I will update this post with a running checklist of what I have done and plan to do.\u00a0 I will include the results from these activities and ultimately share my experience on another site in hopes that the information is useful to others.<\/p>\n
Trying to recovery a stolen bike is a lot of work, from all I’ve heard and read about it.\u00a0 However, I am also finding that it’s a constructive way to cope with the loss and feel like you are taking control of the situation.\u00a0 Even if this does not help me get my bike back, I think that the search process will be worthwhile.<\/p>\n
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To do:<\/p>\n
Securing Bikes in Garage:<\/p>\n
This seems to be a real problem that no one has a good solution for.\u00a0 Many sites will recommend you lock your bike up in the garage, but don’t suggest how to do this.\u00a0 I have searched high and low for bike racks, but none of the consumer bike racks are for security, just for convenience (like the ones I already have). From the sites I have read on locking your bike, you need to use a U-Lock and at least be able to lock the rear wheel and frame to something secure that can’t be broken, cut, or slipped off.<\/p>\n
I can’t drill into the concrete floor of the garage, and I’d rather not use epoxy to try and secure something to the floor.\u00a0 However, I might be able to reinforce the rafters (i.e., against twisting\/torquing) and use heavy bolts to install a rack that drops down from the ceiling.\u00a0 I found only one bike rack online that might work for this, but they sell to contractors who will be installing large numbers of the racks, and their minimum quantity is 10.\u00a0 They’re also over $100 a rack.\u00a0 The seller I found that ships to the US is located in Australia (Securabike sells this bike rack<\/a>), where the racks are made by Leda Security Products<\/a>.<\/p>\n So, unless bike stores start carrying these kinds of racks, I don’t think it’s a viable option.\u00a0 My next plan is to build something. I’ve spent some time in Home Depot, talking to the associates in the store, and I consulted with my cousin who is a civil engineer on this plan. When I’m done with the project, I’ll post pictures and instructions on how to build what I build.\u00a0 I can’t warranty what I build, but I’d love to get feedback on how to improve it.\u00a0 Maybe a hacker out there will test out the design and make some recommendations to improve it.<\/p>\n The ceiling beams in my garage are exposed.\u00a0 Using heavy brackets and bolts, I will secure a 4×4 between two beams.\u00a0 Also using heavy bolts\/brackets, I will secure a universal strut (12 guage steel strut for hanging electrical conduit) to the 4×4, so that the strut hangs down into the garage about 5 feet from the “ceiling”. The strut has holes every inch or so for bolting brackets to it, and I will widen one of these holes enough (grinding it out with a die grinder) so a U-Lock will pass through it.\u00a0 I will hang hooks from the holes higher up so I can hang the bike from the rear tire.<\/p>\n Since the struts come in 10 feet lengths, I hope to build two of these racks side-by-side.\u00a0 This should also allow me to bolt cross-pieces between them so they are laterally secure as well.\u00a0 I hope to hang a bike from each side of the rack, so together they will hold 4 bikes.\u00a0 My total budget for the project will be about the cost of one of the Leda ceiling-mount racks.\u00a0 I’ll let you know how it goes.<\/p>\n Some sites I found helpful:<\/p>\n I will update this post with a running checklist of what I have done and plan to do.\u00a0 I will include the results from these activities and ultimately share my experience on another site in hopes that the information is … Continue reading \n