Cycle Security-Todays London Paper

True, true....

if it a mountain bike, even if it an apollo, they're worth an arm and legs to the opportunistic theft than an old road bike.

Ed are you seriously saying, that apollo mountainbikes are highly desirable objects for thieves to steal.......seriously?

He is right James, it's the most commonly stolen bikes around my ends.

Was an Abus big chain!!! can't believe i didn't even hear it clank!! It was outside a pub opposite Islington Green on the pavement at 6in the evening........:(

that doesn't even narrow it down, if it not in the list here, or has been mentioned but advised at your own risk, then it's likely to be pretty weak;

http://www.londonfgss.com/thread17938.html

sorry to hear about your bike getting nicked thought.

He is right James, it's the most commonly stolen bikes around my ends.

I guess it depends on the area, most the thieving twats round here are nicking a mix of shitty bmxes/weird hybrid mtb things/and of course fixies.

Ed are you seriously saying, that apollo mountainbikes are highly desirable objects for thieves to steal.......seriously?

of course, it's a mountain bike, it go off road, it got two suspension, it got a disc brakes etc. to them it's perfect because it can take 'abuse' as well as being able to not only use on the road but on pavement too, disc brakes is better than calipers, suspension is better than no-suspension, etc.

to a common theft/chav/etc. this is the better bike;

than this;

My only saving grace was it wasnt my Kona stab, which to be fair to the average street chav.. does have disk brakes and 2 suspensions innit

I guess it depends on the area, most the thieving twats round here are nicking a mix of shitty bmxes/weird hybrid mtb things/and of course fixies.

Where you live, is very central, and lots of riders around there, and you can not miss the fixed trend there.
Here, it's rare for me to spot any, I mainly see cheap BMX's, Apollos, those hyrids mtbs etc, and its mainly kids riding them

That's my old Barracuda Tonga 2008, which is sold now, but if I had left that out there it would definitely get nicked within an hour, whereas my Gitane wouldn't be.

I had my ex's apollo locked up outside the library broad daylight with my Kryptonite New York lock (used for securing my poncy expensive flash git mtb). the lock was worth more than the bike. I took the books in when I came back out it was gone! it was incredible like some supernatural act. I'd love to see how they do it.

 D or chain~?

I have now decided to carry not only a Faghettaboutit and an Abus chain lock but to bring an Apollo to lock up next to my bike.

I have now decided to carry not only a Faghettaboutit and an Abus chain lock but to bring an Apollo to lock up next to my bike.

Hehe, you can have my old red one from the shed if you like!

Them Faghettaboutit are heavvyyyyy

I locked my bike to a busy bike stand on a quiet street in North London the other day and sat across the road outside a cafe having a cup of tea. There were lots of new ridgebacks etc locked there too, some with extremely shit locks, and a few old geared Raleighs. Plus one Langster. As I was reading my book, I saw a couple of kids on mountain bikes turn up to the stand. They examined all the bikes, took phone pictures of my bike (a rusty old track frame) and the shiny Langster, and then sent some text messages. they then sat there, waiting patiently. I guess the 'scout' system means that the people they're texting can then turn up with the right toolage for that particular lock. If they want your bike, they want it.

I finished my tea and went and got my bike. They called me a 'mug' and pulled an imaginary trigger at me :(

Wtf, seriously?

I carry a small crossbow for just these occasions. Perfect for a quiet Sunday sat outside a cafe.

I would be like I is callin the LFGSS mafia!

I locked my bike to a busy bike stand on a quiet street in North London the other day and sat across the road outside a cafe having a cup of tea. There were lots of new ridgebacks etc locked there too, some with extremely shit locks, and a few old geared Raleighs. Plus one Langster. As I was reading my book, I saw a couple of kids on mountain bikes turn up to the stand. They examined all the bikes, took phone pictures of my bike (a rusty old track frame) and the shiny Langster, and then sent some text messages. they then sat there, waiting patiently. I guess the 'scout' system means that the people they're texting can then turn up with the right toolage for that particular lock. If they want your bike, they want it.

I finished my tea and went and got my bike. They called me a 'mug' and pulled an imaginary trigger at me :(

Jesus. That's interesting to know how they operate, but Jesus. That's fucked up.

I would be like I is callin the LFGSS mafia!

I walked off nervously and then hid round the corner till they'd gone. That's because I'm fucking hard.

what else are you expected to do? they could have a knife of a gun.

I'm sure Plurabelle knows I wasnt being serious.

I locked my bike to a busy bike stand on a quiet street in North London the other day and sat across the road outside a cafe having a cup of tea. There were lots of new ridgebacks etc locked there too, some with extremely shit locks, and a few old geared Raleighs. Plus one Langster. As I was reading my book, I saw a couple of kids on mountain bikes turn up to the stand. They examined all the bikes, took phone pictures of my bike (a rusty old track frame) and the shiny Langster, and then sent some text messages. they then sat there, waiting patiently. I guess the 'scout' system means that the people they're texting can then turn up with the right toolage for that particular lock. If they want your bike, they want it.

I finished my tea and went and got my bike. They called me a 'mug' and pulled an imaginary trigger at me :(

They do the same with motorbikes

I'm sure Plurabelle knows I wasnt being serious.

Aye, of course.

They were just kids. No harm no foul, I spose :-/

I'm sure Plurabelle knows I wasnt being serious.

Not having a go, just being truthful instead of being an internet hard man

it's a big market for people who are willing to pay money for a stolen bike that they know it's stolen.

I've been in my share of dust ups, gotten my lumps and have no problem standing up when needs be. But I'm not about to fuck with a gang of tooled-up thieves. I suspect most here would do the same. Discretion, valour etc. You got to ride your bike home safely so you did the right thing.