Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Chucko on November 23, 2011 at 7:01am

I wasn't really saying that thieves specifically target high end bikes, they'll definitely take anything. I think the look more for the appearance of being high end. Though they probably know in general huffy is crap and anything carbon is worth a lot. For the most part, I just wouldn't lock a bike with a $1000 frame outside for very long if at all, and even then I'd use the best protection I could find. Mostly with a better lock, you're buying time for someone to catch the thief. But because any lock can be defeated, I simply wouldn't lock that particular bike up outside for more than a few minutes anywhere near the city.

Kelvin Mulcky said:

You guys are saying that this guy didn't do enough to protect his nice bike, but is there any evidence that thieves target high-end bikes? I just took a quick survey through the first few pages of the Chicago Stolen Bike Registry and I noticed that thieves will basically take any bike. There's more low-mid level stolen bike than any other price range.

 

Edit: Maybe Howard or another CSBR guru could tell me: does the registry track the estimated value of the thefts?

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on November 23, 2011 at 7:07am

The CSBR does not ask for, and does not receive (very much) information regarding the value of stolen bikes. I would guess that your eyeballing of the entries and conclusions are an accurate reflection of the overall bike population; i.e. more low-mid level bikes are stolen because there are more low-mid-level bikes on the road than high priced bikes. 

I agree with Melanie above, and have stated before, if they really want to get your bike, they will. That having been said, there were two or three bikes reported to the CSBR this year which were cross-locked (two u-locks, or a u-lock and a security chain). Those two or three bikes were the first out of over 3400 entries on the CSBR. Me, I use two u-locks on my commuter.

Many bike theft myths have been shattered for me. This year we had multiple Dutch Bike thefts. Cheap bikes get stolen, beach cruisers, carbon, folders... No one is immune, and everyone needs to take reasonable precautions.

Kelvin Mulcky said:

You guys are saying that this guy didn't do enough to protect his nice bike, but is there any evidence that thieves target high-end bikes? I just took a quick survey through the first few pages of the Chicago Stolen Bike Registry and I noticed that thieves will basically take any bike. There's more low-mid level stolen bike than any other price range.

 

Edit: Maybe Howard or another CSBR guru could tell me: does the registry track the estimated value of the thefts?

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on November 23, 2011 at 7:21am

Well, I'm not going to stop commuting on my fancy bike, but I might start double locking it. That's a great statistic to know! (and I've got a guest u-lock that isn't being used)

 

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Permalink Reply by Brendan Kevenides on November 23, 2011 at 7:21am

You may want to check out the Ashland Swap-O-Rama.  Stolen bikes have been recovered there: http://chicago.stolenbike.org/node/192046

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Permalink Reply by ad on November 23, 2011 at 7:32am

Sorry, but I think it's kind of in bad taste to come on here and suggest someone who used a high quality ulock and locked to an appropriately installed city bike rack on a busy street didn't do enough to protect their bike.  Or to suggest that a person shouldn't ride a bike around and lock it because it's too nice.  Nice bikes are only nice if you ride them.  He took reasonable precautions.  It's not like he locked it up with a cheap cable lock.  He did what the vast majority of us do--myself included--when we lock up for a relatively short period. 

 

People can always do more to secure a bike,  including using two ulocks, but this person followed completely appropriate steps to ensure their bike was secure.  I'm sure he would have locked it with 8 ulocks that day if he though a thief would target it.  We live in a big city.  Shit happens.   

 

To Mr. Hardie, I hope you get your bike back and I'll keep an eye out. 

 

Chucko said:

I wasn't really saying that thieves specifically target high end bikes, they'll definitely take anything. I think the look more for the appearance of being high end. Though they probably know in general huffy is crap and anything carbon is worth a lot. For the most part, I just wouldn't lock a bike with a $1000 frame outside for very long if at all, and even then I'd use the best protection I could find. Mostly with a better lock, you're buying time for someone to catch the thief. But because any lock can be defeated, I simply wouldn't lock that particular bike up outside for more than a few minutes anywhere near the city.

Kelvin Mulcky said:

You guys are saying that this guy didn't do enough to protect his nice bike, but is there any evidence that thieves target high-end bikes? I just took a quick survey through the first few pages of the Chicago Stolen Bike Registry and I noticed that thieves will basically take any bike. There's more low-mid level stolen bike than any other price range.

 

Edit: Maybe Howard or another CSBR guru could tell me: does the registry track the estimated value of the thefts?

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on November 23, 2011 at 7:56am

There are less nice bikes on the registry because there are fewer really nice bikes out there and most of them are not ridden with the same regularity as peoples 'beaters.'  I am currently building a 'nice' bike and I doubt I will let it out of my sight for very long whenever I ride it.

