Stolen bike blues

[Kimmyt]

So, my brother moved to DC awhile ago, and since he has no need for a car in the city and couldn't afford to keep it, he sold it and got a cheap Peugot road bike that was rather oldschool after his own crappy wally-world bike died on him. Several weeks after he got the Peugot the chain crapped out, and the bike mechanic told him they didn't make that chain anymore. He'd have to buy a new bike. So, really liking the light feel of his crappy road bike, he bought a TREK (TCR or OCR maybe? Their comfort/road/commuter style) and loooved it. I had a bad feeling when he bought it, thought the bike shop guy should not have sold him a new bike for commuter, since it's a city and it would get stolen.

Sure enough, the bike gets stolen, barely a week after he got it. So now by brother has gone through 3 bikes and is out several hundred dollars on this new one. I don't know what to do, how to help him. My heart is breaking because I know he doesn't have much money and I can't really help him pick out a good beater bike since I'm not in the area. I am so bummed for him.

Any city gals have any suggestions on bikes that won't get stolen? I think he'll have to deal with a p.o.s. bike since it's the dead of the city and it will probably just get stolen again if it is of any value. Unfortunately, with cheap/old bikes, labor and repair/maintenance is expensive or parts can't be found, so I don't know what to suggest to him at this point. Maybe get another new bike and spray paint it some ungodly ugly color so no one will steal it?

So sad right now for him.... :mad:

[Running Mommy]

hmmm... I find it hard to believe that they couldn't have fixed the old one?
What kind of chain could he have had that is so different from the newer ones?
And since vintage bikes seem to be the rage these days, there are a lot of places that specialize in vintage parts/products.
Hmmph. Sound to me like a greedy BS owner was trying to make a sale! I hate that!!:mad:
Sigh...
The other day I had a guy come in who had been here a couple of times checking us out. He converted an old frame to a fixie. Well he came in looking for a tool, but we didn't have it on the shelf. We did however have it in the service area. So I told him to just bring the bike down and he could borrow the tool. He did, it was no big deal, and he gave us 5.00 for our trouble.- Not that we were even going to charge him. It took him maybe 5 minutes to do what he needed to do.
Why did I just tell that story?? Heck I dunno. I'm rambling..
Wish I could offer some real advice. Perhaps his local craigslist will come up with something affordable for him. Actually- he should be watching CL and ebay anyway to see if the stolen steed shows up. Also have him take flyers by all the local pawn shops.

[tulip]

Kimmyt, so sorry to hear about your brother's bike being stolen.

What bike shop did he go to? I can recommend some good shops. Does he still have the Peugeot? That's crap about the chain--you can find one if you know where to look and who to call. Peugeot may have had a French chain, but they can be found.

I would suggest that he buy a used bike. Labor and repair and maintenance are no more expensive than a new bike. Parts can be found, and older parts are often cheaper than newer, especially if you can get them used. Plus, many bike shops recondition used bikes before they sell them. There are a couple of bike coops in and around DC. The great thing about bikes is that their basic design has hardly changed. Also, bikes are pretty basic to work on. It would be a good idea for him to learn the basics of bike maintenance (prevention of parts breaking) and repair.

Also, he should bring his bike inside his apartment for sure. Office is harder, but perhaps there's a parking garage with a bike cage in it nearby if his office won't allow a bike inside (but he should ask about it). Many parking garages in DC have such cages. In any case, he needs a good lock. Don't skimp on the lock.

I lived in DC for many years and bought my commuter bike brand new and never had any problems. Of course, I kept it in my house and in my office and not outside.

Spray paint is not a bad idea.

[Kimmyt]

Yeah, I felt the same way about the chain, but by the time he told me about it and i said 'well let me know what type of chain and i will find one for you' he had gotten impatient and bought a new bike. He doesn't know anything about bikes so I was having problems helping him out from far away.

It looks like if he needs one asap my fiancee will give him his beater mtnbike/commuter so he has something. i told him to talk to bike shops about the theft and to keep an eye on craigslist.

K.

[KathiCville]

Very sorry to hear about your brother's loss.....

He ought to be able to rehab that Peugeot without too much trouble. For Christmas last year my BF rehab'd my 27-year old Peugeot to make it perfectly rideable again. It's now my commuter for jaunts to the university library. (Doesn't compare to my new road bike in terms of mechanics, but I love it for sentimental reasons.)

BF had to search a little to find what he needed---using the 'special order' help of the local LBS, I think---but he got the Peugeot moving again pretty quickly after it sat in my garage untouched for 10 years. (It needed replacement brakes, new rims, some other gizmos, too. Don't remember if it needed a new chain---probably!)

If your brother's bike just needs a chain, I can't believe it would be very difficult to find a workable replacement. He needs to show the bike to someone who fixes bikes as a hobby or just for the love of it.
Maybe your brother could contact one of the local cycling clubs and see if there are members who can give him some informal, hands-on advice or help, so he's not at the mercy of a greedy LBS salesman. (My bicycle-loving BF actually begged me to LET him rebuild the Peugeot, LOL! He loved the idea of giving a 'classic' a 'new life.')

