rberriz

I am new to the biking community and had some questions about biking etiquette.

I am currently looking at a bike in the $7500+ range and the though of leaving it outside when I run into a coffee shop leaves me a little worried.
I know I could bring a heavy duty lock (I just dont want to have to carry around a heavy lock) or sit where i could see it but I would feel better if it was with me.
Example scenario - I live 4 miles from whole foods, If I were to ride there, would it be acceptable to roll my bike in while I pick up whatever small item I came for? My bike is cleaner than the shopping carts or many of the whole foods hippies for that matter.
Or a coffee shop same scenario, assuming that there is enough room to roll in without being in the way.

Anyone with any experience on the matter please help me out.

Thanks ahead of time.

umazuki

If you can afford a $7500 bike, you can afford a $500 beater for running errands.

Or, just ask them. How are we supposed to know if your local coffee shop cares if you bring your bike inside?

fietsbob

Folding bike? no problem.. my Brompton fits right under the Internet Juke box, in ' the Chart Room' bar, here ..

slorollin

That will be a problem with a $7500 bike. It is part of the joy of ownership. Tsk, tsk, such a dilemma. Pardon me while I wind my Patek Phillipe.

rberriz

Personally I am a Hublot man.

JamesRL

Why would you go to whole foods if you are riding a 7500$$ bike and have no where to put your purchases?

Get a beater, put a rack and panniers on it, and you are good to go.

mulveyr 

One day you may walk in and they'll tell you to leave it outside. The next day a different manager may be perfectly fine with it. Nobody here can tell you what will happen.

And especially if you're utility cycling, the "My bike is cleaner than X" argument really doesn't fly, especially the first time you're maneuvering through a crowded aisle and someone brushes up against your chain.

As other people said, buy a cheap utility bike and use that for shopping and bopping around town.

slorollin

I like Hublots too. They just look huge on my wrist. Actually, my current favorites are the older Omega Seamasters with the black dials.

rberriz

The seamaster is classic cool.

cderalow

I'd also suggest a $300 beater... i've experienced it both ways locally and I'm not far from you.

WestPablo

If you can't afford to lose it, you couldn't really afford to buy it!

Just lock your bike up at the nearest parking meter, fence, railing, or gate. Do whatever other cyclists do. If your bike gets stolen, just buy another...

Otherwise, just buy a Surly Big Dummy for grocery shopping and other errands.

Looigi

HTFU and just do it. What's the worst? They ask you take it outside? It's better to ask for forgiveness than to beg for permission.

And yes, unless you're making a quick stop while out on a road ride, use a proper bike for the task and bring a reasonable lock.

slorollin

VegasTriker

My bike is cleaner than the shopping carts or many of the whole foods hippies for that matter. Me thinks you might be coming across as somewhat of an elitist because you can afford a $7K+ bike. The shop owner doesn't give a rats petoot about how clean your bike is. His concern will be with the potential for a lawsuit if by chance one of those ratty hippy customers trips over your bike and decides to sue him.

Machka 

I'm with the others ... keep the expensive bicycle for your races and long rides, and get a folder or beater for shopping and coffee shops.

Most businesses aren't keen on allowing bicycles inside.

dynaryder

Wenger Swiss Army or GTFO.

slorollin

I have a couple Wengers, I like them too. It's a good watch to wear when you ride your bike into a coffee shop.

yugyug

Don't need expensive watches when you carry a phone. Admit its vanity jewellery and move on.

Don't need a $7500 bike to buy groceries. Ditto.

Dirt Road

Places in north Florida/south Georgia have never complained about my bringing the bike in, but I've only done that when I've verified that there's room for it. At other times I've asked where I should park my bike and "over there" inside is a common answer. This thread makes me think of "This is why we can't have nice things." Buy a ratty broom to fly on if you're a witch, right? Leave the nice to take the ratty for fear that it might get stolen. Was the bike bought because you like to, um, go to places that you like?

Gothic Sunshine

Well, that's certainly not elitist at all.

I-Like-To-Bike

Real men don't need no stinkin' watch, we will be where we want to be whenever we get there.

Don't need no $7500 piece of bike bling to get to the grocery or coffee shop; don't need to spend $300 for a beater for the same task.

Northwestrider

+1 on buying a cheap go to the store/rain bike. Leave the $7500 bike home. And even with your cheaper bike, I'd suggest asking the manager of the store if you can bring it inside ( I have asked and never refused by a large grocery store ) . As for coffee shops, you'll likely have to leave it outside.

Dave Horne

Are the 'built in' wheel locks common in the US? I ask because I just bought a new bike here (over €4,000) and it is required to come with a built in frame lock for insurance purposes. (Actually just about all bikes here come with a 'built in' wheel lock.) I have an additional Abus U lock attached to the frame but rarely use it (since the bike is insured); the bike is now considerably lighter.

Are those built in wheel locks commonly used in the US? (I'm an American but I moved to Holland 20 years ago and have only been back twice in all that time.)

I had friends visit a few years back and my friend's wife was unaware of the typical built in bike lock that is commonplace here, that's also why I'm asking.

Here's a video ... I apologize in advance if this is common knowledge.


While that lock won't prevent someone from stealing the bike, it certainly would draw attention to the thief.

I also thought about buying a junker just so I wouldn't have to worry about my new expensive bike. My wife pointed out that my new bike is insured (for the full replacement value) so I should just enjoy the bike and not worry about it. As to bringing a bike into a store, I've only done that with my Brompton since it doesn't have a wheel lock.

VACaver

First World problems...

Machka 

Is this thread about watches or bicycles?