Wednesday June 20, 2007
Case of the stolen bike
So, this* is a bike I’ve had for probably maybe about 10 years, and for most of that time it sat unused at my parents’ place. A while ago I brought it down, but I didn’t really start riding it until a couple of weeks ago, and you know what? It was fun. Cycling isn’t nearly as good exercise as running, but two hours on a bike is better then twenty minutes jogging, and you get to see a lot more. I’d even planned a bus+bike route to work. But getting the damned thing in and out of my closet was a pain in the ass, and leaving it in the middle of my living room was getting annoying, so, enter the above lock.
Long story short, the bike lasted two days on the bike rack in front of my building, and was gone. So, yes, I recognize that it’s a shitty lock, and probably pretty easy to crack. But my question is this: who stole my bike? Was it someone who just happened to see it (someone from the immediate neighborhood maybe) who recognized that the lock was easy to pick, and did it sort of for the heck of it, or was it more of a “professional,” who would have been able to get through any lock (bolt cutters?) and has some sort of buyer of stolen bikes lined up?
In the end, this is just a good excuse to buy a better bike. But I need to know if I can keep it outside (with, say, a Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit), or if it’s going to have to live in my apartment with me.
Marginally related: Abandoned bicycles of New York.
* This is the closest picture I could find. My bike actually had a 5-speed shifter and straight handlebars.
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A U-Lock is your best bet, they are hard to cut through and as long as you lock both the frame and front wheel to something, you should be fine.
If you are looking for a good used bike. I HIGHLY recommend Jay the Bike King (New Times 2007 Best Of)
A bike you get from him is practically brand new. He may not have what you are looking for the first time around, but he is constantly getting new bikes in.
He works out of his house near Bird and the Turnpike (usually weekends).
... modern U-locks though, the one’s that don’t have locks that can be picked with a bic pen. The Fugheddaboutit is a good choice.
Honestly though: Miami weather is murder on a bike. Constant rain means constantly having to spray everything down with GT80 or some other water repelling lubricant. You’d really be better off finding a sheltered/indoor place to stow it.
If you want a mountain bike, contact Ben – he’s a bottomless well of knowledge on the topic (and could probably get you a decent deal).