Bike security?!

[diapason]

I guess you probably live and work in a big city. Worth looking out on Freecycle and even looking out for a bike dumped in a skip. There are hundreds on 70's & 80's 'racers' which are just dumped - some of them are decent bikes. If you ride something like that to work, then it's less appealing to the little scrotes.

Edit: Hip Priest is right - don't let the barstewards grind you down.

 

[bricksmasher]

Yeah I live in cambridge, wish I had seen the bastards doing it, as its the 2nd time d 6 months, think Id have lost my temper abit!

 

[bricksmasher]

Hope your fortunes turn soon.

I've had a bike and a car stolen. I've even been burgled. It's horrible but don't let the bastards steal your spirit as well as your stuff!

Thats True, thanks

 

[summerdays]

It's happened to my husband - though not as far as totally striped - just the disk brakes, both levers and disks. One tip that someone gave at the time but he never got around to doing was to put wax in the bolt heads so that you would have to melt it to adjust it. Probably works better in winter than summer!

 

[HovR]

Wow, that sucks. As someone else said, keep a look out on eBay, Gumtree etc.

I'd recommend getting a 80's-ish Reynolds 531 framed race bike. At 12 kilos they are still competitive and fun to ride, however they don't look particularly awesome next to today's modern counterparts (Which you are bound to park next to in Cambridge), so they would be much less of a target for thief's. You can also get them fairly cheap.

Chances are someone who does this sort of thing knows what they are looking for, so any recognized or expensive brand decal, sticker or label etc is just a big "Steal me!" sign to them. Same thing probably goes for components like clipless pedals.

Don't give up - It's just letting these jerks win!

 

[bricksmasher]

Thanks again all, i did put my frame on ebay bu someone told me to keep and try to rebuild.

well, its a painful lesson I guess, thats hit my pocket.. but I will keep doing my cycling, its what I enjoy and someting I can do daily even though I work so much, I just wish the hotel I work for cared and offered an incentive i.e somehwere to put my bike, but again thats life

 

[Fast_Mark]

Gutted to hear that buddy. I've had a couple of bikes pinched before and still remember how it made me feel, but what these guys did takes the piss

As has been said by others, find yourself an older 70s / 80s racer. With good maintainence and some careful speccing of parts (I.e good wheels, but de-sticker them) you can have a bike that thieves will ignore but still be a joy to ride.

Flog what you've got and use it to fund something like this. If you still hanker after something a bit more fly, just keep it for Sunday best.

These are a genius idea, by the way. Likewise the wax in boltheads trick. Much less permanent than a ball bearing and glue.

 

[superbadger]

Thats bloody bad news and sorry that you have lost most of your bike. Don't give up though... Take the advice about a cheaper bike for the commutes and maybe you could talk to another business nearby for storage of your bike? If i was approached by someone like yourself asking a favour and given your history of bikes being stolen i would happily say 'yep you can lock it here!' Could be worth a try.

 

[DCLane]

I've had the unfortunate situation of being next to someone who's had their bike stolen in the city. Mine's dull and grey, which means most people would probably leave it alone.

Fortunately at work we've got a coded bike cage, but someone could get in if they wanted.

I'd go with the folding/cheap bike suggestion. My 90's Peugoet Carbolite frame was good, but just too big for me. It went for £90 on eBay and the buyer got a decent bike.

 

[bricksmasher]

Thanks guys

well Ive got 20 views on ebay already, perhaps generating some good interest, though im clueless on how much the frame/wheels and seat are worth lol

So, what are those bolts called above that a couple of people have posted a pic of and where would I go about looking for them?

Can you tell I am a novice when it comes to bikes lol, and only recently understood the value of groupsets etc, hence why I am so gutted now to loose all my ultegras esp after seeing how much another set would cost!

Thanks again guys, I appreciate the info

 

[bricksmasher]

hi again

sorry to harp on

Just asking for your input, I know a couple of people said to sell the frame and get a new bike, I just spoke to a keen cyclist friend of mine (who advised me on my bike initially) and he reckons I should keep my frame and look at buying a groupset, seperately... what would you do, to put it in perspective, this is whats left of my bike, he said the black bit of frame is carbon, and the rest good quality aluminum, the whole bike when assembled weighed 8.5kg

My friend is going to a bike shop for me, to see how much installation of all would be, either way I'll be out of pocket somewhat so guess Im looking for the cheaper and best option

 

[apollo179]

Like alot of people have said if youve got a desirable bike then dont risk leaving it parked up , better buy an old but serviceable cheapo bike that fistly the theives woudnt want and secondly woudnt break your heart if it did get stolen.
Also selling frames just fuels bike theft like the sale of stolen recoved cars just fueled car theft for decades.

 

[diapason]

If you liked your Giant, then keep the frame and look at rebuilding it as and when you can. There are often decent components for sale on this and other forums, as well as, of course, Fleabay. I would still look at buying something cheap and cheerful for commuting unless you can find a really safe place to keep it in future. Some thieves will come back to a spot where they've nicked a good bike in the hope that the owner will replace it and lock the new one in the same place. It's a sad world.

 

[bricksmasher]

Yeah cheers guys

Once, well twice bitten third time shy in this case... I'll either buy a foldup bike or a less attractive bike until I work somewhere with parking facilities!

I am not overly clued up, but to save abit of cash just been told at getting some ultegra shifters and 105 components, said definately get ultegra shifts as this is what I am used to, and not to downgrade on them, but 105 components I wont notice the difference

will get on fleabay then

Thanks!

 

[superbadger]

As others have said get a cheap one for now.... but in the mean-time rebuild your old one as and when you can. And once rebuilt don't put it in that place again. I would ask local shops if they have anywhere you could put it while you do your shift. Thats just me though coz im a cheeky sod!!!