# Advice Needed--My Bike got stolen. New Bike? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 11, 2012, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502 "2012-04-11T21:54:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2012, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/1 "2012-04-11T21:54:57Z")
My bike got stolen. My insurance on my condo has a $500 deductible, so no joy there. :mad: So, a new bike is needed, & advice is called for. [ul] [li]Single speed is a must.[/li][li]Rear mounted basket. Large[/li][li]No racing stuff.[/li][li]Wasn’t there something called a hybrid bike?[/li][li]Suggestions, with links & pictures, are welcome.[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2012, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/2 "2012-04-11T22:01:32Z")
Going to move this over to IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2012, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/3 "2012-04-11T22:30:55Z")
Do you live on the flats? What kind of riding do you do? How far? I’m a huge fan of recycling old touring ten-speeds and mountain bikes. Buy an old Trek, Specialized or Diamondback no-suspension bike ($60 around here). Non-vertical dropouts will allow you to adjust chain tension without a derailleur. Find a reasonable gear to fix it in. The chain should be roughly aligned with the chain ring and sprocket. Remove links in chain to fit the gearing. Remove derailleurs and associated hardware. Toss on some narrow slicks if you are entirely on pavement. Buy a big [Wald steel basket](http://waldsports.com/index.cfm/baskets.html). I’ve got an old touring ten-speed that I’m converting to an around town bike. I’m putting on mountain bike bars, brake levers and shift levers, plus the all important basket! It’s all Campagnolo and looks like hell, but it will be super fast around town. I live on a hill so I’m keeping the gears. ---
**Author:** ![Al\_Bundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@Al\_Bundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al_Bundy)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2012, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/4 "2012-04-11T22:41:57Z")
Get a good lock and use it. People will steal anything so don’t take your eye off of it. The type of bike you want is so simple that you don’t need much advice. Find something that fits your size and can be adjusted properly. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2012, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/5 "2012-04-11T23:16:15Z")
> [@Darryl\_Lict](#): > > Do you live on the flats? What kind of riding do you do? How far? > > I’m a huge fan of recycling old touring ten-speeds and mountain bikes. Buy an old Trek, Specialized or Diamondback no-suspension bike ($60 around here). Non-vertical dropouts will allow you to adjust chain tension without a derailleur. Find a reasonable gear to fix it in. The chain should be roughly aligned with the chain ring and sprocket. Remove links in chain to fit the gearing. Remove derailleurs and associated hardware. Toss on some narrow slicks if you are entirely on pavement. > > Buy a big [Wald steel basket](http://waldsports.com/index.cfm/baskets.html). > > I’ve got an old touring ten-speed that I’m converting to an around town bike. I’m putting on mountain bike bars, brake levers and shift levers, plus the all important basket! It’s all Campagnolo and looks like hell, but it will be super fast around town. I live on a hill so I’m keeping the gears. Single- speed only. Rebuilding & mechanical stuff is _ **not fun** _. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2012, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/6 "2012-04-11T23:19:29Z")
> [@Al\_Bundy](#): > > Get a good lock and use it. People will steal anything so don’t take your eye off of it. The type of bike you want is so simple that you don’t need much advice. Find something that fits your size and can be adjusted properly. Had a lock. Didn’t matter. I’m looking for a bike that is both street-friendly, & good on rough ground, as needed. ---
**Author:** ![CatherineZeta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@CatherineZeta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatherineZeta)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2012, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/7 "2012-04-12T00:24:37Z")
What kind of lock were you using? Kryptonite locks are very difficult to break (either the chain or a U-lock). I would avoid using a cable lock. I ride a basic Raleigh road bike- it came with gears, but it’s very simple to have everything removed- my bike shop did it for free. It’s a tough bike for a road bike. I am able to go over plenty of potholes and crappy streets, have successfully made it over a grassy lawn area- even snow, although that’s not recommended. My model is from 1981, but presumably they still make similar ones. My sincere condolences regarding the loss of your bike. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2012, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/8 "2012-04-12T01:14:38Z")
Are you looking for something like a “[beach cruiser](http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_scat_110798011_ln?rh=n%3A110798011%2Ck%3Abeach+cruiser&keywords=beach+cruiser&ie=UTF8&qid=1334193126&scn=110798011&h=d024843d359367ec5fbce3e4f3d13a9d7240abe7)”? I’m sure any of these could be fitted with rear baskets. ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Kirk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@Capt\_Kirk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt_Kirk)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2012, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/9 "2012-04-12T01:18:58Z")
