The Big Wheel

Thinking of getting a new bike but I don't feel like advertising to the thiefs, if I get this bike is the SPECIALIZED a sticker or painted on? How hard would it to take off?



https://www.specialized.com/us/en/al...ext=90018-6049

one4smoke

Don't let the thieves win. They do if you let them dictate what you do out of the norm. That's definitely out of the norm.

AdkMtnMonster

Just scratch off the IZ and they'll leave you alone out of pity.

Payton1221

Yes but they also "win" if they steal his bike I'm going to give The Big Wheel the benefit of the doubt and bet that he knows his surroundings better than we do.

If you're not into status, I think it's a great idea, and if you want to swing for the fences, REPLACE the name with a poorly respected name (Huffy?)

Ross520

Only SUPER cheap bikes have the manufacturer's name on a sticker, rather than painted-on.

A shiny-new-bike is a shiny-new-bike though, and I don't think "de-badging" it would act as much of a deterrent.

Op, are you leaving the bike out-of-sight for long periods of time? If so, is there ANY way you can bring it inside with you instead of locking it up?

Maelochs

Be really careful where you lock it and don't leave it for too long .... and don't lock it in the same spot outside while at work (people wandering by will notice that it is always there for hours at a time, and will make a plan, bring tools, and take as long as it takes.) It is not a high-dollar bike which would attract the power-tools crowd, but it is a plenty good bike ....

I leave a bike about that good outside at the gym, with two locks, in a rack right next to the door. I leave it for about 20 minutes outside the grocery store----again, immediately outside the door, with every customer walking right past it,. I feel pretty safe in those two locations. When I need to take it to the hardware store, where I have to lock it up a ways away from the door, I try to shop very quickly.

I stopped shopping at one local big-box store when they stopped letting me lock up inside, because the bike rack is 100 yards form the door and out of sight, and the only other places to lock are the light standards in the parking lot, where no one would comment if they saw a guy with a hacksaw going at the chain.

aplcr0331

Just buy a non branded China bike. There’s a bunch of build threads over on weight weenies.

No logos, just black carbon.

Do you ride with a bunch of people that pour over bikes?

I ride mostly alone. In the 3 years I had my Allez Sprint Comp I was asked 1 question by a guy wondering if it was carbon. Other than that nobody gives a flying **** about your bike. Or the sticker.

Moe Zhoost

Spray it with PlastiDip to uglify it. You can always peel the coating off when you want to advertise again.

blakcloud

Most decals are clear coated over them which them next to impossible to get off. I can't answer for your particular bike, but my guess would be to find a different solution to your problem.

Try by trying to peel one off. If they aren't under clear coat usually a warm hair dryer and a plastic scraper (like an old credit card) will help the process along.

If it is the white bike in the photo, I would just use some white tape and cover the name. It won't look as good but sometimes you have to compromise.

BobbyG

Covering the branding is good, but then adding custom branding is even better. I suggest re-branding it as a "Corona" and make the model the "Covid-19". Then people should keep at least 6 feet away.

Alternately you could re-brand it as a "Herpes" model "Simplex II".

Or possibly brand it "Monogamy" model "Lifelong Commitment".

All those seem to deter most people.

veganbikes

If you lock up a bike well, the thief is likely to move on to the easily stolen bike. Most thieves want the easy target. Just because it has a name on it doesn't mean that they are going for that bike in a line of many bikes unless yours is the one with the cheapest easiest to break lock then they will.

JayKay3000

That's not a particularly good bike. I mean, there isn't a top end group set on it, the wheels aren't that interesting and most good entry level bikes have carbon forks on them which isn't advertised by the paint jobs. Get it in blue and red, that's sure to put any thief off.

By the time you've ridden it a handful of times it'll be worth 7 to $800 or less.

Fredo_Adagio

Focus on keeping your bike from being stolen. Also, rather than taking the brand name off, perhaps you should personalize it by adding stickers in order to make the bike easier to identify.


By the way, I like your taste in bikes. I was looking at the 105 version, the Allez Elite, but my wife won't allow me to buy another bike.

alo

Can you think of anything to paint on that looks like rust. That will deter them.

Don't try to remove the name. Put another sticker over the top.

southpier

when you possessions own you . . . .

The Big Wheel

Thanks everyone for the advice and laughs. It's interesting to see the difference on advice given between old members and noob members.

dedhed

https://www.bikewrappers.com/

https://www.bicyclemakeover.com/

https://powersportswraps.com/vinyl-w...bicycle-wraps/