If your bike hasn't been stolen (yet) please read this!

[e-rider]

After looking at all the stolen bike posts on CC over the last few years, I have noticed a couple of things that occur time after time:


1. Never use a cable lock of any kind; even an expensive one as they are easily cut with bolt croppers! Use a good quality D-lock or combine using a D-lock with a cable lock (yes, 2 locks)


2. Lock your bike(s) inside your shed/garage to something that doesn't move with a good quality D-lock. Sheds/garages are quite easy to break into, so don't just leave your bike(s) inside unlocked!



Note down the frame number(s) today, and if possible get the bike(s) insured on the house contents policy, or consider buying a specific bike insurance policy (these can be expensive).



That's my advice - hopes it saves someone from the pain and suffering of having their bike stolen.

 

[apollo179]

After looking at all the stolen bike posts on CC over the last few years, I have noticed a couple of things that occur time after time:


1. Never use a cable lock of any kind; even an expensive one as they are easily cut with bolt croppers! Use a good quality D-lock or combine using a D-lock with a cable lock (yes, 2 locks)


2. Lock your bike(s) inside your shed/garage to something that doesn't move with a good quality D-lock. Sheds/garages are quite easy to break into, so don't just leave your bike(s) inside unlocked!



Note down the frame number(s) today, and if possible get the bike(s) insured on the house contents policy, or consider buying a specific bike insurance policy (these can be expensive).



That's my advice - hopes it saves someone from the pain and suffering of having their bike stolen.

D locks dont cut with bolt croppers but they can be relatively simply removed. Chains - depends on the chain but virtually any quage steel link chain can be bolt croppered.
Id advise - leave your bike in a public place - this may mean dont leave it in the prescribed dinjy bike park but chain it to the railings by the public entrance to the store / office etc. Theives will be aware that a bike is visible from surrounding offices and will leave it alone.
Dont leave expensive bikes chained up.
If you have to use an expensive bike and have to leave it vulnerable all day - use a d-lock and a chain lock round both wheels and frame.
If youve got an expensive bike you probably wont want to deface it but making it look less expensive, personalising, disguising it may deter potential theives. Like car theives weighing in of an expensive car shell having stripped it will smash the windscreen , dent it all over and paint rally car markings to disguise what it really is - you can do something to make your bike unnattractive to theives.

 

[Hip Priest]

I've got four locks on my garage. If the thief has got through all those, a bike lock isn't going to stop him. The serial number thing is great advice though. I foolishly neglected to do this with my last bike, so since it got nicked I've got very little chance of getting it back.

 

[bricksmasher]

Good advice:

After having a bike stolen and having a groupset stripped off the other, I'd suggest

1. As mentioned, write down the frame number

2. Buy some bike ID such as these Pulse Id tags
3. Take photos of your bike, upload to your pc/pulse ID site, so if its stolen you have more clue of what to look for

4. Buy decent locks as suggested, I use kryptonite Fahgettaboudit D lock and a mini one too (my last bike had groupset taken off, but no attempt to even try stealing frame, I can only assume it was due to locks)

5. Even with good locks things arent safe, Im looking into Pitlock skewers, and trust me people seem to go through alot of effor to take whatever they can thats wrth money on your bike

6. If you have nowhere safe to leave while working (like me) do yourself a favour, and buy a cheaper bike for commuting and keep your pride and joy at home, I wished I had done this first time... but wll be from now on

 

[Asif]

...
6. If you have nowhere safe to leave while working (like me) do yourself a favour, and buy a cheaper bike for commuting and keep your pride and joy at home, I wished I had done this first time... but wll be from now on

Good bit of advice - I did that after getting my bike nicked too.

 

[albion]

Exactly the same with supermarkets etc.Some designated cycle parking areas appear to be designed to encourage theft!

