mix up the tape and use some old cloth handlebar tape in spots, again, rub
dirt on the tape. make it ugly. spray paint it randomly. then leave your 4000
dollar bike locked up with a k-mart chain lock.
It may be just me, but I think thieves will only be fooled a little by measures like those. Thieves know that a bike is usually more valuable if it has
-pedals that are less than 25 years old, and arent made of cheap plastic
-3-piece cranks with removable chainrings
-alloy brakes
-a frame that looks like modern high-end steel or lightweight aluminum: probably has smooth seams.
-alloy rims and corrosion-resistant spokes/nipples/hubs.
I live in a big city, and I have the impression that big-city thieves are pretty smart about what they do. They often know how good a bike is with a quick look at it.