Stolen Bikes Thread - Mod Note please read post #1 before posting

endacl · 29-07-2013 4:44pm

http://www.news4.ie/feb12/frame3/9bikes.html

Mr.Fred · 29-07-2013 4:53pm

Terrible interview he only echoed what we already know.

endacl · 29-07-2013 5:03pm

Mr.Fred wrote: »

Terrible interview he only echoed what we already know.

Oh, I don't know...

It did advocate common sense. Next time you walk around town, take note of the number of bikes you could have in less than five minutes, using only a pliers...

Qualitymark · 29-07-2013 11:13pm

Stary eyes scare off robbers http://www.theatlanticcities.com/commute/2013/04/posters-angry-eyes-actually-scare-bike-thieves/5420/

oflahero · 30-07-2013 9:43am

A quick note on the efficacy of the through-the-back-triangle locking technique.

Our apartment complex was targetted last night, three bikes nicked (one brand new), one car broken into. Seems they had a van and plenty of time. They were known by the trail of smashed cable locks and cans of Red Bull.

They used a brick to smash the ****ty locks and a bolt cutters for the more 'sophisticated' ones. They put a lot of effort into the missus' bike, with the child seat still on it and everything. It had an orange Kryptonite u-lock through the rear triangle on the wheel, with a Kryptoflex looped on it through the front. The stupid ****ing ***** chopped the cable, un-quick-released the back wheel, and did a lot of yanking before they realised you can't nick the frame even if it looks like the u-lock is only holding the rear wheel.

So, luckily for us, no nicked bikes, but I'll have to give hers a good going over before it's ridden again, especially with junior on it. So just a reminder maybe to 1) u-lock all the way, and 2) try including the seat tube as well as the rear wheel in the lock to avoid getting thieves' hopes up and potential damage to your bike.

magicbastarder · 30-07-2013 9:56am

so what would be the best lock to use in a situation where portability is not an issue? i assume there are none immune to an angle grinder?
my main aim would be to slow any potential thieves down as much as possible; the bikes will be locked in a garage at the side of the house. the doors are alarmed, too, for what that's worth.

oflahero · 30-07-2013 10:06am

magicbastarder wrote: »

so what would be the best lock to use in a situation where portability is not an issue? i assume there are none immune to an angle grinder?
my main aim would be to slow any potential thieves down as much as possible; the bikes will be locked in a garage at the side of the house. the doors are alarmed, too, for what that's worth.

This or this. Though realistically, the orange Kryptos are pretty good too. In you case, maybe consider installing an anchor in the floor of the garage?

Angle grinder + time = any bike you want, unfortunately. Our scummers at least had the cop to realise there was plenty of low-hanging fruit to be had without waking the whole place up firing up a grinder.

magicbastarder · 30-07-2013 10:22am

oflahero wrote: »

In you case, maybe consider installing an anchor in the floor of the garage?

yeah, that's the plan. i've seen anchors in hardware stores, and a chap i know said he'd be able to get me a hefty piece of reinforced steel i could put in a bucket and pour cement in on top of, with a loop sticking out from on top.

RunRoryRun · 30-07-2013 10:42am

oflahero wrote: »

This or this. Though realistically, the orange Kryptos are pretty good too. In you case, maybe consider installing an anchor in the floor of the garage?

Amazon have the full size Kryptonite New York U-Lock for sale. Got it a few weeks back to supplement my Krypto Series 2 with flex cable and secondary cable lock. I sleep a little better at night. This thread has made me so paranoid.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kryptonite-York-Standard-Flexframe-Bracket/dp/B005YPK9SY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375177217&sr=8-1&keywords=kryptonite+lock+new+york

Down from 89.99stg to 46.97stg.

Doctor Bob · 31-07-2013 10:41am

Posting on behalf of the OH, whose bike was stolen yesterday in Dublin city centre.

Location: Grantham Street (pole beside the DB stand).
Time: Between 9:00 am and 5:30 pm.

Giant Avail, Ladies' frame.
Year: 2011 (?).
Colour: Metallic grey/silver.
Size: Small (possibly XS, but I don't think so).
Other details: Shimano gears (not sure what version, but I think they were 2300); Skinny black mudguards (fixed, not clip-on); single wire bottle cage on the down tube (one side broken); white bar tape, with some noticeable wear on one shoulder; lock mount on seat tube; toe clips; cheapo black saddle with some damage and a bit of yellow tape on the rear (plastic bag covering it at the time of the theft).

