Why am I so paranoid about theft of and from my bike

[LLB]

When I nip into town on it, I end up taking a huuuuge lock with me, and removing all the stuff like the pump, trip computer, underseat bag with my multi tool & tube patches, lights etc etc, but I never feel this way about leaving my m/cycle or car (which are worth substantially more)?

Who am I worried about, opportunist chavs walking past or other cyclist who see something nice on my bike and just help themselves ?????

 

[Mr Phoebus]

Altogether I've had three bikes nicked.
They were all secured. You can slow the thieving scum right down but not stop them if they're absolutely determined that they want it.
The only reason I bought a Brommie is that it never leaves my sight if I need
to go somewhere where the security facilities leave me feeling anxious about leaving my other bikes there.

 

[Maizie]

It's no bad thing to be paranoid.
I get to work, to get on site I need to open a gate with a security pass, next to a manned security hut. I then park my bike in the cycle parking area, which is in a carpark with decent CCTV. So this is pretty safe.
Lots of people don't lock their bike or take bits off when parked here at work.
I do, simply because I think it's a good habit to have. When I park up anywhere, I always lock the bike, I always take the lights, computer, pump, etc, off. If I didn't do it at work, it wouldn't be the ingrained habit, and then my bike, bits, or both would be easy pickings, on the rare occasions I stop in a shop on the way home from work...

 

[keebz8]

I'm the same - but then again I only use an abus python lock not a u - lock as everybody seems to recommend.

I take the view same view as mr phebous that if a thief wants your bike he will nick it regardless and you just make it a little more of a challenge.

Why doesn't somebody come up with a tracker insterted in the bike so you can track it down and catch the thieving scums? Anybody know of any effective tracking devices?

Keebz8

 

[another_dave_b]

When I nip into town on it, I end up taking a huuuuge lock with me, and removing all the stuff like the pump, trip computer, underseat bag with my multi tool & tube patches, lights etc etc, but I never feel this way about leaving my m/cycle or car (which are worth substantially more)?

Who am I worried about, opportunist chavs walking past or other cyclist who see something nice on my bike and just help themselves ?????

Depends where you live, and the value of your machine, I suppose. I've never had a bike stolen, my last one (aged Falcon 10 speed) I didn't used to bother locking at all.

I suspect I could get away without locking my current steed (2006 Dawes Mojave), but I'm not minded to test the theory

EDIT
Correction - I did have a pump stolen, when visiting the Morrissons supermarket in Reading last summer. And I wouldn't consider leaving any bike unlocked in Reading.

 

[Night Train]

I'm like this about my bike too. That is one reason I hardly use it for local trips unless I can take it indoors with me. I have an old rusty hack but it still needs a bit of sorting before I can use it properly, however, it rides really nicely and I would hate to have it nicked.

 

[Danny]

Let us know next time you leave your 4x4 somewhere - I have some mates down in London who would be happy to take it off your hands

 

[Abitrary]

I've had a bike nicked, and bought a better one with the insurance - so i didn't mind. In fact I left it in a dodgy part of town with a thin wire lock to encourage it.

The biggest thing that piqued me was getting a 15 quid cateye rear light stolen at the supermarket.

 

[beanzontoast]

I never leave my bike anywhere in town nowadays for precisely this reason. Used to, but there were so many stories of bikes getting nicked it put the wind up me. I don't think it's paranoid to be extra cautious. The one thing I miss is biking into town and then going to the library or going shopping - but I'd rather be sure my bike's ok.

One thing I've often wondered - is your bike more likely to get nicked if it is 'anonymous' (i.e. a popular model with nothing special about it - theory being it wouldn't stand out in a crowd) or if it is obviously 'customised' to make it different / unique?

 

[snakehips]

I know what you mean. Whenever I see a bike left somewhere I think 'I wouldn't leave my bike there or locked like that'. I had a sleepless night once when I had to leave a bike in my front garden chained to a cement mixer!

 

[Moose]

Seems to me you're concerned about opportunistic thieves - I suggest moving to an area where your stuff is less likely to be stolen.

 

[LLB]

Let us know next time you leave your 4x4 somewhere - I have some mates down in London who would be happy to take it off your hands

I doubt it, it is too old to be of interest.

 

[beanzontoast]

Seems to me you're concerned about opportunistic thieves - I suggest moving to an area where your stuff is less likely to be stolen.

Hmm... the scenery's nice, but I'd get through some tyres commuting to work from the Outer Hebrides.

 

[LLB]

Seems to me you're concerned about opportunistic thieves - I suggest moving to an area where your stuff is less likely to be stolen.

How many towns are there in England without a theft problem Moose ?

 

[Chromatic]

Probably because you know what Cheltenham is really like under its retired colonel facade.