Why Bother Using That Lock

[BSRU]

Last year local scumbags showed that our works bike shed is a thieves paradise, easy access, no cctv, cannot be seen from the building allowing plenty of time to work on locks and expensive bikes locked up with locks made out of jelly.

Well the new C2W bikes have started to show up in the bike shed, the most outstanding example of what the local criminals are after is a new Specialized Allez Sport, about £750, locked up through the rear wheel only with a new 4 digit combination cable lock that must have cost at most £10. It's almost like leaving an envelope with £750 in taped to the bike shed wall with "free money" written on it.

I'm half contemplating leaving a note on the bike to point out the error of their ways.

 

[dellzeqq]

I think you should leave the note. Where's the harm?

 

[Sonofpear]

Do it mate. Point them in the right direction.

 

[Beebo]

Some people probably think a 4 digit combo lock is suitable, leave them a note. However a £100 lock would be just a useless if it is through the wheel only.

If they dont respond, well you did you bit, and you can console yourself with the fact that theives will go for the easy option. So as long as your bike is harder to nick than the others in the shed, yours should be safe.

 

[VamP]

+1

often people new to cycling are a bit naive when it comes to bike security

My bike comes into the office with me. No way is it going to get left locked or unlocked outside.

 

[bigmacintyre()=()]

you should be looking to spend about 10% of the bikes total cost on a lock or you may as well give them the keys

 

[I like Skol]

It is harvest time for the bike thieves. All those £1000 bikes flooding onto the scene, owned by new, inexperienced cyclists that don't know any better.

It's not just the noobs that are being caught though. One of the maintenance engineers where I work just bought (and then subsequently lost) his C2W bike 2 weeks ago. He bought a Specialised Tri-Cross for around £800 and spent the rest of his £1k on accessories (panniers, etc). He collected the bike and spent a few days fitting the bits and tinkering with the set-up. One morning he was woken early around 6.30 by the dog barking and when he went downstairs he saw his garage doors open and found his new bike and his Kona mountain bike gone. They left his 2 other bikes, cheaper ones but definitely not BSO's.

He's obviously gutted as he only had the bike about 4 days and had barely ridden it and now he has to continue with the C2W payments and try and sort out the mess with his house insurance. To make things worse he lives on a quiet cul-de-sac and no one really wonders past so it is unlikely his new bike would have been clocked prior to the theft and although he knows lightning can strike at anytime it is surprising that none of his tools were touched and they are equally as valuable. He does suspect that whoever took his bike/s knew exactly what they were after and he even wonders if the shop or shop staff have any part in it (such is the range of thoughts and emotions following an incident like this).

 

[abo]

And then you get a situation where the 'community service' guys are taking their lunch break and you overhear one saying 'yeah, I was riding away on a Specialized last night'...

 

[BSRU]

I am dithering because the people who work here are well educated, supposedly intelligent people and some people might not appreciate the advice.
Everyone in the company knows about the bike thieves visits last year, I made sure of that.
They have an example of how to do it by looking at my bike, sold secure gold d-lock's locking each wheel to the frame and an Almax chain securing the frame. I know it would not stop everyone from stealing it but I know it will take more than a few seconds and the motion sensitive alarm I have is very loud.

Plus in the back of mind, out of reach of my conscience, something pointing out better their bike is stolen than mine.

 

[2Loose]

Perhaps rather than a pointed note, a reminder poster on the wall about the thefts last year and also pointing out that there is no cctv would be better - leave them to join the dots up without finger wagging.

 

[BSRU]

Perhaps rather than a pointed note, a reminder poster on the wall about the thefts last year and also pointing out that there is no cctv would be better - leave them to join the dots up without finger wagging.

That makes sense.

 

[theFire]

Well the new C2W bikes have started to show up in the bike shed, the most outstanding example of what the local criminals are after is a new Specialized Allez Sport, about £750, locked up through the rear wheel only with a new 4 digit combination cable lock that must have cost at most £10. It's almost like leaving an envelope with £750 in taped to the bike shed wall with "free money" written on it.

I'm half contemplating leaving a note on the bike to point out the error of their ways.

Where is this bike parked? I managed to buckle my wheel on my 2011 Allez Sport yesterday (dodgy clipless foot shooting off in to the wheel moment )


Maybe I can go swap the wheels over without them noticing!

I use a sold gold rated D lock on mine, through front wheel and frame with an extension cable for the rear wheel. I'd recon the note would be a good idea!

 

[abo]

Only thing with a poster, they might think 'well, I've locked mine...'

 

[Pisquee]

A poster showing how to, and how not to secure a bike?

 

[Moodyman]

Fake a theft - take his front wheel off and take it into work with you.

When he walks to the bike bay and sees his beauty without the front roller, he'll be horrified.

Then he'll see a small note on the handlebars telling him where he an get his wheel back.