BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

Here's hoping this is yours: http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/bik/3926451718.html

Oh, wait... nevermind... I just noticed 'fixie'. Still, I'm sad to see all the stolen bikes... is this normal?

Yeah, my heart jumped when I saw that one earlier today, but didn't immediately catch what "fixie" meant. There's another on there I'm keeping my eye on, but as yet, no other leads. Unfortunately, this kind of thing happens far too often.

I don't know anyone who has used this yet, but seems interesting https://ifttt.com/recipes/26217

Thanks scott - I just set that up so I don't have to continuously check Craigslist. That's a big help.

Update: HAPPY ENDING! Her bike has been found and recovered. A secondhand shop owner posted the bike on eBay and fully cooperated with authorities in returning the bike and providing information on the individual who sold it in the first place. Thank you to everyone who helped get the word out!

That is AWESOME news! I was just reading a story this morning about a bike stolen from a woman and the thief posted it on Craigslist 4.5 months later. She promptly arranged a meeting and 'stole' it back.

What second hand shop is buying bikes in Pittsburgh?

Don't want to specify, but the shop was in New Kensington.

Did you have to provide serial numbers and documentation? I had the wheels and tires stolen off my car, and when I asked Pittsburgh Police to help me recover them after I spotted them in E. Liberty, they told me to take a hike if I didn't have 100% documented proof they were mine. I mean...who really records serial numbers off wheels and tires?

Thankfully, we did have the serial number, and she had registered it and the picture with BikePGH's I <3 My Bike program, and so we had plenty of documented proof.

^I have a picture of my bike (taken at my house), and a picture of the serial# - that I keep in my phone just in case. It would be interesting to here someone try to explain how "their" bike was at my house....

You can also do things like put your name and address inside the handlebars next time you retape, or down the seat tube. But just taking a few moments to turn your bike up and write down the serial number from the bottom bracket is all you really need to settle the argument in the eyes of the police. (Hey, I just thought of a way to appropriate somebody's bike.)

jonawebb wrote:(Hey, I just thought of a way to appropriate somebody’s bike.)

Yeah, funny how that works. I decided a while ago that it was a bad idea to share evidence of my serial no. such as a photo online. The best method is to have documentation from the bike shop at the time of purchase, with the serial clearly printed on the receipt. Obviously, this doesn't happen enough. Then, you're lucky if the original owner includes the paper work when the bike is later sold used. A pink card, of sorts, would certainly be helpful. I have a random collection of bottom bracket photos of friends/family bikes, just in case.