WHY YOU SHOULD GET A CRAPPIER COMMUTER

A FEW WEEKS AGO, I WAS WALKING AROUND South Philadelphia with a friend when I saw a bike easily worth a few thousand dollars locked up outside a bar on a dark street.

- ADAM SCHRAM

It was a carbon gravel racer with flat pedals, all kinds of frame bags, a fancy front rack, and a far-too-flimsy lock for Philly standards. Though it wasn't my bike, I stressed about its well-being long after it was out of my sight, tugging at my hair thinking about how much attention it was likely grabbing while sitting unattended on the sidewalk.

I was up all night because I've seen the worst-case scenario for leaving a nice bike somewhere: Someone stole a severalthousand-dollar bike from me four years ago, and I wouldn't wish the experience on anyone. I've never felt more violated than when I saw the empty spot on the rack where I had locked my bike just a few minutes prior. Not only was I grappling with my bike's disappearance, but I also couldn't shake the thought that someone else was romping around on a steed I had spent hundreds of dollars and hours upgrading. This thief had some gall stealing something so special to me, I thought.