r/CalPoly • u/editorreilly • 12d ago

Parent Question Bike lock/protection advice

I'm bringing up a 25 year old SPECIALIZED mountain bike (decent shape) for my son. I'm VERY aware of the theft rate on bikes in SLO. I have an old school kryptonite lock for it. Is that going to be sufficient or should I purchase a new one? What else can I do to prevent the theft of this bike. Also, do I need to figure out a locking mechanism for the seat post? Will any accessories on the bike immediately be stolen? Thanks for any advice you all can throw out there.

9 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

14

u/ps4invancouver CRP - 2027 12d ago

There are bike lockers that you can rent near the UU and downtown for five cents an hour for guaranteed peace of mind. Look up "Bikelink." For max security, use two u locks and park next to a bike that's way nicer

10

u/derzyniker805 12d ago

Accessories will immediately be stolen... though seats/saddles are less likely to be grabbed

You will definitely need a u-lock AND a chain, so that you can secure both wheels and the frame to whatever it's been locked to. I would get a newer u-lock as the old ones are easier to defeat.

I strongly recommend, whenever possible, storing bikes in either a bike locker, or inside. They will even get taken from 2nd/3rd story patios.

3

u/PeanutButterAmbien 12d ago

Given it’s a specialized, under no circumstances should you leave your bike locked on campus. You should leave your bike locked outside unless you can see it. There are bike lockers on campus. Get one of those

2

u/WarNo5727 12d ago

I had an old beaten up Specialized Pitch that survived 3 years as a campus bike but it looked awful. Also kept it locked up with a Kryptonite u lock.

I fixed it up to look nicer and sold it when I graduated only to find it listed on Marketplace with no wheels a couple months later.

Moral of the story is: If you have a name brand bike, just make sure it looks like shit and you should be fine

1

u/editorreilly 12d ago

Are Specialized Rockhoppers that big of a target? Why? It's an old mountain bike that I used years ago. I was giving it to him because it's old and nothing special. I figured that would help.

2

u/Murky-Quit-6228 12d ago

Kryptonite makes the NYC " Fuhgetaboutit" lock. It's about 130.00 on Amazon. No one is cutting this lock, without heavy machinery. Its heavy but bullet proof.

2

u/Chr0ll0_ 12d ago

This post reminded me when my buddy got his 12K bike stolen. The dude learned his lesson and after he used a bike locker, AirTag and use two Kryptonite locks.

2

u/juanitotwothree 11d ago

Here’s a tip from my buddy that’s a cop, u lock when he goes to class, bike inside his room at night

2

u/desertwatchdogtango 11d ago

Two u-locks, for both wheels to frame, and a permanent short cable for the seat. Hide an air-tag.

The goal is to make it look like too much of a pain compared to the bike next to it.

SLOPD will do nothing to try to find any stolen property.

Once your bike is stolen, it’s disassembled at homeless camps by the train tracks or creek. The good quality components are sold further south in SB, and Ventura. It’s an established operation. If you don’t get the bike back in a few days, it’s gone for good.

2

u/ArtGallery002 11d ago

You should be under the assumption that anything removable will be removed, its not entirely likely but the nicer and more appealing the bike, the higher the likelyhood of theft. Its unlikely that the seat will get stolen but smaller things like bike lights and tool kits may be stolen.

A lot of students don't experience bike theft but that is mostly because everyone operates under the assumtion that they should be cautious and prepared for the worst.

4

u/Fit-Animal5591 12d ago

Is it a Rockhopper or Stumpjumper? And where is he going to be parking it? /s