Bike robbed, wheel left locked to the post

cruhoortwunk

Had my bike robbed 2 nights ago. It was locked to a post by the back wheel. I assumed it would be sold on. But, low and behold, a dodgy lookin fella came to the door tonight saying he had seen the wheel, and that he had bought a bike with a wheel missing yesterday. He 'paid €30 for it'. He didn't want to be out of pocket, so he wanted me to pay the €30. So I gave him €20 for it.
Is this a common ploy from scumbags? He obviously thought it wasn't worth the effort of trying to find a matching back wheel with 8 gears attached to it.

I know I should have locked the frame in the first place, it being a quick release wheel.

vektarman

cruhoortwunk wrote: »

Had my bike robbed 2 nights ago. It was locked to a post by the back wheel. I assumed it would be sold on. But, low and behold, a dodgy lookin fella came to the door tonight saying he had seen the wheel, and that he had bought a bike with a wheel missing yesterday. He 'paid €30 for it'. He didn't want to be out of pocket, so he wanted me to pay the €30. So I gave him €20 for it.
Is this a common ploy from scumbags? He obviously thought it wasn't worth the effort of trying to find a matching back wheel with 8 gears attached to it.

I know I should have locked the frame in the first place, it being a quick release wheel.

Was it your own bike he was selling to you?

Darkglasses

cruhoortwunk wrote: »

Had my bike robbed 2 nights ago. It was locked to a post by the back wheel. I assumed it would be sold on. But, low and behold, a dodgy lookin fella came to the door tonight saying he had seen the wheel, and that he had bought a bike with a wheel missing yesterday. He 'paid €30 for it'. He didn't want to be out of pocket, so he wanted me to pay the €30. So I gave him €20 for it.
Is this a common ploy from scumbags? He obviously thought it wasn't worth the effort of trying to find a matching back wheel with 8 gears attached to it.

I know I should have locked the frame in the first place, it being a quick release wheel.

I haven't heard of this scam before, I don't think it's a common ploy. Sounds like a cheap way to learn a lesson! Although, if it is your bike you could certainly report the fellow and get your bike back for free.

Canis Lupus

It's a lesson to always lock the frame. It's not 'common' and I think you're right he probably didn't realise the effort/cost involved in new wheel, tube, tyre and cassette especially if the bike wasn't an expensive one to start with.

Look, happy ending either way I suppose.

fasttalkerchat

Legally you can just take it back but probably safer to give a few quid to save any hassle.

cruhoortwunk

The thought crossed my mind to ring the Guards, but he knows where I live, so not really worth it.
Cheap lesson indeed, to get it back for 20

Lumen

This has echoes of Seven Psychopaths.

cruhoortwunk

More Adam & Paul, he had a junkie look and shook my hand, introducing himself as 'Paul'.
Said he knew it was too good to be true to get it for €30, and that he was 'big into cycles'. When I got it for €20 off him, he said it was his good deed for the day

cruhoortwunk

Looking for some info on fitting my back wheel back on. I have the chain part ok, but the pads of the disc brake are closed up, so I can't get the disc to fit in it
It's a cable disc brake

Lumen

cruhoortwunk wrote: »

Looking for some info on fitting my back wheel back on. I have the chain part ok, but the pads of the disc brake are closed up, so I can't get the disc to fit in it
It's a cable disc brake

Use a flat blade e.g. screwdriver or putty knife to prise them apart.

cruhoortwunk

Doesn't seem to prise easily. Should they go back and stay back?