Lock your damn bikes!!!
09-22-20, 07:34 PM
#28
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09-22-20, 09:49 PM
#29
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Yep, the only time cars are in the drive is if the kids are home or we have guests. We live in one of "those types" of neighborhoods where people park in their garages. Wouldn't have it any other way. I also have one of "those" types of garages where you can walk without getting your feet dirty.
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09-22-20, 10:01 PM
#30
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You can pick bike locks faster than you can angle grind them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSuaUok-wTY
Commuting to werk, I'd never leave a bike outside unattended even on a busy street in a populated area
https://www.youtube.com/c/lockpickin...ry=bike%20lock
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSuaUok-wTY
Commuting to werk, I'd never leave a bike outside unattended even on a busy street in a populated area
https://www.youtube.com/c/lockpickin...ry=bike%20lock
Analogous story: "bumping" locks. This was a HUGE issue in the media 10 years ago. "OMG, thieves are using bump keys to BREAK INTO YOUR HOME!" So everyone was scrambling to buy $300 bump proof Medeco and similar locks. Problem is, bumping locks was rare. Plus, what good is a $300 unpickable door lock when it's next to a window pane easily broken? Don't fall for the hype. (The one famous exception was the Bic Pick method which Kryptonite stood behind and addressed.)
"Lockpicking Lawyer" today's thieves are not. They're cutting your locks with grinders.
Decaf? Hey people, just sharing some valuable advice. Bike theft in the SF Bay Area has always been bad. Well now it's epidemic. Kryptonite NY Fugeddaboudit u-locks used to be impenetrable - or at least a 10 minute ordeal to cut. Now it's less than 60 seconds. Same with Kryptonite's largest chains. Like buttah!
So if you think my post is alarmist, fine, don't read it. But for those of you who value your bikes, think about security. Or at least upgrading that homeowners or renters insurance policy!
No, I have not had any bikes stolen from my garage. I'm careful to not leave the door open more than necessary. And yes, when this got really bad, I augmented my security. It's not IF a lock can be broken (they all can), it's HOW MUCH EFFORT IT TAKES. Thieves are lazy and stupid by nature, so they tend to go for the soft targets (thus my rant about unlocked "beloved" bikes sitting around). Like the saying, "You don't have to outrun the bear, just ONE of your friends!" Ergo, your bike lock doesn't have to be the best, just better than those around you. Now I'm not advocating for those with cheaper locks deserving theft, but you simply have to make the odds in your favor.
PS I do happen to own the Altor SAF u-lock, 13 pounds and $300. I'm a lock fanatic, so I HAD to give it a try. It's solid, but a pain for everyday use. If I were leaving my bike locked at the same commute location every day, I'd absolutely use it religiously.
PPS LPL gives the Altor SAF keyway his stamp of approval, as he does Squire padlocks.
Last edited by LV2TNDM; 09-22-20 at 10:04 PM.
09-23-20, 01:14 AM
#31
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Where I live it is not uncommon for houses to have large basement garages - I keep most bikes down there but my two road bikes live upstairs in a room dedicated just to them 
This is just 2/3 of the garage! So a lot of unused space, even the car gets lost in there.
If I cycle down the beach I take one of the older bikes and lock that up. I've never had a bike stolen but my wife had her bike in Amsterdam stolen a couple of years ago - locked up outside like 99% are there so always vulnerable no matter the security, a risk you take in cities like that.
This is just 2/3 of the garage! So a lot of unused space, even the car gets lost in there.
If I cycle down the beach I take one of the older bikes and lock that up. I've never had a bike stolen but my wife had her bike in Amsterdam stolen a couple of years ago - locked up outside like 99% are there so always vulnerable no matter the security, a risk you take in cities like that.
09-23-20, 03:57 AM
#32
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09-23-20, 03:59 AM
#33
Senior Member
Yep, the only time cars are in the drive is if the kids are home or we have guests. We live in one of "those types" of neighborhoods where people park in their garages. Wouldn't have it any other way. I also have one of "those" types of garages where you can walk without getting your feet dirty.
