mikeb

Hi--

I'm moving to new york for graduate school (nyu tisch) and want to ride to school from brooklyn. Has anyone gone there and had any experiences with locking up bikes near tisch? I was told that two locks are standard in new york (even for a st. etienne beater?) and that there is an enclosed bike lot, 3 blocks from my school which requires a nyu id swipe but i don't know if it's worth it because it isn't covered. i'd love to find a covered space (maybe a friendly parking garage) to keep my ride out of the elements.

thanks for your help
-mike

operator

If a bike is even remotely valuable to you, don't lock it up anywhere.

brokenrobot

Follow Sheldon Brown's bike-locking advice... and use the heaviest locks you can buy, from a good brand like Krypto or Onguard. Don't use the "heavy" hardware-store chain - it's big, but without case-hardening, it's still vulnerable to cutters.

As for the bike lot issue: I guess I don't know. My initial reaction was "go for it" - any lot is better than none - but I immediately wondered whether you'd just be providing cover for bike thieves who happen to be NYU students to go to work on your bike in a place where nobody will question them...

monsterkidz

College campuses are big targets for bike theft as it is, don't forget to add in the fact that your school is in the heart of NYC! My advice is get a good mini u-lock and a heavy Kryptonite Chain, some locking skewers couldn't hurt either. I lock my bike up everyday in mid-town near my job and haven't had any real issues, but I do check in it frequently throughout the day and never park it in the same place multiple days in a row. Good Luck have fun, oh yeah welcome to New York.

Dahon.Steve

I would try to hide the bike by finding a parking lot where loads of cars are parked during the day. Those industrial Kryptonite locks can be defeated so this bike better not be something new.

mikeb

Thanks, i'm excited to move to New York. Right now i'm locking up my ride in Boston with a standard krypto u lock (bic pickable) and haven't had any trouble. I leave it all over the place at all hours but I know boston isn't New York. There's absolutely nothing fancy about my ride but it flies and i'd be very sad to loose it.

I am also in agreement about the nyu lot. I'm sure it's unsupervised and who knows how easy it is to get an nyu swipe card. I don't gain anything by leaving my ride at a chop shop that's three blocks away. At least when it's in front of the building I can watch my ride. I more wanted a cover from the elements, but that doesn't sound like it's going to happen.

On to the locks. I really would rather not get a chain. With all the crap I bike around with, it's just too much weight, and I don't love wrapping it around me either. If I get whacked I don't want to end up breaking a rib or something. I was thinking of getting two pitbull mini locks from on guard. One to lock it up sheldon brown style and one for the front wheel to the frame (though i could probably use a cable lock for that, a thick cable since if someone is going to steal the bike they can take their time unlocking the second lock at their hideout). I figured the minis are easier to carry and don't give a thief as much room to work. is this a really, really bad idea? does a one u-lock bike scream 'steal me' in ny? I saw plenty of rides locked up like that out there.

thanks

brokenrobot

Nah, you should be fine. I myself use either one or two mini U-locks plus a front-wheel cable, depending on where I'm locking and for how long... and aside from the nuisance stuff (people slashing tires, cutting cables, whatever) I haven't had any trouble - and there's nothing you can do to prevent the occasional goofball kid from messing with your bike.

alanbikehouston

You need to educate the editors at Cycling Plus about how YOU think you can break a New York 3000. Because they tried to break open the 2005 Kryptonite New York 3000 U-lock with manual tools. They made zero progress. Then they went to noisy power tools. Even with power tools, the New York 3000 lasted more than ten minutes.

So, if someone has a New York 3000 attaching the rear wheel to a pole, and a OnGuard Mini U-lock attaching the front wheel to the frame, the crook needs to have power tools, ear plugs, and lots of time on his hands. My guess is: he will go to the next bike on the rack...the one with the "impressive" looking cable lock that takes ten seconds to cut.

And, while the Kryptonite Fahgettaboudit chain might be the strongest chain lock made for bikes, it is not necessary for a cyclist to carry eight pounds of chain. The four pound New York 3000 U-lock outperformed the Fahgettboudit in the Cycling Plus tests. So, why carry twice the weight, and get less protection?

On the bikes I park downtown, I also replace all quick releases with bolts. Use an "beat-up", but comfortable saddle. The uglier the bike the better. Mismatched rims. Mismatched tires. A good "beater" bike can ride like a $2,000 bike, yet look like it is worth $5. Send the crook looking for a shiny, brand-new Wal-Mart bike.

nycm'er

Hey how far are you riding to get to TSOA? (What are you studying?-'96 grad) I have seen the bike lot, it is several blocks away, past the library, I do think it would be safer than the street, but the distance my not be worth it. There are lock up racks on the north side of the building, I have heard of them being a shopping area for bike theives. I second what MonsterK said about not locking in the same place. Watch what you lock to, sign posts with no signs on top, or construction sheds that the poles can be unscrewed to get around your locks. I would put bolt skewers on and chain down your seat. Make the thief take time. The NYU "Campus" being in the Village, next to Washington Sq Park, is home to so many scam artists, but look at how many delivery bikes there are to steal, that seems to be the resale market to me.

James H Haury

Get a folder take it with You, whenever possible .20 inch wheels are best in my opinion. Also get good locks and chains.Another advantage to a decent folder is you can take on it the train or up to your quarters more easily than a full size bicycle.It will help you explore NYC, which is a great place to visit in my humble opinion.A 20 inch yeah( That was a brand name) is a cheap durable folder but heavy. Look for it listed with dahons on e Bay.How do I know ? I not only recommend Yeah's, I own two.

mikeb

I don't know just yet. I'm planning on living somewhere in Brooklyn because it's cheaper and it's where all my friends are. Near Park Slope would be good but I won't know until mid July when I actually try to nail down a place. If you know of anyone who is giving up a one bedroom let me know :)

I'm studying at the Interactive Telecommunication Program.

As for the ride, I appreciate the advice. It sounds like I shouldn't ride any bike I can't have stolen. I'll also stay away from the racks and move my ride around.

Cadd

I know someone who is renting out an apartment in Brooklyn. I don't recall how many rooms. I'll ask for you. The ride from Bklyn to Manhattan is nice. However, if you value your bike, don't lock it up. If you bike isn't stolen, it'll eventually be damaged because a bunch of punks walking down the street may decide to kick it and try to see if they can bend the frame.