Getting a new bike is exciting. But there is something that you need to do before you even start riding. You need to locate and record your bikeโs serial number. But why is knowing it so important, and where is my bikeโs serial number located?
The bike serial number is typically on the underside of the bottom bracket.
But thereโs a lot more to it than that. So, in this article, you will learn what a bike serial number is, where to find it and why itโs important.
Editorโs note: This article was updated on October 14, 2021, to include additional information regarding bike security.
What is a bike serial number?
A bicycle serial number is a unique number given to your bike by the manufacturer. It helps the manufacturer and bike retailers manage inventory, making it simpler to match suitable components to that bike.
Why is my bikes serial number important?
You will hear many people going on about the necessity of knowing your bike serial number. Thatโs because when your bike is stolen, itโs the serial number that offers you the greatest chance of getting it back. You use the serial number to register your bike with the different registration systems such as Bike Index, Bike Register, and Project 529. If the authorities recover your bike, theyโll use the serial number to connect it to you. And itโs the serial number tied to you that will prove that the bike is yours.
Unfortunately, many cyclists donโt know their frame number. So the odds of them retrieving their bike after itโs stolen are low.
So, make sure you know your serial number. Take a picture of it. You should send it to yourself through email so you donโt lose it and always have it accessible. And register your bike with one of the bike registration groups.
Grab a strong lock to prevent bike theft. Consider the options below.
Where can I find my bikes serial number?
The serial number is typically between seven and ten digits long. Itโs sometimes referred to as the โbike serial numberโ or โbike frame number.โ
You can typically locate the bike serial number engraved on the underside of the bottom bracket. The โbottom bracketโ is the portion of the frame that the pedals go into. So just flip your bike upside down and take a look.
Donโt be alarmed if it isnโt there. Keep searching if you donโt find it right away.ย On other bikes, it will be somewhere on the frame. So if you donโt see it on the bottom bracket, check these locations.
- Seat tube
- Headtube
- Rear dropout
- Bottom of seat tube
- Top of crank
If youโre puzzled by these names, check out our guide to the parts and components of a fixed gear bike.
The number may also appear in other places. Some Schwinn bikes and Rad Power bikes have the serial number etched inside the head tube. On certain Schwinn bikes and BMX bikes, the number is located on the rear drop-down, but on other bikes, itโs not.
Not all bikes will have serial numbers. Bikes that wonโt have a serial number etched anywhere on their frame are either extremely ancient or custom-built (some bespoke frame manufacturers donโt assign frames numbers).ย
If you donโt see the serial number on the bottom bracket, itโs possible that itโs covered by paint. If thatโs the case, check out this video from RJ the bike Guideโs YouTube channel that shows you how to find and reveal Bike Serial Number Hidden Under Paint.
How to read a bikes serial number?
Each company has a unique method of identifying its products. However, the year and month of production are typically indicated by the first two digits of the part number. And the remaining digits show the exact ID of the bike.
The easiest method to read a bicycle serial number is to search the web for โ(brand name) bike serial number decoder.โ
Conclusion
We sincerely hope this convinced you to find your bikeโs serial numberโthereโs no excuse for not knowing it.
In this article, we covered bike serial numbers, why itโs important, and where to find it on your bike. Here are some key takeaways:
Key takeaways
- Bike serial numbers are the best way to identify a bike
- They are used by law enformvent and registration sites to retrieve lost or stolen bikes
- Most bikes have their serial numbers are engraved on the underside of the bottom bracket
So, how are you keeping track of your serial number? Photo? Post-it? Let us know in the comments below (we read and reply to every comment). If you found this article helpful, check out our full blog for more tips and tricks on everything fixie. Thanks for reading, and stay fixed.