Besides Craigslist, your brother might want to take a look at the local Goodwill, Salvation Army, Amvet and other thrift stores to check into a replacement bike.

Also, one or more of the LBS's that do rentals (for the C&O canal, for example) might get rid of their used rental models for a decent price once in a while.

In May or June he might be able to pick up a beater for a song when graduating university students clear out.

Good luck to him!

[Kalidurga]

There are a couple of bike coops in and around DC.

Not to hi-jack the thread, but... Tulip, do you have more information about DC bike co-ops? I tried one day to do a 'net search on that and got no results (could have been my search, though).

Sorry for your brother, Kimmyt. Where in DC did it happen? I work in the Golden Triangle district, near Dupont Circle, and see the same bikes locked in the same places every day. Some of them are really nice, too. The only ones I've ever seen touched are ones that have been left overnight. The Friday night party crowd in downtown DC seems to take out a lot of *ahem* excess energy on bikes left locked up overnight. I've seen some very sad sights when I've come into work on Saturday morning. Taco'd wheels, attempts to remove locked wheels, bent frames, shredded bar tape... Very sad :(

[tulip]

Mount Rainier Bike Coop, just over the Maryland line in Prince Georges County, a mere 4 miles up Rhode Island Avenue from Logan Circle:

http://www.tfkmetrodc.org/mrbc.htm

I used to live in MR and volunteered at the coop there. Tell PJ that Juliellen sent you.

There used to be a bike coop in Shaw off of RI Ave at 12 NW, I think, but it moved and/or closed down. Perhaps it just moved. I can't remember the name of it.

Another good resource is Proteus Bikes in College Park, MD on Route 1. Jill, the owner, knows about all sorts of bike and community stuff going on. Tell Jill I say hi.

[mimitabby]

um, maybe he needs to invest in a lock or two? that would help. you can't always bring your bike inside. even junky bikes get stolen. I hope he still has the peugeot and tries another bike shop.

When DH & I went to the opera on Sunday; we left our expensive bikes outside (downtown) for 3 hours. We had two U locks and two sturdy cable locks. We didn't want to make it easy for a thief.

[7rider]

Oh, bummer, KimmyT.
Always painful to hear about a bike being lifted....worse when it hits so close to home (and mars my home area! :mad:)
I saw this ad in the local Craigslist...is this your brother?
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/bik/547886865.html
Good luck to him. I hope he recovers his bike or makes the Peugot work.

[redrhodie]

If he has homeowner's or renter's insurance, there's a chance the bike is covered.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

If he has homeowner's or renter's insurance, there's a chance the bike is covered.

The bike's value is probably much smaller than the yearly deductable.

No matter what kind of bike he gets next, he'll need a major U-bolt lock AND a super heavy cable, or else the same thing will happen again.

[Geonz]

folding bike so he could bring it with him?

I'm going to get one for travel and realized that's a real plus.

[ridebikeme]

It's sickening to hear such stories! A folding bike might be a good idea, as someone else mentioned. Having been a bike mechanic for many years now, I truly believe that a chain could have been found very easily for your brothers bike! Perhaps he should think of visiting one of the shops that were recommended here on the forum. I would also go back to the old shop and speak to the owner/manager... although nothing could be changed now I would let them know of their poor service on your chain. And as an after thought, perhaps they would still have the old bike around??

[Trek420]

And as an after thought, perhaps they would still have the old bike around??

Do they have the Peugot? That's a shame, because no doubt they've cleaned it up, replaced the chain and sold it as a classic French Steel bike or maybe a fixie. :mad: and sold him a new bike.

Ridebikeme (and other TE mechanics) doesn't the power train wear together? So when the chain is worn you replace the works and it all matches? Or was he too lazy to find the matching chain?

[Brandi]

yea what happen to he's old bike?
Here where I live I have noticed out at the police station they have this area with ton's of bikes that have been recovered but not claimed. maybe he can go to he's local police station and see if they sell some of the non claimed bikes? I don't even know if that is possible but maybe worth looking into. I have an old diamond back that needs new tires he can have if he wants to pay for shipping and handling. I believe fedex is fairly cheap ground transport wise. at least a couple years ago it cost us around $40.00 to send it from Cali to colorado. Just a thought. It is a 1988 no suspension commuter bike. i believe it is around 18 inch. Like I said tires don't hold air anymore.

[Kimmyt]

Unfortunately, he gave his old bike to charity since he didn't have any room for it in his tiny apartment. I gave him The Boy's old mountain bike and showed him the best way to lock up his bike, I think he didn't think anyone would take a bike, so hopefully nothing like this happens again!

[kat_h]

I bought a couple of rolls of reflective tape and wrapped my commuter bike in it, partly for visability and partly to make it distinctive (ugly) enough that it's less likely (hopefully) to be stolen. :)

[Trek420]

yea what happen to he's old bike?
Here where I live I have noticed out at the police station they have this area with ton's of bikes that have been recovered but not claimed. maybe he can go to he's local police station and see if they sell some of the non claimed bikes?

