Somebody tried to steal my brake caliper.

[Mussels]

Someone must have brought a toolbag with them today as they had used hex keys and a spanner to try and remove my brake caliper, I found the nut nearby but they must have chucked two bolts further afield. They had also tried the same with the bike in front and despite getting most of the fixings off they hadn't taken the caliper, I wonder if the idea was to get me to leave the bike there overnight.
Anyway after finding I couldn't bodge it I limped round to CycleSurgery who were very helpful and gave me the bolts needed. Then I found the cable inner had been damaged so had to buy a new one, after that and an hours messing about the brake is better than before.
Anyway it proves one thing, I'm not the only person in London who thinks the Promax brake is OK.

 

[Grumpy1]

Wow, what kind of a Pikey tries to steal a brake? Truly mad.

 

[Footie]

Mussels posted:
.... Someone must have brought a toolbag with them today as they had used hex keys and a spanner to try and remove my brake caliper, I found the nut nearby but they must have chucked two bolts further afield. They had also tried the same with the bike in front and despite getting most of the fixings off they hadn't taken the caliper ....

Of course it could have been kids trying to play a stupid game of loosen the brakes and watch the crash
Have you thought about alerting the Police to this?
If two bikes were tampered with (and tools were used) it's taking things too far and seems to have sinister undertones to me.
.

 

[torrent99]

Mussels posted:
.... Someone must have brought a toolbag with them today as they had used hex keys and a spanner to try and remove my brake caliper, I found the nut nearby but they must have chucked two bolts further afield. They had also tried the same with the bike in front and despite getting most of the fixings off they hadn't taken the caliper ....

Of course it could have been kids trying to play a stupid game of loosen the brakes and watch the crash
Have you thought about alerting the Police to this?
If two bikes were tampered with (and tools were used) it's taking things too far and seems to have sinister undertones to me.
.

Probably not kids where Mussels parks (the City). Most likely they were after any parts they could get to sell for a few quid. (good job they didn't go for the battery!)

 

[Mussels]

Probably not kids where Mussels parks (the City). Most likely they were after any parts they could get to sell for a few quid. (good job they didn't go for the battery!)

That was a good test about how attractive a battery is to thieves, not at all. It was a little worrying as it happened in the middle of the day, I think I'll keep the battery indoors now.
If it was kids then they didn't do it for fun, there was a definate attempt to remove the parts. The thief didn't have much idea what he was doing so it probably was just to sell for cash.

 

[eddieo]

hardly likely to be kids in the city of London....probably homeless/street people.......But it is a bit odd, why not go for the front wheel or seat, I expect you lock these? I have the lock on battery but also have a cable lock through the seat/bike frame amd battery handle.....is your seat locked onto frame?

 

[Mussels]

My seat is fastened with a normal nut and bolt, if I got a security device it would cost more than the saddle! I am considering one of the tilt alarms on the other thread.
Today the bike is parked where I can see it from my window and is out in the open. I can't spend all day looking at the street below or someone is likely to call the Samaritans for me.

 

[eddieo]

tilt alarm a good idea (I have one) as long as within earshot.......

 

[seca-seca]

How about getting an angle grinder to the bolt flats once you fitted them, no one can remove them then. You're buggered if you need to remove it though.

 

[Footie]

torrent99 posted:
.... Probably not kids where Mussels parks (the City). Most likely they were after any parts they could get to sell for a few quid ....

See, this is what happens when one lives in a rural location - just lose touch with reality
.

 

[Andrew harvey]

You can get locking quick release pins, which kind of makes them not very quick release. They use a allan key or 5 sided nuts about the size of an 5/6mm bolt. The French versions have unique spanner keys.
I should point out the keys fit on a key ring, so you don't need to carry your tool kit.

 

[wotwozere]

Hi

We should chop there hands off like in the old day that would stop them taking bikes. What type is a caliper bike i not see that b4.

Grumpy it was not just a brake you thikco and please don't call people pikey because my uncle family use to live in caravans.

thx

Bob

 

[flecc]

This is a caliper brake Bob:

 

[seca-seca]

It amazes me at exactly how many questions can be answered if you type them into google.......a lot less effort than posting on a forum.

 

[watkin5]

It amazes me at exactly how many questions can be answered if you type them into google.......a lot less effort than posting on a forum.

Just out of interest, how many questions is that, exactly?

 

[Mussels]

Just out of interest, how many questions is that, exactly?

Duh, Google has all the answers.

 

[Mussels]

Just got round to reporting it, I found out I could do it all over the phone. From the coppers reaction I think a thief that well prepared is very rare but daylight robbery is not.