andrew young

Hey folks,
Well Mpls/St.Paul freaks,
I had my wheels stolen in front of Intermedia Arts between Thursday and Sunday of last week. People that know me and my bike kinda know what they look like. Alex DV15 rims laced to Suzue basics, fixed/free. They are black with yellow Continental Grand Prix tires. Those should really give 'em away 'cause I have'nt seen anyone in the twin cities area with them. Well at least not yet anyway. If you happen to see them please send me a PM. Thanks..........
Drew

highpants

Andrew -

that sucks. i'll keep an eye out; that's not far from my house. i've still got your cell number unless it's changed.

MacG

That really does suck. I too will keep an eye out for them.

Out of educational curiosity, what were the circumstances? Do both hubs have bolt-on axles? How was the bike locked? How long did you leave it there?

andrew young

It was locked to the rack from the top tube, I know, dumb idea, with those Masterlock handcuff thingys.
The wheels were bolt on, so they were definitely there for a few minutes taking 'em off. Very pissed abt. the whole thing, and if I saw someone riding with them on their bike I don't think I'd be very nice to him/her. My bike was locked up last week from Thursday to Sunday afternoon..............
My cell phone isn't working right now, send me a PM if you see anything. Thanks..........
Drew

scoundrl

I had my wheels borrowed last year from uptown. Same bad idea: no quick release = surely nobody would take the time to remove these entry-level wheels. Then I went outside and found a wheel-less bicycle.

For some amazing reason, they left the $40 Cateye headlight, which requires no tools to remove.

Sorry. I feel your pain, and the pain of buying a new wheelset...

kyledr

woops meant to PM this... lol

andrew young

Seems like karma was maybe catching up to me. It was not a high-end set, but it definitely kept me riding in very safe conditions for over a year. Bummer

Hobartlemagne 

Dont forget- in addition to watching for bikes with you wheels, shop around and see if they are trying to be sold

12XU

A good reason to upgrade.

operator

A good reason to lock your wheels.

ChicagoxBoston

+1. I hate to throw salt in your wounds, but leaving it for days without the wheels locked is just asking for something like this to happen. That being said, hopefully you find'em or can get a new set.

Old Breadbutt

I have bolt on wheels and I lock to the top tube, but never where I can't see my bike, never for more than 1/2 an hour in a scketchy area and NEVER overnight. No matter how much you lock your bike up, if you leave it outside in a city overnight, chances are someone is going to **** with it. maybe just bend the **** out of your wheels, maybe the frame. I live in Oakland and it's probably a little more vandal proned than Min/StPaul.

sorry about your wheels though.

summerinside

Sheldon Brown's read on locking strategy is a good one (on how to use one lock to secure your bike and rear wheel...

and it's a quick read

naisme

I know they weren't with your frame Sunday during the day, so it had to happen Saturday night. the sick thing is a block up the street there was a 3Rensho locked to the rack outside Sunnyside, and no wheels. Then I saw your bike and thought you were in the hood, was eyeballin' for you. figgured you pulled them for another ride you were trying out.

hyperRevue

A common complaint of this is that while it is perfectly secure, it looks as if it's not and that might lead to would-be thiefs messing up your **** while trying to steal it.
Personally, I prefer a set up that looks and is secure as ****.
A "don't even think about it" set up.

ChicagoxBoston

^ +1.

dutret

Why would you by and carry around a heavy $40 lock of hardened steel only to lock through a thin peice of aluminum that is easily replaced. Yes they have to cut through your rim to get the bike but thats barely more work then cuting a cheapo chain.

hyperRevue

And thus starts the debate of whether or not it's possible to cut through a tensioned wheel.
Many people say it's not possible.
I'm fairly certain they're wrong.

BodiesOfLight

What's a good "don't even think about it" set up?

I was thinking of getting a u-lock and a plain cable, loop the cable through itself through one end loop and around the front wheel and the other end loop through the u-lock which is locking the frame/rear wheel. If that makes sense. Although I don't want them messing up my rim thinking they can steal it like you said.

When I mean cable I mean this, just a cable and no lock:

dutret

even if it isn't possible(which I doubt) it's easy enough to detension it either by cutting some spokes or tacoing it.

hyperRevue

I mini-bulldog my seattube and rear wheel to a pole and run a cable through the front wheel.

dutret

+ saddle

Tangsooyuk

nyc chain through front wheel and around the down tube twice (so its snug and bike wont move) then u-lock through the crank and rear wheel.

LóFarkas

Nobody says it's not possible. They say it's pretty effing difficult; impossible with a hacksaw unless you detension the spokes. Which amounts to saying that it's not a feasible stealing method. That's more than likely true.

But I don't really care if it's possible to cut up a wheel, wire bead and all. It's enough that it may seem possible for a stupid crook, so I lock my frame as well. The funny bit is that Sheldon could easily have locked his chainstays as well in that pic. And if you can, you'd be a fool not to. Oh ****, what did I just say?


****, I participated in the silly age-old debate #576 - again.

hyperRevue

I recall people saying "impossible."
But it doesn't really matter, since I don't believe it to be true either way.