Hatrack River Forum: My bike was stolen.

This is topic My bike was stolen. in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :

[Frown]

I had to walk to work. [Cry]

Posted by scifibum (Member # 7625) on :

That stinks.

Perhaps you can convince yourself the other guy needed a bike really badly. [Frown]

Posted by MEC (Member # 2968) on :

I once had a bike stolen by a missionary.

I was surprised that happened.

As for the bike getting stolen, that's too bad. How's the public transportation where you live?

Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :

Didn't that happen to you once a few years back, KoM?

Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :

Sorry to hear that, KoM.

Just to save you some time, there is no basement in The Alamo.

Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :

That's a serious downer. [Frown]

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. [Mad]

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.

Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :

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.

Posted by Jhai (Member # 5633) on :

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.)

Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :

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 by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :

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.

Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :

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.

Yup!!

Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :

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. [Dont Know]

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.

Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :

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.

Posted by anti_maven (Member # 9789) on :

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.

Posted by Glenn Arnold (Member # 3192) on :

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.

Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :

[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.

Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :

I've tried putting that bike in the car before. Couldn't be done.

Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :

If you get a bike rack and put it ON your car, does that count?

Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :

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.

[ August 18, 2008, 09:12 PM: Message edited by: BlackBlade ]

Posted by James Tiberius Kirk (Member # 2832) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Noemon:
Sorry to hear that, KoM.

Just to save you some time, there is no basement in The Alamo.

*snort

--j_k

Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :

I don't get the joke. [Confused]

Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Noemon:

Just to save you some time, there is no basement in The Alamo.

KOM: It's from the movie Pee-Wee's Great Adventure.

Posted by Blayne Bradley (Member # 8565) on :

Spoilers darnit!

Posted by theamazeeaz (Member # 6970) on :

((KOM))

Okay, what kind of lock did you have (moving to Cambridge in two days with a nice bike)?

Posted by Launchywiggin (Member # 9116) on :

Cambridge, eh? I'm around if you need help moving in. MIT?

Posted by anti_maven (Member # 9789) on :

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!

Posted by Steve_G (Member # 10101) on :

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.

Posted by theamazeeaz (Member # 6970) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Launchywiggin:
Cambridge, eh? I'm around if you need help moving in. MIT?

Yep. I think my parents will be smothering me with more help than I need though. [Wall Bash]

Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :

That really stinks. Was your phone number on it anywhere?

Posted by Tstorm (Member # 1871) on :

That sucks.

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.

Posted by T:man (Member # 11614) on :

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.

My sympathies [Frown]

Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :

quote:
Originally posted by anti_maven:

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. [Smile]

Posted by scifibum (Member # 7625) on :

"It was really expensive...about $1300."

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.

Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :

Whatever happened with the whole saga of your stolen pool cue, Kwea?