# 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:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**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 14, 2012, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/21 "2012-04-14T00:29:01Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > How does [THIS LOOK?](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FL3E48/ref=oh_o00_s00_i02_details) Pretty serious. I prefer chains for the flexibility, but that looks like it will do a good job. Make sure you run it through the frame and the rear wheel. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2012, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/22 "2012-04-14T18:12:15Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > Had to push a 10-speed 15 miles once. > > Never again. > Update I would think that having a ten-speed would make it easier, since you could just switch gears. At least, I’ve never had a problem pushing a ten-speed versus a single-speed. ---
**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 14, 2012, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/23 "2012-04-14T18:55:20Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > I would think that having a ten-speed would make it easier, since you could just switch gears. At least, I’ve never had a problem pushing a ten-speed versus a single-speed. Changing gears won’t affect how easy it is to push a bike. Anyway, I think the reason he was pushing it was that one of the gear changing mechanisms (derailleur) had failed. A single speed has fewer mechanical parts so a smaller chance of failure. ---
**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 14, 2012, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/24 "2012-04-14T23:38:21Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > Changing gears won’t affect how easy it is to push a bike. Anyway, I think the reason he was pushing it was that one of the gear changing mechanisms (derailleur) had failed. A single speed has fewer mechanical parts so a smaller chance of failure. Spot on. ---
**Author:** ![CatherineZeta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@CatherineZeta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatherineZeta)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/25 "2012-04-15T15:05:32Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > Pretty serious. I prefer chains for the flexibility, but that looks like it will do a good job. Make sure you run it through the frame and the rear wheel. Frame and front wheel if the front wheel’s a quick release (seems that more front ones are than rear ones). ---
**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 15, 2012, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/26 "2012-04-15T16:53:06Z")
In a pinch, frame alone will do. ---
**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 18, 2012, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/27 "2012-04-18T00:05:42Z")
Spent 2 1/2 hours after work today, walking around town putting up poster offering a $75 reward for the bike + the jerk. I might not get the bike, but he’ll never get to use it in peace. 1 copy each to City Cops, Sheriffs & Campus Fuzz, to post in their break rooms. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/28 "2012-04-18T05:56:03Z")
He probably already sold it, **Bosda**. Have you tried looking at local pawn shops? ---
**Author:** ![ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/29 "2012-04-18T06:32:15Z")
Too bad you’re not getting back on the multi-shifting horse, just because of one bad experience. Glad to hear you got a Trek. I’ve had one of each of these hybrids: [http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2009/archive/7200](http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2009/archive/7200) (Current) [http://www.bikepedia.com/Images/QBimages.aspx?itemid=37605&if=2002%20Trek%207700.jpg](http://www.bikepedia.com/Images/QBimages.aspx?itemid=37605&if=2002%20Trek%207700.jpg) Stolen (unlocked, my bad) from Decatur, GA [http://www.bikepedia.com/Images/QBimages.aspx?itemid=95743&if=2007-Trek-7700.jpg](http://www.bikepedia.com/Images/QBimages.aspx?itemid=95743&if=2007-Trek-7700.jpg) Stolen (burlary, from locked/ADP-alarmed house) from Atlanta, GA ---
**Author:** ![FordTaurusSHO94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f07891/32.png) [@FordTaurusSHO94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordTaurusSHO94)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/30 "2012-04-18T15:34:16Z")
If you carry some small tools in a saddle bag, broken parts are no problem. I’ve converted broken bikes into single speeds before until I could repair them properly. Quick links and a chain tool also make broken chains only a minot irritant. ---
**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 18, 2012, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/31 "2012-04-18T22:14:07Z")
> [@FordTaurusSHO94](#): > > If you carry some small tools in a saddle bag, broken parts are no problem. I’ve converted broken bikes into single speeds before until I could repair them properly. Quick links and a chain tool also make broken chains only a minot irritant. If I knew how to use them. ---
**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 18, 2012, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/32 "2012-04-18T22:16:11Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > He probably already sold it, **Bosda**. Have you tried looking at local pawn shops? Local cop shop has an alert to the local pawmbrokers. ---
**Author:** ![Hbns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hbns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hbns)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2012, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/33 "2012-04-18T22:32:21Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > Local cop shop has an alert to the local pawmbrokers. If it had nice hardware it probable got stripped and the parts sold piecemeal. :mad: Get as good of a lock as you can/want to afford. Pretty much all of them are readily defeat-able if someone really wants your bike. Other good theft deterrents for a commuter bike. Let it get ugly/don’t have the nicest bike at the rack. Lock it up next to other bikes (preferably nicer ones). Take it indoors whenever it is feasible. Better luck with the new ride. ---
**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 18, 2012, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/34 "2012-04-18T22:38:45Z")
Strange thing is: I’m a single-speed freak. You’d think thieves would like the _pricier_ stuff. ---
**Author:** ![FordTaurusSHO94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f07891/32.png) [@FordTaurusSHO94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordTaurusSHO94)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2012, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/35 "2012-04-19T15:54:20Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > If I knew how to use them. The bike shop will show you how. They’re easy to use and good to have, even on a single speed. ---
**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 20, 2012, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/36 "2012-04-20T23:53:25Z")
Now I got a new bike. And a U lock. And I keep it indoors. ---
**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:** [May 7, 2012, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502/37 "2012-05-07T23:35:01Z")
UPDATE Somebody phoned me, claiming he had bought a bike, just like mine, but lacking the basket & bell, for $175. He claimed his name was Billy Foyd. I said great! Come on over, I’d get my checkbook & the cops, & we’d get the guy who sold it to him. He babbled something about losing his connection, & hung up. If this guy ain’t the thief, I’m a Dalek. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-needed-my-bike-got-stolen-new-bike/618502.md?page=1)