She reported it to two passing Guards, who took a full report on site, and checked with nearby shops in case they'd seen anything, but to no avail. (No avail, geddit?!)

I've checked Gumtree, Done Deal and Adverts, but nothing is showing up so far.

No pics of the actual bike. These were pinched from the internet.

Any info or leads appreciated.

Thanks.

grodge · 31-07-2013 11:14am

Doctor Bob wrote: »

Posting on behalf of the OH, whose bike was stolen yesterday in Dublin city centre.

Location: Grantham Street (pole beside the DB stand).
Time: Between 9:00 am and 5:30 pm.

Can I ask what lock was used and how they got the lock off? From following this thread there seems to be an number of good quality (Gold rated) locks cut with an angle grinder.

Doctor Bob · 31-07-2013 11:58am

grodge wrote: »

Can I ask what lock was used and how they got the lock off? From following this thread there seems to be an number of good quality (Gold rated) locks cut with an angle grinder.

It was an Abus U-lock, not sure what type, but reasonably good quality. I'm not sure how it was opened as there was apparently no evidence of the lock at the scene of the crime.

(The possibility that the bike was inadvertently left unlocked therefore can't be fully discounted.)

grodge · 31-07-2013 12:21pm

Doctor Bob wrote: »

It was an Abus U-lock, not sure what type, but reasonably good quality. I'm not sure how it was opened as there was apparently no evidence of the lock at the scene of the crime.

(The possibility that the bike was inadvertently left unlocked therefore can't be fully discounted.)

I had a gold rated ABUS lock sawn off in under a minute on South King St last friday. I was wondering if it the same person. Have you asked in the shops along that street did they see or hear anything? Maybe someone did hear or see it happen.

A shop owner saw mine being taken and gave me a description of the 'perp' and the direction that he went. I have been into a few shops and pubs reviewing CCTV and I have a small bit of footage of said 'perp' cycling on my lovely new bike. Some of the places I went will only let the Gardai review footage, so I sent the Garda that took my statement that day an email asking him to please review the footage and that I can confirm that I have seen someone on the bike.

I'm going to a pub later that burned me a copy of footage around the time. Its on a junction so I can see what direction the 'perp' went and go from there. I figure that this is the best course of action, assisting the Gardai, as opposed to sitting back giving out about them not doing anything. I fully understand that the are stretched to breaking point with resources and there are are issues that take priority over bike crime.

Squidgy Black · 31-07-2013 12:24pm

'Gold rating' unfortunately isn't all it's cracked up to be anymore, and seems to be more of a marketing ploy than anything.

oflahero · 31-07-2013 12:33pm

Doctor Bob wrote: »

but to no avail. (No avail, geddit?!)

Doctor Bob wrote: »

(The possibility that the bike was inadvertently left unlocked therefore can't be fully discounted.)

I'd say your missus is loving this...

check_six · 31-07-2013 12:40pm

stetyrrell wrote: »

'Gold rating' unfortunately isn't all it's cracked up to be anymore, and seems to be more of a marketing ploy than anything.

Well, maybe, but the gold rated locks tend to be the upper end of weight you can practically carry, and they are tougher than anything else you can get. You can cut through anything with the right equipment and enough time, so as long as the environment is ripe for thieves to work with impunity they'll keep stealing bikes. All we can do is get the best locks we can and hope for the best. I don't know an alternative to the "Gold" locks.

Doctor Bob · 31-07-2013 3:22pm

grodge wrote: »

Have you asked in the shops along that street did they see or hear anything? Maybe someone did hear or see it happen.

She did check with the shops and restaurant nearby, but no joy. I've suggested a return visit to see if any of them have CCTV, so we'll see what happens. The Guard who took her statement didn't seem to be fobbing her off and gave her contact info for any follow-up.

oflahero wrote: »

I'd say your missus is loving this...