They hold them for auction. He could check when they hold that. Funny story is when I found my Motobecane I did everything I could to make sure it was not "hot" including called the local PD to see if it was reprted.

They sent someone out to "recover" it. Realizing they just want it for sale at the auction I conveniently was not home. It's the only time I've hidden from the police :rolleyes:

My LBS is the wrench for local PD so I had one of his clients check too , not hot, just thrown out. :)

[ridebikeme]

With the current bikes with indexed shifting, the drivetrains Do indeed wear together. Normally you would replace a chain and a cassette or freewheel. However, if the bike was old enough to not have indexed shifting(each gear clicks into place) normally the chains and freewheels wear for quite awhile, and could be replaced replaced separately... although not always the case.

I do indeed hope that the shop has the orginal bike... keep us posted!

[Trek420]

With the current bikes with indexed shifting, the drivetrains Do indeed wear together. Normally you would replace a chain and a cassette or freewheel. However, if the bike was old enough to not have indexed shifting(each gear clicks into place) normally the chains and freewheels wear for quite awhile, and could be replaced replaced separately... although not always the case.

I do indeed hope that the shop has the orginal bike... keep us posted!

Sorry for the thread hijack TE :p Ridebikeme and other TE techie gals - the wearing all together stuff ... I thought that was a Campy vs Shimano thang. That Campy is modular: wear out the chain, replace the chain but Shimano you wear out one thing and might as well get the whole works.

But maybe MY LBS told me that to get me to buy Record :p ;) I'm glad I did though.

Can you just get the part on Shimano (we don't know if that's what he had).

[ridebikeme]

I would agree with you that Shimano tends to wear much quicker than Campy. However, if you replace your chain every 1200-1500 miles then generally you can replace your cassette every other time. In the long run, you save quite a bit of money because the cassettes are much more expensive than the chains.(especially Record, although there is nothing better in my eyes:):)

On non indexed bikes, there is very little stress on the chain/freewheel so they seem to last for many years. I quess one could say that they aren't as user friendly as the indexed systems... but there are arguments to both.

Anyway, sorry for the hijack... hope your brother finds another bike!

[Trek420]

Back to the chain question: let's see if I've got this right. My LBS was explaining that the width of the chain has to do with the number of gears. Like I have Campy 10 spd, if I had a chain/deraileur for a 9 spd it might be too wide. So as deraileurs get more and more gears as in converting an old 10 speed to modern bits there are conflicts.

Could that had been what the LBS meant? He could replace the chain but it would have to be a new chain of the right width.

[tulip]

Back to the chain question: let's see if I've got this right. My LBS was explaining that the width of the chain has to do with the number of gears. Like I have Campy 10 spd, if I had a chain/deraileur for a 9 spd it might be too wide. So as deraileurs get more and more gears as in converting an old 10 speed to modern bits there are conflicts.

Could that had been what the LBS meant? He could replace the chain but it would have to be a new chain of the right width.

Of course, we weren't there, by KimmyT's original message said this:

"the bike mechanic told him they didn't make that chain anymore. He'd have to buy a new bike."

Sounds to me like the mechanic was trying to get a quick and easy sale in addition to a classic Peugeot. KimmyT, I'd love to know what shop this was, as I used to live in DC and still go up there from time to time. But I understand if you don't want to put the shop name on the list, so if you want, PM me. I hope he gets another bike soon and a good lock. Bikes are the best way to get around DC. Driving is horrible and the Metro is expensive (and less than efficient)

[Trek420]

Bikes are the best way around most places, :D What an awful thing for the wrench to say, not "you have to replace the chain and power train ...." or "you'd have to replace the chain and hub" or .... "we can turn it into a fixie".

This could cost as much as his new bike but you give the cyclist the choice.

What I know about bikes has come from those choices discussed over coffee with my LBS .... and from you gals on TE. :D

[ridebikeme]

Trek420 you're right in the fact that the more gears weh have on the rear wheel, the narrower the chain becomes. Not knowing how many gears the old bike had, it's hard to answer the question 'What if?" However, if the bike were anywhere from a 5, 6 or 7 speed rear wheel the old 7/8 speed chains would have worked. And as someone else mentioned, there are plenty of salvage shops around as well.

[Trek420]

Salvage shops? This guy had 5 bikes in the back just waiting to be the parts for this beauty. :mad: I don't know what chain my LBS guys used on my mixte freewheel rebuild but I imagine there are chains out there.

DebW? RunningMommy? Is there a mechanic in the house? :rolleyes: ;) Right, r.b.m., you are one too. :) Wa D.C. is flat, right? Why not suggest a freewheel?

What bugs me is while we get extraordinary service, good service, ok service from our shops .... I don't expect this behavior from any shop.

Communication. Education. Good shops do that. This is how my shop is getting me to plan for a new bike. I asked him "if I wanted to use my commuter for ALC is there anything that could make it lighter?" He described how we could throw money at it :p :rolleyes: .... and said it would cost less to get a Surly LHT, which would be lighter, faster, touring geometry and I still have the commuter.

That's how you sell a bike. And the shop might have gotten the rebuild too.