Making a new bike looks less attractive?

[Woz!]

Some tips for uglifying your bike here.

Why on earth would they advocate that on a new bike when you can buy an older one for pounds that already looks crap?
I thought cyclists were meant to be green-leaning and frugal!

My hack bike's a 20+ year old Raleigh Racer with no logos and drop bars. Rides nice, but very unattractive.
My shiny new tourer is only ever parked at work under a CCTV camera and my MTB is never outdoors unless I'm sat on it

Also - I do think it really depends on the area. We were camping last week near Chichester and most families had bikes that they just left outside their tents. At most they had a cheapy cable lock securing 4 bikes together, but most didn't bother. Didn't hear of anyone having any bother at all.

 

[Llama]

I'm sure I read somewhere about filling the bolt heads with solder to prevent tampering. That way you need a soldering iron and a solder wick or sucker to undo things. The downside of course is that it would make repairs on the road bloody difficult!

Matthew

you can also super glue ball bearings into the bolt heads, to remove just use some superglue remover

 

[knonist]

http://www.dominicwilcox.com/stickers.html

 

[beanzontoast]

http://www.dominicwilcox.com/stickers.html

That's scary! Very authentic-looking though... it's like getting your own special effects person to change the age of the bike.

All you need next is one of those portable cobweb making machines and job done!

 

[Crankarm]

2 good Abus Granit D-locks one on each wheel through the frame and to the Oxford loop. If you are worried about losing kit then use lock bolts - Wiggle do them. You might even fit a tracker or some of the unique bar coded dye in a loop so when thieves break the loop they get it all over themselves. It is permanent and doesn't come off. A small spy camera somewhere on your bike linked to your website, mobile and an appropriate CCTV warning notice stuck to the bars or locks with an addititional warning that should anyone attempt to or steal your bike you will use the footage to hunt them down and give them a present . Plus make sure it's insured. Can't do much more than that.

 

[MajorMantra]

2 good Abus Granit D-locks one on each wheel through the frame and to the Oxford loop. If you are worried about losing kit then use lock bolts - Wiggle do them. You might even fit a tracker or some of the unique bar coded dye in a loop so when thieves break the loop they get it all over themselves. It is permanent and doesn't come off. A small spy camera somewhere on your bike linked to your website, mobile and an appropriate CCTV warning notice stuck to the bars or locks with an addititional warning that should anyone attempt to or steal your bike you will use the footage to hunt them down and give them a present . Plus make sure it's insured. Can't do much more than that.

'Kinell, you certainly couldn't! By the time you've spent much money on anti-theft devices you'd start to wonder if it was easier just to have a cheaper/less desireable bike. Also, carrying 2 Granit locks wouldn't be much fun.

Matthew

 

[Crankarm]

'Kinell, you certainly couldn't! By the time you've spent much money on anti-theft devices you'd start to wonder if it was easier just to have a cheaper/less desireable bike. Also, carrying 2 Granit locks wouldn't be much fun.

Matthew

I've ridden junk bikes over the years when younger and would not go back. Having a decent bike with decent spec compontents makes riding so much easier and fun. No problem at all carrying 2 Abus Granit D locks unless of course you are a weak cyclist or a wuss .

 

[MajorMantra]

I've ridden junk bikes over the years when younger and would not go back. Having a decent bike with decent spec compontents makes riding so much easier and fun.

I agree completely, but there are degrees. I use my fixed gears for general getting around and locking up in public. They're nice bikes that I love riding but neither was bought new and even the more expensive of the two only cost me £270.

I carry all my stuff in a rucksack (I know, I should get a rack - one of these days) so one D lock is all I'm willing to lug given that I also tend to have uni work or large quantities of shopping on me.

Matthew

 

[ieperlee]

In order to preventing it being stolen, does it work? (i.e spary paint it)

Anyone tried?


Is it possible to make a good bike looks ugly whilst you dont feel too bad about it yourself?

Yes, Andreas "boruttizises" his bikes. Sorry, it isnt english, try the Google "translation".