Identifying stolen bikes.

[Ste T.]

With the number of bikes being stolen, when buying second hand,
what can you do to reassure yourself that you aren't buying some poor sods stolen pride and joy?

 

[stephec]

You can quite often get a feel for it if you're looking at an ebay or marketplace ad by the way it's written, unless someone's genuinely illiterate then things like, '10 spped peddle bike,' and, 'it rides mint,' wouldn't offer me much reassurance.

Also, ask plenty of questions, sizing, individual component specs, a genuine seller should be able to answer these easily.

 

[Psamathe]

My understanding (and I claim no expertise or experience) is that a lot of bikes are stolen and broken for parts. Try and sell a complete bike and you have to find a customer of the right size (to fit the bike), who likes the colour, etc., but sell a set of BB7 disk callipers or Shimano Tiagra chainset and you have a lot larger customer base.

So should the question be broader asking how you avoid buying stolen bike products?

Ian

 

[vickster]

I have only bought used bikes where a receipt/proof of ownership has been available from a private seller (plus gut feel) or from a well known Bristol LBS via eBay in the case of the Condor 🦄

 

[sheddy]

Has anyone successfully requested a frame number from a seller (to check the Bike Register database) prior to buying ?

 

[Bristolian]

Has anyone successfully requested a frame number from a seller (to check the Bike Register database) prior to buying ?

Yes, I did that before buying my Specialized Allez, but it wasn't registered so I based my decision to buy on the circumstances I found when I went to see it.

The bike is now registered and has an indelible marking on the underside of the top tube and tamper proof label on the top. I don't expect that to stop it getting stolen but hopefully someone seeing it would think to check the register and, best case, I get the bike back. In the meantime I do what I can to dissuade anyone from wanting to steal it.

 

[mjr]

More tips and this site gets a mention in What to do if your bike is stolen – and how to break the cycle
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2...our-bike-is-stolen-and-how-to-break-the-cycle

 

[Arjimlad]

Has anyone successfully requested a frame number from a seller (to check the Bike Register database) prior to buying ?

I did this once and got sent a shot of the ground-off place where the frame number had been. Avoided!

 

[PedallingNowhereSlowly]

Sellers that are not bike shops selling multiple bikes is usually a key indicator for me.
The AI generated descriptions on eBay sadly mask some of the people who don't know what they are selling (because they stole it).

 

[Punkawallah]

Be aware if your bike is marked and registered. If it is stolen and returned to you, regardless of its condition on return, it could affect any insurance claim you want to make.