Registering a bike - use warning stickers?

Totalnewbie

I recently got my new bike via cycle2work scheme. I went and got it registered/marked at the police station, and the guy said I would be getting sent a pack with bright stickers to put on the bike warning that it was security marked.

I'm undecided about whether to use the stickers or not. On one hand, they might provide a handy heads-up to thieves to look for the mark and file it off (it's epoxy resin thing).

On the other hand, they might see that it's marked and decide to go after one that isn't instead (as they'd be in more trouble if they were caught with a marked bike, being as the police could easily prove it wasn't theirs).

What do you think?

I have 2 good locks and insurance etc, that's a given. The bike is mostly in my flat or locked inside at work, but there are occasions I need to leave it outside.

A - W

I think at the end of the day if they are going to take it they will, stickers or not.

The slim chance anyone will ever come to check if it has a postcode etc on wont be deterrent enough not to steal your bike.

Totalnewbie

I know...at least it means my bike will never end up in one of those police auctions for bikes that couldn't be returned to their owners.

A - W

Thats a very good point. I will enquire with my local BiB.

Need to find these auctions.

el_presidente

What bike did you get TN? Is it a big improvement from the old one?

Totalnewbie

I got a Spesh Globe Comp. Not had it long. First impressions do suggest it is a big improvement. I've never had a brand new bike apart from my very first little red Raleigh!

Position feels a bit weird because old bike is bolt upright sit up and beg - leaning forward feels odd - but I think I will get used to it. Guy in bike shop said my position was actually still fairly upright and would be more efficient for pedalling anyway, though he said bring it back if I really couldn't get used to it. I find it easier to look over my shoulder in the new position though.

And it's much easier to do bridges with. The old heavy bike was quite high geared and I found bridges a struggle on it, I'm ashamed to say, whether it was the incline or the windyness I don't know. I also overtake more people on it so I suppose it's faster (no 'puter here)! The bloke is eyeing it up because I went for the man's version because I'm tall but he can sod off, it's mine, all mine.

Just bad timing as my nan is currently in hospital a ten minute ride from where I work, and I visit her most nights, so the bike has to be locked up outside for a couple of hours, when normally on my commute I don't have to. Which is why I wanted the insurance to come into effect before I would use it (and I had to register before I insured), hence the old bike was ridden in today, frustratingly.

el_presidente

nice stuff. You will get used to leaning forward soon enough and wonder how you ever managed on the old one. Won't be long before you are buying new tyres / new saddle / upgrading the brakes / then it will be time for another new bike

And a picture on the Pics thread too is in order I think

Totalnewbie

Well it's already got a new saddle due to the fact that it had a man's one before that caused me much discomfort on the test ride alone...and I do think the tyres could do with being a little thinner as the current ones are kind of chunky, but I'll get some wear out of them first. The brakes I like, big improvement on the old caliper/steel rim combo I had before that didn't actually work too well.

I will have to sort out a pic too.

Leaving it locked up for the first time is going to be very hard!

star_rover

If it's the bikeregister marking, the sticker starts to peel off easily (eventually falling off) after it gets a bit wet.