Need info on theft

I am headed to London in September and I would like to put together a nice fixie for commuting in the city. I am fine putting some money into the bike, but I am wondering how prevalent theft is in the city before I invest.
Outside of using my head when locking up, is there anything I should keep in mind?

you wont get far with your head locked to the bike.

Theft is RIFE!

Theft is ridiculously high. In a nutshell:

Only use U locks, and make sure they are off the top of GA2G's locks list - Make sure one of them is a Kryptonite NY Fagheddaboudit. It also makes a superb weapon. Chains are crap as are cables. If you have a nice Brooks saddle you're going to need to lock that up too. Lock your wheels up, not just the frame, and keep your bike in view at all times. don't leave it locked outside for days on end.

also one thing that people overlook, make sure your locking to something solid, your fagheddaboudits are next to useless if you chain it to a 100 year old rail that can be kicked out or cut through a lot easier

^^^^^

. . . . and even with all these precautions - you are not 100% secure, so good bike insurance is a good second layer of defence.

I have had bikes nicked that have been protected by 2 U locks and a massive cable lock.

I would - if you can - take it indoors with you.

You never own a bike in London... you just look after it for a while.

don't have something too flashy as your commuter. accept that at some point it will be stolen, prepare for it, and live your life.

don't have something too flashy as your commuter. accept that at some point it will be stolen, prepare for it, and live your life.

Best advice. If it's a bike you are going to lock up regularly outside, you want something nondescript and rough , something that blends in e.t.c

Also use some of Tynan's security paste on the bars and seat.

don't have something too flashy as your commuter.

fuck that. life's too short for fugly bikes.

just make sure you use good locks. and that your ride is insured.

fuck that. life's too short for fugly bikes.

just make sure you use good locks.

yep.

And make sure you lock it up properly so the insurers actually pay out*. Fine print sucks.

• not talking from personal experience, but I'm sure I read some sob story on here once.
  

Agree with mattty .. Best defence against theft is to have a shit looking bike. Lock my Marin up anywhere .. ain't going to get nicked because it ain't worth anything.

Agree with mattty .. Best defence against theft is to have a shit looking bike. Lock my Marin up anywhere .. ain't going to get nicked because it ain't worth anything.

you should know luke.....what time we watching le tour?

...and make sure your insurance covers theft of parts.

Or, alternatively, use pitlocks or the like to ensure that your expensive bits don't go walkabout.

Personally, I've not had anything stolen in 3 years.

no, not a shit looking bike, but a shit smeared bike

London is full of thieving cockney bastards.
You have been warned.

fuck that. life's too short for fugly bikes.

just make sure you use good locks. and that your ride is insured.

1+ what the point of having a nice bike but not riding it?

fuck that. life's too short for fugly bikes.

just make sure you use good locks. and that your ride is insured.

^^look into being able to take your bike into work with you, have reception hold it something if youre worried about having it outside.i left my bike chained up outside for the first time last night, i was crapping myself all night and kept going to check on it even though it was locked to a motorbike, and under a cover, in someones garden.

...and make sure your insurance covers theft of parts.

Or, alternatively, use pitlocks or the like to ensure that your expensive bits don't go walkabout.

Personally, I've not had anything stolen in 3 years.

Any recs on good insurers?

There's a thread on it somewhere. I got pitlocks after realising that any parts that might be stolen wouldn't be covered unless the whole bike was taken.

Or use the old ball-bearing and super-glue technique.

1+ what the point of having a nice bike but not riding it?

That's not what I said, though, was it now?

a) Get a job somewhere where they've got secure bike storage. I don't even have to lock my bike up at work (but I do anyway).
b) Get a knackered old racer from eBay for under a fiver and make it into a commuting fixed by spending under a tenner converting it to fixed.

no, not a shit looking bike, but a shit smeared bike

Even better ... I am going for that look with my mountain bike.

I agree with having a shit looking bike if you have to leave it locked somewhere. Build a nice bike, but make it look like a heap of junk!