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@DFP
I think that was a big thing which cut down theft/desirability of bikes to thuggish yoots'
A decade ago anything with suspension was gold, something with disc brakes unfathomable to a city teenager. These kind of mountain bikes were worth thousands of pounds and a rare sight on the street. Having something that unusual was a real status symbol. So rough kids would happily attempt mugging someone for it, and theyd find a buyer pretty quick.
Now, you every budget halfrauds/toysrus/sterlinghouse £60 mtn has full suspension and often disc brakes too.
Most of these kids or older thieves arent 'cyclists' they dont have eye for quality. To them these bikes look the same. So desirability for a shiny springy bike has died pretty much.
I remember parts of the city I couldnt go near on my bodged £60 bmx, people would come running and surround me with fists & knives if I came close.
Now I can roll around on a DH rig in the roughest areas/parks of the city and no one bats an eyelid. Theyd be more keen if you had a mini-moto.