Not to add an I-told-you-so so much as just a warning to other people around here with bicycles:
*Literally* every single person I know who either a) leaves their bike locked up outside for long periods of time with any regularity OR b) leaves their bikes inside but in an unsecured location (porches and vestibules are common), has had a bicycle stolen at least once and, in many cases, multiple times. Unprotected bikes, like after-market car stereos, have a high difficulty-of-theft to resale value. If someone can take it, they will most likely do so. If you value your bicycle, bring it completely inside whenever possible, and if you must leave it outside (as anyone who hopes to use their bicycle will certainly do!), replace the quick-release stem on the rear wheel with a lugged stem, use a non-quick-release seat (unless you want to take the seat with you every time), and lock the front wheel *and* the frame to an object that is at least as sturdy as the lock itself (i.e. NOT the chain-links of a chain-link fence).
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Date: 2008-06-10 04:26 pm (UTC)*Literally* every single person I know who either a) leaves their bike locked up outside for long periods of time with any regularity OR b) leaves their bikes inside but in an unsecured location (porches and vestibules are common), has had a bicycle stolen at least once and, in many cases, multiple times. Unprotected bikes, like after-market car stereos, have a high difficulty-of-theft to resale value. If someone can take it, they will most likely do so. If you value your bicycle, bring it completely inside whenever possible, and if you must leave it outside (as anyone who hopes to use their bicycle will certainly do!), replace the quick-release stem on the rear wheel with a lugged stem, use a non-quick-release seat (unless you want to take the seat with you every time), and lock the front wheel *and* the frame to an object that is at least as sturdy as the lock itself (i.e. NOT the chain-links of a chain-link fence).