Making a new bike looks less attractive?

[knonist]

I said the my LBS today and they said I could try to get an engraver to dots + engrave my post code onto the bike, and then put eproxy glue to bolt holes to stop people nicking the mechanical parts.

 

[knonist]

Spray it black and write Apollo across the frame.

in red?

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Ha! Easy.

Simply attach mudguards and a pannier rack then get it all dirty by riding forest bikepaths in the rain.

It'll look like shoot in a week.

Just like mine

+1 works for me too, my Galaxy is so dirty it would be a challange for most crims to work out what it is

 

[knonist]

+1 works for me too, my Galaxy is so dirty it would be a challange for most crims to work out what it is

I was told some thiefs will just take the mechanics if they cant take the whole bike

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Well its unlikely they will get the chance, I very rarely leave my Galaxy anywhere unattended as I mostly use it for evening or weekend rides and I would never ever take it into town shopping as that would be asking for trouble.

But if they do they do there is only so much you can do to secure it. So if they are only lookng for the mechanics any bike is a target so you takes your chance and make sure it is well secured and insured not much else you can do.

 

[MajorMantra]

I said the my LBS today and they said I could try to get an engraver to dots + engrave my post code onto the bike, and then put eproxy glue to bolt holes to stop people nicking the mechanical parts.

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

 

[Bodhbh]

If you don't mind it looking a wreck why not, although I'd hazard it's only one more thing to squewer the odds in your favour along with decent locks, safe place to park, leaving it next to a better looking bike, etc., rather than relying on it.

I gave mine a dose of white hammerite to show the dirt and never clean anything but the drivetrain - it looks a mess. Logos on parts are either filed off or hammerited. Should wreck any resale value even if it does get nicked. Makes me feel better about locking it outside Tescos for 20mins but I still wouldn't leave it locked overnight anyplace, just blown a fortune on a new drivetrain.

 

[addictfreak]

Over the years I have unfortunate eough to have had 4 bikes stolen from either locked shed or garage. These days im paranoid! The bikes are hung from the ceiling joists of my garage and chained to the ceiling the garage is alarmed and I even pull the other car right up to the garage door everynight without fail!

 

[J4CKO]

I would love to do a tv programme called "Scrotewatch", like Badger Watch but instead of food to tempt them, a nice shiny MTB left outside the local leisure centre overnight, locked up but otherwise vulnerable and watch them scurry from under their rocks to either nick it or to wreck it, set fire to it, anything to make sure its not there or usable for you in the morning.

I dont know where this comes from in the British psyche, other countries in Europe I suspect it would be safe, its almost that the scrotes have to do it, part of their make up, even if it inconveniences them, as in oh damn, I am already late but some bugger has left a brand new bike I am obliged to stamp all over.

 

[adscrim]

I used to frequently come out of work to hacksaw marks on my bike lock. I found that adding a second lock did the trick. As it was an area where there were a large number of other bikes, I assumed that the second lock to get through would be enough to encourage the thief onto another target. Worked a treat. No new hacksaw mark for the following year.

 

[jig-sore]

i really don't understand the mentality of people who go nicking stuff.

I'm really into the "if it's not yours, don't touch it" idea and i couldn't sleep at night if i thought I'd nicked someones stuff.

 

[yashicamat]

Would it be fair to say that touring bikes don't tend to attract the same attention as road bikes / racing bikes / mountain bikes?

 

[knonist]

I just engraved my postcode (x7) onto my frame today, it will devalue it, but....it is second hand anyway.
although I have insured it but still worth the effort.
Though of tagging it but realised there is no point as I have engraved it already.

 

[Piemaster]

I would love to do a tv programme called "Scrotewatch", like Badger Watch but instead of food to tempt them, a nice shiny MTB left outside the local leisure centre overnight, locked up but otherwise vulnerable and watch them scurry from under their rocks to either nick it or to wreck it, set fire to it, anything to make sure its not there or usable for you in the morning.

Have seen a youtube clip (can't find it a the moment) of someone doing just that. The bike had been doctored a bit by slackening off the front axle and making sure the brakes didn't work. The thief didn't get too far on it

 

[Piemaster]

Some tips for uglifying your bike here.
I actually prefer the featured bike after its been uglified.
Also read somewhere advocating sticking hair to your frame. Perhaps some CC members on this thread cold help out with some.