Stolen bike - mine!

greg66_tri_v2.0

Bike 2 stolen from outside Clapham Leisure Centre in Clapham Manor Street between 18.45 and 19.45 on Tues 26 Sept.

This is it:

Greg66 Tri v2.0 wrote:

In the unlikely event that anyone sees it on gumtree/ebay/elsewhere, can you let me know? There will not be many 2007 R3SL framesets floating around, nor will there be many Bora One 35 tubs. Ditto Quarq Rikens with Q Rings.

It's going to be quite expensive to replace, as I am beginning to realise.

Also found out in looking out the serial number that I had it precisely ten years and one day.

Cunts. :evil:

mtb-idle

Sorry to hear that mate but seriously, leaving a cervelo outside a leisure centre, any leisure centre but particularly a London one is asking for trouble...

try http://www.bikeshd.co.uk/

It screen scrapes all sites selling bikes in London and displays pics here. Quicker than searching eBay, Gumtree etc individually

itboffin

MTB-Idle wrote:

Sorry to hear that mate but seriously, leaving a cervelo outside a leisure centre, any leisure centre but particularly a London one is asking for trouble...

try http://www.bikeshd.co.uk/

It screen scrapes all sites selling bikes in London and displays pics here. Quicker than searching eBay, Gumtree etc individually

yep same as this Greg ^^ really sorry to hear such news, I'm guessing the insurance wont cover even the wheels :?

greg66_tri_v2.0

MTB-Idle wrote:

Sorry to hear that mate but seriously, leaving a cervelo outside a leisure centre, any leisure centre but particularly a London one is asking for trouble...

try http://www.bikeshd.co.uk/

It screen scrapes all sites selling bikes in London and displays pics here. Quicker than searching eBay, Gumtree etc individually

Thanks - handy site.

Thing is it’s been fine locking it up there the last two and a bit years. It’s right on the fecking road, so hardly tucked away.

What’s annoying as hell is that the shits who took it are not going to know what to do with tubular wheels, or Keywin pedals...

Just been totting up the replacement costs. Looks painfully underinsured. I see grubbing around on eBay a lot in my future it source the bits for a rebuild.

roger_merriman

Thats annoying I've only had one bike stolen and it was a cheap thing, but gutting never the less.

veronese68

Aah hell that's sh!t. Sorry to hear that.
The image doesn't work for me, not sure if that's just my computer.
Keep looking on Ebay, Gumtree and the like it may turn up. When my Kona got nicked it turned up on Ebay about 6 weeks later.

greg66_tri_v2.0

Veronese68 wrote:

Aah hell that's sh!t. Sorry to hear that.
The image doesn't work for me, not sure if that's just my computer.
Keep looking on Ebay, Gumtree and the like it may turn up. When my Kona got nicked it turned up on Ebay about 6 weeks later.

As a matter of interest, what happened when it popped up on ebay? Did you manage to get it back, and if so how, without
going all Liam Neeson on the seller?

apreading

I think sometimes people buy them back, on the basis its cheaper and easier than replacing any other way, sometimes they inform police who sometimes act, sometimes they meet with some friends brought along and confront the seller who may back down as they dont generally want the hassle - best to meet in a public place if planning this, rather than going into a private dwelling.

I saw mine being ridden near my work from where it was stolen, followed it back to a housing estate where I had to park and walk in, then saw it stashed behind some bins, so just grabbed it and rode off - someone came out of the flats shouting what I was doing and I just shouted back that it was my bike and I was taking it. They did not pursue.

dizzydane

Gutted!!! I will keep an eye out for yours too while I search for my stolen bike online.

I took pictures to the Royal Mail Depo near where it was stolen from and offered a reward to to any postman who spotted it while walking their rounds in the area. Also went to all the bike shops in Wandsworth dropping off an image of the bike as I know mechanics who have had the thieves bring stolen bikes in to have parts removed/changed.

