Ideas for cheap, simple, low theft risk commuter??

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Ideas for cheap, simple, low theft risk commuter??

22 posts & 17 voices | Started 3 months ago by Lofty | Latest reply from HoratioHufnagel

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Lofty - Member

I've been commuting on my normal trail bike for some time now and i'm happy doing that most days but there are often situations where i'd like to ride somewhere (meeting / shops etc) but don't for fear of leaving my bike locked in town for a couple of hours. Modern MTB's are pretty showey and everything is quick release so not at all suitable. What i'm thinking of is a simple, cheap, rugged but hopefully still fun bike that i can use daily but wont attract attention if left somewhere for a few hours??

Do i start with a very basic MTB? or CX? I wouldnt get any riding enjoyment from a full road bike. And i'm nowhere near trendy enough for a fixie!!

Posted 3 months ago #
ton - Member

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/elops-3-ii-id_8166113.html

Posted 3 months ago #
breatheeasy - Member

Kona Smoke? I picked a new one up off eBay for £180. Not gonna set the world alight in terms of spec and weight but for a commute I didn't care trashing mine.

Posted 3 months ago #
djaustin - Member

Raleigh Twenty. Theft-proof. £20. Zero coolness. Invisible.

Seriously, how far do you commute? Sheldon Brown had a lovely bling singlespeed Raleigh twenty. On a slightly more serious note: if it's flat, a singlespeed with rack and proper mudguards. Flat bars. New and cheap would be the Carrera Subway. Cheaper would be the B-twins from Decathlon.

I commuted to a hotel yesterday wearing a suit and carrying my dinner suit on a Dutch roadster. Tomorrow will be full lycra and a fixed gear.

EDIT: ton got there first. Those decathlons aren't bad for the money. Heavy, but anonymous.

Posted 3 months ago #
davesmate - Member

I wanted something low maintenance and low theft risk. Bought an old fully rigid 90's mtb frame for £10, put a half decent set of wheels and a singlespeed kit on it and hey presto.

It's a brilliant bike for around town but as it's quite scruffy looking it doesn't get a 2nd glance.

Posted 3 months ago #
garage-dweller - Member

Early to mid-90's hybrid with 18 gears, mudguards and rack.

I was fortunate enough to poach from my parents selection of disused kit but can probably be found in your local skip/tip/cash converters.

The drivetrains last forever due to the fat chains and heavy steel rings and sprockets and they are COMPLETELY undesirable and not a QR or aheadset in site.

I can leave it locked up at the beach for a busy summers day or in the centre of town and not worry if it will be there when I get back. Can happily ride 10-15 miles on it with its slack angles and heaps of fork rake and on rough roads it zips along and absorbs nearly all the vibration.

Only thing I've changed is to fit some decent quality decade old flat bars and bar ends instead of the hi-ten steel ones and put some cheap V brakes on it so I can actually stop in less distance than a super tanker.

Posted 3 months ago #
Lofty - Member

great!! i think i'll start searching ebay for a good but annomymous looking all ridgid frame and fork from the 90's and put some decent kit on it. sounds ideal!!

thanks chaps

Posted 3 months ago #
wwaswas - Member

put some decent kit on it

thieves will steal bikes for decent kit.

If it's just for bimbling around town on then something for £50 from the local free-ads is the way to go.

Posted 3 months ago #
rootes1 - Member

Early to mid-90's hybrid with 18 gears, mudguards and rack.

def - there are loads around and most only need a few bits doing to them

Posted 3 months ago #
binners - Member

I'm with davesmate on this one. I bought an old GT Timberline, Reynolds 525 frame off fleabay for the princely sum of £11. I had it powder coated matt black, then built it up as a singlespeed, with the inevitable pile of parts we've all got in the garage. Lovely pub bike. Total cost, including powder coating, under £100. The scrotes wouldn't give it a second glance

I find the word Carrera down a frame normally acts like garlic to a vampire for bike thieves. But they're decent enough bikes and cheap as chips

Posted 3 months ago #
jambon - Member

+1 For crappy bike with good brakes. The more scratched the better and SS if you have no hills.

Posted 3 months ago #
DezB - Member

CX is a good idea - thieves usually ignore drop bars.

Posted 3 months ago #
Steelsreal - Member

I have an old carrera subway frame and forks that i no longer need if your interested

Posted 3 months ago #
Del - Member

drop bars for camouflage, drop bar ss for invisible.

Posted 3 months ago #
HoratioHufnagel - Member

Drop-bar and ss is pretty desirable in london these days, not sure about anywhere else tho.

Posted 3 months ago #
Mr Agreeable - Member

I find the word Carrera down a frame normally acts like garlic to a vampire for bike thieves.

Sixth most commonly stolen brand here in Bristol. If our posh Southern thieves are that un-picky, I can't imagine what it must be like up North.

http://www.stolenbristolbikes.com/search/label/Carrera

Posted 3 months ago #
Mr Agreeable - Member

Make it look distinctive without being bling, is my top tip. Fablon on the frame is a good one. It's a bugger to remove and a wood-effect bike attracts random compliments from pretty girls and eccentric old men alike.

http://www.avenuesupplies.co.uk/index.php?id=952&pid=6878&sid=1

Posted 3 months ago #
binners - Member

Blimey! They'll nick owt in Bristol!

A quick glance around the 15 year old, drug-dealing scrotes of Manchester indicates that a Specialized Rockhopper is 'entry level' to be seen on

Posted 3 months ago #
StirlingCrispin - Member

How about a Kona Bike?
http://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/m11b92s201p8554/KONA_Bike_2011/RS_GB/23079

I've been bopping around on mine for a few months now and love it. The back pedal coaster brake is a blast to ride and makes the bike pretty much zero-maintenance.

Posted 3 months ago #
Mr Agreeable - Member

thieves usually ignore drop bars.

Really? Round our way they're smashing into people's garages to get at road bikes.

http://www.stolenbristolbikes.com/search/label/Road%20Bike

The ultimate unstealable bike would have:

No brand names anywhere.
Rim brakes.
No suspension (except possibly a Flexstem).
Mudguards, rack and other uncool accessories.
Other distinctive features, e.g. stickers, custom paint - preferably shabby).
Secure wheels and seat. Pitlocks are pricey but good.

Posted 3 months ago #
woody2000 - Member

Courier Race from Edinburgh Bike @ £249

Linky

Posted 3 months ago #
HoratioHufnagel - Member

Use 16mm d-lock too

This is good for the money
http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/117011.html

Posted 3 months ago #

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