I've got a great new job, a bit closer to home, and have a viable public transit option for getting there.

The rub? Some graveyard shifts.

The problem? Leaving a bike locked up at the Hayward BART station OVERNIGHT, on a regular basis. To the best of my knowledge, there are not bike lockers available.

I've got the nice Van Dessel pictured below, which I built as a "theft resistant" commuter, but I haven't really put that to the test.

Plan A is to build a singlespeed / coaster brake rear wheel to replace the Nexus that's on there now, substitute some cheap plastic pedals, and swap the handlebar and stem for a clunky old flat bar. Additionally, I've seen the idea of super-gluing ball bearings into the bolt heads.

Plan B is to pick up a worn-out, POS bike from a used bike shop, and treat it to a can of Rust colored spray paint.

I think I know the right answer, but figured I'll ask anyway: Is Plan A workable? Or am I just asking for disappointment, no matter how securely I lock it?

I'd go with plan B. But how about bringing a folding bike with you on bart?

Buy a good lock. With insurance. That'll protect the bulk of your investment. Kryptonite Mini's work well. The NYC series is darn near indestructable. For the other bits, there are locking skewers, or just run a narrow but long cable lock through them (also preferably with some insurance)....
G'luck,
Ari

Well if you just buy a lock you can at least still have your frame and wheels

I would go with plan B or with bokes' idea of the folding bikes.

I thought you could take a bike on BART.

Bike on BART... most certainly.

But from BART I've got a shuttle connection which doesn't allow bikes, covering a route I don't necessarily want to ride TO work at 10PM (Coliseum BART to the Oakland Airport).

However, I'm liking the idea of the folder... The 12 mile ride home in the morning would be refreshing.

Many years ago I was in school in Berkeley and I had to commute from downtown San Francisco. I bought an old Raliegh DL-1 3 speed (wish I still had it) which at the time, was the most un-cool bike there was, that I used to get from the Berkeley BART station to campus. It lived on the East Bay for two semesters with no theft attempts, locked only with a U-lock around the top tube.

Alas, I set it free when I left the Bay area, so I don't know its fate.

Sometimes i zip up my Bike Friday in it's nylon carry bag, and nobody knows it's a bike. People treat it as a piece of luggage. That might work for your shuttle connection, but it might be tiresome to zip it up 2x a day.

I vote for option 2 or the folding bike. A good bike lock is not an insurance policy because they only refund you if you can show them the broken lock. When my bike was stolen from Civic Center BART station, they left no trace and I was only left with bitter dissapointment.

Now I ride a $70 80's beater around town, but I'm starting to get a little too attached and would probably have my heart broken again if this one were stolen.

Whatever you do, don't let it stop you from riding

Plan B or folding bike. If you leave that bike locked up outside it's only a matter before it gets stolen or vandalized.

oooooh yeah, okay. I heard that. I don't think you need to have a crappy bike unless theft is so rampant there that a couple of on guard ulocks just wouldn't do.

Where exactly are you? There are lockers at the Castro Valley station. Perhaps you could ride there?

I lived in Hayward for a year and didn't feel comfortable leaving my bike anywhere, especially at the BART station. I noticed lots of people just hanging out looking like they were up to no good. Maybe its just me.

Bikes even get stolen at the Fremont station. Folding bikes, however, are ideal:
Boardwalk S1

Nowadays many can be reasonably priced and are of good quality. The downside is that you have to buy a new bike.

spambait11, you've got that backwards. The UPSIDE is that you have to buy a new bike.

East Hill

Sigh.

I used to think the same way until I realized I only had one a$$ despite what my friends said.

Pfff..why bother with BART that would be an easy ride both to & fro.

Seems to me that Coliseum to Oakland Airport isn't too bad a ride. I know Hegenberger is pretty busy, but with some good lights it should be pretty safe. I would not lock a bike up at Hayward BART for very long. I can't remember if there are bike lockers at that station, but it might be a good idea to get on the waiting list if so, and it seems that the new job is a keeper. See you on the train.

I'd prefer to save my night riding for the trails. Maybe I'll change my tune sometime down the road, but for now, the ride home should be enough.

Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions and the push in the right direction.

After much contemplation, I've decided to just drive my friggin car to work... it's way easier.

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...aaahhhh, just joshin' ya!

I spent a few hours online researching various folders, and have decided on a Swift (the Xootr version).



Oceanworks in Berkeley (on Tenth, near Ashby & San Pablo) had both colors in stock (I picked a silver one). Coincidentally(?), they're the only Swift dealer listed in California, and I am greatful for the opportunity to drop by and pedal one around the block.

Mine is bone stock and and I'm looking forward to my first commute on Wednesday.

I'm also looking forward to a few upgrades in the near future, noteably:
- Fenders
- Bar ends (and perhaps a longer stem)
- A SRAM i-Motion 9 gear hub
- Possibly a front disc conversion (we'll see...)

Also got to figure out what to do about pedals and shoes. Hmmm....

In any case (realizing I'm a mountain bike guy) I'll be sure to pop in here and post some updates in the near future. I'm pretty stoked about this car-free freedom -- BART & bus have been great -- and that's a great way to start a bike commute!

Uh oh. Bye bye Van Dessel.

Hope not. It's still got a nice home in the clutches of my resistance trainer, and will continue to be my preferred pavement pounder for non-commute stuff.

I lock my commuter up at south hayward BART (got a bike locker). I take it homes on some weekends. I'm amazed that hayward BART has no lockers left. When I got my locker at south hayward they had at least 12 left. If south hayward isn't to far out of the way you might think about it. I did south hayward because there is a bike route to where I'm going.

I was $55 for a year for the locker ($35 for the locker and $20 for the deposit on the key).