What to do when you do see it online? A few years ago I arranged to meet the 'seller'. He wanted to meet in a public place, I told the police I was going to "buy" (steal) it back and an undercover officer accompanied me. Kid was arrested and they found more stolen goods at his home.

I had a friend go to also "buy" his back, handed the kid an old non working phone and a random bunch of house keys. Took the bike for a test ride - test ride home. Then phoned the police to say he took his bike back.

Another friend spotted his bike outside Sainsburys, he ran into the local bike shop, bought a lock, and locked the bike to the railing it was already on, then phoned the police.

I hope you find it!

gabriel959

How did you lock it? D-lock? Cable lock? It is too good to leave outside for more than 5 minutes unfortunately.

greg66_tri_v2.0

gabriel959 wrote:

How did you lock it? D-lock? Cable lock? It is too good to leave outside for more than 5 minutes unfortunately.

Cable lock. That time of the evening there is an almost constant flow of people arriving at leaving and locking/unlocking their bikes. Having a bit today, it sounds like any bike thief worth their salt has something that will open cable locks and D locks faster than a key will. Then they jump on and ride off.

I've spent the afternoon riding around with my eyes skinned as apparently another trick is to lock it up somewhere else (a) to see whether it has a GPS tracker (b) to avoid having it on their own premises and (c) until they have a buyer. However, no such luck , and TBH the whole exercise felt a bit like looking for a needle that might or might not be in a haystack.

The police have viewed the CCTV. "It was dark, so you can't see a thing. Literally, it's a black screen".

Useful. I feel that CSI has given me false expectations. The local bike clubs and shops have been told about it. But the reality is that unless it pops up on gumtree or ebay it is not coming back.

apreading

Cant they just press a button to enhance the video and have every little detail suddenly pop into focus much larger than before? I am sure I have seen it done on TV...

veronese68

Greg66 Tri v2.0 wrote:

As a matter of interest, what happened when it popped up on ebay? Did you manage to get it back, and if so how, without
going all Liam Neeson on the seller?

I phoned the police and initially they weren't interested. I had to pester the hell out of them, eventually got the direct line for a superintendent. Left a message and funnily enough got a call back. They rang the thief and got the bike off him. I went to the cop shop and clipped my lights and computer on before showing them the purchase invoice with the frame number.
The scrote that stole it got away with it as he claimed he bought it at a market.

greg66_tri_v2.0

Veronese68 wrote:

Greg66 Tri v2.0 wrote:

As a matter of interest, what happened when it popped up on ebay? Did you manage to get it back, and if so how, without
going all Liam Neeson on the seller?

I phoned the police and initially they weren't interested. I had to pester the hell out of them, eventually got the direct line for a superintendent. Left a message and funnily enough got a call back. They rang the thief and got the bike off him. I went to the cop shop and clipped my lights and computer on before showing them the purchase invoice with the frame number.
The scrote that stole it got away with it as he claimed he bought it at a market.

Fuck me there is NO silver lining to this, is there?

Why did we abolish horsewhipping?

itboffin

some of us havent

gabriel959

Greg66 Tri v2.0 wrote:

gabriel959 wrote:

How did you lock it? D-lock? Cable lock? It is too good to leave outside for more than 5 minutes unfortunately.

Cable lock. That time of the evening there is an almost constant flow of people arriving at leaving and locking/unlocking their bikes. Having a bit today, it sounds like any bike thief worth their salt has something that will open cable locks and D locks faster than a key will. Then they jump on and ride off.

I've spent the afternoon riding around with my eyes skinned as apparently another trick is to lock it up somewhere else (a) to see whether it has a GPS tracker (b) to avoid having it on their own premises and (c) until they have a buyer. However, no such luck , and TBH the whole exercise felt a bit like looking for a needle that might or might not be in a haystack.

The police have viewed the CCTV. "It was dark, so you can't see a thing. Literally, it's a black screen".

Useful. I feel that CSI has given me false expectations. The local bike clubs and shops have been told about it. But the reality is that unless it pops up on gumtree or ebay it is not coming back.

