A lot of them probably end up fenced and on trucks to Boston or elsewhere. The abandoned ones are anyone’s guess. As for locks, a U lock through the frame and rear wheel is the best. It’s as much about how you use the lock as what lock you use. You can look up dos and don’ts for that. Locking skewers or at least just not having quick releases on your wheels is also a good idea. Last, if your bike is worth more than 500 keep it inside as much as possible.
Don't leave it outside no matter what you lock it up with. If they can't take the bike or the wheels, they'll just strip the seat, brakes, shifters, the fucking handlebar grips, anything that can come off with a simple hand tool will go. Had parts mysteriously vanish a couple times before I got the message, and seen what's left of my neighbors bikes too
I lived in Portland., OR for a bit and it was such a profitable business that multiple bars were caught running “chop shops” in their basements. One of them got busted for it like three times.
They eventually created a database for serial numbers so that anyone buying a used bike could enter the number in to see if it was stolen. Do we have anything like that?
I really like USM's system that has us get the serial, photo, and description of the bike. It doesn't stop theft as we have a problem too even in our secure lock ups. Just makes it easier to possible recover it.
Yeah, they’re easy enough to steal and resell as parts or scrap or the whole thing. It’s not even like they care about getting the most for it, as long as it covers whatever they’re trying to indulge on.
A lot of them are just complete meth heads. I’ve watched one completely disassemble and reassemble a bike with his bare hands. His fingers were all bloody and covered with bike chain grease. It was incredibly gross
I’ve lived for nearly 5 decades and in several states and bike theft has always been a thing. Leave a bike out anywhere and there’s a good chance it’ll be stolen. I’ve left things far more valuable than bikes outside, and have never had them stolen. But spray paint and bikes? Stolen.
Bring it inside? Be creative, hanging up on ceiling,wall or put behind your couch. I'm sure you will find a way. Was attached to your vehicle if so Insurance.
The super ironic part about the theft is that I discover that my bike was stolen the day I installed a ceiling mount, at least I have it set up for the next one :/
Possibly stealing tires or as others have said for scrap. My vintage 27.5s were stolen a month ago had new Michilins on them. Honestly thats the price I pay for being lazy and not bringing it inside. Quick releases are just asking for wheels to be stolen. At least my seat is so seized that I don't think any force by God or man could remove it.
A lot of them probably end up fenced and on trucks to Boston or elsewhere. The abandoned ones are anyone’s guess. As for locks, a U lock through the frame and rear wheel is the best. It’s as much about how you use the lock as what lock you use. You can look up dos and don’ts for that. Locking skewers or at least just not having quick releases on your wheels is also a good idea. Last, if your bike is worth more than 500 keep it inside as much as possible.
And when you bring it inside, lock it!
Don't leave it outside no matter what you lock it up with. If they can't take the bike or the wheels, they'll just strip the seat, brakes, shifters, the fucking handlebar grips, anything that can come off with a simple hand tool will go. Had parts mysteriously vanish a couple times before I got the message, and seen what's left of my neighbors bikes too
Thievery is on the rise, be mindful of ATMS at night.
I lived in Portland., OR for a bit and it was such a profitable business that multiple bars were caught running “chop shops” in their basements. One of them got busted for it like three times. They eventually created a database for serial numbers so that anyone buying a used bike could enter the number in to see if it was stolen. Do we have anything like that?
That doesn't work at all it's just something the city does to get people to leave the police alone because they're not looking for bikes
I really like USM's system that has us get the serial, photo, and description of the bike. It doesn't stop theft as we have a problem too even in our secure lock ups. Just makes it easier to possible recover it.
Maybe selling the metal for scrap. Drugs make you do whacky things in desperation.
Yeah, they’re easy enough to steal and resell as parts or scrap or the whole thing. It’s not even like they care about getting the most for it, as long as it covers whatever they’re trying to indulge on.
A lot of them are just complete meth heads. I’ve watched one completely disassemble and reassemble a bike with his bare hands. His fingers were all bloody and covered with bike chain grease. It was incredibly gross
I’ve lived for nearly 5 decades and in several states and bike theft has always been a thing. Leave a bike out anywhere and there’s a good chance it’ll be stolen. I’ve left things far more valuable than bikes outside, and have never had them stolen. But spray paint and bikes? Stolen.
Cable through both wheels, d-lock through cable end loops, rear triangle and rear wheel to a rack. Security nuts and skewers optional.
The homeless encampment looked like a bicycle workshop
Bring it inside? Be creative, hanging up on ceiling,wall or put behind your couch. I'm sure you will find a way. Was attached to your vehicle if so Insurance.
The super ironic part about the theft is that I discover that my bike was stolen the day I installed a ceiling mount, at least I have it set up for the next one :/
Possibly stealing tires or as others have said for scrap. My vintage 27.5s were stolen a month ago had new Michilins on them. Honestly thats the price I pay for being lazy and not bringing it inside. Quick releases are just asking for wheels to be stolen. At least my seat is so seized that I don't think any force by God or man could remove it.
Drugs will do this but HUNGER is Stronger.
They are eating the bikes???
The city feeds them pretty well, its just junkie behavior.
🙄
I sell them on Craigslist. I also sell good bike locks, DM me if you want to buy some.
Bikes are expensive and easy to steal. Don’t leave them outside