Cycling UK Forum

My white 07 DMR drone was stolen from my university campus while I was working. I’d left it less than 2 hours, while I was in the studio, it was locked to the bike racks with a combination lock which had been cut and left on the floor.

I was wondering how common this is and how best to prevent it? Or if anyone else had had there bike stolen?

Alex

Unfortunately it's very common. Your options are to ride a bike that is so manky no-one would nick it and/or lock it with a big off lock that they can't cut through. Of course if you lock it securely then they will nick bits off it so change quick release seat post clamps for bolted ones and remove anything that can be unclipped (lights etc).

Report it, then look at your local car boot sale and/or secondhand shops. But sadly, it's likely to be gone.
This is no good now, but no cable lock is strong enough to secure a high end mountain bike that will attract thieves. You need a decent D lock with a chain and proper padlock. And even then it won't stop people stealing parts.
But I'm sorry to hear about your bike.

Sorry to hear about your loss. I'd be gutted.

For next time, have at least two locks, of different types so different techniques have to be used to break them. Locking it to something solid and unmoveable so it can't be lifted in to the back of a van or worked on in private.

Sold Secure rated locks at least show it takes time to get through them and risk being seen.

I've seen loud alarms on locks which must be painful to stay next to for too long.

If it was a really lovely bike I'd probably take it inside with me!

cheers, its insured so its not to bad and i've reported it...
has anyone else had there bike stolen? where was it?

.

A non descript bike with drop handlebars is your best bet. The yoffs of today want an MTB not a racer so it is less sellable to a thief.

They rekon one bike is stolen for every student in the UK - so it's very common. And considering most students don't have a bike.....well.

I don't know which uni you're at, but try asking at the estates department, or accomodation - where I went to uni, there were cycle storage lockers or secure bike sheds available at almost every building, even though the uni 'officially' says they don't make any provision for cycle storage - really you just have to figure out who to ask for it.


This is the time of year for it too - I was told loads of times they nick them for extra cash for christmas and they're sold into second hand shops to be sold on as christmas presents. I'm learning mine was stolen this time last year, and this time THIS year, I got slack on looking after my stuff once and my bike was stripped and some little scrote ran off with my gloves whilst I was stood there!! (this was saturday) One day I'll learn!

ETA the bike that was stolen this time last year was secured to bike racks outside uni.

there is a secure bike shed for people in halls but i cycled to campus from town and locked it on the bike racks outside the student union during the middle of the day.

where was your bike when it got nicked? what lock did you use? i've been looking at videos on you tube off tutorials on lock picking and stuff, its scarey how easiy it is.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=zvfj4D8yUXw

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=0hsM88Wx8QQ

It might still be worth asking - you'd think everyone who's moving into halls is in by now, and if there are still spaces you might just get one (if it's near to the building you're working in) After all, ours didn't exist!
I know of one guy who'd bring his bike up 4 flights of stairs and into the studio, so it might be worth having a chat with your lecturers.

When it got nicked, it was locked outside the SU, and secured with a cable lock (about a 1.5cm diameter cable) I thought it was safe because it wasn't a very nice bike, but I was wrong. It WAS dark at the time though.

I now have a good D lock and a hefty armoured cable lock, both sold secure - I prefer the D lock, but if there's no proper cycle parking, I have to use the cable because the D lock is quite narrow (just enough room for a crank, two chainstays, a bit of wheel and a sheffield stand)

From the videos, what's also scary is that no one even looks twice! one video shows attempts to 'steal' a bike in new york - only one person even looks twice, and even then, he stops to offer advice on how to get the lock off!!

please never use a comination lock. I have just seen a video how anyone within 30 seconds can undo a combination lock without knowing the key.

they don't even need tools! I was stunned!

got to admit it was fascinating to watch.

second the D Locks above.

the d lock can be unlocked with a biro!!! with in 5 seconds!!! its crazy!

byegad wrote:A non descript bike with drop handlebars is your best bet. The yoffs of today want an MTB not a racer so it is less sellable to a thief.

Mostly true.

However, the only two cases I've heard of by people I know who've had their bikes stolen had tourers with drop-bars. One had been in use for at least 20 years.

Hector's House wrote:

byegad wrote:A non descript bike with drop handlebars is your best bet. The yoffs of today want an MTB not a racer so it is less sellable to a thief.

Mostly true.

However, the only two cases I've heard of by people I know who've had their bikes stolen had tourers with drop-bars. One had been in use for at least 20 years.

What about a light single speed with relaxed racing geometry + drop handlebars and uncool mudguards and silver bits? I always thought this would be the most disgusting bike for the "yoffs". I had one bike like that. it hasn't been stolen (even in Reading town centre) for many years. Most of the time I used cable lock. Was I lucky or is there a stereotype thief/"yoffs" repellent bike?

Are ANY D locks more secure than the one in the youtube video? I've been told that Luma locks are top, but as that one looked like a Luma, I'm having my doubts.


Allen.