If you had had a d-lock or a heavy duty chain they probably wouldn't have bothered. Not saying it isn't hard to cut through one. But to cut through a d-lock well placed will be hard for your normal thief and they probably go for another bike easier to steal. I know it doesn't help you and I will keep an eye over here (cambridge) just in case.

Personally I am using a Hiplock these days, it is heavy but it is very comfortable to wear.

greg66_tri_v2.0

gabriel959 wrote:

Greg66 Tri v2.0 wrote:

gabriel959 wrote:

How did you lock it? D-lock? Cable lock? It is too good to leave outside for more than 5 minutes unfortunately.

Cable lock. That time of the evening there is an almost constant flow of people arriving at leaving and locking/unlocking their bikes. Having a bit today, it sounds like any bike thief worth their salt has something that will open cable locks and D locks faster than a key will. Then they jump on and ride off.

I've spent the afternoon riding around with my eyes skinned as apparently another trick is to lock it up somewhere else (a) to see whether it has a GPS tracker (b) to avoid having it on their own premises and (c) until they have a buyer. However, no such luck , and TBH the whole exercise felt a bit like looking for a needle that might or might not be in a haystack.

The police have viewed the CCTV. "It was dark, so you can't see a thing. Literally, it's a black screen".

Useful. I feel that CSI has given me false expectations. The local bike clubs and shops have been told about it. But the reality is that unless it pops up on gumtree or ebay it is not coming back.

If you had had a d-lock or a heavy duty chain they probably wouldn't have bothered. Not saying it isn't hard to cut through one. But to cut through a d-lock well placed will be hard for your normal thief and they probably go for another bike easier to steal. I know it doesn't help you and I will keep an eye over here (cambridge) just in case.

Personally I am using a Hiplock these days, it is heavy but it is very comfortable to wear.

I'm not so sure about the effectiveness of a D lock any more - I came across this https://www.welovecycling.com/wide/2016 ... ally-work/ yesterday. Sobering.

dizzydane

[/quote]I'm not so sure about the effectiveness of a D lock any more - I came across this https://www.welovecycling.com/wide/2016 ... ally-work/ yesterday. Sobering.[/quote]

This is why my current commuter is a 7yr old scuffed SS Pearson - £150 hand me down, and my pride and joy stays at home locked to my winter bike inside my flat. I would cry if anyone broke in and stole those...

kingstongraham

Greg66 Tri v2.0 wrote:

I'm not so sure about the effectiveness of a D lock any more - I came across this https://www.welovecycling.com/wide/2016 ... ally-work/ yesterday. Sobering.

He says to use small D locks. And never a chain.

When the key broke in my lock on a Sold Secure Silver chain and lock, it was easy to break the chain with decent size cutters. A decent D lock would have been more difficult, if it could be done without powered tools.

kiwimatt

Greg66 Tri v2.0 wrote:

I'm not so sure about the effectiveness of a D lock any more - I came across this https://www.welovecycling.com/wide/2016 ... ally-work/ yesterday. Sobering.

The length of those cutters :shock: leverage on that would get through anything. The guys in Amsterdam used to use the battery powered angle grinders which would also slice though pretty much anything in seconds. Cheap bike only solution...

MrSweary

itboffin wrote:

some of us havent

I believe Greg meant for punishment not for 'punishment'.

gabriel959

From that interview:

How would you prevent your own bike becoming stolen? What are your top tips?

Never use a chain, they’re too easy to snip. Use a small D-lock on front and back wheels. If your lock can be moved about that means the thief’s bolt cutters can get around them, at the right angle they won’t. Stiff D-locks are hard to snip because you need the right angle on the cutters to get the force to close them.

I only use one D-lock and a cable lock for the rear but think about it, you can cut any cable lock in less than 10 seconds with a tool bought in any hardware store. Nothing can stop a determined thief but you can at least try.

murvis1er

Saw a guy nick a D-locked bike as I was driving round the big interchange in Acton once. He literally spun the bike round using it as a lever to break open the lock, no tools needed. Probably wrecked the frame.

slowbike

gabriel959 wrote:

I only use one D-lock and a cable lock for the rear but think about it, you can cut any cable lock in less than 10 seconds with a tool bought in any hardware store. Nothing can stop a determined thief but you can at least try.

