I want to go biking in cities, but from what I’ve read most police departments simply do not give a fuck about stolen bikes. How do I make sure my bike doesn’t get stolen?
bringing inside with you. if you have to leave it outside, Don’t ever give it privacy.
Get a good kryptonite lock and lock the bike up in a high traffic visible area whenever possible. Bike thefts are an unfortunate eventuality most of the time so don’t bother getting a super expensive bike.
Remove a wheel, seat and/or handlebars when you lock up. A lot, and I mean a lot, of bikes are stolen out of convenience, and not having a wheel means that someone can’t easily ride it away.
This won’t deter a motivated Igor Kenk-style thief that steals tens of bikes a day, but it’ll make you less of an opportunity to casual addicts looking to for a ride for the night or something they can flip for cash or drugs.
its sorta like the same mindset of driving manual. it wont deter everyone away, but it filters out some of the potential people who can steal it (those who dont know how to drive manual)
Two most important things
- Don’t leave your bike anywhere overnight.
- Don’t make a pattern of leaving it locked up in the same place for long periods of time.
A nice lock will help a little bit but tbh if they’re determined then they will get it if you slip up and allow them the time.
Dont leave a bike that is worth stealing, if you mind it being stolen, for daily commutes just get a second hand bike for around 200$ and fix it up, pick up a 50$ kryptonite NY lock and ride stress free.
This worked for me. Protip: get some shitty spray paint for a theft detering paint job
D-lock through the drive wheel and frame, steel cable though the d-lock and front wheel, steel wire though a closed metal ring/railing. I’ve used this technique for yonks and never had so much as a wheel stolen.
You don’t need ultramax security unless you’re locking it up outside at night. Deterrence is plenty good enough to stop people from snipping and running.
I use a hardened steel chain and a hardened steel lock, and I thread the chain through the frame and the front tire. That’s enough to defeat bolt cutters (and my lock has notches on it to prove it), though I’m not sure how it would do against an angle grinder. Though if they have an angle grinder, they might just go through whatever it’s locked to instead of the chain/lock itself. There’s only so much you can do against a very determined thief.
Abus Granite is the gold-standard.
Never ever use anything weaker than a pair of Kryptolok’s, so you get both wheels locked-up ( or undo the front wheel & put it beside the bike when locking it up with a single Kryptolok )
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There’s a new Ulock that’s apparently resistant to angle grinders. Someone tried on YouTube and they have to go through like 3 discs to do it.
Also get a “pinhead” bolt system. They replace the hex nuts on the wheels and seat with a round locking nut that you need your key to take off.
All depends on where you are. If you have a bike registration sticker program in your area, do that (e.g. 529 bikes, some cities, some police departments have their own service). Get locks with insurance that would cover the full cost of replacing a stolen bike that was properly locked, if available.
Don’t leave it outside over night. Lock it in at least two places if it will be out of your sight in public for more than 20 minutes. Lock it at a bike rack or against a fixed post, one wheel, and frame locked to the rack if possible.
Well, then you’re pretty much out of luck because if someone wants to steal your bike, they will, even if it means coming with a rotary saw. And yes, it does happen, depening on the value of the bike.
My tip coming from a big city with a shitton of bikes: just get a cheap second hand bike that no one will bother with stealing. If you use it for your commute, then it’s good enough.
If we’re talking about an expensive sports bike, then don’t leave it unattended.
This makes the most sense
Base level: get a good lock, lock to something sturdy in a visible location. Put a cable on the seat and through the front wheel. Register the serial number with police and hide an air tag on it.
Next level: cover your bike in stickers or hit it with spray paint in a few spots. Swap out components for kitchy ones or mark them up. Go wild with reflective paint on the tires.
Elite level… Hang out with bike punks. Ride with them and learn their ways. Even if your bike is stolen chances are it makes it’s way back to you.
This is the correct and only answer. If it’s good enough for the LPL it’s good enough for me.
Use the technique
On top of the various lock suggestions, I added something on my ebike I quite like.
”Hidden” beneath my water bottle holder is a casing for an Apple AirTag. No one is likely to notice it because it’s mounted with the water bottle holder. It doesn’t blend perfectly, but enough to not be noticed unless you’re looking for it. The security screws that are used to mount it require a somewhat uncommon head (not that people don’t have them, just not a normal part of a bike kit), so it’s not easily removed.
So if the bike is stolen, I can hopefully find it again.
This coupled with an alarm lock that attaches to the brake rotor and a standard combination cable lock has served me well so far. Though this spring I might add a folding lock just in case. If I’m spending as much as I did on a bike I shouldn’t cheap out on protecting it.
