Preventing bike being stolen

[Nealh]

Problem is, night time is when the scum come to the surface.
Being a female out alone at night isn't very safe one expects and leaving abike some where equally not clever. If you haven't got a bike think about a step thru or used step thru with a conversion kit, making sure the battery goes with you at all times.
You will need minimum 2 heavy duty d/u locks with 16/18mm shackcle diameter whuch means about 5kg each lock.
Onguard locks are pretty good but none will with stand scum with an angle grinder for more then 2.5 minutes per lock.

 

[soundwave]

well you are going to rob a bmw over a skoda but if they target you not much you can do bar insurance you can get a blank fire pistol but out and about would be more hassle than its worth as swat team will be called and have a load of machine guns pointed at you.

 

[Jay12345]

I think I will sign up to self defence classes

 

[Jay12345]

Thanks, it is so complicated

 

[soundwave]

what bike is it and have you bought it all ready ?

 

[Jay12345]

It is just folding ebike I havent buy it yet. Or alternatively I can buy the £499 Assist bike from Hallfords, but with the installments that would be the same price as what I would pay for the expensive folding ebike from cycle to work scheme. But maybe I will feel safer riding on cheaper bike?

 

[Jay12345]

I just dont know

 

[Jay12345]

Do you know how much is the insurance

 

[Jay12345]

My previous ebike was stolen so I need quickly make decision

 

[soundwave]

if you have house insurance they might be able to cover it but at that price it wont be much imo.

my bike new cost £5500 and to insure it on its own back then was £50 a month

 

[Jay12345]

So if if I buy the Hallfords Assist ebike for £499 I would pay less for insurance, but then reviews say the battery doesnt last long, so I would need to buy a new one maybe soon.

 

[Jay12345]

If I buy the expensive bike from cycle to work scheme, there will be in interest I will pay 30% less and the payments will be monthly for three years so not much every month. Maybe I will buy this one then and insure it

 

[Jay12345]

there will be no interests

 

[soundwave]

it is because they use crap cells but a new bosch batt for my bike is £633 and has 40 cells in it.

Sony VTC6 18650 Battery

Sony VTC6 lithium-ion 18650 batteries available at Fogstar - the UK's leading battery retailer. All batteries are Tested | Traceable | Quality Products.

www.fogstar.co.uk

so 40 of those to make the pack.

 

[Jay12345]

Oo more expensive then the Hallfords bicycle

 

[soundwave]

tho the batts do last my original 400w one was still working but after 8 years could only get a few miles out of it so donated it to science and hacking.

on some hi end bikes the batts are costing 1k plus and are locked so no way to recell them so what ever bike you are looking at see how much a new batt costs.

 

[Andy-Mat]

I am buying a new ebike. I would like to spray it with a paint to make it look older, but then I was thinking would it affect my guarantee. I am a woman and I am going to work in the darkness in sketchy areas. How can I protect myself the best. Thank you

You need several quality bike locks, use them each time you park. Connect to something solid!
At least one sensitive bike alarm, with remote control. Some look and act like a red rear light, not expensive.
You need a GPS tracker, running off its own internal battery, and recharging from the bike when you ride. To use it fully, you need a smart phone and a GPS Tracker app, that will keep you informed. They generally need a SIM cards, and communicate using text messages in both directions.
Good insurance, just in case......
Any questions, just ask.
regards
Andy

 

[Jay12345]

Thanks

 

[trevor brooker]

Try not to park the bike in the same place at the same time, as a pattern makes it easier for thieves to recognise an opportunity & then know how long it will be available.
I also use three U locks (don't worry about the weight as the bike & motor does the work) & always remove the battery.
Your idea about the spray paint is good but all you need is artistic license, as it just needs to look bad, not actually be permanently marked. So strips of masking tape etc plus add some loose wires etc then stand back & see if it looks like someone would buy it second hand.
Finally go over all the parts to see which can be removed without using tools & consider replacing easy access nuts with security nuts, otherwise you might come back to find say the saddle missing.
Where to park is either fully visible - outside a shop or hidden - at the place you are visiting (if you get the folding bike take it inside with you).
For peace of mind whilst riding fit an air horn - so if you are approached you can scare them away. Its louder than the ones that fit in a handbag.

 

[georgehenry]

If your bike has quick release wheels/seat post, change them for allen key secured ones. Most thieves are looking for something easy to nick and quick release parts are a sitting duck. Allen key replacements are cheaply available on Ebay.

If you can. store your bike at work away from public areas as this will greatly reduce the theft risk. I worked for a railway company and had to leave my bike at a station where bicycle crime is off the scale, but by asking around found first a room I got permission to put my bike in and also charge the battery, and then when the room became unavailable I put my bike in my crew locker room where my bike was tolerated and I charged the battery in the room I had previously left it in. Ask around, Getting your bike out of public view will massively reduce your risk.

If you cannot store a full size bike at work but could store a folding bike, find that out before you buy and get a folder.

If you have to leave your bike in a public area remove the seat post/saddle and battery. Again making your bike a poor choice to nick.