 

Kelvin Mulcky said:

You guys are saying that this guy didn't do enough to protect his nice bike, but is there any evidence that thieves target high-end bikes? I just took a quick survey through the first few pages of the Chicago Stolen Bike Registry and I noticed that thieves will basically take any bike. There's more low-mid level stolen bike than any other price range.

 

Edit: Maybe Howard or another CSBR guru could tell me: does the registry track the estimated value of the thefts?

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Laura on November 23, 2011 at 8:57am

Ad, I don't think it is bad taste at all. Its keeping others informed! The more people are educated the better they can keep their bike safe. There is no way I would ever keep my nicest bike outside, not even with 2 u-locks. The more expensive your bike the more you have to put into for locks. Bike thieves are not stupid, they know what a nice bike is.

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ad said:

Sorry, but I think it's kind of in bad taste to come on here and suggest someone who used a high quality ulock and locked to an appropriately installed city bike rack on a busy street didn't do enough to protect their bike.  Or to suggest that a person shouldn't ride a bike around and lock it because it's too nice.  Nice bikes are only nice if you ride them.  He took reasonable precautions.  It's not like he locked it up with a cheap cable lock.  He did what the vast majority of us do--myself included--when we lock up for a relatively short period. 

 

People can always do more to secure a bike,  including using two ulocks, but this person followed completely appropriate steps to ensure their bike was secure.  I'm sure he would have locked it with 8 ulocks that day if he though a thief would target it.  We live in a big city.  Shit happens.   

 

To Mr. Hardie, I hope you get your bike back and I'll keep an eye out. 

 

Chucko said:

I wasn't really saying that thieves specifically target high end bikes, they'll definitely take anything. I think the look more for the appearance of being high end. Though they probably know in general huffy is crap and anything carbon is worth a lot. For the most part, I just wouldn't lock a bike with a $1000 frame outside for very long if at all, and even then I'd use the best protection I could find. Mostly with a better lock, you're buying time for someone to catch the thief. But because any lock can be defeated, I simply wouldn't lock that particular bike up outside for more than a few minutes anywhere near the city.

Kelvin Mulcky said:

You guys are saying that this guy didn't do enough to protect his nice bike, but is there any evidence that thieves target high-end bikes? I just took a quick survey through the first few pages of the Chicago Stolen Bike Registry and I noticed that thieves will basically take any bike. There's more low-mid level stolen bike than any other price range.

 

Edit: Maybe Howard or another CSBR guru could tell me: does the registry track the estimated value of the thefts?

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on November 23, 2011 at 9:50am

Actually six hours outside is a long time to have you bike locked up.  On a very nice, very visible bike one u-lock is not really appropriate; sad but true.

 

No one is 'blaming the victim' because regardless of how the bike is locked nobody should have taken it.  No lock and no number of locks is going to prevent theft unless you watch your bike the entire time it is locked up.  I only carry and use one lock and I recognize I am taking a calculated risk in doing so; it makes my bike an easier target.

 

ad said:

Sorry, but I think it's kind of in bad taste to come on here and suggest someone who used a high quality ulock and locked to an appropriately installed city bike rack on a busy street didn't do enough to protect their bike.  Or to suggest that a person shouldn't ride a bike around and lock it because it's too nice.  Nice bikes are only nice if you ride them.  He took reasonable precautions.  It's not like he locked it up with a cheap cable lock.  He did what the vast majority of us do--myself included--when we lock up for a relatively short period. 

 

People can always do more to secure a bike,  including using two ulocks, but this person followed completely appropriate steps to ensure their bike was secure.  I'm sure he would have locked it with 8 ulocks that day if he though a thief would target it.  We live in a big city.  Shit happens.   

 

To Mr. Hardie, I hope you get your bike back and I'll keep an eye out. 

 

Chucko said:

I wasn't really saying that thieves specifically target high end bikes, they'll definitely take anything. I think the look more for the appearance of being high end. Though they probably know in general huffy is crap and anything carbon is worth a lot. For the most part, I just wouldn't lock a bike with a $1000 frame outside for very long if at all, and even then I'd use the best protection I could find. Mostly with a better lock, you're buying time for someone to catch the thief. But because any lock can be defeated, I simply wouldn't lock that particular bike up outside for more than a few minutes anywhere near the city.

Kelvin Mulcky said:

You guys are saying that this guy didn't do enough to protect his nice bike, but is there any evidence that thieves target high-end bikes? I just took a quick survey through the first few pages of the Chicago Stolen Bike Registry and I noticed that thieves will basically take any bike. There's more low-mid level stolen bike than any other price range.

 

Edit: Maybe Howard or another CSBR guru could tell me: does the registry track the estimated value of the thefts?

 

 

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Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on November 23, 2011 at 10:12am

The full-time professional thieving crew that's doing the most cutting of U-locks does seek out and prefer nice looking/high quality road bikes, and there's evidence that they know how to appreciate a good frame, as the one that was in custody is known to have dabbled in framebuilding.