It just has to be harder to take than the one next to it.
1 cable lock may be easy to get through, 2 takes longer, 2+Dlock - starts getting int the relms of "find an easier target"

greg66_tri_v2.0

gabriel959 wrote:

From that interview:

How would you prevent your own bike becoming stolen? What are your top tips?

Never use a chain, they’re too easy to snip. Use a small D-lock on front and back wheels. If your lock can be moved about that means the thief’s bolt cutters can get around them, at the right angle they won’t. Stiff D-locks are hard to snip because you need the right angle on the cutters to get the force to close them.

I only use one D-lock and a cable lock for the rear but think about it, you can cut any cable lock in less than 10 seconds with a tool bought in any hardware store. Nothing can stop a determined thief but you can at least try.

Yes, but unfortunately laser-accurate hindsight isn't searching for my bike...

mamil314

Slowbike wrote:

It just has to be harder to take than the one next to it.

That is so messed up.

kingstongraham

mamil314 wrote:

Slowbike wrote:

It just has to be harder to take than the one next to it.

That is so messed up.

But true.

gabriel959

Greg66 Tri v2.0 wrote:

gabriel959 wrote:

From that interview:

How would you prevent your own bike becoming stolen? What are your top tips?

Never use a chain, they’re too easy to snip. Use a small D-lock on front and back wheels. If your lock can be moved about that means the thief’s bolt cutters can get around them, at the right angle they won’t. Stiff D-locks are hard to snip because you need the right angle on the cutters to get the force to close them.

I only use one D-lock and a cable lock for the rear but think about it, you can cut any cable lock in less than 10 seconds with a tool bought in any hardware store. Nothing can stop a determined thief but you can at least try.

Yes, but unfortunately laser-accurate hindsight isn't searching for my bike...

I know Greg, I have checked Cambridge gumtree and ads haven't seen anything.

greg66_tri_v2.0

gabriel959 wrote:

Greg66 Tri v2.0 wrote:

gabriel959 wrote:

From that interview:

How would you prevent your own bike becoming stolen? What are your top tips?

Never use a chain, they’re too easy to snip. Use a small D-lock on front and back wheels. If your lock can be moved about that means the thief’s bolt cutters can get around them, at the right angle they won’t. Stiff D-locks are hard to snip because you need the right angle on the cutters to get the force to close them.

I only use one D-lock and a cable lock for the rear but think about it, you can cut any cable lock in less than 10 seconds with a tool bought in any hardware store. Nothing can stop a determined thief but you can at least try.

Yes, but unfortunately laser-accurate hindsight isn't searching for my bike...

I know Greg, I have checked Cambridge gumtree and ads haven't seen anything.

Cheers. I have been scanning gumtree, ebay and that site linked to in the second post. Zilch. It's so specialised/esoteric that I wouldn't be surprised if whoever nicked it has passed it on into a chain that will see it end up somewhere in continental Europe. I am having trouble clinging to the hope that it will turn up, I'm afraid to say.

slowbike

mamil314 wrote:

Slowbike wrote:

It just has to be harder to take than the one next to it.

That is so messed up.

It is - but let's face it - you need some money pretty desperately, so you've decided to take a bike - you're presented with 2 bikes - both of which will net you £500 - one is locked with a cable lock and the other a suitcase lock ... which do you take?

dhope

Greg66 Tri v2.0 wrote:

Cheers. I have been scanning gumtree, ebay and that site linked to in the second post. Zilch. It's so specialised/esoteric that I wouldn't be surprised if whoever nicked it has passed it on into a chain that will see it end up somewhere in continental Europe. I am having trouble clinging to the hope that it will turn up, I'm afraid to say.

Some triantelope will pass you on it on your next IM :twisted:

(sorry for your loss)