Why are bikes stolen?
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 11
Bikes: Giant Defy Advanced 2, Landyachtz Spitfire SS
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Why are bikes stolen?
Hello All:
Was reading another thread about stolen bikes and am wondering, "Why ARE bikes stolen?"
I'm sure no-one is sticking them in shipping containers and sending them away like they do with luxury cars / SUVs.
Is there a black market for bike parts? Or do people just steal these things and sell them for cheap online?
I could see someone stealing a bike to get around, but a CF race bike seems like a poor choice for a daily driver.
Was reading another thread about stolen bikes and am wondering, "Why ARE bikes stolen?"
I'm sure no-one is sticking them in shipping containers and sending them away like they do with luxury cars / SUVs.
Is there a black market for bike parts? Or do people just steal these things and sell them for cheap online?
I could see someone stealing a bike to get around, but a CF race bike seems like a poor choice for a daily driver.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Posts: 2,873
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1455 Post(s)
Liked 1,477 Times
in
867 Posts
People sell stolen bikes and parts on Craigslist all the time. There is a surplus of buyers looking for a good deal and (usually) not asking many questions. The transactions are usually completely anonymous and cash-only.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,379
Bikes: 1982 Bianchi Sport SX, Rayleigh Tamland 1, Rans V-Rex recumbent, Fuji MTB, 80's Cannondale MTB with BBSHD ebike motor
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 667 Post(s)
Liked 529 Times
in
355 Posts
Someone once said bikes are the currency of drug addicts.
Lots of stories of people finding their stolen bikes for sale on line. Most thieves don't even bother to disguise them, just sell them outright. Pawn shops are another fencing ground.
I occasionally come across $3k new, year old full suspension bikes on CL for $500 or less. Seems like the picture is usually in front of a storage unit. The ads rarely stay up more than a day so my guess is they sell in hurry to people who ask less questions than I do.
Unfortunately the market is there.
Would also say lots of cheaper bikes are just dumped somewhere else.
Lots of stories of people finding their stolen bikes for sale on line. Most thieves don't even bother to disguise them, just sell them outright. Pawn shops are another fencing ground.
I occasionally come across $3k new, year old full suspension bikes on CL for $500 or less. Seems like the picture is usually in front of a storage unit. The ads rarely stay up more than a day so my guess is they sell in hurry to people who ask less questions than I do.
Unfortunately the market is there.
Would also say lots of cheaper bikes are just dumped somewhere else.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,214
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18397 Post(s)
Liked 15,492 Times
in
7,316 Posts
Seriously?
Likes For indyfabz:
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Posts: 2,873
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1455 Post(s)
Liked 1,477 Times
in
867 Posts
I see that you're in BC.
Here you go: https://vancouver.craigslist.org/d/b...rts/search/bip
I'm sure most of this stuff is legit, but 2700+ listings for "bike parts". Not hard to imagine that some of this might've come off of stolen bikes and/or been shoplifted.
Where did this person get a dozen bike forks from?https://vancouver.craigslist.org/van...243504774.html
Here you go: https://vancouver.craigslist.org/d/b...rts/search/bip
I'm sure most of this stuff is legit, but 2700+ listings for "bike parts". Not hard to imagine that some of this might've come off of stolen bikes and/or been shoplifted.
Where did this person get a dozen bike forks from?https://vancouver.craigslist.org/van...243504774.html
#6
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 10
Bikes: Trek 7.3 FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Bikes have value and are relatively easy to steal. It's sad but you can do things to protect against this, like storing your bike inside.
#7
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,463
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4331 Post(s)
Liked 3,955 Times
in
2,644 Posts
Because they can be stolen and in many cases they can be quite easy to steal because people don't lock them up. It is a way to make money for some without much work. Plus as long as there is a market people will keep doing it. If people stopped buying stolen bikes and equipment there would be less theft and if we could provide people with good jobs that pay fairly and provide people with quality healthcare and housing without putting them in financial ruin, maybe just maybe we wouldn't need to steal much if at all. I mean one could go much deeper than that but if we all take care of each other we may not need to steal from each other?
Stealing can also provide some cheap thrills and people love excitement. Maybe provide people with more accessible thrills and that could also help.
Stealing can also provide some cheap thrills and people love excitement. Maybe provide people with more accessible thrills and that could also help.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Layton, UT
Posts: 1,606
Bikes: 2011 Bent TW Elegance 2014 Carbon Strada Velomobile
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 626 Post(s)
Liked 701 Times
in
418 Posts
$/lb, bikes are one of the best things that a thief can steal.
Sad but true.
I know a buddy who was sitting in his velombile by a convenience store once, with the race hood on, so it looked empty from a distance. Two guys got out of a truck and literally started to lift it with him in it when he yelled and they ran away.
