Theft prevention

91Bear · #1 10-24-2018, 09:31 AM

I had a Bianchi stolen three years ago. What do you do in case your bike gets stolen? My Ciocc does not seem to have a serial number anywhere. I'm not sure what to do about that. I certainly don't want to engrave my driver's license number on it.

By the way, if you see this bike, it's mine.

zmudshark · #2 10-24-2018, 09:48 AM

Take detailed pictures, noting any scratches, etc. That worked for me when I had a bike stolen. I also gave as many LBS's pictures, or at least emailed them to the shop if they were out of the immediate neighborhood.

cmg · #3 10-24-2018, 09:49 AM

cut name and address out from advertisements (trash mail) and put them under the bar tape, tape to crank arms, under BB, inside of chainstay, inside of BB or anyplace I think thief won't notice. I use to put cut name/address on the rim tape under inner tubes. photograph bike.

That's a really nice Bianchi.

MattTuck · #4 10-24-2018, 10:01 AM

razor blades on the underside of the bars, and tacks on the saddle?

if no serial number physically on the frame, best option might be to engrave the steerer.

sfo1 · #5 10-24-2018, 10:46 AM

I thought Texans carried guns?

Quote:

Originally Posted by 91Bear

I had a Bianchi stolen three years ago. What do you do in case your bike gets stolen? My Ciocc does not seem to have a serial number anywhere. I'm not sure what to do about that. I certainly don't want to engrave my driver's license number on it.

By the way, if you see this bike, it's mine.

William · #6 10-24-2018, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfo1

I thought Texans carried guns?

No one is going to steal it if you are around.

William

91Bear · #7 10-24-2018, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmg

That's a really nice Bianchi.

Thanks. It would have been nicer had I written down the serial number.

It was in need of a repaint so I had it custom painted to resemble Jan Ullrich's special edition.

coreyaugustus · #8 10-24-2018, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 91Bear

I had a Bianchi stolen three years ago. What do you do in case your bike gets stolen? My Ciocc does not seem to have a serial number anywhere. I'm not sure what to do about that. I certainly don't want to engrave my driver's license number on it.

I had a Bianchi Impulso 105 stolen just recently. Like many newer bikes, the serials were clearly marked on the BB. I filed a police report and then a renter's insurance claim, as it was stolen from our apartment's basement garage. I hope the bastard hits an unexpected ditch and breaks his neck. I negotiated with the insurer over the value of the bike until I was satisfied and went on with finding a replacement.

The Colnago I built up to replace the Bianchi, much like your Ciocc, does not really have a serial. I suppose European standards didn't require one in the late 80s/early 90s? So to register the new bike with the local authorities, I noted items like the make/model/color/componentry/any stamped markings on the bike. Some locales will issue a decal you can place on the bike. This one lives in my apt now instead of the garage, since it's a bit pricier to replace and I don't want to pay another deductible.

Your Bianchi was pretty. Guessing it wasn't the original paint? Unusual to see a Bianchi with so few markings/such clean paint.

bambam · #9 10-24-2018, 12:33 PM

Pictures and some form of identification taped in the seat post tube. Behind handlebar plugs. These are easy to get to but parts that can also be changed. So I would also find some way to mark the frame or fork as well that requires more work to get to. You show an official your name in and easy to get to spot and they might be more patient with you taking it more apart to show more proof.

Been a while but I hope it turns up.

BamBam

C40_guy · #10 10-24-2018, 12:41 PM

Good photos, replacement value insurance, and maybe a written appraisal from your LBS.

Peter P. · #11 10-24-2018, 07:04 PM

Hide an ID card, either laminated or in a plastic ziplock bag, in several places in the frame, inside the stem, inside the handlebars, etc. . I've seen information written on fork steerers, too.

91Bear · #12 10-24-2018, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coreyaugustus

Your Bianchi was pretty. Guessing it wasn't the original paint? Unusual to see a Bianchi with so few markings/such clean paint.

Had it painted to resemble this one:

KJMUNC · #13 10-24-2018, 10:14 PM

Simplest way: drop a folded business card in the seat tube.

I never thought about doing this until I bought a used C50 10yrs ago and when building it up I noticed something in the seattube. It took a bent coat hanger to get out (which most thieves won't bother to do), and sure enough it was someone's card. I emailed the guy to make sure it wasn't stolen and he happily reported that it wasn't, and proceeded to give me a great history of the frame (ridden up Ventoux, etc).