Maybe I'm teasing her for stalking me on Boards? :P

I didn't dare crack that pun to her face last night, but we did discuss the other bit (which, I should say, is only a very remote possibility, and was suggested simply by the lack of a lock at the scene)- seems a bit relevant to the more public aspect of this discussion regarding theft methods, etc. I figure as long as her identity is kept a secret (Hi Peggy!!) there's no major embarrassment.

aloyisious · 31-07-2013 4:07pm

There is no longer the chance that a bike-theft gang is NOT operating in the Grafton St are. Sth King St-Grantham St-Drury St. I'm tempted to loiter with intent around Drury St car-park with a camera to "capture" images of them at work.

I'm also thinking there might be cookies at work here on this thread, glances sideways at "Ortre" Ad.... Grrr.

grodge · 31-07-2013 4:46pm

Someone already mentioned TV3 and bike sting operations.

There are GPS trackers for bikes.

I might send them a mail and see if they will do a programme called "Ireland's most scummy of scumbag ar$eholes c**t bike thieves"
Can you tell I have been recently effected by this

Qualitymark · 01-08-2013 9:05am

grodge wrote: »

Someone already mentioned TV3 and bike sting operations.

There are GPS trackers for bikes.

I might send them a mail and see if they will do a programme called "Ireland's most scummy of scumbag ar$eholes c**t bike thieves"
Can you tell I have been recently effected by this

I'd love to see this programme - with reporters talking to the kids who steal bikes (with faces blurred out if they're underage), and introducing them to the person whose bike they've taken so they learn on the spot what stealing the bike means to the person.

aloyisious wrote: »

There is no longer the chance that a bike-theft gang is NOT operating in the Grafton St are. Sth King St-Grantham St-Drury St. I'm tempted to loiter with intent around Drury St car-park with a camera to "capture" images of them at work.

I'm also thinking there might be cookies at work here on this thread, glances sideways at "Ortre" Ad.... Grrr.

A few months ago I dashed into a bookshop on Grafton Street to pick up a book. I'd left the bike propped outside, locked, and was keeping an eye on it as I stood at the front counter. Within, literally, seconds, a teenage couple were standing beside the bike, the lad on his phone. When I came out and unlocked the bike they gave me one dirty look and walked rapidly away. It was obvious from the way they acted that they were spotters for robbers.

Zyzz · 01-08-2013 1:53pm

Qualitymark wrote: »

A few months ago I dashed into a bookshop on Grafton Street to pick up a book. I'd left the bike propped outside, locked, and was keeping an eye on it as I stood at the front counter. Within, literally, seconds, a teenage couple were standing beside the bike, the lad on his phone. When I came out and unlocked the bike they gave me one dirty look and walked rapidly away. It was obvious from the way they acted that they were spotters for robbers.

A fellow boards member was at the marathon in town and came accross some youths trying to steal a bike, he approached and threatened to call the guards to which the 'leader' said he'd "wrap the bike around his neck if he did so".. :mad:

As far as Im aware there was a guard near by and they scattered as soon as they saw him. Not really sure why that post sticks with me lol

aloyisious · 01-08-2013 2:38pm

I guess I might have to stop checking bikes around town for my stolen bike, I might be mistaken for a thief :eek:

Qualitymark · 01-08-2013 3:06pm

There also needs to be an international bike number database, since some bikes are stolen in one country and shipped across the borders to another. With the new electrical internet we could actually have a database that would break bike theft rings.
An awful lot of people take the view that the Gardaí have to be catching stabbers and killers, never mind the bike robbers, but an incentive that stopped minor crime in New York City in the 1980s, when it was a violent, dangerous place, stopped major crime dead in its tracks too.
I'd be very surprised if Dublin's gang stabbers and killers aren't also invested in the bicycle thefts.

endacl · 01-08-2013 3:44pm

Qualitymark wrote: »

There also needs to be an international bike number database, since some bikes are stolen in one country and shipped across the borders to another. With the new electrical internet we could actually have a database that would break bike theft rings.
An awful lot of people take the view that the Gardaí have to be catching stabbers and killers, never mind the bike robbers, but an incentive that stopped minor crime in New York City in the 1980s, when it was a violent, dangerous place, stopped major crime dead in its tracks too.
I'd be very surprised if Dublin's gang stabbers and killers aren't also invested in the bicycle thefts.

Well, there are schemes such as http://www.bikeshepherd.org/ , which is run by Kryptonite, I believe. It's basically an online registry which is owner updated, and allows for change of ownership. It's a sticker system using QR codes which can be read using any barcode app. It's a clever system. The only weak point is the sticker itself, and they're as solid as its possible to get a sticker to be. And you get plenty of them in the registration pack, which IIRC, costs less than a tenner.

