Do Nice Bike Get Knicked?

I'm about to move to London from Austin, and I wanted to ask opinions/theories/techniques for not getting a nice bike stolen in London. I'm thinking of getting a Bob Jackson or Mercian and a nice wheelset, but is it really worth it, with the risk of getting it stolen?

It'd be nice to hear some advice from people with nice/expensive setups. Two locks? Don't leave outside? Etc.. What's your opinions?

Don't live or go to East London, don't lock it outside you'll be fine.

Don't live or go to East London, don't lock it outside you'll be fine.

I gotta live in East London for school and work. I wasn't planning on locking it outside overnight or anything, but maybe if I go to the pub or something?

Thanks

Then you are doomed.

Nice to be positive.

On one are doing an amazing bike for £400 and the get a beater that you won't be upset about leaving.

Locking your bike might prevent it from being stolen.

Thanks for the links

Nice to be positive.

On one are doing an amazing bike for £400 and the get a beater that you won't be upset about leaving.

Yeah, I was kinda thinking of getting a couple different setups. Which begs another question? How much space on average do you have in your flat for bikes?

Seth, if your worried about bike theft, then best not to spend too much cash on a bike for everyday duties. Maybe a nice wheelset, but keep the bob jackson or mercian frame only and ride it when/if, you go back to austin.
London has a bad reputation, but if you lock up using the locks suggested in ga2g's locks that work thread, being in east london and all won't make it any easier for you.
Personally get a bike that rides well, but you (know this is a bit of an oxymoron) haven't invested too much in, that you can ride and not worry about it. Nothing worse than wanting to ride somewhere to do whatever then being scared to lock the bike up because your worried about it going missing...

hope this helps

This is London's famous London, my friend.

For my bike I have two kyrpto faghs and am slowly having every bolt/nut exchanged for a non standard security bolt/nut and i still worry when i leave it for more than an hour! It would be comical if it wasn't so sad/annoying. If you are living here for a while look into getting house insurance.

As for space, it really depends on the flat/room. There are many different storage methods which you could look into if you are tight on space.

What and where are you studying?

Bring your gun, Texas...

Two locks? Don't leave outside? Etc.. What's your opinions?

Don't leave it outside, two locks will slow the thieves down - but only by a couple of minutes or so.

East London + Nice Bike = No Nice Bike.

DON'T buy a lock, then you won't be tempted to leave it anywhere, because if it's a bike worth nicking, believe me the scumbags WILL nick it, or just trash it trying.

A mate of mine bought a bike, had 2 £100 locks on it, parked in the central bike racks at Chancery Lane, and it was gone in hours. This was within 24 hours of buying it, in broad daylight in the middle of the day. There were CCTV cameras pointing at it and when he asked the cops to check the footage they basically told him they have better things to do. Nobody seems to give a shit apart from fellow 2 wheelers.

If you do need to go somewhere that would mean locking it up somewhere vulnerable (i.e. London) then use a Boris bike instead for those trips.

Seth, if your worried about bike theft, then best not to spend too much cash on a bike for everyday duties. Maybe a nice wheelset, but keep the bob jackson or mercian frame only and ride it when/if, you go back to austin.
London has a bad reputation, but if you lock up using the locks suggested in ga2g's locks that work thread, being in east london and all won't make it any easier for you.
Personally get a bike that rides well, but you (know this is a bit of an oxymoron) haven't invested too much in, that you can ride and not worry about it. Nothing worse than wanting to ride somewhere to do whatever then being scared to lock the bike up because your worried about it going missing...

hope this helps

Thanks for the insight. Sucks you can't even ride a nice bike out of fear. I lived in London a couple summers ago and some kids stole my Brompton from the inside a church foyer in Islington. The cops were half ass and didn't give a shit. They seemed afraid of the kids actually. They need GUNS!

Anyway, how do vintage bikes sit in the mix. Say an old holdworth or carlton? What are some other tips or attractions to avoid? Nice paintwork, etc..

For my bike I have two kyrpto faghs and am slowly having every bolt/nut exchanged for a non standard security bolt/nut and i still worry when i leave it for more than an hour! It would be comical if it wasn't so sad/annoying. If you are living here for a while look into getting house insurance.

As for space, it really depends on the flat/room. There are many different storage methods which you could look into if you are tight on space.

What and where are you studying?

Yeah I have an M18 Kryp. lock but I broke it. After reading the lock thread, I think two faghd locks and maybe an alarm will do for a couple hours if in a good spot?

Not sure on my space yet. I'm going to Goldsmiths for grad. school but I'm not staying there. I hope to get a flat somewhere on the Eastern line in Hackney or thereabouts. Roommate anyone?

Bring your gun, Texas...

Ha, that's what your cops need. Theives don't respect them.

Don't leave it outside, two locks will slow the thieves down - but only by a couple of minutes or so.

East London + Nice Bike = No Nice Bike.

This is sad, but I realize it's probably true. What about Vintage goodies, the theives might not know about?

This is sad, but I realize it's probably true. What about Vintage goodies, the theives might not know about?

no chance. this one got stolen

boris bike

Despite the risks, you shouldn't let the fear of theft stand in your way of owning a good bike. If we all tried to avoid risks all the time, we'd never leave the house. You may well be walking and get mugged, let alone bike crime. It's your right to have a quality bike of your own choosing. I think it's sensible to use this only for decent rides, when you'll either be on it or have it in your sight at all times, and have a basic bike for dicking around on, going to the shops, pub etc. If you ride your good bike in this way, less often, you'll look forward to it more too.

What and where are you studying?

Ha, that's what your cops need. Theives don't respect them.

I before E except after C

Its all relative Seth. I have friends in Tx, and if they had a £400 bike stolen they would not blink. They have loads of dough. Also depends how what type of place you rent re space. A lot of bedrooms in London are less than 150sq ft. However if you have a few bob you can get a larger room.

Hackney has a bad rep. My Warehouse was there, and basically anything that moves is fair game. We had staff that nicked as much as the public.

Now the good news, you can have a total riot on an old bike here. So maybe one shit /beater for the pub, and maybe a nicer bike if you think you want to take a bit of blighty back home to the best country in the world...(USA) keep the nice bike in your room (and locked)

That way you can invite nice girls (or boys) up to your room to see your bike. Enjoy London biking is a great way to see the city. Welcome to the mad-house geezer.

Howsabout not living in East London. It's bike theft and ironic 'taches wall to wall.

Go elsewhere - bike safe(er)(ish).

HTFU live in the country, ride in, 50 miles a morning... in pissing rain, uphill, no shoes etc.

This is sad, but I realize it's probably true. What about Vintage goodies, the theives might not know about?

They know.