Careful where you buy stuff

[PeteJack]

When we got to Oakland CA for a ride down the coast I decided we needed a chain long enough to lock both our bikes up. I went into a bike shop on the waterfront and found a Kryptonite chain for $62. So I bought one and well it served. After I got back I went to my LBS, Burien Bikes, for a chain of the type that makes your bike go and what should they have but the same Kryptonite chain I had bought in Oakland for $32!

[John Nelson]

$30 is a cheap price for not having to go all the way home to get a chain.

[PeteJack]

$30 is a cheap price for not having to go all the way home to get a chain.

Very true John but it is quite a difference. But then if we never forgot anything we'd be perfect - actually I didn't forget, it wasn't until someone on the train down suggested I needed a good lock in San Fransisco that I even considered it. I did have my flimsy cable lock that I believe the ACA says is all you need on their tours but I don't suppose they spend much time in San Fran.

[cajones]

I agree with both of you. Ideally, buy it ahead of time so you can save a few bucks. But in the long run, $30.00 extra dollars protected your investment. Oakland is kinda scary btw.

[staehpj1]

I usually just get a room or stay with a host when in high risk cities and use a little 5 ounce cable lock the rest of the time.  If I need to shop I take my bike in with me.  At one point I considered buying a heavy duty chain or U Lock, but when I saw the weights I balked.  Even the mini U Lock in the Fahgettaboudit model was 4.3 pounds and some of the chain/lock combos were over 8 pounds  The Palmy aluminum was 0.8 pounds, but is probably as easy to cut or jack open as my 5 ounce cable lock.

[DaveB]

You pay the going rate if you don't have the time or ability to shop competitively.  Last October we paid $4.00/gallon for regular gas in California while it was only $1.78/gallon in Tennessee.  However, since I needed to fill the car right then, I couldn't wait to take advantage of the potentially lower cost. 

[cajones]

I work in a large downtown area where a lot of bike thefts occur in our city. The vast majority of criminals that are stealing the bikes here are addicted to meth and thus are  stealing them and trading them for dope, or changing their appearance by spray painting them changing out parts and then riding the bikes themselves for transportation (getting around town to buy/sell more dope). They almost always carry a set of large bolt cutters in their backpacks so the U locks are one of the only types of bike locks that actually prevent them from being stolen.. Most of the cable locks, chain locks, etc. are not even the slightest deterrent to these types of thieves from stealing someone's pride and joy. I suppose a cable lock will prevent the opportunistic criminal that's just looking for an easy boost, but for the professional thieves that are actively hunting bikes to steal, you'd better have a cable lock on it or better yet, have your bike in your possession at all times (in these types of areas). It amazes me how many people don't actually record their bike's serial numbers down as well, just in case the worst scenario does actually happen and it gets stolen. There's been dozens and dozens of bikes that I've seen criminals using that I absolutely knew were stolen, but sadly the owners hadn't recorded the serial # down, and thus didn't have the # when they reported it as stolen. I've seen some of these criminals breaking down a stolen bike, swapping parts out, and spray painting them in mere minutes! It's like watching a NASCAR pit stop. Sad.

[mikej2]

I can find a wide price range on bike parts and locks within 30 miles of home, some shops just charge more for stuff. Smart phone with web browsers are very handy for quick price checks, and to sometimes get price match deals. Sorry that the OP got bit in the wallet, at least they didn't get their bike stolen.

[johnsondasw]

When we got to Oakland CA for a ride down the coast I decided we needed a chain long enough to lock both our bikes up. I went into a bike shop on the waterfront and found a Kryptonite chain for $62. So I bought one and well it served. After I got back I went to my LBS, Burien Bikes,

Burien Bikes, huh?  Is it the one called Bicycles West just east of Ambaum and north of 152nd?  I grew up going to that bike shop in the 1950s and 1960s and have bought bikes and much gear there.

[PeteJack]

When we got to Oakland CA for a ride down the coast I decided we needed a chain long enough to lock both our bikes up. I went into a bike shop on the waterfront and found a Kryptonite chain for $62. So I bought one and well it served. After I got back I went to my LBS, Burien Bikes,

Burien Bikes, huh?  Is it the one called Bicycles West just east of Ambaum and north of 152nd?  I grew up going to that bike shop in the 1950s and 1960s and have bought bikes and much gear there.

That's the place. Actually it's new name is Burien Cycle. It used to be a branch of Bicycles West but is no longer. I believe it's independently owned now. Their prices always seem pretty good.

[jrswenberger]

You pay the going rate if you don't have the time or ability to shop competitively.  Last October we paid $4.00/gallon for regular gas in California while it was only $1.78/gallon in Tennessee.  However, since I needed to fill the car right then, I couldn't wait to take advantage of the potentially lower cost.

It's a long walk from CA to TN and back to save a few $ on gas. I'm not sure it's an appropriate comparison to the OP's situation.

EnjoyThe Ride,
Jay

[DaveB]

It's a long walk from CA to TN and back to save a few $ on gas. I'm not sure it's an appropriate comparison to the OP's situation.

The comparison was apt.   When you need the item and don't have the time to shop around or access to a lower price you pay the going price.  The OP was away from his home LBS and needed the lock right then like I needed gas in CA. The fact it was available at as lower price elsewhere (like my TN gas) meant nothing at the time since it wasn't practical to get it at that price.