a brand spanking new one (regardless of what you can afford). Get a $10 bike from a garage sale, clean it up a bit, and then get a beefier lock. Maybe even a laptop lock (can get them with cables up to 4 ft long). If they get screwed with, they send off a 110 decibel alarm. I'm tempted to pick one up because the bike I ride has a lot of sentimental value.

Sorry about your bike. Did you report the theft to the police? Some people I know have had their stolen bikes recovered.

Was the bike stolen from your office? I know that it feels like someone has taken your soul. You have my sympathy. Can you claim off your household insurance?

InfamousG can you tell me more about the locks with the alarm? However in my experience with car alarms, people are more concerned with stopping the noise than stopping the thief.

my condolences.

Am I the only one who insures stuff that is important to me?
A 'Personal Articles Policy' tacked on to your homeowners will fully cover your bike from anything (even if you drop it off a roof), no deductible, around 20 bucks a year.
I just recently insured over $4k of photo equipment for $60/year. Doesn't matter if it gets stolen, dropped, rained on, whatever. Full replacement, no deductible.
You can't beat peace of mind like that.

I should look into that for my computer. Powermac G5, very pricey to replace...

And maybe the bike, too.

There are a few types of these. There are motion detection ones (i.e. You're at a coffee shop, you engage the lock, get up to get a refill, Joe Jerkwad walks over and grabs the laptop. The alarm (run off a 9V battery) starts screaming bloody murder and making it quite obvious that there is a laptop in the hands of Mr. Jerkwad that shouldn't be there.

There are also cable lock alarms where a current is run through a wire the cable. If someone takes strong enough bolt cutters to pierce the cable (and thus the wire) the alarm begins to sound off.

Keep in mind, 110 dB is about the same as hearing a chainsaw running from 1 meter away.

I don't have a link to a specific product on hand, but there are many out there. If you double loop the cable around the bike, they'll have to cut it in two places before the bike is freed. Thereby between cutting #1 and #2 they have a 110 dB alarm going off by their head and anyone walking by looking at them.

That's fine for a crowded coffee shop, but what about a deserted bike rack?

If a tree falls in a forest and no-one is listening...

Thanks for the info. I dont understand how a double loop would require 2 cuts, or is there some arrangement that allows each loop to be secured separately.

Now that I think of it.. I guess it would require only 1, but with some fancy knot shapes, you can make them fumble around for quite a bit.

Here's one product:
http://www.cy-curity.com/ordernow.htm

(DISCLAIMER: I CAN NOT ATTEST TO THE QUALITY OF THIS PRODUCT, I HAVE NEVER USED IT )

Maybe I'm just too much of a cynic, but getting a bike recovered by the police wasn't even on my radar as far as advice for this guy.

I've had my bike stolen, and it seriously is like somebody took a little bit of your soul, as another poster put it. I wish I had some sage words of wisdom, but really what are you going to do? He put two freaking locks on his bike, and it still got lifted. The only other option, besides giving up, would be to find a better place to put the bike. This may not even be an option for him.

I don't know about that 110 Db alarm idea . . . i figured it would just get smashed or covered up somehow.

Thanks SpderMike...

Sort of. Commuted over to a friends for some help on a project, came out and no bike. Took me a minute to figure out it was stolen.

I called the Police dept. in Eugene Oregon today to file a report. They said that they are back logged and that they would call me. They are going in order of calls... :rolleyes: That was about 6 hours ago- no call. They really aren't interested in something small like this. EPD would rather be hassling hippies over 30 bucks worth of weed. I’ll probably go in if I don’t here from them by end of day.

I'd love to know that myself. There is nothing on the ground. They took the bike, and locks; everything. It had a u-lock around the frame and bike rack that is set in concrete and then another kryptonite cable lock around the frame, front wheel and bike rack.

Yea, I was skeptical before, but having seen that ad I can say those things are probably worthless. First thing that jumped out at me: the quote on the main page. "With a 110Db motion sensitive alarm for bikes . . . one things for sure -- it's really loud!" WTF? of course it's loud, it's 110 freaking Dbs! That's like saying, "That speedcar sure does go fast!" Besides, it only sounds for 15 seconds before shutting down. If anything, I'd bet this thing would attrack theft/vandalism before it would deter it.

I don't think there's any more a person can do to reasonably keep their bike safe. They are small enough to haul off in cars or trucks, so the only real safety feature you have is the area you put it in, and the strength of the lock you use (asuming you lock it to something that won't budge). Lock your wheel to the frame, and add a 110Db alarm if it makes you feel better, but it'll all be for naught if a theif simply comes by, cracks your U-lock and tosses it into the back of their van. They can work on those other locks at thier leisure, once they have the bike in their possession.

Sorry about your loss, that really sucks.

When I go to visit friends, I insist on taking my bike inside, even if it's on the second floor or third floor. I also have insurance coverage on my bikes.

I have heard of people recovering their stolen bikes, so don't lose hope. Keep an eye out for it, post some fliers, tell everyone you know. Good luck.

Thanks for all the kind words and sympathy I need it. It's been a hell of a month already and this was the icing on the cake. Eugene is the total college town so $10 bikes don't exist here. Every bike in working order goes for 75-200.00 minimum. I saw a person buying an old schwinn varsity for $125.00. I'll figure something out. Any Idea's?

Check this out: http://eugene.craigslist.org/bik/87691744.html

That is awful, since living in Portland I've had three bikes stolen. Now, I never take my bike unless I can bring it inside with me.