gquirk77

Came here for some advice and to mostly just rant.


Someone climbed onto my 2nd story apt porch last night while I was soundly asleep about 10 feet away. They grabbed my Motobecane Single Speed that I just bought in June, I only paid $250 for it but I had put about $700 into it (new saddle, handlebars, tires, pedals, chain, brake levers, etc). I feel so violated! I lock the bike up 95% of the time (and cover it under a tarp) but yesterday I went on a ride and just put it on my porch when I got home. Just drove around looking for my bike in the area where I live, I knew the thief wouldn't be out riding it but I had to get out and try to find it. Tomorrow I will call the bike shop that worked on it to hopefully get the serial # (my dumbass never wrote it down), then will file a police report (which is probably useless) and then gonna go hit up some pawn shops in case the thief sold it to one of them.


Any advice on getting a GPS tracker on my other bike? Do they all have monthly subscription fees?

billridesbikes

Sorry about your bike.
Even if you have renters insurance the amount is probably not worth it to make a claim.
At least make a police report.

gquirk77

The thief was definitely scoping my bike out before last night because my porch is pitch black and you can't see it from the yard area, there's no way they just happened to see it last night for the 1st time. I'm thinking it was a neighbor or a neighbor told someone about my bike and they snagged it. But I usually do lock it and cover it with a tarp (but you can still see the bottom part of the wheels when it's covered). I'm so angry and kinda scared, so weird to think they were climbing up my porch last night and I was asleep 10 feet away.

GlennR

Sux..

Do you have apartment insurance?

gquirk77

No, I don't have renters insurance. I looked into getting it like a year ago but the deductible was $1000 and the monthly premium was around $30. I don't have enough stuff worth that much more to make it worth it. All I really have is a tv, clothes, and 2 bikes (1 bike now). If someone stole the TV I wouldn't really care cause I didn't buy it and TVs are pretty cheap these days (it's amazing what you can get for around $300).

GlennR

Maybe keep the bike inside and the TV on the porch.... kidding

Sounds like you put a lot of time into the bike, so i feel your pain.

veganbikes

I would keep the TV on the porch and the bikes inside for sure. About the only thing I use the T.V. for is watching Digital Video Discs with family beyond that I use computer and iPad for T.V. style viewing.

texbiker

Register both your bike at BikeIndex.org

Korina

Check CraigsList, including nearby areas, as well as Let Go and other sell-your-stuff sites. Good luck.

dragoonO1

In addition to https://bikeindex.org/, you may register at https://project529.com/garage/. I wish you good luck in your search.

barakah

Let me tell you something my good friend, when people say to you “ at least make a police report “. That means your on your own.

I never understood when people bike that has a value and keep the bike outside their house, i store all my bikes inside my house, it’s best for you only if you knew it.

loosing a bike when you’re out and about is a different story, good luck.

Kabuki12

Sorry for your loss. Police reports are only so law enforcement know where the crimes occurs, they rarely get the bikes back. I have stated before, sometimes the police won’t even file a report. I had an employee call the police when his bike was stolen and the police would not even make a report. Make an effort to keep bikes inside . It is the safest solution. When my employee came to work I would have him bring it in to the shop .

Charliekeet

Ditto. To the OP, definitely do the police report. It will likely lead to nothing, but it’s important for the police to know what crimes are going on where, and maybe it will have some sort of positive effect.

trailangel

After 4 bikes stolen... a couple from my being too lax, all bikes kept inside. Be aware of someone following you home. Happened once to my daughter.
Sounds like someone scoped the bike out and took it.
I filed police report on one of the bikes... but that is useless. Kiss it goodbye, be more vigilante and take this opportunity to get a new bike.

blacknbluebikes 

I know this doesn't help with your current problem (and, totally sorry about the theft) but you really should shop around on some renter's insurance. It's not about someone lifting your DVD player, it's about a fire, smoke or flood (eg upstairs plumbing) ruining everything you own -- replace your whole wardrobe and all your furniture and the electronics AND of course, two bikes. That's easily 12,000 worth of stuff...

CaliDreaming

Sorry to hear about this. As others have mentioned, check local listings (Craigslist, OfferUp, etc.) and see if the police might know of any other areas where stolen bicycles tend to be sold in your town.

Pop N Wood

Hardest problem is going to be moving past it. Hard to let something like that go sometimes.

Definitely watch CL and facebook market place. I've read a number of stories of people having their bikes recovered by the police, so while not likely not impossible either.

A cheap panic alarm hooked to the bike would have scared off the thief in this case. An idea I got off another thread here. Post #15

https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/1...hile-tour.html

Bah Humbug

That’s not what DVD stands for. Hard to know because this may be the first time I’ve seen it spelled out in a decade.

locolobo13 

Sorry to hear that. My advice, call the cops, register with bikeindex and check Craigslist. You will need the SN with the police and bike index. Don't expect too much from any of them. But, out of three bikes stolen between 2010 and 2016 I found one on Craigslist..

https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting...bike-back.html

The police recovered another. Then lost it.

https://www.bikeforums.net/fifty-plu...olen-bike.html

Hope this helps a little.

veganbikes

It is a correct spelling, I believe now it is Digital Versatile Disc. Though yes most people just say Dee vee dee but I prefer to spell it out though I have always preferred Video vs. Versatile though I do like versatility.

jay4usc

Create a post and a picture of the bike on Craigslist, Facebook Market place, and let it go.

Back in May during the lock down I was checking Craigslist everyday looking for a specific used bike to buy and I ran into an ad about a stolen brand new bike (it was stolen from his car while he was grabbing food after picking it up from the LBS) A month later I saw that exact bike up for sale and I searched for the stolen ad to contact the owner. He later recovered his bike. You never know where it might pop up for sale.

Biketiger

Sorry for your loss. It really sucks to have your bike stolen. There's some valuable lessons here for which you paid $1000 tuition. You lost a good bike but one that can be replaced with an even nicer bike! Keep it inside and re-consider renter's insurance - some policies might cover property lost outside of your apartment.

tdonline

And now for stupid questions...but why are serial numbers so difficult to read? I have two newish bikes and for the life of me, the numbers are really hard to make out. Maybe I need to read the numbers outside on a sunny day?

7up

Sorry to hear of your misfortune.Sounds like a few people were in on that crime.Cant imagine someone dropping a bike down onto the ground without making noise.Hope you find it in one piece and can get it back.Good luck

rsbob 

I have a phrase which I use on myself on a regular basis which is unfortunately appropriate. It’s “Paying the stupid tax”. Sorry you lost your ride and hope it turns up for sale on CL or some other listing you will spot. Please keep the next one inside. Best of luck.