Stolen Bike Check.

[Gubbins]

This popped up on ebay and its the same as mine that was stolen, but looking at the photos I am sure its not mine but being for sale without a battery makes it iffy.
I have asked for a odometer reading to start a conversation with the seller and hopefully move on to asking for other details perhaps including the serial number.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=282290796605#ht_3036wt_1397

 

[Artstu]

Hmm, I wonder if the same supplier supplies him with the razor blades. ..

 

[Andy88]

I just looked st the ebay ad, quite a high-end full suspension mtb.

Do you think that their is a pecking order in which type of bike thieves choose to steal?

 

[Gubbins]

Not saying it's actually stolen but a dealer list a lot of new bikes recently.

 

[Andy88]

I mean… do you think any one of the below are more or less likely to get stolen or makes no difference?
1. Full Suspension mtb
2. Hardtail mtb
3. Hybrid
4. Road Bike
5. City Bike
6. Comfort or Cruiser

 

[Benjahmin]

I originally come from Birmingham and thought the adress looked familiar.

The post code is hookey, there's a letter missing from the end. When I looked up the adress on google street view, you can see blade communications, it's a 'phone shop' offering 'unlocking' and repairs. It's in an area of Brum called Sparkhill, let's just say it's an area you want to be careful.

 

[Gubbins]

Its exactly the same as the batteryless one I had stolen. Looking at the pics carefully for differences..
Mine had green valve caps (slime tubes), Helitape on the forks, chain stays and crossbar, non of which I can see in the close up photos, but how many of examples of this bike without a battery can there be out there..
I have been advised to leave it alone... By that I dont mean not buy it, but not pursue it.

 

[anotherkiwi]

Just an idea here, on a new bike like that I might add an extra stripe to the decor. Carefully mask off and paint so it looks factory. But if it ever goes missing it will be unique and would be easy to spot on auction sites.

The pictures aren't good enough to see the colour of the valve caps, tape can be removed...

The person selling won't be the person who stole the bike of course but the fence who bought it off the thieves.

 

[Gubbins]

Just an idea here, on a new bike like that I might add an extra stripe to the decor. Carefully mask off and paint so it looks factory. But if it ever goes missing it will be unique and would be easy to spot on auction sites.

The pictures aren't good enough to see the colour of the valve caps, tape can be removed...

The person selling won't be the person who stole the bike of course but the fence who bought it off the thieves.

In which case they will be wary of searching questions.. Like.. how many miles has it done? Mine had just shy of 1000 on the clock

 

[Andy88]

Just an off the cuff question can I ask how much your insurance premium was on the bike?

 

[anotherkiwi]

In which case they will be wary of searching questions.. Like.. how many miles has it done? Mine had just shy of 1000 on the clock

And the thieves know where you live

I don't envy your situation, very uncomfortable!

 

[Gubbins]

Just an off the cuff question can I ask how much your insurance premium was on the bike?

Do you mean how much to insure it or how much was paid out?

 

[Andy88]

Do you mean how much to insure it or how much was paid out?

How much to Insure it per year?

 

[Gubbins]

And the thieves know where you live

I don't envy your situation, very uncomfortable!

Its not so much the knowing where I live as I have decided you cant keep being afraid of what might happen, its just that if it were recovered, whoever has it at the time will be out of pocket, but dont want to accuse someone unfairly.
Another thing I have just remembered is that I had cut the end off of the right had grip to fit a mirror and this one looks intact, Its also on gum-tree and the pics seem a better resolution.
Who was the dealer who had a rake of bikes pinched?

 

[Gubbins]

How much to Insure it per year?

I think it was about £25, or possibly £35.. Cant just remember.

 

[Andy88]

I think it was about £25, or possibly £35.. Cant just remember.

A month?

 

[Gubbins]

A month?

No for the year

 

[Andy88]

No for the year

Doesn't seem enough, did you have it covered under your home contents?

Did you get paid out the full amount to buy a replacement bike? Your bike looked expensive.

 

[Gubbins]

Doesn't seem enough, did you have it covered under your home contents?

Did you get paid out the full amount to buy a replacement bike? Your bike looked expensive.

Yes Bradford and bingley home insurance. They added on about £25 or so for the bikes. Paid out in full £3400 which was purchase price of bike. Claim was settled 27 hours after I reported it. The guy on the phone said it was a record.

 

[Andy88]

Yes Bradford and bingley home insurance. They added on about £25 or so for the bikes. Paid out in full £3400 which was purchase price of bike. Claim was settled 27 hours after I reported it. The guy on the phone said it was a record.

You did well, softens the blow but extremely worrying that bicycle theft is so rife now in the UK.

I hope your new bike will not fall foul of thieves can you take any other preventive measures?

I'll be looking for a bike that I can wheel inside the house at night but out and about if you need to park it while shopping etc I guess its a bit of a headache?