De-nicing a nice bike

[PaulSecteur]

Hi,

Is there any non-permenant way of making a decent bike (Im thinking of my Kraken) look like an unloved wreck thats about to fall to pieces?

I have seen rust stickers and they're are a start, but I want it to look really rough while at the same time the effect can be removed.

I doubt there is anything, but asking just in case.

 

[I like Skol]

Wrap the frame tubes in black electrical tape?

Never clean it.

Odd tyres (could both be the same but one black wall and the other amber wall).

I'm sure others might add to this.

EDIT: Put an old ripped saddle on, they are not normally less comfortable but look unsightly so we change them don't we?

 

[Hop3y]

Hi,

Is there any non-permenant way of making a decent bike (Im thinking of my Kraken) look like an unloved wreck thats about to fall to pieces?

I have seen rust stickers and they're are a start, but I want it to look really rough while at the same time the effect can be removed.

I doubt there is anything, but asking just in case.

Random!

This has got to be for a prank?

 

[potsy]

Could you not paint 'BSO' on the frame in as large a size as possible?

Or how about putting a basket on the front and some pink bits on it.

 

[PaulSecteur]

Random!

This has got to be for a prank?

Nope, its serious.

If I change my job then I would like to bike it. The bike shed is populated with rough bikes and I dont want mine to stand out as being nice.

Not to pre-judge people, but the area is known for magpies with bolt croppers that will take anything shiney.

 

[subaqua]

Nope, its serious.

If I change my job then I would like to bike it. The bike shed is populated with rough bikes and I dont want mine to stand out as being nice.

Not to pre-judge people, but the area is known for magpies with bolt croppers that will take anything shiney.

i agree, and it isn't ging to be easy to make it look scabby

 

[potsy]

Nope, its serious.

If I change my job then I would like to bike it. The bike shed is populated with rough bikes and I dont want mine to stand out as being nice.

Not to pre-judge people, but the area is known for magpies with bolt croppers that will take anything shiney.

That would be a worry for me too Paul, we don't have many cycling facilities here but at least we can store the bikes inside the factory, used to be outside but I heard there were a lot of thefts/ damage so they moved the racks to a quiet corner inside.
I suppose if the other bikes are a bit rough they might not be well locked either, so as long as yours is well locked then it should be enough to make them leave it for easier pickings?

 

[jay clock]

google "distressing paint" - lots of good ideas.

 

[I like Skol]

If I change my job then I would like to bike it. The bike shed is populated with rough bikes and I dont want mine to stand out as being nice.

Not to pre-judge people, but the area is known for magpies with bolt croppers that will take anything shiney.

Pretty much the reasons I thought you wanted to go incognito. I would think my suggestions would be a good start to put off most but the very knowledgable bike thief. The other way of tackling this is to create for real what you are trying to imitate. Get or build a cheap nasty hack bike just for the commute and save your pride and joy for Sunday best!

I have a similar issue as I ride a reasonable bike to work so worry about security but fortunately the bike shed is within the factory fences and we have reasonable security apart from during the shift changeover when the car park is left open for around 3/4 hr

 

[I like Skol]

google "distressing paint" - lots of good ideas.

Doesn't that involve beating it up with bags of nails and rusty old chains? Not quite what the OP had in mind!

 

[threebikesmcginty]

AdrianC has an 'individual' point of view when it comes to unusual paintwork. There are pictures in the 'Rides' section. You didn't hear anything from me though!

 

[Cheule]

More cost effective to get a cheap mtb or somesuch, at least if it is stolen you'll boohoo less about it :-)

 

[buggi]

i think you should just get a 2nd hand hack as well. I've got an old mare. i love her. She's a very comfy road bike. i love her almost as much as my fiesty stallion that has thrown me off twice

 

[Jezston]

You sure there's nowhere more secure you could keep it?

If the bike shed isn't sufficiently secure, put it somewhere else and if anyone complains tell them to make the bike shed more secure then.

 

[perplexed]

You sure there's nowhere more secure you could keep it?

If the bike shed isn't sufficiently secure, put it somewhere else and if anyone complains tell them to make the bike shed more secure then.

I'd go with that. Da "management" have tried for years on and off to get us to lock our bikes outside (despite the fact there are no facilities to do so). None of us take a blind bit of notice, and we keep 'em indoors.

In the area where I work, you could set the bike in cement and the thing would still be gone by the end of the day.