People suck.
Sad but true.
I know a buddy who was sitting in his velombile by a convenience store once, with the race hood on, so it looked empty from a distance. Two guys got out of a truck and literally started to lift it with him in it when he yelled and they ran away.
People suck.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Scotland
Posts: 503
Bikes: Way too many
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 894 Post(s)
Liked 605 Times
in
362 Posts
Bikes are pretty valuable, pretty easy to steal/transport and pretty hard to identify or prove/disprove ownership. If you don't know the serial number and don't have any custom parts, how can you tell that it's your bike and not some other of the same model?
There's a roaring trade in 2nd hand bikes of all values, some of which are presumably stolen. Most of it is opportunistic to steal something easy and sell it for $100 online, though some of it is targeted because some people won't ask many questions if a bike is being sold for a fraction of it's real value.
There's a roaring trade in 2nd hand bikes of all values, some of which are presumably stolen. Most of it is opportunistic to steal something easy and sell it for $100 online, though some of it is targeted because some people won't ask many questions if a bike is being sold for a fraction of it's real value.
#10
Full Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Greer, SC
Posts: 344
Bikes: GR300, Grail, Live Wire, 5010
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 189 Post(s)
Liked 241 Times
in
121 Posts
Hello All:
Was reading another thread about stolen bikes and am wondering, "Why ARE bikes stolen?"
I'm sure no-one is sticking them in shipping containers and sending them away like they do with luxury cars / SUVs.
Is there a black market for bike parts? Or do people just steal these things and sell them for cheap online?
I could see someone stealing a bike to get around, but a CF race bike seems like a poor choice for a daily driver.
Was reading another thread about stolen bikes and am wondering, "Why ARE bikes stolen?"
I'm sure no-one is sticking them in shipping containers and sending them away like they do with luxury cars / SUVs.
Is there a black market for bike parts? Or do people just steal these things and sell them for cheap online?
I could see someone stealing a bike to get around, but a CF race bike seems like a poor choice for a daily driver.
Was reading another thread about tires wearing less on dirt paths and am wondering, “Why DO tires wear less on dirt paths?”
I’m sure the pavement is not just moving around and yielding to the rubber like the way dirt does.
Is there a black market for road tires? Or do people just ride these tires then sell them for cheap online?
I could see someone using a road tire to get around, but it seems like a poor choice for riding on dirt paths.
Likes For sarhog:
#11
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,604
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10947 Post(s)
Liked 7,473 Times
in
4,181 Posts
Hello All:
Was reading another thread about stolen bikes and am wondering, "Why ARE bikes stolen?"
I'm sure no-one is sticking them in shipping containers and sending them away like they do with luxury cars / SUVs.
Is there a black market for bike parts? Or do people just steal these things and sell them for cheap online?
I could see someone stealing a bike to get around, but a CF race bike seems like a poor choice for a daily driver.
Was reading another thread about stolen bikes and am wondering, "Why ARE bikes stolen?"
I'm sure no-one is sticking them in shipping containers and sending them away like they do with luxury cars / SUVs.
Is there a black market for bike parts? Or do people just steal these things and sell them for cheap online?
I could see someone stealing a bike to get around, but a CF race bike seems like a poor choice for a daily driver.
Likes For mstateglfr:
#12
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,446
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3126 Post(s)
Liked 2,102 Times
in
1,366 Posts
Why doesn’t everyone steal bicycles?
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
Likes For Darth Lefty:
Likes For bruce19:
#15
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,601
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3866 Post(s)
Liked 6,451 Times
in
3,191 Posts
Bikes have been used as currency among the homeless and drug addicts.
I wouldn't be so "sure." Bike theft can be incredibly organized. It's much easier to sell stolen goods outside the market in which they come, even if it's in the next state over.
I wouldn't be so "sure." Bike theft can be incredibly organized. It's much easier to sell stolen goods outside the market in which they come, even if it's in the next state over.
#16
Senior Member
Sometimes, I believe, bikes are just stolen by bored kids, but the majority are probably stolen for resale. I have read that bicycle theft is worst in areas where bike riding is popular. Contributory, I suspect, is also less than energetic pursuit by the police. Perhaps some of the victims here could comment on that.
#17
Live Healthy
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 417
Bikes: Wabi Classic
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 183 Post(s)
Liked 137 Times
in
92 Posts
Hello All:
Was reading another thread about stolen bikes and am wondering, "Why ARE bikes stolen?"
I'm sure no-one is sticking them in shipping containers and sending them away like they do with luxury cars / SUVs.
Is there a black market for bike parts? Or do people just steal these things and sell them for cheap online?
