Forum home› Commuter cycling forum› Commuting chat

Bike piranha

deptfordmarmosetdeptfordmarmoset Posts: 3,118
edited August 2010 in Commuting chat
Greenwich appears to have bike piranhas. I was just wondering how long it would have taken to strip this bike so comprehensively. It looks like it had all been done at the same time by someone especially tooled up for the job. How long?

2010_0823Various0008.JPG
Looking for a cycling buddy?

Posts

  • whyamiherewhyamihere Posts: 7,369
    It can be done very, very quickly. First, take the chain off - 30 seconds.
    Looks like it's a bike which had disc brakes, so there's 2 bolts to remove the rear brake caliper, 2 more to remove the derailleurs, then 3 to remove the entire front end (2 on the stem and the preload bolt), including the fork, front wheel, both brakes, both derailleurs, bars, stem, everything - Under 5 minutes
    Cranks are a preload cap and 2 bolts (assuming newer external bearing BB) - About 2 minutes
    Seatpost - QR 10 seconds, bolt maybe 20 seconds.

    You can strip a bike down that far in under 10 minutes very, very easily.
  • nicklousenicklouse Posts: 81,520 Lives Here
    and quicker if you have some cable cutters.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • deptfordmarmosetdeptfordmarmoset Posts: 3,118
    Yep, disc brakes. I'm surprised they didn't remove the cassette while they were at it but maybe they got disturbed before they could take the wheel out of the frame.

    But 10 minutes, for a locked bike without quick release wheels, is a very sobering figure. The poor owner must have thought he'd done everything right.
    Looking for a cycling buddy?
  • nicklousenicklouse Posts: 81,520 Lives Here
    as I keep saying. I someone want your bike or the bits they will take it. (or as much as they can)

    try this.

    lock your bike up and see what you can remove with one 5mm allen key.

    you will be shocked.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • neiltbneiltb Posts: 332
    nicklouse wrote:
    as I keep saying. I someone want your bike or the bits they will take it. (or as much as they can)

    try this.

    lock your bike up and see what you can remove with one 5mm allen key.

    you will be shocked.

    QFT

    might take a trip to the maintenance stores and see what torx bolts they have available!

    might slow them down at least!
    FCN 12
  • lost_in_thoughtlost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    4mm bb + superglue = better security, but you need something to get the glue out if you need to fettle/remove things yourself!
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • SimonAHSimonAH Posts: 3,730
    Hey, you know what, torx is a bloody good idea actually.
    FCN 5 belt driven fixie for city bits
    CAADX 105 beastie for bumpy bits
    Litespeed L3 for Strava bits

    Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.
  • Kieran_BurnsKieran_Burns Posts: 10,052
    SimonAH wrote:
    Hey, you know what, torx is a bloody good idea actually.

    The man torx some sense....
    Chunky Cyclists need your love too! :-)
    2009 Specialized Tricross Sport
    2011 Trek Madone 4.5
    2012 Felt F65X
    Proud CX Pervert and quiet roadie. 12 mile commuter
  • MonkeyMonsterMonkeyMonster Posts: 4,628
    nicklouse wrote:
    lock your bike up and see what you can remove with one 5mm allen key.

    you will be shocked.

    especially if you've got lots of 4 and 6mm bolts :D
    Le Cannon [98 Cannondale M400] [FCN: 8]
    The Mad Monkey [2013 Hoy 003] [FCN: 4]
Sign In or Register to comment.