Users of the site can see alerts for bikes stolen in the local area, and if you spot a bike with a QR code, its a simple matter to scan them. Not a perfect system, but an extra bit for not much cash.

RunRoryRun · 01-08-2013 3:51pm

Slightly off topic maybe, but does anyone know if you can claim against Kryptonites anti-theft warranty in Ireland?

endacl · 01-08-2013 4:03pm

RunRoryRun wrote: »

Slightly off topic maybe, but does anyone know if you can claim against Kryptonites anti-theft warranty in Ireland?

Not sure, but even in for example the UK, with a UK warranty, there's a ridiculous amount of hoops to jump through. You need to have the original receipt, all parts of the broken lock, proof you owned the bike, yadayadayada....

It's a sales gimmick rather than insurance, IMHO.

MrScootch · 01-08-2013 8:20pm

Qualitymark wrote: »

There also needs to be an international bike number database, since some bikes are stolen in one country and shipped across the borders to another. With the new electrical internet we could actually have a database that would break bike theft rings.
An awful lot of people take the view that the Gardaí have to be catching stabbers and killers, never mind the bike robbers, but an incentive that stopped minor crime in New York City in the 1980s, when it was a violent, dangerous place, stopped major crime dead in its tracks too.
I'd be very surprised if Dublin's gang stabbers and killers aren't also invested in the bicycle thefts.

Well the minor crime directly funds the drug trade doesn't it?

chester3455 · 01-08-2013 9:38pm

Two of my friends had their bikes stolen from the top of their car in the clondalkin area.

Giant tcr sl 1:2013 model grey and white paint job full ultegra groupset shiny black handlebar tape torn huds on both sides gold front hub blue back hub u14 gearing (49/16)

Dolan ares:red and grey paint job giant wheels full dura ace groupset except ultegra rear derailleur paint chipped on
frame and seatpost.u16 gearing (52/16)

Today around 3 o clock

robertxxx · 01-08-2013 11:03pm

Clondalkin!!! They eat their young out there, luck that was all that was robbed.

Was the car moving when the bikes were robbed

Chips Lovell · 01-08-2013 11:07pm

robertxxx wrote: »

Clondalkin!!! They eat their young out there, luck that was all that was robbed.

Was the car moving when the bikes were robbed

I don't know. You could probably have gotten a few more stereotypes in there if you'd tried.

Squidgy Black · 01-08-2013 11:31pm

robertxxx wrote: »

Clondalkin!!! They eat their young out there, luck that was all that was robbed.

What on earth are you talking about? Clondalkin's a fairly nice area, I wouldn't go making idiotic statements like that so quick.

chester3455 · 02-08-2013 12:55am

robertxxx wrote: »

Was the car moving when the bikes were robbed

Another idiotic statement

Qualitymark · 02-08-2013 8:09am

stetyrrell wrote: »

What on earth are you talking about? Clondalkin's a fairly nice area, I wouldn't go making idiotic statements like that so quick.

Oh now. The really scary areas are Castleknock and Foxrock, and of course the notorious Killiney, not so much because they eat their young as the way they lick the plates afterwards.

By the way, this looks like a useful thing, if enough people in Ireland got it that it became the norm to look for it, and if the Gardaí would set up a similar scheme to the UK's (also useful because of the trade in stolen bikes between the two jurisdictions):

https://www.immobilise.com/view.php?stage=product&category=1&product=2

Immobitag Electronic Bike tagging allows bikes with uninterrupted seat tubes to be traced back to owner using the unique id contained within the electronic tag. The ImmobiTag is embedded into the bike frame and is almost impossible to remove. The unique ImmobiTag ID is then registered on Immobilise together with any frame numbers and warning tag serial numbers to be found on your bicycle.

All tags contain a unique serial number that can read via special scanners that the majority of police forces are equipped with to display the owner's information via the National Mobile Property Register, which provides the police with access to the Immobilise system. Used by all UK police forces to trace the ownership of stolen property, the Immobilise system is a great deterrent to thieves. This version of the ImmobiTag is designed to fit bikes with standard diameter seat post tubes (25.4mm to 32.0mm diameter).

