syncro87

Get a used beater steel no suspension mountain bike. An old Trek or Specialized Hardrock from the late 1990s, off Craigslist for $100-150. Then get a Burley Nomad trailer. A brutally fat chain and lock, throw it in the Nomad. There is your run to the store utility bike.

Ride your sweet $7500 bike when you are only riding, and not going to the store.

If I had a $7k bike, I'd be afraid to park it in my garage, let alone at Whole Wallet. I'd probably be half afraid to ride it for fear I might drip sweat on it or something. Really. I'd never leave it out of my sight for 10 seconds. I'd probably sleep with it.

I'd way rather haul any significant cargo my trailer than on the bike. In the trailer the weight is practically at the level of your rear axle. Super low COG. Bike handling hardly affected at all.

Drinkycrow

I've had $75.00 bikes stolen from me. The advice of the other posters here is good. Buy a errand beater.

daihard 

Someone has already mentioned this, but the OP isn't necessarily looking for a bike to run errands on. The OP specifically mentioned stopping by a coffee shop, as well as picking up small items at a grocery store (which may be more spontaneous than planned errands). He may intend to do those quick things while doing recreational/fast rides on his nice bike. Buying a beater bike wouldn't answer his question.

wle

if the store is small they may object
i usually take it into stores that have a big shopping cart storage area up front
usually there is room

a coffee shop - what if someone knocked it over?
it could be a $400 fix

another thought - forgiveness beats permission
i never ask
i just do it

but your bike is too $$$ to be riding 3 miles to the grocery store
sorry


wle

Dave Horne

a coffee shop - what if someone knocked it over?
it could be a $400 fix

I've accidentally knocked over my bike and I cannot imagine how it would be possible to incur any damage approaching that amount.

wle

so you would just leave it leaning on a chair, in a 400 sq foot coffee shop?

expensive damage possible to:
frame [carbon fiber - scratches weaken it]
finish [nah - who cares about finish on a $7500 bike]
rear derailleur bent
derailleur hanger - bent
shifters
bent low count spokes


yeah on 2nd thought you are right
just leave it where anyone can knock it over
not worth leaving at home or outside locked


wle

RPK79

I don't even leave my car outside the coffee shop.



Don't know why that image isn't loading up right...

Here is a different one.

wle

actually i don't even GO to a ''coffee shop''

and all i have is a 45,000 mile bike i paid $375 for, 13 years ago..

wle

John Redcorn

Nice. Going to steal this like it was the OP's bike.

Dave Horne

If I were you I'd store the bike at home in an climate controlled room and never let it see the light of day.

My bike (€4300+) came with a kickstand. This is the most expensive bike I've bought to date but it's just a bike. It gets me from A to B and does so with considerably less effort than my previous bike. The only bikes over here that don't come with a bike stand require the rider to wear spandex.

Actually my Brompton doesn't have a kick stand but then again, it doesn't need one.

dynaryder

Carbon bars + high-end brifter(DA,Red) + hitting the ground at just the right angle = $400+ easy.

Dang

Grocery store manager here. I speak with authority! Department store bikes are cheap. Keep em outside of my store. nobody would steal one even if you fail to lock them.
ha ha ha just kidding....
Yes! By all means bring your bike in. Keep it with you, don't lean it up blocking access to the redbox or lotto because were not gonna keep an eye on it for you and if I come across a bike doing just that you'll hear me announce "attention shoppers! To the owner of the shiny blue bike you'll find it outside in the bike racks just to the left side of the west enternce."
bmx bikes parked inside with the front wheel pointing to the entrance usually means some kids gonna run and jump on it with some stolen Monster energy drinks so we move them into a free check stand. Love those expressions!
If its late I'll offer to watch it for you while you shop but only to admire it (if it's a nice classic or vintage model).

Solid_Spoke

I will bring my road bike into the store or coffee shop ONLY during times of slow business. I don't enjoy riding "beater bikes" for errands because it isn't fun, enjoyable, or plush enough of a ride. I have never had a problem bringing my bike during the off hours into any shop.

daihard 

My bike in my hand surgeon's office...

Dave Horne

Wow, 115 posts in this thread.

Let's see if we can make this 200.

daihard 

Does that mean 85 more new locations and pictures from me?

sknhgy 

If they let you bring your bike in then they have to let the homeless dude bring his in too.

Dang

I'm gonna build a grocery store and provide utilitie bikes instead of carts.
Two wheeled bikes and shopping carts will not be welcomed. Sorry.

jbenkert111

In another post I listed a number of reasons to be a runner instead of a bicyclist. I would like to add this thread as another major reason. :-)

daihard 

Except that they probably have a sign somewhere in the store that says they can refuse service to anyone.

NoviceJohn

My first impression of you is some snotty rich person who thinks you own the place and you're entitled to do something just because your 7k bike is a lot "cleaner" than their shopping carts. Not to mention you insult your fellow shoppers by calling them names. Quite frankly, continue riding your bike to Whole Foods so you can continue to show off your bike and eventually get stolen. IMO, I think you already knew the answer to your question before coming here.

daihard 

I find your perception of someone being rich to be interesting. I have a $20,000 car. Do you consider me rich?

Ron Harry

--------
Ha, had this same problem as OP; coffee shops, the Y, even convenience stores just to get a Gatorade [I must look nutty, dashing in and out, checking the bike, dare not leaving it more than a few seconds...even when I've locked it].

thought I'd be smart...'I'll just get a beater for around town". "Hmm...maybe if I get a steel bike; no one wants a steel bike. They'll steal the carbon fibers sure, but not steel".

"Hmm.." I thought some more, "still want a performance ride, so maybe I'll just get a nice steel bike. hey, Bianchi I've heard still makes nice steel." So, went to LBS, and ordered a nice 'Vigorelli'...ha. When it arrived, All that celeste shines brighter than any carbon fiber I have [or seen]; so I defeated my purpose...and the Bianchi stands out, calling out to thieves like the Sirens calling to Odysseus. Thing of it is, it surely is not a 'beater'...but perhaps my nicest ride now.

Ah well. I don't think there is an answer to this problem. Anyone see the videos by the New York 'expert' who grades bicycle lockdowns? Bicycle tanks would not be that much fun I think.

I do take my bike inside my motel rooms though. I've never had anyone complain on that at least.


Anyway, the beater was a good idea. But we still want the nice ride.

905

Ask if you can leave it in the window. Tell the manager it will help attract the right crowd.

Solid_Spoke

Just bring your expensive bicycle inside. I do, and just carry the bike through the aisles. This works perfectly if I just need a quick something to eat post ride. Don't bring your bike inside and keep it up front somewhere, out of sight, as you go searching through the store for stuff to buy. That would be dumb.