Brian

Someone stole my son's bike from the school's bike lockup while he was home for his winter break. Do I get him another bike, or pack my AR and hunt down the thieves?

artesc

Find them. Kill them. They are scum and should be exterminated from the gene pool.

Seriously though, in my mind, there is nothing lower than a bike thief. That being said, I doubt you're going to get the bike back. Might as well start looking for a replacement.

Brian

It was a Giant that I got him in 2003, hardly a desirable bike today. Not sure what to replace it with.

ToeCutter66

Depends on why he stole the bike. If he is some lazy crack-head, then yes, take care of him, but with ammo being expensive just use a baseball bat.

If someone stole it to sell and feed his family, then let it go, he needed it more than you do.

Brian

I'm willing to spend 40 cents to not get my hands too dirty. And I don't care if someone stole it to feed his family, he's still a piece of shiite. My son is working very hard, and relying on grants, scholarships, and employment at the school to cover his $100k+ tuition and board. His bike was his only transportation.

TheBikeRollsOn 

Maybe you should find and kill whoever it is that decides tution should have to cost that much instead of the poor "crack head" who was probably just ****ed over by a capitalist society that makes people like you fear poor street criminals instead of the scumbag bankers who steal millions a year.

Brian

Tuition is reasonable considering he's an out of state student in a specialty program.

TheBikeRollsOn 

Are we talking per year? Anyways, I was really just making a point about how easy it is to blame to "crack head" street criminal when really there are a lot bigger more severe problems. While it sucks, its no reason to want to "exterminate" a group of people because they have a terrible addiction that they can't support. Just sayin'. But seriously, **** a bike theif.

ichitz

yea, i can't agree with that. There's so much stuff u can do to feed ur family that doesn't involve another person's misery. Go work at Mc.D's or the gas station or something.

TheBikeRollsOn 

Yep, getting a job is that easy. I have a friend who is an intelligent white guy who has applied to a ton of places in my college town trying to find a job just about anywhere and he didn't get and replies. Now, how easy is it do you think for someone with a bad drug habit to not only break that habit, but find a job. It isn't so ****ing easy as some spoiled ass people who have everything handed to them try to make it out to be.

Brian

No defense for junkies or thieves, sorry.

artesc

No school costs 100,000. I am an out of state student at highly ranked private school (hooray for scholarships!) and it still only costs about 50,000. Just saying. No need to exaggerate now.

Brian

My math must be wrong then. What's $27k for four years?

artesc

Hey now, no need to be snarky. You never specified if it was per year so I assumed you were talking per year. My mistake.

Brian

It's all good. So far, he's managed to cover all but about $700 of his first semester. And he's living car-free. I'm just a bit proud of him.

Retro Grouch 

I've long been an advocate for semi-expendable school bikes.

artesc

Ahh, car free. That's the way to go. I plan to be car free all my life (I've yet to own one).

Kudos to him on his schooling and dedication and undoubtedly hard work.

And back on topic, he should report the the bike stolen at the very least and start looking on craigslist for a new bike (it's winter and people are getting rid of stuff). How much are you looking to spend? Is he into fixed/ss? What type of riding?

Brian

He had it registered with the school, and he reported it. He just needs a bike to get around campus, but not fixed. I'm thinking either an inexpensive BD bike, or maybe a folder. I don't want to spend too much, since it seems like anything shiny will get stolen. His bike was seven years old, had no grips, and his cats had destroyed the seat. Some prize.

ADSR

I know someone who's lower than bike thieves. I've had my Gretsch Brian Setzer Hot Rod stolen. It was in perfect condition in its hardshell case. It was stolen with my friend's 1972 Martin D-28. I would rather have had my bike stolen than either of our guitars out of our practice space. If I ever find out who did it I will slam their hands in a car door over and over.

I say you find out who stole your son's bike, take it back from them, and make sure they never do it again. How you do that is up to you.

ichitz

I'm sorry that the economy in its current state is ****ty and a lot of people are out of jobs. Still that doesn't give anyone the right to profit from other people's miseries. So if u think:

is correct, then I'll assume that when ur own bike gets stolen u'll just shrug it off and say "ah well, someone probably needed it more than i do anyway."

Again, i wasn't implying that finding a job is easy, I'm suggesting to find a way to profit that doesn't involve hurting others. I am lucky to have my job. But it doesn't give u the right to think or let alone say that just because I have a job I'm some spoiled brat who had everything handed to me.

to the OP:
Sorry for ur son's bike. I would agree to look into a cheap BD bike or a 2nd hand bike in case his bike is never found.

fixienoobster

In no way am I saying that getting stuff stolen is OK. It really sucks. And pisses a person off.

But.....

I'd say just forget about it. Is a bike really worth getting mad over if its an early 00's giant? No man. If it was a Paramount or a fixie that you both had worked on and built then it would be worth taking time trying to track it down.
Come on Guys and Gals, do we really need to go crazy?

No, just get another bike from CL or Ebay. Also, if he's in a larger city search for a used bike store and go pick up a nice, used, rebuilt bike for $100 and call it a day.

Its different if he is like me, where 100 bucks is a lot because of "student status," but it's still all relative. Why don't we take a look at the relative cost. A car needs gas, parking permits, insurance, licenses, titling, and other service costs with a yearly total to over thousands of dollars. So whats 100 bucks? And expense it to over 2 or 3 years or for 20 if its a nicer bike and he keeps. And if he keeps it for 20 years and you spent 100 dollars on it then it only cost you 5 dollars a year! That's almost Free.

just a thought. coming from a 21 yr old. in school and using a bike for transpo as well. living off of a campus job as well.

Brian

Did you see Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels?

So you're going to shrug it off if someone steals your bike?

rumrunn6

I know it stinks but take solace in that you are not alone and that it wasn't personal. Bike theft is common and just about everyone gets a bike or two stolen in their lifetime.

Sounds like that's not a good place to leave a bike for an extended period and that another place should be found for the new bike.

Another strategy would be to use an old beater bike at school.

LoRoK

This world could certainly use more compassion and understanding.

artesc

Personally, I never leave my bikes locked outside for extended periods of time. I will use them to and from class and whatnot, or around the city, but I will always take them into my room with me overnight.

Granted, I am a bit of a bike freak (as, I assume, are most on here).