Forum home› Mountain biking forum› MTB buying advice

MTB id and theft?

john10012john10012 Posts: 47
edited March 2013 in MTB buying advice
Can anyone tell me if mountain bikes and bikes in general have the equivalent of a VIN on a car?

And also is there some sort of crime database that people can check to make sure that a used bike they may be considering buying is not actually reported as stolen before they buy?

This would I'm sure be very useful information for a lot of people who may consider buying a used bike on eBay etc.

The only other way to try and ensure this is by asking if the seller has original receipts which they may not always keep even if they did buy the bike themselves and it is a genuine sale and transfer from one owner to a new owner.

Posts

  • cooldadcooldad Posts: 32,599
    Most have a serial number.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • The RookieThe Rookie Posts: 27,763
    Frame number, usually on the BB shell underneath.

    The rest of the 90% of the value of the bike has no ID.

    No national database.
    Current steed - Whyte T129, 2013 frame, mongrel Revelations, Giant dropper, Stans S1 wheelset. 12, Magura Trail Sport brakes, 1x11. 12.9Kg
  • 97th choice97th choice Posts: 2,222
    There are some registration schemes available, try the bike register
    Too-ra-loo-ra, too-ra-loo-rye, aye

    Giant Trance
    Radon ZR 27.5 Race
    Btwin Alur700
    Merida CX500
  • stubsstubs Posts: 5,001
    Unfortunately it takes about 15 mins to strip a frame of all the easy to sell and valuable parts stick them on ebay and take frame to scrapyard. You can use Smartwater but not many people have an ultraviolet light. Best thing is buy the best security you can get, insure the bike and keep fingers crossed.
    Fig rolls: proof that god loves cyclists and that she wants us to do another lap
  • compocompo Posts: 1,370
    Also go for the UV pens on fork/rims etc

    It doesn't show up so is unobtrusive but is better than nothing. However I don't know if it washes off etc?
    GREAT SUCCESS!

    Canyon Nerve XC7

    Stolen Carrera Vulcan
  • The RookieThe Rookie Posts: 27,763
    It can be removed, yes.

    Like smart water or microdot though, only any use once the bike is in the hands of the Police.
    Current steed - Whyte T129, 2013 frame, mongrel Revelations, Giant dropper, Stans S1 wheelset. 12, Magura Trail Sport brakes, 1x11. 12.9Kg
  • MrMMrM Posts: 60
    UV pen fades. Fades even quicker if exposed to heat & sunlight.
    If using UV pen its best to remark it often.
  • compocompo Posts: 1,370
    Fair enough, didn't know if it worked, but thought it'd be worth a shout.

    On a related issue, do they make some sort of GPS tracker you can drop inside your frame or something?
    GREAT SUCCESS!

    Canyon Nerve XC7

    Stolen Carrera Vulcan
  • cooldadcooldad Posts: 32,599
    compo wrote:
    Fair enough, didn't know if it worked, but thought it'd be worth a shout.

    On a related issue, do they make some sort of GPS tracker you can drop inside your frame or something?
    Using search you might find some strange person posting some strange things up about these.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
Sign In or Register to comment.