Originally Posted by
Maelochs
Right? The evidence shows that thieves will remove/defeat even a good lock (and you have no idea what a "good" lock even means---it could have been a gym locker lock and a cable) to steal an average bike, and will steal any bike. Unless the first bike could be resold for a grand or more (which means a $2500 bike) then this proves that common thieves will steal anything, an ordinary bike or even a cheap beater bike ...
Whatever.
This is all moot. You wanted opinions but are unhappy with almost all the opinions ... if you Really care, go do the test. Paint your bike however, and lock it up wherever.
You have been on this site for quite a while .... none of this is new to you. None of what you have posted is accidental.
As I pointed out from the beginning: Thieves will break crappy locks to steal crappy bikes, and they'll break good locks to steal good bikes.
The question that remains unanswered, is what's the sweet spot of "ugly" where they won't break a good lock, to steal a bike?