Hello bike experts....
My question is:
>I have had three somewhat high end bikes and they have all been
>stolen in the last 3-4 years. The last one was a cannondale dual
>susp. etc.( i live in a nieghbourhood that, apparently, is bad for
>getting bikes stolen).
>I would like to put together a bike that is less appealing to thieves.
>I was thinking of a double-butted chromoly road bike frame. The make
>would be an apollo or raleigh or something which would be less
>appealing to thieves. I dont know which brands offer chromoly
>frames. Maybe a bike/frame from the eighties, which while still
>having decent quality, would be less appealing to thieves. Could you
>tell me if the chromoly frame is the way to go? I want it to be as
>light as possible while still being durable and cheap. If you could
>suggest a make and model I'd appreciate it.
>I love to ride my bike everywhere, but i cant afford to get a
>high-end bike which may get stolen again.
> I truly appreciate your advice.
>Thank you!

I would get a pretty good bike, wrap it with wax paper and totally cover it with dull black electrical tape, instant wal-mart look alike. Then when it needs to look impressive, take off the tape. This is a technique used by big city bike messengers, it works well.

-Middi-zon

See if you can buy some Huffy downtube decals.

Dave

like steve martin always said. if someone is going to rob you, throw up on your money so no one will take it. vomiting on your frame may not be appetizing....but it will be there when you get back.

Find a good quality bike, used or new and spray paint everything on it flat black or day glow or whatever colour pleases you and buy a big lock. Just make the thing look ugly and dedicate it for city use. This will deter some thieves, but not all. Vancouver must have a great used bike market so look around you may find an old road or mountain bike for a reasonable price. Some places to look would be the MEC website look under swap, the buy and sell, your local cycling association may have a swap page on their web site, or put an advertisement at your local bike store. Than buy yourself your dream bike and use it only when you are in a safe area and keep it locked to your bed or a large appliance when not in use.

when i was a kid every bike i ever had was stolen. It didn't matter what it was. Now i'm a little paranoid but use a new york u bolt and a kryptonite cable lock. Nothing stolen since.

I can vouch for early to mid 80's Fuji sport tourer frames as good commuting/light touring bikes(I have a Royale model).However they are not particularly light or fast and actually seem to ride better with some load but maybe thats just me.If you make sure the handlebar tape is well frayed,add a little surface rust from touring in the rain,and top it off by neglecting to clean the accumulated grease regularly even the opportunist thiefs won't look twice.On the otherhand just keep your bike inside if away from it any long length of time to avoid the professionals and lock it securly when away for a short period to prevent the opportunist. If you are near a college don't leave it outside for any great lengthof time because they are target areas .By the way I just realized I got you confused with gqsmoothie when I reponded to the Asheville post lol.

Don't bother with Huffy decals, as most thieves do not know one brand from another. Buy old road bikes cheaply at yard sales, and be prepared to replace one occasionally. Always try to park next to a more attractive-looking machine with an inferior lock. If possible, take the front wheel and/or saddle with you when you lock the bike.

When I attended UCLA in the late 1960s and early 1970s, bike theft was rampant. I usually carried heavy case-hardened chains and liberally applied blotches of spray paint to my old frames.

By the way, the only bikes I have lost to thieves are: 1) Murray/Huffy Sears Free Spirit boat anchor; and 2) modest SR road bike.

I ride a nice old road bike with a home paint job. The uk word for a "beater" bike is a "hack" bike, which is perhaps more accurate. They are usually high quality, but disguised, rather than crappy to start with.

look at what messenger's are riding. i got blown away by a messenger the other day on what looked like an old, beat up raleigh, with an ugly old 7 or 8 speed cassette and old, beat up tires and nothing special rims (but perfectly trued). we took turns pulling for a while before i caved in. he probably saw me as just another poser.