I bought a bike last week and it was stolen last night...i'm puzzled,any advice?

Question

Hi all, so last week I purchased a 2008 Marin Kentfield bike along w/ a rack, bike, and lock for nearly $500. it's my first bike and i purchased it because i commute to school and work. Last night I had a class from 6-10pm and when i got out it was gone.

It was a clean steal and all that was left on the bike rack was my $55 kryptonite lock. It was stolen on the UC Berkeley Campus.

I feel so sick in my stomach because I invested so much money in this bike and not even a couple weeks later, it's gone. I'm also paying my way through college and this just really is hitting me hard.

anyhow, i think i feel worse because im puzzled at how it was even stolen because my lock was locked to rack and there wasn't a scratch on it. i locked it the way the people at the bike shop instructed me to (w/ the narrow u-lock, i locked one piece of the rectangular rear frame along with a few spokes and onto the rack). I just don't get how this happened, additionally i replaced the front wheel's quick release w/ bolts and my bike was locked in an open area w/ students walking back and forth. anyone have any idea how a thief could've pulled this off?

also, anyone have any advice how i can recover financially? i heard that kryptonite could possibly reimburse me since the lock failed...

lastly, anyone know what else i should do? i already filed a police report and randomly i stop folks who are riding bikes similar to mine. i don't know what else to do, i don't really know what direction i can take to move forward. thank you.

Answer 1

I'm so sorry but when I was at the store I saw that the Kryptonite lock I was looking at said guarenteed no stolen bike or replaced.. So check about that.

Answer 2

You should buy a cheap bike next time.  Thats my advice.

Answer 3

wow man, that really sucks. As far as i know, most kryptonite locks DO come with insurance. I don't however, know how you sign up for it. check for details on their site!

Answer 4

you file a report.

go now grasshopper, and find your way.

Answer 5

That's weird the bike shop suggested the U lock. The bike shop I went to suggested one like the one in the picture in the link. He told bike thieves will freeze the U ones & then hit it with a hammer & it will shatter. I have the one like in the picture below & it's big enough to loop through both tires & the frame.

I know it sucks but you're probably gonna have to just consider it a loss & save up for a new one. Craigslist is a good place to find cheap used bikes. & double up on locks (U & cable) with your next bike so it's less desirable to thieves.

There's really not much else you can do besides looking into if kryptonite will really pay for your bike. If you don't have your receipt still go buy the bike store & see if they'll issue you a new one. You might have to send kryptonite some kind of proof of purchase.  

Answer 6

kryptonite does give you your bike back if you used their lock. Call them up, tell them your story. If unfortunately you can't get it back, the best you can do is go to the bike shop and tell them what happened, and they can tell you how they did it maybe.

i heard some people freeze the locks and then break them but then that's not you case.. Also they might of cut a spoke and then they could of gotten it fixed- I'm not sure if you but it over the frame but if you didn't, i guess next time you should.

And if you get another bike, lock it where there's a lot of people, then the thief wouldn't be able to steal it, unless its in the middle of the night.  

I'm sorry

Goodluck

Hope this helped!

Answer 7

I am very sorry for your loss.

Get a cheap bike next.  I mean cheap.  $30 or less. take the seat with you.

use a good lock and chain.  Lock it next to a real nice looking bike.  

Answer 8

I'm so sorry about your bike being stolen.  I'm sort of guessing the person acted like it belonged to them and they knew what they were doing (and weren't all timid and nervous) so no one walking past got suspicious.  I honestly hope your call to the Kryptonite people comes through for you.

And mostly offering sincere sympathy.  :(