Hey I have a Beach Cruiser the I got from Sun and Ski, it was less than $300, is giant, comfy and a three speed. Just go to any of the bicycle chain stores and look for the orphan last years model or the one with a few scratches. good luck ---
**Author:** ![Waenara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/50afbb/32.png) [@Waenara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waenara)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2012, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/10 "2012-04-12T01:27:25Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > Single- speed only. > > Rebuilding & mechanical stuff is _ **not fun** _. I actually thought **Darryl Lict** had a good idea there. I’ve been thinking about getting a single-speed bike, and buying a cheap touring or mountain bike and converting it to single-speed wouldn’t have occurred to me. I’m not mechanically inclined either, but I have a friend who knows about bikes, or I could pay someone to do the tinkering for me. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2012, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/11 "2012-04-12T11:52:43Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > Single- speed only. > > Rebuilding & mechanical stuff is _ **not fun** _. Just curious, why are you so hard line on single speed? ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2012, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/12 "2012-04-12T12:35:11Z")
Used pizza delivery bike? I hear a lot of bike couriers like single speeds for their ease of maintenance. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2012, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/13 "2012-04-12T13:43:57Z")
Are you wanting a motor bike or a pedal bike? ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2012, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/14 "2012-04-12T13:57:49Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Are you wanting a motor bike or a pedal bike? Pedal bike (rarely hear that phrase) Single speed is a bike without multiple chain rings or a derailleur. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2012, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/15 "2012-04-12T21:46:39Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > Just curious, why are you so hard line on single speed? Had to push a 10-speed 15 miles once. Never again. Update Ordered a steel-framed Trek cruiser, in silver. Never had a U lock. Just ordered one for the first time. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2012, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/16 "2012-04-13T03:15:50Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > Had to push a 10-speed 15 miles once. > > Never again. > Update > > Ordered a steel-framed Trek cruiser, in silver. > > Never had a U lock. Just ordered one for the first time. Get another lock just in case. See YouTube for videos of Kryptonite locks being opened with a Bic pen. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2012, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/17 "2012-04-13T03:58:23Z")
> [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](#): > > See YouTube for videos of Kryptonite locks being opened with a Bic pen. That’s [only true for Kryptonite locks made before 2005](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kryptonite_lock#Lock). ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2012, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/18 "2012-04-13T07:18:47Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > Had to push a 10-speed 15 miles once. > > Never again. Yeah ok. That’s why I carry a minimum of a phone and a credit card with me, though I’ve never had a failure like that. Still if you’re not going to be pushing up any hills there’s no need for gears. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2012, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/19 "2012-04-13T08:01:50Z")
Kryptonite. I have 3 of them: a U-lock, an 11-pound chain and a 16-pound chain. I lock the rear wheel and frame to whatever stable thing I’m using with the 16-pounder, the front wheel to the frame with the 11-pounder, and the ulock secures my seat to the frame. I’m committed to keeping my bike safe from theft because it is my only transportation, I sold my car. I figure 30 pounds of locks and chains and 10 minutes of locking and unlocking are a small price to pay to prevent ever having the horrifying feeling of coming out to find my bike gone. Even so, I still have a little sick feeling every time I look for it where I left it in case it isn’t there. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2012, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/20 "2012-04-13T22:04:43Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > Kryptonite. I have 3 of them: a U-lock, an 11-pound chain and a 16-pound chain. I lock the rear wheel and frame to whatever stable thing I’m using with the 16-pounder, the front wheel to the frame with the 11-pounder, and the ulock secures my seat to the frame. > > I’m committed to keeping my bike safe from theft because it is my only transportation, I sold my car. I figure 30 pounds of locks and chains and 10 minutes of locking and unlocking are a small price to pay to prevent ever having the horrifying feeling of coming out to find my bike gone. Even so, I still have a little sick feeling every time I look for it where I left it in case it isn’t there. How does [THIS LOOK?](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FL3E48/ref=oh_o00_s00_i02_details) > [@](#): > > ``` > 16mm massive hardened ultra steel shackle is the biggest, > toughest shackle > LS is 4.2 x 10.25, 5.2 lbs. > Includes 5 laser cut keys and 1 light key. > Five Star plus security level rating make these locks the ultimate theft resistant locks for high crime areas > > ``` [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502.md?page=2)