Hello Josh, The advice you've received so far is all good and I'm sure you'll find it to be very helpful. But have you considered asking your employer for secure bike parking? My current employer has bike lockers, locker rooms and showers, and a web page for bike commuters where people shared tips for commuting, recommended bike routes and the like. My previous employer had a parking garage where the ceiling sloped down so cars couldn't be parked there, but it was perfectly fine for bicycles. The bike parking area had a fence around it and a lot of the staple racks. They also provided locker rooms and showers. Years ago they used to give out coffee and donuts on Bike to Work Day. All of this was provided since people asked for it.
Seems to me that employers try to go out of their way promoting health and wellness, so take advantage of that when asking. Also are there other bike commuters or people who would like to bike to work but don't for one reason or another at the hospital? You may be more successful if there is a group making the request rather than one person. Lastly, is there a bicycle advocacy group in Indianapolis? They might be able to help you with you by providing cost estimates for racks or bike lockers. Good luck and happy trails, JohnS On Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 4:40:40 PM UTC-5 kiziria...@gmail.com wrote: > Leah and others, > > There are a plethora of cycle-specific products you can find that are > designed to hide an airtag. A quick google search produced this video: > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zutcGa73kbM > > I personally use a generic "tagcozy" silicone holder that I've zip tied > underneath the nose of my saddle, above the rails. > > However, I would spend the additional $$ and get a knog scout for all my > future bikes. > > On Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 10:33:50 AM UTC-8 Josh C wrote: > >> J - I like the idea of using the Pitlock skewers or the like. I've just >> gotten so used to using a cable through my front wheel that it's second >> nature now. I'm glad you're doing ok with your Chev in the city. >> >> On Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 10:07:25 AM UTC-5 J Schwartz wrote: >> >>> I've been leaving my Cheviot locked up with a single Kryptonite mini >>> U-lock around the frame in NYC for the past few month since I started >>> working there again >>> [image: 002062 New-U Evolution Mini-5.jpg] >>> I've got Pitlock skewers on my wheels so I'm not concerned with my kind >>> of expensive dynamo wheel set. ...don't even run cable through them. >>> I should run some sort of permanent cable through my saddle loops to my >>> seat stays to prevent my seat post and my 20-year old B68 from being ripped >>> off....Will do that next. I think I can get a Pitlock for the seat cluster >>> bolt that is keyed the same as my skewers.. *note to call Peter White >>> Yes, the U-lock can be cut, but I'm not leaving the bike out >>> overnight...and I think where I park it , it would be pretty glaring if >>> someone showed up with a angle grinder. >>> Maybe there's a better more secure option for the U-lock. >>> JS >>> >>> On Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 8:53:33 AM UTC-5 Josh C wrote: >>> >>>> Armand - Hexlox are a good idea. My locking technique is pretty solid >>>> too. Also, not worrying just discussing. It’s not going to keep me up at >>>> night it just sort of dawned on me that I was riding a great, but somewhat >>>> less enjoyable bike for much of my riding and leaving my favorite bikes at >>>> home. I like your “just do it and stop worrying about it” mentality. >>>> >>>> >>>> Kim - That’s a good point. I’ll give that one a read too. I liked the >>>> thread about not being precious with these bikes. They are both very >>>> applicable. >>>> >>>> >>>> Leah - Thanks for chiming in. After starting this thread someone posted >>>> to yours about being precious with Rivs and pushed it back to the top. >>>> I’ve >>>> read through that and it was exactly what I was looking for. You are >>>> correct in that Ana and Pam are prime examples. You can add Dorothy in >>>> SoCal, we’ve got Cody in Chicago, Patrick in Querque, Josiah in Missoula, >>>> Bill in the manager’s parking spot, Luke in San Fran, Armand in LA, and so >>>> on riding these things all over and locking ‘em up out in the wild. Count >>>> me in. >>>> >>>> On Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 8:32:23 AM UTC-5 Josh C wrote: >>>> >>>>> Dorothy - Beautiful bike and thanks for the rec on the Nutfix. I had >>>>> heard of Hexlox and Pinhead but not these from Abus. Those crafty Germans… >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> I’ve also heard of people putting a ball bearing down in the hex bolt >>>>> divots with a dab of super glue. I guess the theory is that it can be dug >>>>> out pretty easily once you're back home but would deter a would-be saddle >>>>> thief or the like. I’ve never worried much about this personally. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> I do a fat U-lock through the rear wheel and frame, then a flex cable >>>>> through the front wheel. >>>>> >>>>> On Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 8:30:28 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding >>>>> Ding! wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> I love this advice the best. I bought the same Hexlox products as >>>>>> Armand, and though I’m not in a high-risk area, so far, so good. I >>>>>> started >>>>>> a thread on this topic months ago after Grant wrote a post saying that >>>>>> it’s >>>>>> such a bummer to a maker when he sees his creation relegated to being an >>>>>> ornament. (Not that you are doing that, OP, I know you ride your Rivs >>>>>> other >>>>>> ways!) All that work Grant poured into making bikes that are comfortable >>>>>> and capable of life’s daily demands is wasted if the bike is “too nice” >>>>>> to >>>>>> be used. He suggests that you ride the bike you love, since that’s what >>>>>> it’s meant for, but if it really grieves you to lock it up, get a 2nd >>>>>> Rivendell and be willing. Pam and Ana are some of our best ambassadors >>>>>> for >>>>>> this idealogy. Ana rides a *custom* and yet uses it as her daily >>>>>> driver! >>>>>> >>>>>> I do not have an Air Tag in my bike, however…That is a good idea. >>>>>> Where should one hide it? >>>>>> Leah >>>>>> >>>>>> On Friday, December 8, 2023 at 7:34:32 PM UTC-5 kiziria...@gmail.com >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> I've locked all my very expensive bikes without hesitation on a >>>>>>> daily basis throughout different parts of Los Angeles, good and bad, >>>>>>> for >>>>>>> the last 15 years with zero issues. Let's get a reality check here. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> 1) The odds of a high security rated u-lock being cut are next to >>>>>>> nill in a public setting. These often require angle grinders, which are >>>>>>> loud as hell and shoot a stream of sparks 6-12ft long. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> 2) If you're concerned about your components, secure them. >>>>>>> Considering the exorbitant amount of $ we spend on our bikes, a $60-120 >>>>>>> investment is well worth it. I utilize hexlox inserts in >>>>>>> seatpost/saddle/axle skewers/stem bolt and can be at complete ease to >>>>>>> know >>>>>>> essentially superflous items will only be stolen off my bike. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> 3) If you're still the worrying type. Hide an apple airtag or >>>>>>> install a Knog Scout. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Ride your expensive bikes wherever you desire. Stop worrying, or >>>>>>> worse, building cheaper bikes to not ride your expensive bikes. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Friday, December 8, 2023 at 11:57:45 AM UTC-8 Dorothy C wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> [image: IMG_3149.jpeg]I have the benefit of gated parking where I >>>>>>>> work so I ride any of my Rivs as the fancy takes me. I’m in SoCal so >>>>>>>> ice is >>>>>>>> not an issue. What I have done on my 700c Roadini with Rich built >>>>>>>> wheels is >>>>>>>> to replace the QR skewers with Abus Nutfix locking skewers - there is >>>>>>>> a cap >>>>>>>> that hides 8mm wrench flats, that can’t be pulled out except when the >>>>>>>> wheel >>>>>>>> is exactly horizontal, so U locking the bike with them to the inside >>>>>>>> of the >>>>>>>> bike rack means the wheels can’t be taken off. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 6:49:30 AM UTC-8 Josh C wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Hello all. I find myself trying to make a decision regarding which >>>>>>>>> bike to use as my commuter. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Background: I live in Indianapolis and ride my bike for a good >>>>>>>>> chunk of my daily needs. I have a short commute to work which is done >>>>>>>>> on >>>>>>>>> bike 90% of the time. I usually work from 5:20-ish am to about 6:30 >>>>>>>>> pm 3-4 >>>>>>>>> days a week. The only days I don't ride in are if it's pouring rain >>>>>>>>> when I >>>>>>>>> get up, or the snow is too deep to get through. I could ride in the >>>>>>>>> rain, >>>>>>>>> and don't mind it on the way home, but already get up at 4:30 am and >>>>>>>>> simply >>>>>>>>> don't have time to change or mess with it on work days. I'm commuting >>>>>>>>> on a >>>>>>>>> Rohloff-equipped Surly Ogre currently and have put less than 1K miles >>>>>>>>> on my >>>>>>>>> car this year. We live near downtown and are a short ride to many >>>>>>>>> things >>>>>>>>> that we like to do. We often ride to ball games, art exhibits, >>>>>>>>> concerts, >>>>>>>>> dinners, drinks...you name it. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Dilemma: Now I warned you that this is a 1st world problem, but >>>>>>>>> here goes. I have several Riv's and they are my favorite bikes to >>>>>>>>> ride but >>>>>>>>> I find myself on the Ogre more often than any other bike. I may >>>>>>>>> accumulate >>>>>>>>> more miles on my Rivs, as I ride a Toyo Atlantis as my all-road bike, >>>>>>>>> but I >>>>>>>>> do way more trips on the Surly. For some reason, I simply feel more >>>>>>>>> comfortable locking up the Surly for 13 hours or outside of a music >>>>>>>>> venue >>>>>>>>> downtown than I do a Rivendell. In my mind, the Riv seems like more >>>>>>>>> of a >>>>>>>>> target for would-be thieves than the Surly and thus it gets most of >>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>> day-to-day duty. The thing is that I enjoy riding a Rivendell much >>>>>>>>> more >>>>>>>>> than the Surly and, after giving this some thought, had decided to >>>>>>>>> buy a >>>>>>>>> Clem when this latest batch of completes was released, and start >>>>>>>>> using it >>>>>>>>> for my daily driver. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> However, after doing some math in my head, and realizing that I'd >>>>>>>>> likely change a lot of the Clem complete build, I am thinking that >>>>>>>>> I'd >>>>>>>>> might as well ride one of the Rivs that I currently own. By the time >>>>>>>>> I get >>>>>>>>> the Clem to my door, I've spent $2500 with shipping and tax. I'd >>>>>>>>> change the >>>>>>>>> bars, add a saddle, add fenders, have the front wheel rebuilt with a >>>>>>>>> dyno >>>>>>>>> hub, and so on. I'd easily be into it for $3K or more. My Surly has a >>>>>>>>> $1400 >>>>>>>>> rear hub and is easily over the $3K mark. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I am lucky enough to have two Rivendell Atlantis and a Hunq. I've >>>>>>>>> owned several others in the past as well. One of the Atlantis bikes >>>>>>>>> that I >>>>>>>>> have would fit the bill. It's the more recent style with the longer >>>>>>>>> wheelbase & double top tube. These are super sturdy bikes that >>>>>>>>> wouldn't >>>>>>>>> mind being loaded up and taken to work. I've already got a wheelset >>>>>>>>> with a >>>>>>>>> dyno hub and a light lying around here somewhere. I purchased this >>>>>>>>> bike for >>>>>>>>> $3K this summer from a local guy. I didn't need the bike but just >>>>>>>>> couldn't >>>>>>>>> pass it up as it was so cool! >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I thought to myself: I've locked up more expensive bikes at work >>>>>>>>> for 13 hours or at music venues until the wee hours of the night >>>>>>>>> without >>>>>>>>> issue, so why not just do the bulk of my riding on a bike that I >>>>>>>>> truly >>>>>>>>> enjoy riding? What am I saving it for? >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Questions: Is my logic sound? Do you think that riding a nice Riv >>>>>>>>> to work, to lock it up outside all, day in a city, is a dumb idea? Do >>>>>>>>> you >>>>>>>>> commute on a Riv that is left outside all day? >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> *I'd also like to use this as an opportunity to see some of your >>>>>>>>> commuters. Feel free to post a pic of your daily driver and also, let >>>>>>>>> us >>>>>>>>> know if you lock it up outside or not. * >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> The potential commuter. (I'd change the fenders and bars) >>>>>>>>> [image: IMG_0630 Medium.jpeg] >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> My current all road bike >>>>>>>>> [image: IMG_0514 Medium.jpeg] >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Not a commuter. I ride this guy around quite a bit though. >>>>>>>>> [image: IMG_0570 Medium.jpeg] >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> The Surly, although it now has had Jones bars on it for quite some >>>>>>>>> time. >>>>>>>>> [image: IMG_0230 Medium.jpeg] >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/6c8dd8fd-29e4-4f4b-b39f-c1d97ed19769n%40googlegroups.com.
