De-nicing a nice bike

[PaulSecteur]

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.

As I havent got the job yet Im not sure if there is better inside, but outside is a crappy bike shelter with a collection of asda and sports direct bikes quickly rusting away. There is a canal that runs along side, and a friend that worked just up the road said that the criminals were using it as an escape route after they had knicked cars lights, bumpers, number plates and even bonnets or boots!

Getting another bike isnt really an option because I have the Sectuer and the Kraken and no other space. I want to keep the kraken in good order, even if it looks crappy as I enjoy canal towpath rides with it.

Cheers for the responses,

Paul.

 

[fossyant]

The best solution is to get some good locks, then the thief goes and nicks the others !

I can't be doing with this make a nice bike look crap.....

 

[buddha]

I (accidentally ) came across a method to 'de-nice' a bike - which can be 'niced' again if you wish:

Wrap some duct/gaffer tape around areas of the frame. Press the tape on quite hard and use the bike for a week or so. When you remove the tape a fair amount to the adhesive will remain on the frame. Ride the bike a few times on mucky roads and the muck will stick to the adhesive. Better still rub some dirty chain muck on the adhesive.

This look is impervious to normal bike cleaning, but comes off easily with a little white spirit.

 

[Candaules]

I was in New York a few years ago, and I noticed that many of the bikes there (perhaps most of them ?) had been lagged and gaffer taped. I.e. the frames had been covered with foam lagging, of the kind you put on hot water pipes, then lashed round with black tape. I have no idea why they did it, but it certainly made the bikes look rough, especially after wear and tear had got at the the tape.

 

[Bodhbh]

It depends how far you want to go...

Never clean, except the drivetrain and other functional stuff.

Wipe the frame with the rag you wipe the chain with, it will make it filthy and more filth will stick.

Duct/electricians tape, either all over or at random like it's 'fixing' something (mix it with functional reflective tape!)

Paint over/sand off/peel off all the component logos (takes about 5-10s per logo with a sanding sponge).

Coat of hammerite/garage door/halfords supertuff barbeque paint etc. This will also tend to chip and peel and make the thing look a mess. Choose a boring colour like greay brown or you risk making it look better (i.e. not white with black forks and black duct tape stripes).

Someone did an article on this:

http://www.make-digi...=texterity#pg76

/edit - otherthing, like said in the article, hose clips are great for putting over all the quick releases to stop wheels/seats going AWOL and double up making the bike look like a pile of shite.

 

[Moodyman]

Random!

This has got to be for a prank?

Not at all. Many folk who leave their bikes in a non-safe environment deliberately make nice bikes look old and tatty as it makes them less attractive.

Removing bike decals is one method as is adding a wicker basket, mudguards and pannier rack.

 

[theclaud]

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.

Have you PMed AdrianC?

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Already mentioned it tc

https://www.cyclechat.net/

Nice use of the AC smiley btw...

Have you PMed AdrianC?

 

[theclaud]

Already mentioned it tc

http://www.cyclechat...ost__p__1526781

Nice use of the AC smiley btw...

Oooops! Sorry 3BM. In an attempt to make P&L a nicer place, I'm moving the "can't be arsed to read the whole thread" attitude into the Cafe instead...