Commuter thief proof bike?

C

cwah

100 MW
Joined
Jul 24, 2011
Messages
4,256
Location
Between paris and london
Hello there,

Due to my current job situation, there are many times I can't park my bike inside the office. So I have to leave it outside the whole day and it seriously worry me. No I can't get a folding bike and bring it to the office. No, not even a brompton ;)

I've been thinking through for a while, and I think I've found the right set up.

1. Get a super cheap commuter bike. This one cost 50£:
Screenshot%202014-05-24%2013.02.29.png


2.Waterproof the bike as it'll be out while raining:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0017RKDF2/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

3. Get a hardcase box:
41F704QiBbL._SY450_.jpg

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ryde-17l-Small-Motorcycle-Top/dp/B00CJC5E8U/ref=lh_ni_t?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2VS4NLQ29SZMD


Why this box? Because there are LOAD of constraints in my journey and only this one fits all of them:
- It's fully waterproof
- It's thief proof because it's hard case. So I don't have to go everywhere with a bag to feel safe
- There is a quick release to take it with me to charge the battery home. (or at work)
- It's big enough to fit 5kg battery, a charger and my laptop + few other things.
- I can have my laptop bag inside this box and take it out from work

Inside the bag:
- A professional shoulder bag with my laptop, charger, and accessories (3kg)
- 5kg 18650 battery with BMS. Probably 100*NCR18650A cells
- Add a 48V fanless charger in the bag so colleague won't be pissed off by the noise:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-shipping-54-6V-2A-charger-for-48V-NCM-Lithium-Li-ion-battery-pack-of-ebike/653267636.html


Any other suggestions? Or is it good to go?
 
Better to put weight in the triangle. Weight on the rear rack makes the bike unstable, especially at high speeds. Weight in the triangle keeps the bike stable. Get a triangle bag for your battery and a backpack (rucksack) for everything else. Keeping things on the rear rack can also also rattle them until they break.
If you really want to lock your bike to make it hard to steal, get 2 heavy duty "U" locks and a heavy cable or chain. A thief will look at that and move on to an easier bike to steal. They don't want to spend the time on a heavily locked bike while at the same time you are protecting both wheels and your frame. It costs money, but helps you keep your stuff.

:D
 
I agree with you a triangle bag would be much better but...
- it's not secured when I park it outside. Thieves tend to put their fingers everywhere. Remember, I HAVE TO park it outside the whole day.
- And there is no quick release mechanism allowing me to take it out for charging when needed sometime. :(

The rear rack one looks to be the only one allowing to do that easily..

unless you are aware of any triangle bag doing that?
 
That's interesting for the custom bag. But I'm not sure it would sort out the quick release issue AND the thief one?

I was thinking thives would just tear the bag to see what is inside? I'd need a hard case
 
It won't matter that much when they take the bike, if it's cheap. But I think you need to be bringing the battery in, leaving nothing on the bike worth much.

No CA, cheap wattmeter instead. Maybe even just a voltmeter only. Then leave the bags or whatever on the bike unlocked so they can look.

Make the bike ugly as hell, with a horrible paint job. If this is going to be your lightweight ride, all you will lose is a cheap kit and nearly worthless bike. If you make it ugly enough, you may never lose it.
 
Thanks Dogman. wise advice. I'll try to make it look as cheap and stealthy as possible :lol:

My biggest issue is still the rear weight all located on the back. If only there is a reliable and safe way to mount the battery on the triangle that would be good. Something like the scooter top box on the triangle would be excellent!
 
How well does that rear rack box secure, could a would be theif rip it off with some force and just run away with it ripping the wires from the motor and so on?

A removable triangle bag as other said would be ideal and a nice solid lock like one of the Kryptonite ones, I got myself a 1210 series which will stop most people from taking the bike when i leave it for more than 5 minutes unatended. The 12 stands for the thickness of the Hex links and the 10 stands for 100cm long which gets me around most poles under 30cm thick.
 
Would thieves try to steal a top box without knowing what's inside? They'd mostly think their are clothes or something like this inside. Especially with a cheap bike like that

I could even add an alarm for more safety inside!
$_12.JPG


The problem with the triangle bag is that I can't leave on the bike at all. I had my previous triangle toolbag that has been stolen from my bike. So I know they'll get it. And I can't see myself always moving with a 5kg battery everywhere :(
 
Anything other than a "paging alarm" is waste of time/money IMO. Society is numb to alarm noise pollution and even if alerted they're not gonna care anyway.

In the late 1980's I installed 12V automotive paging alarm on one of my Harley's and a Corvette - simple radio range about 1/4 mile. Perfect for parking outside bars & businesses. It made no alert noise on the vehicle(s) but whenever I promptly showed up following motion and sound trigger(s) - potential theives quickly scattered to the wind. Might be able to find still them on eBay and/or auto accessory sites?

But I would suggest a very efficient bike requiring minimal battery and to echo DM take the battery with you when parked.
 
Ykick said:
Anything other than a "paging alarm" is waste of time/money IMO. Society is numb to alarm noise pollution and even if alerted they're not gonna care anyway.

