Does the construction of Moulton bikes render them easier to steal?
 

I was wondering if the component pieces of the truss construction bolt together and could be unscrewed. I realize that their price makes them more likely to be stolen.

there is a non-separable version , if that is your prime worry ..

not as long as you chain it properly, I suppose it might be more of a target because of its value.

I had an old, non-Moulton, split-apart bike. It was possible, on that one, to get the U-lock through both halves of the bike at once, although that left the wheels unsecured. On the other hand, I didn't really worry that much if I couldn't get a locking situation where both halves were locked. I figured no one is likely to take half of a bike. But you never know.

I meant by taking apart the smaller truss work elements that appear to be bolted in photographs, rather than the main divide joint.

If you are talking about the silver colored button head allen screws as seen on my TSR-9, those are there to bolt on accessories (like front and rear racks) ...

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...s/DSC03100.jpg

Not more than any other bike considering that a pro thief would know that stealing a Moulton offers a better return on his/her investment in a matter of seconds regardless of the lock being used.
http://www.harborfreight.com/42-inch...ers-41151.html

Yes, that is what I saw, many allen head screws. Thanks.

Most thieves won't recognize a Moulton for what it is, and would probably pass on a well-locked "cheezy folder" for the BSO "mtn bike" sitting next to it with a flimsy cable lock.

That said, I'd lock a Moulton with top-line locks, either U- or one of the hardened chain styles, and never an all-day affair, only for running in and out... and for which errand duties I'd probably pick a different bike than a Moulton, anyway.

i think a professional or hobbyist bike thief knows what he's looking at.

the bike is unique enough to attract attention/someone's eye. a lot of times unique-looking bikes have higher pricetags - it's clearly a specialty item.

i gotta also believe that if the thief has a smartphone, he'll just google moulton and get some prices. no problem. don't insult a thief's intelligence. lol.

but imo, a person either shouldn't buy a bike they'd be gutted over if it stolen or they shouldn't park it anywhere lots of experienced thieves hang out - big cities and the like. i would only a bike i wouldn't get nuts about if it were stolen. so, my upper limit is around $1500. i think people have to decide what level of risk they can/will taken when buying super expensive bikes like moultons.

any experience bike thief can and will steal a bike if he's got the tools, opportunity and desire to do so.

WARNING: THIS POST CONTAINS A DESCRIPTION THAT MAY MAKE BIKE OWNERS WEEP.

Around here in San Francisco, it is common for bike thieves to have plumber's pipe cutters. They will cut through the frame, pull the bike free, cover the damage with tape, sell the bike at the flea market to idiots who will be subsequently injured by the secretly-unsound frame.

Also, they can easily use a modify automobile tire jack to shatter u-locks. So make sure your u-lock is small.

One reference out of many: http://www.cyclelicio.us/2013/bike-thief-tools/

Hey, it's a Moulton. BRING IT INSIDE.

yep. the fact is, there isn't a lock made that will deter, much less stop, an experienced bike thief.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e33UfmSeJ-.../photo(12).JPG

I moved ..

I have only seen three Moulton Space frames in the wild, ever. Two were in Switzerland. Two were being ridden and one which was actually locked up in Zurich was, it seems, not locked in a high-crime area. The Moulton Space frame is not something I would consider locking up on the street.