Would thieves still steal a bike without a wheel?
Posted by openedBooka@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 27 comments
I live in a high theft area but love my e-bike, especially when using it to save gas. The thing is, I'm paranoid of someone stealing my bike. It stands out like crazy on just about any bike rack. On top of a thick lock, would anybody really target a bike if it's missing a wheel? I can take the time assembling and dissembling it and carrying it with me as long as I don't lose the whole bike.
RichGuarantee7482@reddit
yes
beachbum818@reddit
Crack heads steal seats and wheels to sell for a few bucks in order to get a fix
CrashTestPhoto@reddit
A bike missing a wheel is, to a thief, a bike that's already being targeted by other thieves and is therefore fair game for stealing other parts from.
waronhumans@reddit
Depends how badly they want it. I've seen plp steal car mirrors
Relevant_Wedding3812@reddit
I kinda feel like it’s the opposite. Broken window theory and all that. Missing wheel makes it look neglected, easier target. Plus on an ebike, the battery's the real prize.
jim914@reddit
If you’re talking about a front wheel with a quick release I think they will bother to steal that bike because it’s easy to just steal another front wheel from any bike. If it’s the hub motor that you’re removing I guess it’s reducing the risk of theft somewhat but that’s a lot of work to remove and replace regularly plus if you lose fasteners from your torque arms it increases the risk of damage to your bike.
davpad12@reddit
Leave the wheel, take the battery. Wheels are cheap and easy to get. Batteries aren't.
Cranks_No_Start@reddit
Thieves would steal the corn from your shit if it was just a little easier to get to and they could get $.05 for it.
Fantastic_Key_8906@reddit
You must keep it inside or it will be stolen.
rvralph803@reddit
Can they sell it for crack? If yes, then yes.
Such_Can_5353@reddit
i've seen thieves steal seat posts, anything with quick release gets quickly stolen.
Quercus408@reddit
I've noticed ebike brands these days are shifting away from quick-release through-axles and seat post clamps.
Tomj_Oad@reddit
My Triker is very well designed and executed, but I miss quick release spindles. No I have to carry a couple of sockets and a ratchet
Quercus408@reddit
That is true. One more thing to have to keep on hand.
reilogix@reddit
Because he can trade it for a small bag of THAT SHIT.
ShakeyChee@reddit
People will steal anything. But as another said, it probably shifts the odds in your favor.
That said, don't forget your wheel somewhere!
Superb_Raccoon@reddit
Like chicken... parts is parts
BassesNBikes@reddit
The battery is much more expensive to replace than a wheel.
openedBooka@reddit (OP)
My bike comes with a key for the battery, for some bikes can you just detach it easily?
BassesNBikes@reddit
That key is going to slow a thief down for about 3 seconds.
Hungry_Freaks_Daddy@reddit
I had a childhood friend who got into drugs and went to prison and blah blah. I let him stay with me for one night.
Did he steal my CDs? No. The jar of change? Also no. But did he steal the 2 AAA batteries from my stereo remote? Yes, he did. And that’s all he stole.
People will steal anything.
Quercus408@reddit
I carry two locks, for this reason. A heavy-duty lock around the substrate and through the back wheel and frame, connected to another lock through the front wheel.
If I'm feeling extra paranoid, I use a smaller chain lock on the front wheel, but most of the time I just use a cable, and loop my main lock through that. If they want the front wheel that bad, they can have it. As long as I keep the frame, the battery, and the engine.
Laserdollarz@reddit
I saw a locked bike at the train station being harvested for parts a few weeks back. I meant to circle back for the water bottle cage.
InfluenceEfficient77@reddit
People would steel 10 wheels without a bike
Alberta52@reddit
paranoia the destroyer get a disc lock with alarm Amazon 30 bucks
MotherAd6483@reddit
Yes, lol, but it reduces the odds significantly.
Being said, if it's not a quick release, either turn it into one or don't do this. The gold standard is high decibel alarm, security chain, u-lock.
Even still someone could steal it. Take the battery out, alarm it, chain around the wheels and through u-lock, u-lock to post. Maybe consider GPS (invoxia is good, but for a city just an air tag can help a lot).
Fair-Discipline-1005@reddit
It's better carrying bike then always be in fear of the thieves...