Stealing bikes

[Usern Ame]

Oh, and I’m wondering because I don’t want my bike stolen, not because I’m trying to figure out how to steal someone else’s bike:)

[Jsnyd]

I heard U locks are the best. I don’t have a lock myself but I would imagine that they are. They are a little wide for bolt cutters so it would be difficult for someone to break it. Just make sure you lock the frame. I overheard a lady in a bike shop looking for a new bike after she got her bike stolen. She said it was locked and couldn’t understand how the lock and front tire were still attached to the bike rack but the rest of the bike was gone. Then she was filled in on a little secret with front tires

[CCrew]

Any lock can be beaten. For the most part it’s about making them obvious or slowing them down. U-Locks are the best.

But even the best of u-locks lasts 15 seconds to a thief with a battery powered cutoff grinder.

-R

[eminva]

Yes, sadly I know from experience that a U-lock is not impervious to a determined thief. After my unfortunate incident, I was told that one should get the smallest u-lock that will fit around the frame and whatever you are locking it to so there is very little room to slip any cutting implement in.

My backup advice is to just be careful where you park your bike and for how long you leave it unattended (even with a lock).

Liz

[KLizotte]

Last week three bikes were stolen from the racks located at the entrance to the Federal Aviation Administration’s HQ on Independence Ave (where I work) during the night. I don’t know what time but I doubt it was that late since it is rare to see that many left overnight. Supposedly all three had cable locks which is stinky since I prefer cable locks over U-locks.

What’s amazing is how brazen the thieves were. The racks are at the employees only entrance, just a few feet away from the doors where there is 24/7 security personnel and cameras. I figure it must have been a roaming gang that snipped and rode away.

*sigh* I was an exchange student at Oxford Univ (UK) over a decade ago and everyone left their bikes unlocked all over town without a second thought. Granted they were all beater bikes but still….

[Dirt]

http://www.consumersearch.com/bicycle-locks

I have an On-Guard Beast U-Lock that was rated pretty well a year or two ago. They also make one that has a mini u-lock and a hardened steel chain.

The really good locks make it so a very good thief must work for 3-5 minutes to open them. The idea being that they’ll look at that, then choose to move on to a bike with a less formidable lock. A great bike thief can probably open anything. A lesser lock makes their job easier.

When running away from a bear, you don’t have to be faster than the bear…. just faster than one other person in your group…. two people if the bear is really hungry.

[Usern Ame]

It seems to me one of those heavy duty chains that cost $60-$100 is the best bet.
Alot of the reviews on Amazon seem to imply the bike can’t be stolen with those chains, not sure if thats iright.
Also, wont bike thieves go after a better bike even if it means a couple more minutes. My bike isnt top of the line but its not a schwinn either.

[Joe Chapline]

@Usern Ame 5719 wrote:

It seems to me one of those heavy duty chains that cost $60-$100 is the best bet.
Alot of the reviews on Amazon seem to imply the bike can’t be stolen with those chains, not sure if thats iright.
Also, wont bike thieves go after a better bike even if it means a couple more minutes. My bike isnt top of the line but its not a schwinn either.

I have one of Kryptonite’s chain locks, and I think they do rate it the most difficult of their locks to defeat. (I tried to confirm, but their site, kryptonitelock.com, is not iPad-friendly.) However, the lock weighs 9 pounds, I think, and it’s not as easy to carry as a U lock. It might be a good choice if you can leave the lock attached to the rack rather than carry it around with you.

[americancyclo]

Definitely stay away from the cable locks. I worked at a bike shop for a bit, and some kids had a lock that was jammed. http://bit.ly/qwBtje after confirming they were who they said they were, we cut the cable lock in the link after 3 snips of a pair of pliers. I’d definitely go u-lock, and whatever else you can do to deter thieves. Like Dirt and CCrew say, it’s all about buying more time than the thief is willing to invest.

[DaveK]

I have an Onguard Bulldog mini and a cable for my wheels and seatpost. This is only for the commuter though, I just don’t lock up my road bike outside. Period. And it’s not even worth much… Even the commuter I wouldn’t leave in areas that look shady. If I lock up outside the Argonaut, for example, you’d better believe I’m walking it home even if I can’t ride it home. I know it wouldn’t be there in the morning, u-lock or not.

Bottom line is if someone really wants your bike they’ll probably get it. My friend had her bike stolen last night off a second floor balcony that wasn’t visible to the ground. I don’t even know how they knew it was there.

[StopMeansStop]

Everything you need to know about locking your bike.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html

[PotomacCyclist]

In addition to a solid U-lock, you could use an older bike for trips where you need to lock up the bike outside. If there are nicer bikes nearby, a thief will go for those bikes instead of a shabby-looking one. Some people will take the seat post with them after locking up the bike. While this won’t prevent the lock from being broken, it might provide some disincentive for the thief to choose your bike.

With Capital Bikeshare around, I try to limit how often I have to use locks. For training rides, I never leave my bike alone. For short errands and some commutes, I use the CaBi bikes.

I would never leave a bike on a porch or balcony. If it’s a nice bike, a thief may take notice and wait for a good opportunity to steal it.

[SteveTheTech]

@DaveK 5724 wrote:

My friend had her bike stolen last night off a second floor balcony that wasn’t visible to the ground. I don’t even know how they knew it was there.

Now that is a determined neighbor/thief. That really sucks.

I store my road bike inside at home and at work (I keep a work stand on top of my toolbox), but I too am in the market for a suitable lock for the occasion that it may be needed.
I’ve got my clunker locked in my garage with a Kryptonite 3′ cable with a combination. It has held up very well over the last three years. It weights a ton though and cannot be convinced easily, but it’s solid.

Check your home owners insurance policy sometimes the policy covers certain things like a bicycle.

[Usern Ame]

@DaveK 5724 wrote:

Bottom line is if someone really wants your bike they’ll probably get it. My friend had her bike stolen last night off a second floor balcony that wasn’t visible to the ground. I don’t even know how they knew it was there.

Inside job…

[baiskeli]

I had a bike stolen with a cable lock on it on the one day I forgot to bring my U-lock.

The old circular key U-locks are easily defeated too – throw those out and get a new one.

[Author]

Posts