Scruffing a bike (anit-theft) !?

[simonB2014]

Hi, not sure which board to post this, but as I'm a beginner and this prob a daft question .. the beginner board it is !

I'm looking at spending £500 +/- on a second hand bike.
Not be a major amount of money, but around my neighbourhood, it's going to stick out like a sore thumb and attract the wrong type of attention. Especially when someone googles it and sees the 'new' retail price of £1,000 + .

So ... how do make my bike look 'scruffy' and/or disguise make/model .. without trashing it's resale value.
I'm thinking maybe some tape simply wrapped randomly/untidily around the frame.


Sure, those who are 'into' bikes will still know what the frames/components are... but I'm simply thinking of the kind of 'dumb' thieves who just see something sparkly and flashy.


Is this a common thing to be looking at doing ?
Anyone else done anything like this ?

 

[RebornBumbler]

I've been thinking along the same lines...

It occurs to me that good moves might be:
1) Obscure any brand and model names - probably with tape (which you could then further obscure with a 'unique' paint job) - or just get the whole frame resprayed.
2) Fit ugly/clashing/unusual bar tape or grips.

The thinking being that thieves are probably less likely to target anything customised - especially if they don't know what it was before the customisation process.

 

[Roadrider48]

Can you not keep it inside?

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Statistically speaking unloved but good specification bikes are popular with scum bags and thieves as the owner is less likely to go looking for the bike extensively and they are easy to shift at the local boot sale or market without to many questions.

 

[fossyant]

Just use quality locks. No point making the bike look crap, anyone in the know will spot the components.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Gaffa tape and electrical tape.

Personally I just own crap bikes.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I was talking to a PC at a bike marking stand some time ago. I joked that my very old tatty bike had built in anti theft as no one would want to nick it. He replied that thieves wouldn't even notice. If they can nick it, they will, and worry about how much it's worth later.

 

[Ganymede]

I read somewhere that bikes with a tatty carrier bag tied over the saddle are less likely to get nicked. Sorry, no source for this but I thought I'd mention it. Not sure how this conclusion can be arrived at!

 

[Pat "5mph"]

A friend wrapped most of his frame in strips of inner tube to hide the expensive make of his bike and to protect from scratches.

 

[Big Nick]

Tie a carrier bag on the seat, plaster it in mud, bar tape hanging off and put some crap pedals on

 

[Sara_H]

I like to cover my bikes with loads of reflective tape. It does look crap, yet improves visibility at nigh!

 

[cyberknight]

Best anti theft device , mudgaurds and a rack make it uncool

 

[L14M]

Buy a great pyrenees dog as protection

 

[cyberknight]

Buy a great pyrenees dog as protection

Bit hard to leave it at work though .

 

[Cuchilo]

Thieves are not that smart so keep your bike nice and enjoy it . You cant live life worrying about peanuts .