I need a Rat Bike

[mightyquin]

I got back into cycling a couple of years ago, bought a Kona Paddywagon for commuting (which I don't do now having changed jobs) and followed by a Kona mountain bike for weekends when I can get out on trails.

However, there are many times when I'd like to jump on a bike to get to the train station quickly, or pop into the town centre etc., and not worry about it. I've seen so many bikes parked outside the station which have been trashed by vandals, and a mate of mine had his bike stolen in the town centre recently.

So, I need a rat bike. Something that no one will notice or want to bother with. I've seen some nice 'vintage' bikes on ebay, but I also have an old Raleigh Max mountain bike in the garage, which is actually in nice looking condition apart from needing new tyres. The gears are pretty rough which is why I stopped using it really, but I'm thinking I'd just leave it in a mid gear and use it as a single speed or even convert it.

The only problem is, it's maybe not 'rat' enough to avoid attention, and it's bright metallic green.

Should I 'rat' it up a bit, or sell it an buy something better (worse) for my purposes? Any ideas/advice welcome.

 

[Born2die]

Do a premium rush on it and go sticker crazy

 

[Koga]

dirty rusty bike is the way to go

 

[jay clock]

strip it, and hammerite it in a dark colour. badly. Or black gaffer tape..... I am possibly about to do that to a lovely looking bike as I may have to commute across part of London

 

[mightyquin]

Yes I guess a bad paint job/tape/stickers would help! In a way I don't want to ruin what is quite a nice frame, but then on the other hand I guess what's the point buying a rusty old bike on ebay for probably more money than I'd get for my old Raleigh!

I remembered I bought new tyres for it some time back too but never got around to fitting them.

I'm warming to the idea of slightly trashing it now Gaffer tape is a good idea as I can always remove it again, although it could be fun to paint it badly with a matt black or battleship grey paint, or dayglo pink perhaps? At least I know the frame is sound.

 

[MarkF]

I think a "rat bike" would be more attractive to a thief than a bright green Raleigh tbh.

I had similar thoughts about 5 years ago, bikes were being stolen regularly from outside the local supermarkets. I bought a £50 1990's GT MTB with a bright red, splatter, paint job, it's horrible to look at but rides fine and is still in service 3 or 4 times each week.

Who'd steal one of these?

 

[leemo]

I have an old English 3 speed for this purpose. It's comfortable bike and runs very well if not super fast and a little hairy in the wet due to steel rims.

But you can't tell whether its crap or not by looking at it. (A bit tarnished and a few rust spots as youd expect na 30year old bike) As such you wouldn't sell it on easily if you were a theif. And it's quite unusual if you put it on ebay youd risk being found out. And the parts don't fit modern bikes. Guess you could strip it and sell the vintage parts on ebay over several weeks but a theif has easier pickings.

As such it's a very functional bike as you can leave it at the station and even if it did get nicked it didn't cost that much.

 

[PeteXXX]

This is my Town & Tesco bike.. It cost me £70 about 20 or so years ago..
I upgraded the brakes a bit and Single Speeded it last year. Original saddle, chain, pedals and bars.

I still lock it up though!