I could see someone stealing a bike to get around, but a CF race bike seems like a poor choice for a daily driver.
Was reading another thread about stolen bikes and am wondering, "Why ARE bikes stolen?"
I'm sure no-one is sticking them in shipping containers and sending them away like they do with luxury cars / SUVs.
Is there a black market for bike parts? Or do people just steal these things and sell them for cheap online?
I could see someone stealing a bike to get around, but a CF race bike seems like a poor choice for a daily driver.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Scotland
Posts: 503
Bikes: Way too many
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 894 Post(s)
Liked 605 Times
in
362 Posts
I wouldn't be surprised if bikes were stolen in the US to be sold in stores in Mexico, for instance. It wouldn't make sense for a Walmart special, but would for the higher end stuff.
#19
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,495
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2740 Post(s)
Liked 3,386 Times
in
2,049 Posts
I would be. Unless you're in a border town transporting a $1000 or less item makes no sense. I don't know how much high end disposable income exists in Mexico either.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Scotland
Posts: 503
Bikes: Way too many
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 894 Post(s)
Liked 605 Times
in
362 Posts
I'm only using Mexico as an example since I assume most of the forum is Mexican. I was originally thinking something like Germany to Albania (which is where a lot of stolen cars end up). It'd probably work within a country too; almost no-one in Florida will be looking for their stolen bike in Vegas.
One of the bike parks here is getting a bad reputation for bikes going missing - groups of cyclists mostly standing about watching people and then their bikes being stolen a few days later, people leaving a bike unattended for seconds and it being in a van and away.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 15,481
Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE
Mentioned: 144 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7648 Post(s)
Liked 3,465 Times
in
1,831 Posts
No need to go to Mexico .... Steal a few vans-full of bikes at college campuses, drive a hundred miles to the nearest major city .... Everybody wants a $10,000 bike for $2,000 .... just some of us would realize it was too good to be true and wouldn't get involved.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Kips Bay, NY
Posts: 2,212
Bikes: Ritchey Swiss Cross | Teesdale Kona Hot | Haro Extreme | Specialized Stumpjumper Comp | Cannondale F1000 | Shogun 1000 | Cannondale M500 | Norco Charger | Marin Muirwoods 29er | Shogun Kaze | Breezer Lightning
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 576 Post(s)
Liked 1,001 Times
in
488 Posts
True, it'll be much easier to pass a high value bike off as legitimate if it's in a different country/state. There's less chance of any bike registration scheme covering both countries or the owner stumbling across it for sale.
I wouldn't be surprised if bikes were stolen in the US to be sold in stores in Mexico, for instance. It wouldn't make sense for a Walmart special, but would for the higher end stuff.
I wouldn't be surprised if bikes were stolen in the US to be sold in stores in Mexico, for instance. It wouldn't make sense for a Walmart special, but would for the higher end stuff.
There are some very wealthy people there, it is a nation of haves and have-nots. The "haves" have a LOT.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Southwestern Ontario
Posts: 5,122
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1579 Post(s)
Liked 1,186 Times
in
604 Posts
Only if you're driving a single bike over, then it's not worth the time. Take a van full of bikes/parts over and you could easily make enough. I've no idea how much Mexicans spend on bikes but presumably there are still plenty of people who'd want a $10,000 bike for $2,000.
I'm only using Mexico as an example since I assume most of the forum is Mexican. I was originally thinking something like Germany to Albania (which is where a lot of stolen cars end up). It'd probably work within a country too; almost no-one in Florida will be looking for their stolen bike in Vegas.
One of the bike parks here is getting a bad reputation for bikes going missing - groups of cyclists mostly standing about watching people and then their bikes being stolen a few days later, people leaving a bike unattended for seconds and it being in a van and away.
I'm only using Mexico as an example since I assume most of the forum is Mexican. I was originally thinking something like Germany to Albania (which is where a lot of stolen cars end up). It'd probably work within a country too; almost no-one in Florida will be looking for their stolen bike in Vegas.
One of the bike parks here is getting a bad reputation for bikes going missing - groups of cyclists mostly standing about watching people and then their bikes being stolen a few days later, people leaving a bike unattended for seconds and it being in a van and away.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 5,585
Bikes: 2017 Colnago C-RS, 2012 Colnago Ace, 2010 Giant Cypress hybrid
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 408 Post(s)
Liked 122 Times
in
85 Posts
They're hard to trace and easy to pawn.
__________________
HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
#25
Zip tie Karen
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
Posts: 7,004
Bikes: '13 Motobecane Fantom29 HT, '16 Motobecane Turino Pro Disc, '18 Velobuild VB-R-022, '21 Tsunami SNM-100
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1465 Post(s)
Liked 1,542 Times
in
806 Posts
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?