So my commuting to work changed back to the train this morning after someone took a real shine to my bike yesterday and decided they would take ownership. Stolen from in front of my office building in downtown Chicago, broad daylight under the eye of a CCTV camera, bold as brass.





The above is what remains of my bike, the lock.

I have reported it to the Police, my Office Building and the insurance company, and now I get to buy my bike all over gain. I will stick with the same bike, maybe upgrade the lock and certainly look at the security aspects of where I park my bike.





I have a video of the theft, well I have seen it and should have a copy by the end of the week. Its amazing to see how easy it seemed to be, and judging from the tool marks this guy used a portable cutting tool, like a diamond cutter and was away in very little time.

I will not be put off riding to work, but I may be in the market for a $100 bike for the purpose, rather than leaving my preferred ride unattended all day.

Any comments, advice, sharing etc welcomed. For the record if anyone is offered a 2007 Fisher Cronus, 19" Frame with the Serial# WTU203S0034A I'd be keen to hear about it, not that I am all that hopeful.

Thanks for reading,

Jon

Sorry to hear that. I hope they catch the guy and you get your bike back.

I suggest you check craigslist.org and ebay for the next few weeks to see if it shows up.

Makes me happy that I can keep my bike inside at my desk.

Thanks. I will asking the building on their policy regarding bikes inside, as to me that's the only way to properly secure it.

I don't hold out much hope of getting it back though, and have very much settled into the prospect of just replacing it, it makes me mad as hell, but that gets me nowhere fast.

- Jon

I think at this point I would pick up a used bike and make it fugly with stickers\duct tape\spray paint.
No need to go through this twice. Still replace the bike but keep it at home.

I think that's path I'm looking at right now. Maybe a good time to secure a cheap single speed or something.

Jon

Or, time for a folder?

There are many theft prevention threads.

A folder would be an excellent idea. If my company ever moves to a location I can not take my bikes in a folder is one of the options I would consider.

And they're all pointless as soon as someone shows up with power tools.

Bike thieves suck. Good luck w/ the insurance co. Are you sending the U-lock back to Kryptonite and filing a claim against their warranty?

Dang. Sorry to hear about that that royally sucks.
I always understood with the right tools it's gone but it is still kinda irksome to see the same lock I have doubled on my bike cut through like it was nothing.

Well, one of the lessons to be learned from theft prevention threads is to vary your routine. If you lock up your good bike in the same place, at the same time, day in and day out, a thief will be able to figure out your routine, what lock you're using, and how to defeat it. A good lock and proper locking technique are essential, but beyond that, you have to vary your routine, or your lock can be defeated.

Wow. So here's a real-life example of a cut NY Kryptonite lock.

Sorry about your loss... Bike thieves should burn in hell.

Then again he could have been hit my a bike thief that was just wondering around looking for something to steal.

Yes, it's theoretically possible, and sometimes it happens in real life. Nevertheless, MOST bike thefts happen because somebody left their bike unlocked for "just a minute." The next most common factor in
bike thefts is a cheap cable lock was cut. The third most common factor is improper locking technique (in fact, never varying your routine could also be counted as "improper locking technique.").

Occasionally, somebody comes along with the right tool for breaking the best lock. But it RARELY happens. Thanks for this graphic reminder that it can and does happen.


Yes, sorry for your loss, and thanks for sharing this. Bike thieves...

True. There's no such thing as 100% security. But you can reduce the likelihood of theft down to almost zero by paying attention to the things you can control.

Thanks for all the feedback. I think in this instance someone wanted the bike and they really didn't think twice. I hope I can post the video to show you just how effectively the lock was defeated, and I'm sure you can see from the tool marks it was something 'professional' that was used:



The next steps are a cheap bike for the commute, replace the Cronus and chalk this one down to bad luck and (in)experience.

I'll post the video if I can.

Jon

(edited to change easy to effectively and a few other grammatical quirks)

I'd avoid locking an expensive bike at that same location. Crooks tend to be both lazy and creatures of habit. If you lock an expensive bike in the same spot, the same guy is likely to try to take it.

I sometimes have to lock up in downtown Houston at night. My favorite bike for that was a 1983 Trek with Reynolds 531 frame and fork. It had been spray canned an ugly shade of green. It had dents, scratches and surface rust. The wheels looked old and generic (they were actually race-quality, circa 1983). So, it was a bike that rode like a $2,000 bike, but it looked like a $20 bike. If I locked up to a shiny new Wal-Mart bike, any crook would have taken the Wal-Mart bike first.

Check into the possibility of bring your bike inside. A friend of mine is insistent on bringing his bike inside whenever he can. So far, he has convinced the owner of his favorite coffee shop, the neighborhood cafeteria, and his employer. Recently, he talked the guards at a museum into letting him lock his bike up in the inside coat room.

But, lock at the exact spot your bike was stolen? Don't do it.

Hey! Now's your chance to see if Kryptonite stands by that guarantee they advertise so proudly.

My bike is being ridden by a freaking 14-16 yr old and a bunch of other motley looking SOB's. Started hearing of it last Thursday. Bike was stolen a block from my house - they are riding it a block from my house. Bunch of real winners here. Cops haven't got it yet - I've been perusing the neighborhood at night. Bike is gone, but now it's the freaking principle.

what kind of lock was that?

dude that's rough, sorry to hear of the loss, looks like you had it set up quite nicely.
I'd look into the Kryptonite guarantee also!!

Gurl With an Attitude, normally I wouldn't suggest self-recovery like this, but you need several large and scary-looking friends with attitudes to surround the little scumbag and convince him to surrender your bike peaceably, before the cops show up. Just don't do anything that would result in criminal charges against you and your friends.

Thieves should be dragged behind a slow train.

The Kryptonite guarantee is contingent upon several factors:

1) You have to register your lock and bike with Kryptonite within the two week period after purchasing your lock.

2) You have to follow Kryptonite's instructions for reporting the theft (one good thing, you have the lock, which Kryptonite requires you to return.).

3) The guarantee is only good for one year, unless you purchase the two or three year guarantee when you first register your bike and lock.

4) If your bike is covered by homeowners or renters insurance, and you've met the Kryptonite requirements for activating the guarantee, they will pay your insurance deductible, and your insurance company will pay the balance.

No it doesn't.