Suppose I had a unicycle that I wanted to label, so that later if it was stolen, I would be able to officially identify it as mine, to the police.
Is there a usual procedure for this sort of thing? Are there special Unicycle Registry areas that I should know about, to get listed in? Do I just etch some made-up “serial number” into the metal? What have other people figured out before, about how to do this?
I’m just trying to avoid reinventing the wheel, if someone else has already figured this out.
I would leave it unlocked and unmarked in the hope that someone might spend a couple of weeks trying to steal and ride away on it. We could use more unicyclists.
Welcome to our forums! Speaking for myself, I would never leave any of my unis unattended or out of my sight, therefore, I have no need to label it, etch it, etc. But if you really want to do so, etch your name into it somewhere where it is not readily seen. Maybe the inside of the fork or under the crown. If you want to get really creative, put it in the bearing caps! You might also look into buying insurance that would protect you against theft. It would likely be pretty inexpensive, and maybe even less than it would be for a bike…“half” as much maybe, lol.
The cowboys figured it out a long time ago. Design your own brand and grind it in with a Dremel tool. It can be smaller than a name. Post a photo of it on here. This site can be the unofficial registry. Then brand your whole remuda.
I think you raise a very good point. I have been meaning to label my unicycles for a long time, after having several stolen, and each time more get stolen I wish I had labeled them. Even having unique unicycles does not seem to be a deterrent for theft, as police do not drive around with a list describing the stolen wheels in detail. If only they came with some sort of manufacturing serial number like bikes they could be uniquely identifiable without any extra effort from the rider. I’ve never considered locking my unicycle as it seems like extra weight - the ones that have been stolen have never been the one I was riding.
My attitude is similar to Trickcyclist- hopefully all my unicycles that have been stolen are being ridden and inspiring new unicyclists.
Store/Park your uni with the seat turned aroun backwards. If it’s stolen, check with the local bike shops to inquire if they have resolved someone’s problems by correcting the seat. Or just check with the hospitals.
I couldnt do this inless i went to the hospital, my lbs generally sells thier unicycles put together improperly. I have seen two come out of there with thier seats on backwards No good for advice on unicycles either … grr…
Either way, i think it is pretty hard to get your uni back if it stolen, inless you live in a small town, or they take it to a pawn shop. I think I found the person that has my uni… He says he bought it for 30 bucks at a pawn shop… but I can never get him to bring it out. It would be easy to see it was mine if he did. But even than i cant really make him give it back if he bought it… Total bummer
But i would say the best we can really do is hope whoever steals the unicycle actually uses it… Or the person who buys it for super cheap at the pawn shop gets good use out of it…
More news about labeling your unicycle – yep, you can do it “officially”
BoomerangIt owns and operates the National Bike Registry. I emailed them and asked specifically about unicycles, and if they had a pre-printed label type thing, for unicycles with no assigned serial number.
They said they offer serialized labels included in their National Bike Registry (NBR) Pack. The pack is available for sale at the www.boomerangit.com website, click on Products & Services. BoomerangIt owns and operates National Bike Registry.
hope this helps
and thanks again, everyone, for all your good helpful suggestions
No good for advice on unicycles either … grr…