Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Bike Owners, Beware


A reader sends in this photo and warns of parts thieves:


"The back wheel was stolen off my bike at Sunnyside and Hazel. I walked around the neighborhood and noticed some other bikes were hit up too.

Bike thieves are scum of the earth. So I thought I should share this as I know some other people were ripped off in the neighborhood.   My bet is that they will come back and hit up the neighborhood again."

If you can park your bike off the street for a while, might be a wise time to do so.

14 comments:

  1. Don't some owners take one of their wheels/tires with them when they go inside so they are less appealing to thieves?

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  2. sure, probably. but the back wheel?

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  3. If you are going to U-lock your bike, lock the bike and the more expensive rear wheel to a stable object. Better: remove the front wheel and lock it, the bike and the rear wheel to a stable object. Best: take the bike inside with you. Most are not that heavy that they cannot go inside with you. Here is a goo 2-1/2 minute video to show you what to do: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6xnkEkP2WY

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  4. Here is a good 2-1/2 minute video to help you with locking your bike: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6xnkEkP2WY

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  5. Not to blame the victim, but there is a great kryptonite lock that is flexible, and you can lock up everything, including your wheels. I think it is better than the U-lock.

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  6. yeah thanks gene. however, it was my bike that is pictured and i've never (in the 7 years of living in uptown) had anything off of my bike. i've locked it up the same way.
    there's a first time for everything - and sure, i could take off my back wheel from now on every time i lock up my bike but it's unlikely. i will live and get another wheel.
    the message sent to uptown update was mainly to spread the word as i noticed the theft happened to other bikes around the neighborhood.

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  7. thanks irish. i'll look into that lock!

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  8. Always assume someone is going to screw with your bike if its locked up outside. SO, always u-lock one wheel and run a cable through the other wheel that then attaches to your U-lock. Axle locks are also a good idea as well as a seat cable lock. Basically lock it down like its a safe deposit box containing your family heirlooms. Another medieval trick is to run copper wire around your frame connected to a car battery with a switch. Post up and wait for an unsuspecting thief; then dole out some justice :-)

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  9. This review has a good rundown on various types of locks.

    Masterlock also has a "Street Cuff" lock which is similar to handcuffs and work well.

    You can try buying a used lock off Craigslist to save some cash. I have a Kryptonite Faggetiboutit lock that I bought there years ago.

    Unfortunately bike theft is rampant out there.

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  10. This exact thing happened a week or so ago on Ainslie b/w Marine and Sheridan. I woke up to take my dog out around 3:30am and saw 2 black males looking to be in their 30's pulled up to a building across the street on bikes, then one took the tire while the other watched out. I called 911, but they still got the tire.

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  11. Tighten a hose clamp around the quick release. Back tire still can be stolen, but not as easily.

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  12. Better yet, head over to Uptown Bikes and buy "non-quick release" pins for the front and rear tires. They have ones that use allen wrenches which will deter most thieves.

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  13. @Craig, and after you buy the Allen wrench securable pins, buy a 5mm ball bearing and super glue it into the pin opening opening. A bike thief won't be carrying around nail polish remover and have the additional 10 minutes to wait for the super glue to dissolve. They will, likely, be carrying around an Allen wrench.

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  14. There's a great little product call Pinhead. It's a set of skewers for your wheels to replace your quick release skewers. They require a special key to remove, no key and you're not going to get the wheel off. I think you can get them with a replacement for your seat post too.

    Best $50 bucks I've ever spent.
    http://www.amazon.com/Pinhead-Bicycle-Locking-Skewer-Pack/dp/B000XHBKOU

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