Help! How to DIY an unstealable bike

[JVC]

I'd like run an electric bike in London with the same theft-risk as my normal bike. Instead of beefing up the security, I want to hide everything in an unattractive looking bike.

Are there any proven methods on how to hide the motor, battery and throttle into a very boring looking bike?

Thank you!

 

[DBye]

No so much disguise as disgust/heebie-jeebies : https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/my-precious-golum-wants-to-make-it-secure.25844/post-335295

*Post may be tongue in cheek and not to be taken as incitement to cause injury. Post is to be taken as non-serious suggestion

 

[Scorpio]

Use a rear motor & rack mounted battery, fit very scruffy pannier bags. Add bright bits at the front of the bike to draw attention away from the motor & battery area. Bike will be tail-heavy but also look normal apart from the handlebar display.

Yose 350 rear hub kit - onto Spanish mtb by Mondraker

Background info about these kits (thanks to Nealh & others) see https://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/yosepower-hub-kits.30061/

www.pedelecs.co.uk

 

[PP100]

I'd like run an electric bike in London with the same theft-risk as my normal bike. Instead of beefing up the security, I want to hide everything in an unattractive looking bike.

Are there any proven methods on how to hide the motor, battery and throttle into a very boring looking bike?

Thank you!

So you want to make it look even more like a normal push bike which is likely to be favoured for attempted theft as it is easier to sell on quickly compared to an E bike?

Get a light folding e bike and take it with you. Or at least take the battery with you with a full sized e bike.

 

[JVC]

So you want to make it look even more like a normal push bike which is likely to be favoured for attempted theft as it is easier to sell on quickly compared to an E bike?

Yes, that's exactly what I want

 

[Wicky]

Use a bike cover, and have a read through this

Custom bike stolen

Hello, I've unfortunately got my bike stolen. The thieve did that on day light and CCTV has captured his face so I'm hoping that maybe we can someday catch him. And the bike is so unique it can only be sold to DIY enthusiasts... so it'll probably someday come back here as well. Here's what my...

www.pedelecs.co.uk

Plus some useful tips here

 

[Nealh]

Cwah used to do this make bikes unfit to steal or ungainly looking steeds, his still got nicked though. It doesn't matter what you try someone will want to take it.

 

[Gavin]

Sadly, your plan will only work for an opportunist. Professional thieves have started to realise how much ebikes are worth, how easy they are to steal and how untraceable they are once stolen.

In the motorcycle world we've had to accept that we carry massive heavy chains, disc locks, bike covers and alarms. Many ebikers still think of it as "just a pushbike" and lock it accordingly, yet some ebikes are worth much more than a motorbike.

If I was cycling regularly in London, I'd buy a folder and a strap/ bag to carry it with...

 

[JVC]

Sadly, your plan will only work for an opportunist. Professional thieves have started to realise how much ebikes are worth, how easy they are to steal and how untraceable they are once stolen.

In the motorcycle world we've had to accept that we carry massive heavy chains, disc locks, bike covers and alarms. Many ebikers still think of it as "just a pushbike" and lock it accordingly, yet some ebikes are worth much more than a motorbike.

If I was cycling regularly in London, I'd buy a folder and a strap/ bag to carry it with...

Is there no discrete motor design out there? I see mechanical doping use ones inside the seat tube. At the moment my nice-ish road bike has survived 9 years in London being locked in all sort of places and hours with a good chain on just the front wheel and frame. I'd love to be able to do the same with an ebike but it sounds like there aren't many options.

 

[Gavin]

Is there no discrete motor design out there? I see mechanical doping use ones inside the seat tube. At the moment my nice-ish road bike has survived 9 years in London being locked in all sort of places and hours with a good chain on just the front wheel and frame. I'd love to be able to do the same with an ebike but it sounds like there aren't many options.

You've got this type of thing....but look at the price (and it's unavailable)

Vivax ASSIST - The E-Bike System

Vivax ASSIST - The E-Bike System; Sophisticated motor power is hidden in the bike‘s seat tube. It only weights 1.8 kg (inkl. battery). Press the button and the motor delivers 200 watts to the crankshaft.

store.pedalrevolution.co.uk

 

[jarob10]

My anti theft strategy:

- display less
- pit lock wheel skewers
- torx screw on seat clamp
- under seat remote light / seat alarm (3 in 1)
- ‘tile’ tracker stuffed inside battery case
- v small / light / cheap Chinese U lock, held by kryptonite lock carrier