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09-23-20, 05:18 AM
#34
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And you've obviously either not worked with law enforcement and understand ACTUAL bicycle theft data, or are simply being dishonest. Lock picking is a statistical non-issue. I worked with campus police when our university was #1 in the world for bike theft. Picking locks NEVER happened. The big urban myth was liquid nitrogen. Everyone talked about it and feared it, but the cops said, "Nope, it isn't used." Urban myths abound. So you can THINK lock picking is a problem, but it isn't. Plus, rampant bike theft only ramped up to epidemic levels with cheap 18V portable grinders. Wow, what a coincidence.
Analogous story: "bumping" locks. This was a HUGE issue in the media 10 years ago. "OMG, thieves are using bump keys to BREAK INTO YOUR HOME!" So everyone was scrambling to buy $300 bump proof Medeco and similar locks. Problem is, bumping locks was rare. Plus, what good is a $300 unpickable door lock when it's next to a window pane easily broken? Don't fall for the hype. (The one famous exception was the Bic Pick method which Kryptonite stood behind and addressed.)
"Lockpicking Lawyer" today's thieves are not. They're cutting your locks with grinders.
Decaf? Hey people, just sharing some valuable advice. Bike theft in the SF Bay Area has always been bad. Well now it's epidemic. Kryptonite NY Fugeddaboudit u-locks used to be impenetrable - or at least a 10 minute ordeal to cut. Now it's less than 60 seconds. Same with Kryptonite's largest chains. Like buttah!
So if you think my post is alarmist, fine, don't read it. But for those of you who value your bikes, think about security. Or at least upgrading that homeowners or renters insurance policy!
No, I have not had any bikes stolen from my garage. I'm careful to not leave the door open more than necessary. And yes, when this got really bad, I augmented my security. It's not IF a lock can be broken (they all can), it's HOW MUCH EFFORT IT TAKES. Thieves are lazy and stupid by nature, so they tend to go for the soft targets (thus my rant about unlocked "beloved" bikes sitting around). Like the saying, "You don't have to outrun the bear, just ONE of your friends!" Ergo, your bike lock doesn't have to be the best, just better than those around you. Now I'm not advocating for those with cheaper locks deserving theft, but you simply have to make the odds in your favor.
PS I do happen to own the Altor SAF u-lock, 13 pounds and $300. I'm a lock fanatic, so I HAD to give it a try. It's solid, but a pain for everyday use. If I were leaving my bike locked at the same commute location every day, I'd absolutely use it religiously.
PPS LPL gives the Altor SAF keyway his stamp of approval, as he does Squire padlocks.
Analogous story: "bumping" locks. This was a HUGE issue in the media 10 years ago. "OMG, thieves are using bump keys to BREAK INTO YOUR HOME!" So everyone was scrambling to buy $300 bump proof Medeco and similar locks. Problem is, bumping locks was rare. Plus, what good is a $300 unpickable door lock when it's next to a window pane easily broken? Don't fall for the hype. (The one famous exception was the Bic Pick method which Kryptonite stood behind and addressed.)
"Lockpicking Lawyer" today's thieves are not. They're cutting your locks with grinders.
Decaf? Hey people, just sharing some valuable advice. Bike theft in the SF Bay Area has always been bad. Well now it's epidemic. Kryptonite NY Fugeddaboudit u-locks used to be impenetrable - or at least a 10 minute ordeal to cut. Now it's less than 60 seconds. Same with Kryptonite's largest chains. Like buttah!
So if you think my post is alarmist, fine, don't read it. But for those of you who value your bikes, think about security. Or at least upgrading that homeowners or renters insurance policy!
No, I have not had any bikes stolen from my garage. I'm careful to not leave the door open more than necessary. And yes, when this got really bad, I augmented my security. It's not IF a lock can be broken (they all can), it's HOW MUCH EFFORT IT TAKES. Thieves are lazy and stupid by nature, so they tend to go for the soft targets (thus my rant about unlocked "beloved" bikes sitting around). Like the saying, "You don't have to outrun the bear, just ONE of your friends!" Ergo, your bike lock doesn't have to be the best, just better than those around you. Now I'm not advocating for those with cheaper locks deserving theft, but you simply have to make the odds in your favor.