If 'Gil' is back out on the street, there's no question his heart would have skipped a beat when spotting this Rivendell locked bu unattended.

As Kevin said, the registry does not track estimated value.

Personally, where bike theft is concerned, my feeling is that the only time the monetary value is important is when you've caught a thief and are deciding whether to press charges.

Otherwise, the most valuable bike is the one that's ridden every day, and needed by its owner, regardless of 'book' value.

 

Kelvin Mulcky said:

You guys are saying that this guy didn't do enough to protect his nice bike, but is there any evidence that thieves target high-end bikes? I just took a quick survey through the first few pages of the Chicago Stolen Bike Registry and I noticed that thieves will basically take any bike. There's more low-mid level stolen bike than any other price range.

 

Edit: Maybe Howard or another CSBR guru could tell me: does the registry track the estimated value of the thefts?

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on November 23, 2011 at 11:03am

This has been an eye opening thread on many levels. 

I spent about 500 on my road bike new (which was about 6 years or more ago) and if I tried to trade it in now I'd probably get 40 dollars, but what do I know.  Anyway, I bought pinhead skewers and a new york fuhgeddaboutit lock and have used that combo with success pretty much ever since.  Also, I painted it an ugly color and it looks like absolute shit now. 

 

And I definitely don't want to be a jerk, but my god, if that were my bike I would have locked it up like pee-wee herman did in the first movie (although his ultimately got stolen, too).  That is quite literally the bike I dream about every night.  

 

I hope you find it though, and after seeing the picture I will notice it if I do happen to spot it, and will take proper action.  Good luck. 

 

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Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on November 23, 2011 at 11:23am

Hi ad,

This is a discussion forum. This thread is even called a "Discussion." It's what we do here, we discuss.

If you post your stolen bike to a discussion forum, people will discuss it, if there's something interesting or unusual about it.

In this case, we have a rather well-informed 'core' of 'connected' cyclists who have a deep and accurate enough understanding of the current face of Chicago bike theft that they know that it's taking a huge chance to leave a bike unattended on a Chicago street with anything but extraordinary locking methods.

The vast majority of Chicago cyclists would not know that a decent quality U-lock is not enough to protect a desirable bike, but that doesn't mean that those who do know should not feel free to pass this knowledge along.

I'm not sure your characterization of the ideas and information offered in this thread as unsympathetic is accurate.  

 

"We live in a big city.  Shit happens."

 

Sounds like you're telling TT to "just get over it?"  Doesn't seem to fit the rest of what you posted.

ad said:

Sorry, but I think it's kind of in bad taste to come on here and suggest someone who used a high quality ulock and locked to an appropriately installed city bike rack on a busy street didn't do enough to protect their bike.  Or to suggest that a person shouldn't ride a bike around and lock it because it's too nice.  Nice bikes are only nice if you ride them.  He took reasonable precautions.  It's not like he locked it up with a cheap cable lock.  He did what the vast majority of us do--myself included--when we lock up for a relatively short period. 

 

People can always do more to secure a bike,  including using two ulocks, but this person followed completely appropriate steps to ensure their bike was secure.  I'm sure he would have locked it with 8 ulocks that day if he though a thief would target it.  We live in a big city.  Shit happens.   

 

To Mr. Hardie, I hope you get your bike back and I'll keep an eye out. 

 

Chucko said:

I wasn't really saying that thieves specifically target high end bikes, they'll definitely take anything. I think the look more for the appearance of being high end. Though they probably know in general huffy is crap and anything carbon is worth a lot. For the most part, I just wouldn't lock a bike with a $1000 frame outside for very long if at all, and even then I'd use the best protection I could find. Mostly with a better lock, you're buying time for someone to catch the thief. But because any lock can be defeated, I simply wouldn't lock that particular bike up outside for more than a few minutes anywhere near the city.

Kelvin Mulcky said:

You guys are saying that this guy didn't do enough to protect his nice bike, but is there any evidence that thieves target high-end bikes? I just took a quick survey through the first few pages of the Chicago Stolen Bike Registry and I noticed that thieves will basically take any bike. There's more low-mid level stolen bike than any other price range.

 

Edit: Maybe Howard or another CSBR guru could tell me: does the registry track the estimated value of the thefts?

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on November 23, 2011 at 12:12pm

Does anyone know the current whereabouts of our old "friends" Kenny & Gilberto?  Have they gone to trial yet?  Convicted or acquitted? (Note to Kenny's lawyer: we are NOT making any accusations whatsoever.  We are just concerned for your clients' well-being.  / /snark font OFF)

http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/bike-thieves-on-trial?id=2...

h' said:

If 'Gil' is back out on the street, there's no question his heart would have skipped a beat when spotting this Rivendell locked bu unattended.

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