 

[Manonabike]

After looking at all the stolen bike posts on CC over the last few years, I have noticed a couple of things that occur time after time:


1. Never use a cable lock of any kind; even an expensive one as they are easily cut with bolt croppers! Use a good quality D-lock or combine using a D-lock with a cable lock (yes, 2 locks)


2. Lock your bike(s) inside your shed/garage to something that doesn't move with a good quality D-lock. Sheds/garages are quite easy to break into, so don't just leave your bike(s) inside unlocked!



Note down the frame number(s) today, and if possible get the bike(s) insured on the house contents policy, or consider buying a specific bike insurance policy (these can be expensive).



That's my advice - hopes it saves someone from the pain and suffering of having their bike stolen.

I agree with the first part of the sentence but I disagree with the last part...... it does not only contradict the first part but because I don't trust cables to lock bikes full stop, use 2 D-locks instead.

Any lock buys you time, no more than that. A cable might buy you 10 or 15 seconds while a top quality D lock might but you up to 3 minutes, even longer in some cases. Therefore, if you leave your bike in an isolated area then there isn't a lock that can protect your bike. Make sure you leave your bike in an area with CC TV if possible and with pedestrians.

 

[Noodley]

Move to an area with a low population and low crime rate.

 

[juanpelota]

With regard to storing bikes in sheds, I've added a 138Db rape alarm attached to the door. Simple but effective, and can buy time when the unsuspected trigger it off.

 

[JamieRegan]

At the end of the day, if someone really, REALLY wants to steal your bike, they will. All you can do to deter the opportunist is make it more difficult for them to steal yours than it is for them to steal someone else's (unfortunately).


One tip, that has been mentioned and I think is valuable, is to always remember to put your lock through the frame and both wheels. I remember when I was 14 and I had this COOL Raleigh Record Sprint with quick release wheels. Went swimming with my pals. We all locked our bikes up and I was chatting and just forgot to put the chain through my front wheel. Came out and the bike was still there, but the front wheel was gone.

Not only was that annoying, but it meant I had to walk 5 miles home with my one-wheeled bike. At least if they'd taken the whole thing I could have got on a bus.

 

[Silver Fox]

Locks are designed to keep out honest men. If someone wants your bike they'll take it, the amount of locks will determine the time it takes and the amount of damage they'll cause.

Also you need to be aware of your surroundings, who's watching you put the bike away, is anyone following your car if you're transporting bikes.

 

[Davidc]

With regard to storing bikes in sheds, I've added a 138Db rape alarm attached to the door. Simple but effective, and can buy time when the unsuspected trigger it off.

Fit a very loud movement/ vibration alarm to your bike.

One of mine saved someone else's bike on Wednesday.

 

[palinurus]

I've just got one of these for storing bikes at home (the new place is too small to fit any bikes inside but there is a small patio garden out back)

There are no exposed fittings on the outside, it's bolted to the flagstones, there are shrouds over the locks so they can't be cut off quickly with bolt croppers. Note Boushti the cat. And yes, the garden is a mess. It always will be, I'm that sort of person.

Here is a shot of the contents, four bikes and a (folded) trailer, still a bit of room left (but not enough for another full-size bike).

Normally the bikes are locked as well, three of them anyway. The commuter (with the reflective 'guards) I leave unlocked for quicker access- it's usually at the front. It's a minor pain if the one you want is at the back.

 

[fossyant]

I'll add, make sure your shed/garage is secure. Look at weak points and sort them out.

I had an attempted break in to my garage a few months ago - went so far as to remove the glass from a side window - knowing it was a week point, I already have bars fitted and secured into brick and the frame. Thief gave up. On then went more bars, shock alarms on the window/side door, and a PIR shed alarm inside. All bikes are secured to ground anchors.

That said, if someone tries hard enough they will get in. My mothers neighbour had the garage broken into - they went through the roof and took a motorbike that was chained to a ground anchor. I've also got a neighbour who had high end downhill MTB's and racing BMX's stolen from his garage.

 

[hanvyj]

Cable locks are pretty bad - when the lock rusted through on my not-often used old mountain bike I removed the lock with a bread-knife - as I didn't have a hacksaw. It didn't take long.