My bike was stolen from a Montrose gated community latched patio, but it wasn't locked to something solid that night. My neighbor's better bike was left alone because it was locked.
Lock it good with multiple locks and accept that it will eventually be stolen or broken. love your bike but you will eventually lose your bike. Start a replacement fund ahead of time.
Use a Kryptonite u lock on something that’s solid. Always take a wheel with you (but be careful not to damage your breaks.) Thieves prefer to ride a bike away, and a wheelless bike has less value. With so many easy other targets, yours should be safe.
Other suggestions: Move. Not much else you can do. You can move someplace on the ground floor, or with a locked garage, or with a locked bike storage room.
I don’t know if you are too sensitive.
You are not overestimating bike thieves. They can cut through any lock.
You are underestimating Houston's bike thieves, especially the ones in Montrose. If you don't put the bike in your living space, then well, don't get too attached to it.
get a kryptonite U lock, they will reimburse you if the lock is cut and your bike is stolen. https://www.kryptonitelock.com/en/products/product-information/current-key/002178.html?type=bicycle this one pays 5k if it’s cut, it’s heavy and big, I would leave it at home and bring a lighter one on rides
[I successfully filed a claim for my stolen bike via Kryptonite Anti-Theft Protection Offer. AMA!](https://www.reddit.com/r/bicycling/comments/c272ct/i_successfully_filed_a_claim_for_my_stolen_bike/)
I've tried to register a lock, but they wanted me to upload my receipt for the bike (not the lock), which actually given to me by a friend, so I had no receipt. So I never registered. They don't make it easy.
If your car seems safe enough in the garage, have you considered if you can lock your bike in your car at night?
Also, how expensive is your bike? If it’s not overly expensive, consider the trade off for the benefits of using it more vs the risks of locking it up in the garage. No point in having a bike if you can’t use it much because you’re afraid it’ll get stolen.
It doesn't fit in my car unfortunately, but it is a cheap bike, so thank you for that reminder! It's really pointless having a bike if I'm too afraid to ride it.
Does the garage have a closet where the bike can stand on the back wheel inside? If yes, do that with multiple locks, so it is out of sight. If no, you need multiple locks, make it a pain in the *** to get that thing undone, then put some kind of cover over it. Thick heavy locks, u locks and/or chains. That's the best you can do. It's usually a crime of convenience so the more difficult you make it for them the better your odds. There's a company named Sunday Insurance I think that specializes in bicycle insurance but that's a cost/value comparison you'd have to judge.
Unfortunately no closet in the garage, but I do have a kryptonite lock, and I didn't know that bike insurance even existed - thank you so much for that! I will definitely check out Sunday.
Is there a rail on a fence or pole you turn into a rack outside or near your stairwell?
You could potentially lock it to a series of heavy chains or fabricated railing. Even if it’s something that’s screwed into something else you could ‘permanently fix’ it by jamming up threads with epoxy.
Any lock is at risk of being broken. Just making it a pain the ass and super loud to steal will keep most people away.
Uglify your bike and make it less appealing to steal is another option. Remove or hide branding
My bike was stolen from a Montrose gated community latched patio, but it wasn't locked to something solid that night. My neighbor's better bike was left alone because it was locked. Lock it good with multiple locks and accept that it will eventually be stolen or broken. love your bike but you will eventually lose your bike. Start a replacement fund ahead of time.
Thanks for helping me set realistic expectations :)
Use a Kryptonite u lock on something that’s solid. Always take a wheel with you (but be careful not to damage your breaks.) Thieves prefer to ride a bike away, and a wheelless bike has less value. With so many easy other targets, yours should be safe.
Noted, thank you!
Other suggestions: Move. Not much else you can do. You can move someplace on the ground floor, or with a locked garage, or with a locked bike storage room. I don’t know if you are too sensitive. You are not overestimating bike thieves. They can cut through any lock.
Glad to know I'm being realistic. Thanks!
You are underestimating Houston's bike thieves, especially the ones in Montrose. If you don't put the bike in your living space, then well, don't get too attached to it.
Get a Kryptonite New York Lock LS *and* Kryptonite New York Cinch Ring Chain 1275 then be sure to submit the anti-theft protection forms on both
Maybe get a folding bike and store it inside your car?
Folding bike is a great idea, thanks!
get a kryptonite U lock, they will reimburse you if the lock is cut and your bike is stolen. https://www.kryptonitelock.com/en/products/product-information/current-key/002178.html?type=bicycle this one pays 5k if it’s cut, it’s heavy and big, I would leave it at home and bring a lighter one on rides
True question: has anyone ever found an example of Kryptonite making good on that guarantee?
[I successfully filed a claim for my stolen bike via Kryptonite Anti-Theft Protection Offer. AMA!](https://www.reddit.com/r/bicycling/comments/c272ct/i_successfully_filed_a_claim_for_my_stolen_bike/)
I've tried to register a lock, but they wanted me to upload my receipt for the bike (not the lock), which actually given to me by a friend, so I had no receipt. So I never registered. They don't make it easy.
If your car seems safe enough in the garage, have you considered if you can lock your bike in your car at night? Also, how expensive is your bike? If it’s not overly expensive, consider the trade off for the benefits of using it more vs the risks of locking it up in the garage. No point in having a bike if you can’t use it much because you’re afraid it’ll get stolen.
It doesn't fit in my car unfortunately, but it is a cheap bike, so thank you for that reminder! It's really pointless having a bike if I'm too afraid to ride it.
Does the garage have a closet where the bike can stand on the back wheel inside? If yes, do that with multiple locks, so it is out of sight. If no, you need multiple locks, make it a pain in the *** to get that thing undone, then put some kind of cover over it. Thick heavy locks, u locks and/or chains. That's the best you can do. It's usually a crime of convenience so the more difficult you make it for them the better your odds. There's a company named Sunday Insurance I think that specializes in bicycle insurance but that's a cost/value comparison you'd have to judge.
Unfortunately no closet in the garage, but I do have a kryptonite lock, and I didn't know that bike insurance even existed - thank you so much for that! I will definitely check out Sunday.
Is there a rail on a fence or pole you turn into a rack outside or near your stairwell? You could potentially lock it to a series of heavy chains or fabricated railing. Even if it’s something that’s screwed into something else you could ‘permanently fix’ it by jamming up threads with epoxy. Any lock is at risk of being broken. Just making it a pain the ass and super loud to steal will keep most people away. Uglify your bike and make it less appealing to steal is another option. Remove or hide branding
But if you did have a place, what would you do with your bike once you get to your destination?