PS I do happen to own the Altor SAF u-lock, 13 pounds and $300. I'm a lock fanatic, so I HAD to give it a try. It's solid, but a pain for everyday use. If I were leaving my bike locked at the same commute location every day, I'd absolutely use it religiously.
PPS LPL gives the Altor SAF keyway his stamp of approval, as he does Squire padlocks.
The Altor is impressive...bait to just cut the rack your bike is attached to.
09-23-20, 05:44 AM
#35
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Yep, the only time cars are in the drive is if the kids are home or we have guests. We live in one of "those types" of neighborhoods where people park in their garages. Wouldn't have it any other way. I also have one of "those" types of garages where you can walk without getting your feet dirty.
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09-23-20, 06:00 AM
#37
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Sometimes!
Lol, only when putting it away for the winter.
Old picture. There were no bikes then.
Old picture. There were no bikes then.
09-23-20, 06:06 AM
#38
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To fit in this garage, we sold our minivan and bought a 2016 Fit. It fits...
As for the OP, I don't think that it's arrogance at all. More likely is the bike owners are "hoping" that the bikes won't be stolen. They have a distorted view of reality, and aren't mentally strong enough to take the measures needed for their own security. I'll leave it at that.
09-23-20, 06:11 AM
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09-23-20, 06:20 AM
#41
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Experienced this one day several years ago. Me and woman locked our bikes next to each other at the same time outside a popular market. She used a cheap chain. I used my u lock and thick cable. She went into the market. I went to a corner store to buy a paper. As I’m walking back to the market not 10 min. later I seed a tweeker looking dude speeding away on her bike with a small duffel bag over his shoulder, which likely held his cutters. Found the woman in the market and told her what had happened. She said she hadn’t felt like bringing her “good lock.”
09-23-20, 06:23 AM
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Like countless others who live in major urban centers, I don’t have a garage. Bikes go in the house. Never on the back deck.
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09-23-20, 06:25 AM
#43
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Obviously, that's true. But surely you've heard of the old-timers who cover their logos with tape because they think it makes the camera seem more anonymous? Or "less threatening" to the subject or something silly like that. I personally think it's stupid but there are some who think it matters.
09-23-20, 06:42 AM
#44
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Yep, the only time cars are in the drive is if the kids are home or we have guests. We live in one of "those types" of neighborhoods where people park in their garages. Wouldn't have it any other way. I also have one of "those" types of garages where you can walk without getting your feet dirty.
Your garage wins the thread. Jealous.
09-23-20, 07:42 AM
#45
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The other side doesn't have anything that can fall on the car.
Wife left for work so her car is gone. Floor is dirty because it's been raining since Monday and we park in the garage. Photos on the wall are a couple of my past cars.
09-23-20, 09:19 AM
#46
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Where I live it is not uncommon for houses to have large basement garages - I keep most bikes down there but my two road bikes live upstairs in a room dedicated just to them
This is just 2/3 of the garage! So a lot of unused space, even the car gets lost in there.
If I cycle down the beach I take one of the older bikes and lock that up. I've never had a bike stolen but my wife had her bike in Amsterdam stolen a couple of years ago - locked up outside like 99% are there so always vulnerable no matter the security, a risk you take in cities like that.
This is just 2/3 of the garage! So a lot of unused space, even the car gets lost in there.
If I cycle down the beach I take one of the older bikes and lock that up. I've never had a bike stolen but my wife had her bike in Amsterdam stolen a couple of years ago - locked up outside like 99% are there so always vulnerable no matter the security, a risk you take in cities like that.
09-23-20, 09:36 AM
#47
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I've had more dreams of having my bike stolen than I can count. Have had enough things stolen over the years to know that when it's gone, it's gone! I don't leave my bike anywhere I can't see it, except in the garage.
09-23-20, 09:50 AM
#48
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09-23-20, 10:05 AM
#49
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Well, you will be proud of me. I lock my bikes in my garage...
... right next to my power tools.
John
... right next to my power tools.
John
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09-23-20, 10:12 AM
#50
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I apply the clutter security theory as well. They have to find it to steal it, and it can take me 10 minutes to get it out when I know where it is! Combined with a monitored security system (nothing fancy) and a 5-10 minute response from the police, stored in the house is the way to go.