And in Columbus, they're using drones against bike thieves:

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2013/08/01/2612984/columbus-state-universitys-new.html

silvo · 06-08-2013 12:30pm

We had four bikes stolen from our house in Sandymount last night, and would appreciate if everyone could keep an eye about for them. PM me if you see them anywhere. They are very distinctive. Thanks a million

They were:

Devinci Wilson - Downhill bike, with distinctive gold hubs (second photo shows hubs).
Specialized Pitch - Enduro bike, with Suntour Durolux forks
Specialized Dolce - Extra small road bike with yellow tyres.
Ridley Tricon - Large road bike (not exact model pictured but very similar)

darconio · 06-08-2013 12:33pm

here we go 5K+ of equipment in one go: will this ever end?

whomitconcerns · 06-08-2013 12:37pm

walking past the bike racks in front of Abercrombie, and 3 scrotes, 2 of them scoping the bikes and chains while the other older one hung back. Doubtless a ploy, should a civilian intervene older guy gets involved, if cops come he scarpers as the youths will get away with it...they were just doing laps around back to grafton street, saw them twice..scum.. about 16 years old red hair and a monobrow....not hard to spot him.. cops though....where.....city centre middle of the day on a Sunday...none around

On a more positive note, the little scum who stole my bike were caught trying for more in Malahide last week! 3 of them..all under 18..all laughing while the guards waited for a van..spoke to the cops about it.."yeh they'll be in childrens court tomorrow...after that...."

RunRoryRun · 06-08-2013 12:39pm

silvo wrote: »

We had four bikes stolen from our house in Sandymount last night, and would appreciate if everyone could keep an eye about for them. PM me if you see them anywhere.

Sorry to hear about this - Do you mind me asking where they were stolen from (shed / bike rack / house etc) and if indoors were they locked up?

aloyisious · 06-08-2013 2:19pm

Sorry to hear about the loss, silvo. I'm glad to see you have photo's of the bikes. Is that an ovalized chainring on the Specialized bike?

ThisRegard · 06-08-2013 2:28pm

chester3455 wrote: »

Two of my friends had their bikes stolen from the top of their car in the clondalkin area.

What kind of bike rack was it held on, and were they locked, either using the carriers one or separate ones ?

silvo wrote: »

Ridley Tricon - Large road bike (not exact model pictured but very similar)

I have an identical Triton in those colours, except in small. If a vigilante boardsie chases me down to clatter me and reclaim the bike the safe word is Sausages.

BofaDeezNuhtz · 07-08-2013 2:46pm

darconio wrote: »

here we go 5K+ of equipment in one go: will this ever end?

Ten!

Sickner hope ye get them back OP.

BofaDeezNuhtz · 07-08-2013 2:49pm

darconio wrote: »

here we go 5K+ of equipment in one go: will this ever end?

Yup nearly ten grand.

Qualitymark · 07-08-2013 2:51pm

Suzuki_TL1000R wrote: »

Yup nearly ten grand.

Surely this would be worth going to the Herald with - the silly season of August is the best time to get any non-standard crime story into the papers. Maybe the Herald would start a campaign to end this epidemic of bicycle theft.

RainyDay · 07-08-2013 3:09pm

From Dublin Cycling Campaign Facebook blurb about next meeting on 12th August "we'll be hatching a plan to prod the various bodies into taking bike theft more seriously."

http://www.dublincycling.ie/next-meeting

PDub12 · 10-08-2013 8:58am

Specialized Bikes Stolen from Rathfarnham on 8th of August 2013

Details of bikes that were stolen from our shed in Rathfarnham on Thursday night.

1. Specialized Carve Pro 29er 17 in (white/black and red as per pic below)
2. Specialized Allez Comp 54 cm (black as per pic)
3. Specialized Vita Sport (women's) Medium (black as per pic)

Bikes were locked together in shed with Kryptonite Flex Cable and Kryptonite Evolution U-Lock.
Thieves also removed bolt and lock from shed door and either lifted bikes over (locked) side gate or back wall.

