!@#^%$@!#^%@
Well, my bike just got stolen. Again. I had locked it up outside of Logan Hardware and gone in to buy some oil for the chain. My cable lock wasn't the most secure in the world, but I couldn't have been inside for more than ten minutes, it was a busy street in the middle of the day, and I locked it to a lamppost that didn't look like it was going anywhere.
I stalked around the block for 30 minutes or so, literally shaking with anger. Ran into some cops who repeatedly scolded me for not having registered it, then took down my information for the hell of it. I don't particularly like my odds.
Oh, and did I mention that yesterday my laptop broke? Yeah, one of the fans has died and it now spontaneously shuts down from overheating.
This has turned into a very expensive weekend.
UPDATE: Yup, no mercy from the insurance people. And they were jerks on the phone. On the upside, they called me back within 6 hours of my initial phone call. If you value speed over usefulness, Traveler's gets my thumbs-up.
Comments
That really sucks. And as if registering it would get it back. Well, at least now you can get yourself a Harley.
nah, sadly it doesn't look like renter's insurance is going to make this worth my while. Deductible: 500. Cost of bike: 450. Bah!
Have you tried calling your insurance company? When Lauren's bike was stolen, USAA waived our deductible.
Well, at least a landslide, earthquake, hurricane or wildfire didn't kill you. Still, it sucks to have your bike stolen. I know.
hmm... thanks for the tip, Glen. I called them after the first bike was stolen and they weren't willing to do anything, but maybe I'll get a friendlier agent this time.
hmm... try all-state. my deductible was much lower than that when my camera got stolen.
In addition to renter's insurance, invest in a good u-lock with a guarantee. I had two mid-range bikes stolen while I lived in Chicago. The cost of one was refunded in full because the thieves left behind the u-lock, which had failed because of a defect. The company took the lock, examined it, and refunded me according to their policy.
Of course the point is not to have your bike stolen in the first place, a good U-Lock is not capable of being defeated in a way that won't alarm passersby with the arc-welding torch and such.
I'm nobody, just came in via Wonkette. Your arms are totally not hairy.
I lock up my bike there all the time! What kind of lock did you use? This is something I definitly dont want to go through
Brandon: thanks for the advice. Rest assured I'll be buying a proper U this weekend when I get a replacement bike.
Scott: I was using a kryptonite cable lock. Not incredibly sturdy, but I assumed that, a hundred feet away from much more expensive bikes, it would be enough disincentive. I guess not. If you've got a flat key U-lock I imagine you'll be okay.
Yeah I have a small kryptonite u-lock with the flat key. Maybe I'll get a cable as well. It just sucks taking 5 minutes to defend your bike against dickheads.
I agree completely -- that's why I got the cable lock. It was quick, light, let me lock up anywhere and allowed me to secure my helmet at the same time. The only downside was that it didn't work.
What about those lengths of cable that are used with u-locks? anyone know if those are secure for locking up to, say, a lamppost, or are they just meant as an adjunct to the U (to secure the other wheel)?
I think the later. The city bikes website has some tips, I'd just go talk to them, the rest of us are guessing at this point.
Whats the new bike gonna be?
A $500ish hybrid. I'm going shopping at citybikes tonight, then hitting up big wheel and revolution over the weekend. Hopefully I'll have found something I like by next week. If anyone's got any tips on brands or models well-suited to zipping around the city, please share them! I basically want something as light as fast as possible while still not having to worry about bending a wheel if I jump off a curb.
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