I've had bikes and parts of bikes stolen and it really sucks. Its not just the inconvenience of having to do with out until you replace it or the expense of replacing the bike. There is the horrible feeling of being violated as well.
I've had several things stolen from my bicycle this summer. While I was touring in France, we left our loaded bikes locked in a parking lot and some stole a bunch of stuff including one of the tools I needed to be able to remove my rear wheel if I got a flat and my compact binoculars. (I shouldn't have ever left the bino's on my bike, I usually carry all the small valuables like that with me.) They also took our travel rabbit (Polly, the polyester bunny) who has accompanied us on bike rides in 17 different countries and a full bag of gummy bears.
Then just a few days ago, someone literal ripped my bike computer off my bike while it was parked on a third floor landing at my apartment in Muenster.
Still, I guess that's peanuts compared to loosing the bike itself.
You have my sympathy.
Posts: 12591 | Registered: Jan 2000
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quote:Originally posted by MEC: As for the bike getting stolen, that's too bad. How's the public transportation where you live?
It's easier to walk to work; for groceries I need a car.
quote:Didn't that happen to you once a few years back, KoM?
Yes, but that was an old clunker that I left unlocked. This was a fairly new, expensive one, with a good lock and parked off the street.
Posts: 10645 | Registered: Jul 2004
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posted
Is there such a thing as bike insurance? It seems to me that it'd be a great investment for those of us with expensive bikes and/or bike commutes. (I sorta fall into the first, and hope to work myself up into physical fitness for the second.)
Posts: 2409 | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
You can probably find it if you look, but unless you're spending enough on your bike to pay for a used car, the money is the least of it; it's the hassle and the annoyance factor that sting, and insurance won't help with that.
Posts: 10645 | Registered: Jul 2004
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posted
There is no such thing as bike insurance (I've looked), but homeowners insurance or renters insurance will usually cover the loss even if it wasn't stolen from your home. Unfortunately, the deductibles on most homeowners policies are usually a good fraction of the cost of a decent bike. I have a friend who kept his bikes locked in the back of his car when he was at home because auto insurance covers theft of items stolen from your car and the deductible for that is often less than the deductible on a homeowners policy.
Posts: 12591 | Registered: Jan 2000
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quote:Originally posted by King of Men: You can probably find it if you look, but unless you're spending enough on your bike to pay for a used car, the money is the least of it; it's the hassle and the annoyance factor that sting, and insurance won't help with that.
posted
Someone tried to steal my bike out of my backyard last month. They cut halfway through the cable part of the lock and apparently gave up. I'm not sure why they didn't just keep going, but I'm SO glad I still have my bike. No way could I afford another one like that right now. I love my bike.
Now I keep it in the basement.
Posts: 2849 | Registered: Feb 2002
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quote:Originally posted by The Rabbit: I have a friend who kept his bikes locked in the back of his car when he was at home because auto insurance covers theft of items stolen from your car and the deductible for that is often less than the deductible on a homeowners policy.
Sounds like a good strategy, but I'm a big guy and need a big bike. It wouldn't fit. I'm thinking of buying one of those collapsible bikes, though, and storing it in my apartment (it's up a narrow flight of stairs, very impractical for a big bike) when I'm not using it.
Posts: 10645 | Registered: Jul 2004
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posted
Bike theft has been a recurring problem for me. It's a real bummer, so you have my complete sympathy.
The one time I managed to get something back was through the house contents insurance. Check the policy. All my bikes (don't ask) are now covered with my whizzy mountain bike as a special mentioned object with a set insurance value.
As for folding bikes, check out Dahon bikes,I have a Speed P8, which is great, although I'm only a little chap and have no problems with bike sizes.
Good luck anyway.
Posts: 892 | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
I've never stored my bike outdoors. It lives inside the house. When I ride the bike goes with me, including inside stores and restaurants.
Also, on the steering tube, inside the frame, and also around the bottom bracket spacer, there is a note that says "This bike is stolen, please call..."
My bike is expensive enough that if someone brings it to a bike shop for service, they should remove the fork and bottom bracket to lube the bearings.
Posts: 3735 | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
[quote]Sounds like a good strategy, but I'm a big guy and need a big bike.[/quote[
My friend is pretty big too, about 6'4'' (193 cm), his car at the time was very small but was a hatch back. With seats down and the front wheel removed (it had a quick release), the bike fit nicely.
Posts: 12591 | Registered: Jan 2000
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quote:Originally posted by ketchupqueen: If you get a bike rack and put it ON your car, does that count?
I should think it would.
Sorry about your bike KOM, I'm sure its a pernicious plot, concocted by Big Oil. It's purpose, to force you into your car again. Be on your guard for thugs targeting your knee caps next time you walk to work.
Incidentally just two days ago, I dragged my bike down from my parents condo and rode it to work instead of driving. I must say the money saved, and the 40 minutes of riding daily already make me feel better about my day.
quote:Originally posted by Glenn Arnold: Also, on the steering tube, inside the frame, and also around the bottom bracket spacer, there is a note that says "This bike is stolen, please call..."
My bike is expensive enough that if someone brings it to a bike shop for service, they should remove the fork and bottom bracket to lube the bearings.
That is such a cool idea. I'll be out with the spanners tonight!
Posts: 892 | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
doesn't U-lock provide some sense of insurance in that if your bike is stolen with their lock and you can send in the damaged lock, you get the cost of your bike refunded?
Which reminds me I forgot to send in my bike sale info to them when I bought the u-lock.
Posts: 197 | Registered: Jan 2007
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I think I've only managed to avoid bike theft through the fact that my bike is a heavy chunk of uninviting steel. Basically, it's incredibly old and heavy, and I doubt anyone would steal it even if they had the opportunity.
Posts: 1813 | Registered: Apr 2001
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posted
Next time you should paint your bike badly (half spray paint it) and cover it in duct tape. It helps alot I have a really nice bike and I think that helped keep it from getting stolen. (i have a cheap lock too)
My ten year-old brother's bike was stolen a month ago he rode it to school every day now he rides the bus and he hates it.
quote:Originally posted by Glenn Arnold: Also, on the steering tube, inside the frame, and also around the bottom bracket spacer, there is a note that says "This bike is stolen, please call..."
My bike is expensive enough that if someone brings it to a bike shop for service, they should remove the fork and bottom bracket to lube the bearings.
That is such a cool idea. I'll be out with the spanners tonight!
I did something like this to my pool cue. It was really expensive...about $1300...and I removed the weight pin and wrote on it in marker. I put my name and my date of birth, and the date I did it.
I know a lot of people who had a pool cue stolen, but when they saw someone playing with it later they weren't able to prove it was theirs as pool cues by most makers are production cues, and very similar to other cues.
I never had that problem. Posts: 15082 | Registered: Jul 2001
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If you'd asked me before how much I thought professional pool players who need the very top of the line equipment would pay for a pool cue, I would have guessed maybe $500.
You have opened my eyes.
Posts: 4287 | Registered: Mar 2005
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I had to walk to work. ![[Cry]](graemlins/cry.gif)
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I'm not sure why they didn't just keep going, but I'm SO glad I still have my bike. No way could I afford another one like that right now. I love my bike.![[Confused]](confused.gif)
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