Cowboy bikes have a clearly documented frame number. Cowboy says it is underneath the bike, just below the bottom bracket. There should also be a QR sticker and a code starting with CBFM or FM. Once the bike is activated, the frame number can also be found in the Cowboy app under Settings, Advanced, Serial Number.
That number matters. It helps you register the bike, check if it has been reported stolen, prove ownership, value it and sell it with more buyer confidence. Here is where to find it, how to read it, and how to check it before you buy.
Check a Cowboy frame number
Free, instant, no signup. Enter the number stamped on the frame to check it against the UK stolen-bike databases.
The frame number on a Cowboy bike is underneath the bike, just below the bottom bracket. Look for a QR sticker and a code starting with CBFM or FM. Once activated, the same number should be visible in the Cowboy app under Settings, Advanced, Serial Number.
Start under the bottom bracket.
This is the most common place to find a Cowboy frame number. It is the part of the frame between the pedals, on the underside.
- Put the bike somewhere safe and well lit.
- Turn it upside down carefully, or place it in a workstand.
- Look underneath the frame where the cranks meet the bike.
- Wipe away mud, grease or road dirt.
- Use a phone torch if the number is hard to read.
- Take a clear photo before typing the number into a checker.
Make sure you copy the full number. A single missing or misread character can give the wrong result.
Can’t find it underneath the bike?
If the number is not under the bottom bracket, check these places next:
- Near the rear dropouts, where the back wheel fits into the frame.
- Around the seat tube.
- On the underside of the down tube.
- Near the head tube at the front of the bike.
- On the original sales receipt.
- In your Cowboy registration email or paperwork.
- With the Cowboy dealer that sold the bike.
On older bikes, repainted frames and heavily used bikes, the number can be harder to read. If it has been scratched off, covered, filed down or looks tampered with, treat that as a serious warning sign.
What does a Cowboy frame number look like?
Cowboy says the frame number can start with CBFM or FM, with CBFM18A00967 as an example. The MAC address is different. It is the bike’s digital identifier, not the frame number.
Do not use the model name, tyre size, barcode on a shop label, or any number printed on a component. The frame number belongs to the bike frame itself. For example, these are not usually the frame number:
- Cowboy Classic
- Cowboy Cruiser
- Cowboy Cruiser ST
- Cowboy Cross
- Cowboy Cross ST
- Cowboy 3
- Cowboy 4
- Cowboy 4 ST
- C4
- C4ST
- MAC address
- Bluetooth ID
- Battery serial number
- Charger number
- Motor number
- QR code alone
- App account email
The number you want is the unique frame code that belongs to the frame itself.
Frame number vs MAC address
Cowboy has both a frame number and a MAC address. The frame number is the physical bike identifier. The MAC address is the digital identifier. For police, insurance, resale and stolen-bike checks, use the frame number.
The detail that protects you.
A frame number is one of the most useful details on a used bike. It connects a Cowboy to its owner, its registration record and any stolen-bike reports.
You may need it to:
- Check if a Cowboy bike has been reported stolen.
- Register your bike.
- Sell your bike with confidence.
- Get an accurate bike valuation.
- Make an insurance claim.
- Report a stolen bike to the police.
- Prove the bike is yours.
If you own a Cowboy, take a photo of the frame number and keep it with your receipt. If the bike is ever stolen, that detail can make a real difference.
Buying a used Cowboy? Check the frame number first.
A clean-looking bike is not always a safe buy. Before you pay, ask the seller for a clear photo of the frame number and check it against stolen-bike records. You should also ask for:
- The original receipt or proof of purchase.
- The seller’s name matching the receipt where possible.
- Clear photos of the bike from both sides.
- A photo of the frame number.
- Any service history.
- Details of upgrades or replacement parts.
Red flag. Be careful if the seller refuses to show the frame number, says they cannot find it, gives only a partial code, or pressures you to pay quickly. A genuine seller should understand why you are checking.
Check a Cowboy frame number on Cyclesite
Found the number? Run a free stolen-bike check before you buy. Enter the Cowboy frame number into the checker and look for any matching reports. It only takes a moment, and it can help you avoid buying a bike with a bad history. If the bike looks clear, you can also value it and compare similar Cowboy bikes for sale.
What to do if your Cowboy has been stolen.
Report it as soon as possible. You will usually need the frame number, photos, make, model, colour, size, location and any unique marks or upgrades.
- Report the theft to the police.
- Get a crime reference number.
- Add the bike to stolen-bike databases.
- Update any existing bike registration record.
- Contact your insurer if you have cover.
- Watch used bike listings for matching bikes.
- Keep photos, receipts and messages in one place.
Include anything distinctive, such as upgraded wheels, unusual tyres, scratches, stickers, lights, mudguards, racks or replacement parts. The more detail you provide, the easier it is to identify the bike if it appears for sale.
Cowboy frame number FAQs
Where is the frame number on a Cowboy 4?
Underneath the bike, just below the bottom bracket. Look for the QR sticker and code starting CBFM or FM.
Where is the frame number on a Cowboy Cruiser?
Check underneath the bike below the bottom bracket, then confirm it in the Cowboy app if the bike is activated.
Where is the frame number on a Cowboy Cross?
Start underneath the bottom bracket. The code should be on the QR sticker area.
Is the Cowboy MAC address the same as the frame number?
No. Cowboy says the MAC address is the bike’s digital identifier. The frame number is the physical identifier.
What if a used Cowboy is still linked to the seller’s app?
Ask the seller to unlink the bike before you pay. Second-hand buyers may need the previous owner to unlink the bike in the app.
Looking for another brand? See the full bike frame number guide.
Bottom line
The quickest place to find a Cowboy frame number is underneath the bike, near the pedals. Look for a stamped code or barcode sticker, copy the full number, then check it before you buy, sell or register the bike. A used Cowboy can be a brilliant buy, but the frame number is the detail that protects you.
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Last reviewed by the Cyclesite editorial team. Published by Cyclesite, Companies House No. 13238473.