How to wreck my new bike?

Aidanw
Aidanw Posts: 449
edited August 2008 in Commuting chat
I am going into Condor on Saturday to spec out my new ride... however as it will have to live on the mean streets of London I am going to need to wreck it up so no one gives it a second glance.
The obvious way is to get a big pot of brown hammerite and go crazy all over the frame... however I don't think I am mentally capable of such abuse! I have a crazy plan with clingfilm and duct tape to cover the frame up, but I am not sure it will work as I imagine!

Maybe self bonding electriacl tape would cover it up and look scrappy?
http://www.directa.co.uk/site/scripts/p ... ct_id=1960

What steps have you taken to make your bike less thief friendly, and mean you can leave it out of your sight for more than 2 seconds without total paranoia?

It is one of the joys of a Brompton.. I never carry a lock so I always have the thing with me (or locked in the office)

Comments

  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    How about this??
    http://www.dominicwilcox.com/stickers.html
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • Aidanw
    Aidanw Posts: 449
    Love it :D
  • cee
    cee Posts: 4,553
    why not just get an old shagger then? and get a good un for home?
    Whenever I see an adult on a bicycle, I believe in the future of the human race.

    H.G. Wells.
  • Aidanw
    Aidanw Posts: 449
    I only have room for none bikes... so one is a stretch! and if I have one it is going to be a good one!

    I don't mind if it LOOKS like an old shagger, but I guess I want it to be reversible!
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    put helicopter tape on first then trash carefully. The helicopter tape will protect the frame and paintwork, (it comes off easily with a little heat when needed) and will accept whatever damage you want to put on the top of it.
    Neeermad
    Carbon 456
    456 lefty
    Pompino
    White Inbred
  • victor ludorum
    victor ludorum Posts: 310
    wrapping innertube rubber around the tubes of the frame is a good way of disguising your bike and also protecting the paintwork when you lock it up. It seems to be an approach favoured by couriers, etc. and has the advantage of being quickly undoable when you want to be blinged up again...
    Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride.
    (John F Kennedy)

    Hairy Roadie (new scoring) FCN 1/2
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    I'm not sure there's much you can do to protect a genuinely good ride from the pro thieves. Spend some serious money on a serious lock and cable combo (kryptonite are good). Insure it, park carefully and hope. Seems a shame to mess up your new ride really.
  • hamboman
    hamboman Posts: 512
    Do what the couriers do - get some of that foam insulation tube and slip that over the tubes. Then gaffertape over them. Looks really tatty and sh1t, but you can easily cut it off when the time comes.
  • karl j
    karl j Posts: 517
    leccy tape (like in the OP), various colours, on my good 'un and it hasn't been nicked.

    Coincidence or cause & effect, i dunno but it's worked so far

    <touching wood>
    Morning route (when i don't get the train)

    Evening route ,
  • farrell
    farrell Posts: 1,323
    ....don't waste your money on a new bike if your are going to mess it up. jeeez.

    Enjoy the bike as it is and ride it.....no one will nick it - unless you leave in a vulnerable location without security.

    ...relax
    www.farrellart-london.co.uk

    www.farrellart-london.co.uk/bike/bike.html
  • Aidanw
    Aidanw Posts: 449
    That helicopter tape looks interesting

    Thanks for your feedback :)

    Speced the bike up today! Cannot wait for it :D

    http://www.condorcycles.com/agio.html

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