Hope others don't suffer the same fate.

http://www.evanscycles.com/product_image/image/781/092/38d/62265/product_page/specialized-vita-sport-2012-womens-hybrid-bike.jpg
http://img3.findthebest.com/sites/default/files/796/media/images/2012_Specialized_Carve_Pro_29_232449.png
http://www.evanscycles.com/product_image/image/2b6/6ee/8b9/39158/product_page/specialized-allez-comp-2010-road-bike.jpg

from_atozinc · 10-08-2013 11:13am

Just a general question on Bike theft.

Is all this bike Theft affecting the "Dublin Bikes" or do the scummers tend to stay away from these as nobody would want to buy them for obvious reasons

Squidgy Black · 10-08-2013 11:50am

Dublin bikes are never really left unattended because the user would be charged on their credit card if something were to happen, so they just bring them to one of the 'docking stations' where they're securely locked and can't be opened by thieves (yet).

from_atozinc · 10-08-2013 1:34pm

stetyrrell wrote: »

Dublin bikes are never really left unattended because the user would be charged on their credit card if something were to happen, so they just bring them to one of the 'docking stations' where they're securely locked and can't be opened by thieves (yet).

Oh right. I was kinda referring to the "docking stations" but from what your saying the docking stations seem to be thief proof.

endacl · 10-08-2013 2:14pm

Funny story on th Dublin bikes. A good friend worked in the dept responsible for setting up the scheme. In his time on the project, they had the grand total of one bike stolen. It was recovered though, when the numpty in possession brought it to a lbs for some very simple repairs.

Qualitymark · 10-08-2013 6:55pm

Dublin Bikes are GPS-tracked.

By the way, I wonder how the Tile -

http://techcrunch.com/2013/07/24/tile-grabs-2-6m-via-selfstarter-for-its-lost-property-finding-bluetooth-tags-plus-app/

- may affect bike and other thefts.

http://www.thetileapp.com

http://www.gizmag.com/tile-object-tracker/27996/

Tile tracks objects with help from app users

The market for devices with apps designed to track objects and recover lost items is expanding. A few days ago we reported on Button TrackR, which uses crowd-sourcing to find lost objects. New to the party is [$19] Tile, which adds an element of social networking to the mix by connecting to other mobile devices running Tile apps through Bluetooth, extending the search beyond the usual range limitations.

Each Tile account can be used to manage up to ten matchbook-sized trackers. These are attached with an adhesive to important objects such as keys and wallets so the user can keep tabs on them. The concept becomes much more interesting when an object is lost.

According to Mike Farley and Nick Evans, the hardware and software engineers behind Tile, in order to go beyond a typical Bluetooth range of 100 ft (30 m), Tile recruits other Tile apps by sending them signals so they start searching for the lost item. To do this, it’s necessary to be relatively close to other Tile users, but at the same time, it provides an incentive to create Tile hubs with family, friends or work colleagues.

It doesn’t mean users need to give up their privacy, though. The communication between apps happens in the background, meaning that other users don't see it. However, users do have the option to share their Tiles with people they trust. In those cases, each user can watch their own Tiles move on a Tile app map. To make finding misplaced items easier, users can activate a ringtone. Where a user doesn’t have an iPhone or iPad to hand, they can log in using a friend’s Tile app.

Amazingfun · 11-08-2013 2:57am

PDub12 wrote: »

Specialized Bikes Stolen from Rathfarnham on 8th of August 2013

Details of bikes that were stolen from our shed in Rathfarnham on Thursday night.

1. Specialized Carve Pro 29er 17 in (white/black and red as per pic below)
2. Specialized Allez Comp 54 cm (black as per pic)
3. Specialized Vita Sport (women's) Medium (black as per pic)

Bikes were locked together in shed with Kryptonite Flex Cable and Kryptonite Evolution U-Lock.
Thieves also removed bolt and lock from shed door and either lifted bikes over (locked) side gate or back wall.

Hope others don't suffer the same fate.

http://www.evanscycles.com/product_image/image/781/092/38d/62265/product_page/specialized-vita-sport-2012-womens-hybrid-bike.jpg
http://img3.findthebest.com/sites/default/files/796/media/images/2012_Specialized_Carve_Pro_29_232449.png
http://www.evanscycles.com/product_image/image/2b6/6ee/8b9/39158/product_page/specialized-allez-comp-2010-road-bike.jpg

:mad: Sickening. So sorry this happened to you!

Stolen Bikes Thread - Mod Note please read post #1 before posting

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