A rant (not for those who are offended by strong language)

[Speelgoedmannetje]

motorollin wrote:
Speel - note the way two chains are used to secure the bike and both wheels ;-) This one will live in the garden, as it wouldn't susprise me if the thieves came back for more, and when they found that the couldn't steal it decided to kick it to pieces instead...

But you haven't got it chained to something  :whack:
They just can pick it up and cut the chains at home, AND which isn't a difficult job because the chains you use are, if you pardon my french, lousy. You really need those with solid chains, like this one:


Very nice bicycle btw. :-)
but I fear thieves will think that too.
Best to have a grey boring bike with certain aspects of which it can be identified with.

[motorollin]

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:
But you haven't got it chained to something  :whack:

Yes I have :-) There is a bike hook attached to the wall (which can't be removed while the chain is through it) and the bike is chained to that. You just can't see it because the bike is in the way.

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:
They just can pick it up and cut the chains at home, AND which isn't a difficult job because the chains you use are, if you pardon my french, lousy. You really need those with solid chains, like this one:

They are solid chains inside. The plastic coating is just to waterproof them and stop them from rusting.

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:
Very nice bicycle btw. :-)

Thanks :-)

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:
but I fear thieves will think that too.

Maybe, but I think they'll have a hard time getting it off the wall! Those chains are practically impossible to cut through.

[cecilia]

motorollin wrote:
Well, my other half picked me up from the train station today and brought me home. We we pulled up to the house I saw that he had bought me a new cover for my bike. I made a sarcastic comment that was a bit late for that, but he insisted I come and have a look at it. When I got close enough I saw a new wheel poking out from underneath! I pulled back the cover and saw that attached to the new wheel was a whole new bike!!!!! I can't believe it :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) I think I'll keep this one in the garden instead of on the drive way...

aaawwww, how adorable!

this bike stealing thing reminded me of a bike I once saw that had a easily removable front wheel (flip of a switch type of thing). I saw that in manahtten people would remove that front wheel and secure thier chain around both wheels together. if you get my meaning.
these were probably messengers so they were up on the latest stuff.

anyway, I wonder if there's a "lojack" type of system for bikes. here in the US some states have a system where you have a "locator" installed in your car and if it gets stolen the police can find it fast. It actually has a high success rate.

I suppose what with GPS it's possible to hide a chip in a bike and have a similar system.

[Speelgoedmannetje]

cecilia wrote:
I suppose what with GPS it's possible to hide a chip in a bike and have a similar system.

GPS is receive only. It could use it, but only using it together with GPRS (standard mobile phone network).
Normally I'd say it'd be costly, but prices are dropping tremendously.

[Nataline]

http://hackaday.com/2008/07/26/honeybike-bicycle-thief-honeypot/

[Wain]

I'm sorry for your loss...I can't stand seeing good people have crap like this happen to them.

You should be aware though, in Chicago it's just as common for people to steal the bike seat as well as the wheel.

[cecilia]

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:

cecilia wrote:
I suppose what with GPS it's possible to hide a chip in a bike and have a similar system.

GPS is receive only. It could use it, but only using it together with GPRS (standard mobile phone network).
Normally I'd say it'd be costly, but prices are dropping tremendously.

they have made a system for children where you attach a device to your child (some bracelet thingy) and via your phone you can keep track of where he or she is.

I'm sure a similar thing can be done for bikes

[motorollin]

Well, the police are coming over this morning to have a look at our CCTV footage. Probably seems like a bit of an over-reaction, but I'm not just going to let it go. First it's a bike wheel, then once the b*stards think they can walk all over you they're in your fking house.

I made the mistake of watching the CCTV footage last night. It's very upsetting to see someone just walk on to your property, take your possessions, then walk off as if they have done nothing wrong :cry:

[Lorraine]

/

[Speelgoedmannetje]

cecilia wrote:

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:

cecilia wrote:
I suppose what with GPS it's possible to hide a chip in a bike and have a similar system.

GPS is receive only. It could use it, but only using it together with GPRS (standard mobile phone network).
Normally I'd say it'd be costly, but prices are dropping tremendously.

they have made a system for children where you attach a device to your child (some bracelet thingy) and via your phone you can keep track of where he or she is.

I'm sure a similar thing can be done for bikes

Yes, this uses a kinda similar technique as GPS (though the sattelites are in this case the antennas)

[Speelgoedmannetje]

motorollin wrote:
Well, the police are coming over this morning to have a look at our CCTV footage. Probably seems like a bit of an over-reaction, but I'm not just going to let it go. First it's a bike wheel, then once the b*stards think they can walk all over you they're in your fking house.
 

Why would it be an over reaction? :-?

[Speelgoedmannetje]

motorollin wrote:
I made the mistake of watching the CCTV footage last night. It's very upsetting to see someone just walk on to your property, take your possessions, then walk off as if they have done nothing wrong :cry:

Keep in mind that they're not anonymous anymore because of it.

[motorollin]

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:

motorollin wrote:
Well, the police are coming over this morning to have a look at our CCTV footage. Probably seems like a bit of an over-reaction, but I'm not just going to let it go. First it's a bike wheel, then once the b*stards think they can walk all over you they're in your fking house.

Why would it be an over reaction? :-?

Dunno, I just assume that the police have more important things to do with their time. However, an officer actually came round today and looked at the footage, and took printouts. She said she will circulate it to her colleagues and if anyone recognises the offenders they will arrest them. Here's hoping.

[motorollin]

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:

motorollin wrote:
I made the mistake of watching the CCTV footage last night. It's very upsetting to see someone just walk on to your property, take your possessions, then walk off as if they have done nothing wrong :cry:

Keep in mind that they're not anonymous anymore because of it.

True. I'm also thinking of sending a copy of one of the pics to the local paper. If they print it, there's probably a good chance someone will recognise them ;-)

[cecilia]

motorollin wrote:
Well, the police are coming over this morning to have a look at our CCTV footage. Probably seems like a bit of an over-reaction, but I'm not just going to let it go. First it's a bike wheel, then once the b*stards think they can walk all over you they're in your fking house.

I made the mistake of watching the CCTV footage last night. It's very upsetting to see someone just walk on to your property, take your possessions, then walk off as if they have done nothing wrong :cry:

these people have commited other crimes - i'm sure of it.

this is not "stealing" a loaf of bread because you are hungary type of behavior.

they may have been doing much worse. you did the right thing and this is just what the police are SUPPOSED to be doing. only when citizens give the police the pieces of a puzzle can the police DO thier job and put it all together to remove people who make you feel unsafe and violated.

[countzero]

cecilia wrote:

this is not "stealing" a loaf of bread because you are hungary type of behavior.

you'll get all the hungarians offended, watch your tongue  :lol: