Do certain makes/models/types of bikes get stolen more than others? I was reading this article on the most commonly stolen cars, and having my bike stolen recently, I got to thinking: do certain makes/models/types of bikes get stolen more than others? My bike was a 15 year-old GT Aggressor 2.0 (Mountain bike) and it was stolen out of my back yard. I just have a hard time thinking that someone was seeking out that year/model.

It would seem that most bike thefts are crimes of opportunity, opposed to targeted attacks, but I don't see any data to back that up. Also, it seems like for cars, the cars that are stolen the most, just so happen to be the same cars most commonly driven. I assume the same would go for bicycles?

Any bike thieves want to chime in?
I'm a lifelong cyclist, including big cities like SF, Oakland, Baltimore, DC, Atlanta, etc...   And I've worked in a few bike shops so I've heard several stories.

Basically, there are 2 kinds of bike thefts:


Crimes of opportunity. Meaning, if a thief thinks they can sell it for $20 or more and they think they can get away with it.  These folks will steal any "decent looking" bike. These thefts are atributed to drug addicts.  But, I've heard of all kinds of people doing this.  Some do it for the thrill.
"Professional" bike thieves.  The kind that patrol cities and universities looking for bikes that they can flip on craigslist or ebay for good money.  They sometimes patrol in vans stealing a dozen in one night using professional tools.  They usually steal in one city and sell via craigslist in another.  These guys know the difference between cheap bikes and nice bikes.  They go for the latter exclusively.


Also: 


No bike is 100% safe, even in your garage, house or apartment.
No lock is 100% safe.  They just buy time.  A cheap lock is worth about 5 seconds.  An expensive lock is worth about 10-15 minutes.  If the thief has the time and won't be interrupted, they may go for it.