In the late 1980's I installed 12V automotive paging alarm on one of my Harley's and a Corvette - simple radio range about 1/4 mile. Perfect for parking outside bars & businesses. It made no alert noise on the vehicle(s) but whenever I promptly showed up following motion and sound trigger(s) - potential theives quickly scattered to the wind. Might be able to find still them on eBay and/or auto accessory sites?

But I would suggest a very efficient bike requiring minimal battery and to echo DM take the battery with you when parked.
Click to expand...


Ya that's what I have on mine is a 2 way paging motorcycle alarm.
 
hey guys, I see your point on carrying the battery with me.

but I'm really not keen on doing that. It would mean having to do that everywhere I go:
- Pic nique
- Museum
- Shopping
- Work

I can see the hassle from so faaaaar. Really far. I really need some sort of neat quick release and the top box is the best compromise for now. I prefer having a less good bike handling and better journey after... rather than the opposite: having a better bike handling and having to carry a battery bag with me EVERY TIME


Just as note, I purchased a Macbook air 11" for portability:
mobius-bag-for-ipad-or-macbook-air-o.jpg


The bag weight barely 500g and the macbook air 1.1kg. So less than the total weight of a small battery. I was thinking that the lightweight bag would allow me to carry it easily everywhere the whole days. BUT I WAS WRONG. Just after a couple of hours it start to strain my shoulder. And at the end I only carry it when needed.
So no, the hassle far outweigh the benefit of the batteries in the bag I'd carry with me.

The top box still seem to be the best compromise. Unless I can find any thief proof and quick release triangle battery bag :?
 
Ok, I've got the bike now. It's ready to be out ALL NIGHT LONG. All day long. On the cold, under the rain, sun and thieves...

I hope it's going to hold it :)
2014-05-25%2022.11.42.jpg

2014-05-25%2022.11.54.jpg
 
don't forget to get a heavy cable to run through the rims. Use the U lock and the cable as one unit. A thief will look for something easier to nab.

:D
 
Yeah I need to protect the wheels... although I think I need first to protect against the rain.

I wonder how long it's going to resist like this:
2014-05-27%2018.28.18.jpg


It rains like every other days where I live :lol:
 
If a determined thief wants your bike they're going to get it eventually no matter what you do.

There are hand held battery powered angle grinders that can cut through any lock, including the NYC Kryptonite ones in a matter of minutes. Lots of youtube videos on this, go look.

That being said, there's things you can do to deter the casual opportunistic thief, eg drug abuser.

Here's some of the things I've done to protect my bike:

Install a paging alarm lock. Sends an alert to a keychain fob whenever tampered with.
Here's one in the form of a u-locks:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WJF7FC/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i03?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Pros:
o Lets you know when your bike is being tampered with.

Cons:
o Lets you know when your bike is being tampered with. Are you prepared for a personal encounter with a bike thief?
o Not the best/easiest locking mechanism.
o Batteries
o Easy to accidentally trigger by yourself. :)


Locking Skewers for your front tire, seat and handlebars:

http://www.amazon.com/Pinhead-Bicycle-Locking-Skewer-Pack/dp/B001Y9X328

A lot of thieves resort to stealing your tires, seats and handlebar items when they can't get your
bike because you lock your frame really good.

Pros:

o Removes the quick locking skewers for front tires, seats and stems and replaces them with security bolts.

Cons:

o Don't lose the special wrench!
o Won't work on motorized tires.

I secure my bike with all of the above plus an additional U-lock and a cable threaded front to back.
U-Locks are most quickly broken if the thief can get a small car jack between the bar and the U bend, so make sure to take up that space with something, a part of the bike - the tire and frame, or something you're locking it to, a large post.

I also remove my battery and it's not such a big deal -- I take it inside to charge.

I try to keep all the parts on my bike black to avoid attention while riding and parked.
 
e-beach said:
Better to put weight in the triangle. Weight on the rear rack makes the bike unstable, especially at high speeds.
Click to expand...

I have do disagree. I have used a rear rack and locking battery box and I have never had any instability. In fact a rear locking box is better because it still looks like a normal bicycle. A triangle stands out way too much.

The key to preventing theft is to make the bike unattractive and/or inconspicuous to be able to blend in with other bikes. I paint all my bikes black and have no stickers. So thieves don't pluck it out from the crowd. I also use a kryptonite U lock. Chicago has an army of bike thieves, but my bike never been stolen nor tampered with.

Also remember to always take your battery pack with you. The bike is useless without the battery.
 
Although nothing is theft proof, many things are theft deterrent.

Putting your bike under a rain cover will reduce the likelihood that it will be targeted by thieves.

They want to be able to "case" the situation without actually attracting attention. Having it under a cover adds a level of inconvenience for the thief (you as well). Pair that with a motion alarm and your bike would be dry when you get out and most likely still there. After all, they are opportunists. Make the your bike the least opportune target.

I know it is much more convenient to go without a cover, due to transporting it and storing it, but they really make thieves look elsewhere first. Maybe you can use this cover and keep it at your work location for when you park. Do you have somewhat convenient access to a place you can securely store a cover?
 
Hi forum,
Does anyone know how to follow the instructions on TAMARACK motorbike alarm..
I don't think the instructions are quite right, and what is a motorbike faucet??
 
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