Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by RigWheels on April 9, 2010 at 4:11am

Here's my two cents. If a deal is too good to be true, it is. No one would sell an $1100.00 bike, practically new for $250.00. If you see it on craigslist, at a swap and you can't believe your luck to have found such a gem for such a steal, then it is most likely just that, stolen. My advice to anyone who buys outside of legit shops, or even pawn shops, is to pay attention to how you feel. That queasy feeling in your stomach as you shell over $25 for my recently lifted brooks saddle and post from some guy in a back alley is the guilt you feel from supporting thieves.

This one is tricky, I am glad Joe got his bike back. There are some particulars that I am not going in to, however this worked out Joe has his bike back. The purchaser has been hit by buying stolen merch and lost. The only winner here is the thief, but no one steals endlessly without repercussions. The best thing you can do is get pissed and shout about it when someone takes something from you. Then we all know what spots to avoid, the police/city get a clear idea of when and where this is happening. More folks can be on the lookout for you gear, and someone might buy you a beer, probably Dan Brown. In that same vein, please report when you get hit. If you don't speak up we can't help each other.

I feel kind of silly for posting on a forum, but I am knowingly allowing you all to rip this apart and go into hyper critical mode. Bring it. Bottom line is it sucks getting shit stolen, don't buy anything if the deal is just too good to be true, good people/bad people no one deserves to have their ride lifted, there is no hierarchy of loss; a stolen bike is a stolen bike. Bailey is a great friend and it never hurts to have folks watch your back. As for the call to violence, sure it was a joke. That is not always understood so watch what you say in public. In this case, I know Bailey well and he would not hurt a fly. The only time he ever gets in a scuffle is when he fights hard with the pavement and loses.

Enjoy your riding and never let the fear of theft stop you from enjoying what it means to be on a bicycle. If you do, someone has stolen a lot more than your material possessions.

End of Diatribe.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by dan brown on April 9, 2010 at 9:15am

I am not going to rip this apart...this is a sensible well-thought out post to a subject that always
brings out of spectrum of emotions and responses.

The fact of the matter is..for many (most ?) of us here; a "bike" is not just a "bike".

it is a part of us; an extension of our entire being.

many of our bikes are _not_ commodities (i.e. homogeneous products that can be easily replaced); rather, they are often long term projects that have had countless hours, dollars, blood sweat and tears poured into. Not to mentions the sentimental value that they hold. for example - imagine riding a bike
down LSD (or to work) that has placed in a race; or ridden along side elite cyclists / triathletes, etc.
That can never be replaced.

When the bikes are stolen and then and re-sold; it is a form of personal violation. There are no right nor
wrong responses.

I am thankful for a forum where we can all share our personal views, support each other; and when
appropriate - agree to disagree.




Dan


RigWheels said:

Here's my two cents. If a deal is too good to be true, it is. No one would sell an $1100.00 bike, practically new for $250.00. If you see it on craigslist, at a swap and you can't believe your luck to have found such a gem for such a steal, then it is most likely just that, stolen. My advice to anyone who buys outside of legit shops, or even pawn shops, is to pay attention to how you feel. That queasy feeling in your stomach as you shell over $25 for my recently lifted brooks saddle and post from some guy in a back alley is the guilt you feel from supporting thieves.

This one is tricky, I am glad Joe got his bike back. There are some particulars that I am not going in to, however this worked out Joe has his bike back. The purchaser has been hit by buying stolen merch and lost. The only winner here is the thief, but no one steals endlessly without repercussions. The best thing you can do is get pissed and shout about it when someone takes something from you. Then we all know what spots to avoid, the police/city get a clear idea of when and where this is happening. More folks can be on the lookout for you gear, and someone might buy you a beer, probably Dan Brown. In that same vein, please report when you get hit. If you don't speak up we can't help each other.

I feel kind of silly for posting on a forum, but I am knowingly allowing you all to rip this apart and go into hyper critical mode. Bring it. Bottom line is it sucks getting shit stolen, don't buy anything if the deal is just too good to be true, good people/bad people no one deserves to have their ride lifted, there is no hierarchy of loss; a stolen bike is a stolen bike. Bailey is a great friend and it never hurts to have folks watch your back. As for the call to violence, sure it was a joke. That is not always understood so watch what you say in public. In this case, I know Bailey well and he would not hurt a fly. The only time he ever gets in a scuffle is when he fights hard with the pavement and loses.

Enjoy your riding and never let the fear of theft stop you from enjoying what it means to be on a bicycle. If you do, someone has stolen a lot more than your material possessions.

End of Diatribe.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Michelle Green on April 10, 2010 at 8:47am

<3


dan brown said:

I am not going to rip this apart...this is a sensible well-thought out post to a subject that always
brings out of spectrum of emotions and responses.

The fact of the matter is..for many (most ?) of us here; a "bike" is not just a "bike".

it is a part of us; an extension of our entire being.

many of our bikes are _not_ commodities (i.e. homogeneous products that can be easily replaced); rather, they are often long term projects that have had countless hours, dollars, blood sweat and tears poured into. Not to mentions the sentimental value that they hold. for example - imagine riding a bike
down LSD (or to work) that has placed in a race; or ridden along side elite cyclists / triathletes, etc.
That can never be replaced.

When the bikes are stolen and then and re-sold; it is a form of personal violation. There are no right nor
wrong responses.

I am thankful for a forum where we can all share our personal views, support each other; and when
appropriate - agree to disagree.




Dan


RigWheels said:

Here's my two cents. If a deal is too good to be true, it is. No one would sell an $1100.00 bike, practically new for $250.00. If you see it on craigslist, at a swap and you can't believe your luck to have found such a gem for such a steal, then it is most likely just that, stolen. My advice to anyone who buys outside of legit shops, or even pawn shops, is to pay attention to how you feel. That queasy feeling in your stomach as you shell over $25 for my recently lifted brooks saddle and post from some guy in a back alley is the guilt you feel from supporting thieves.

This one is tricky, I am glad Joe got his bike back. There are some particulars that I am not going in to, however this worked out Joe has his bike back. The purchaser has been hit by buying stolen merch and lost. The only winner here is the thief, but no one steals endlessly without repercussions. The best thing you can do is get pissed and shout about it when someone takes something from you. Then we all know what spots to avoid, the police/city get a clear idea of when and where this is happening. More folks can be on the lookout for you gear, and someone might buy you a beer, probably Dan Brown. In that same vein, please report when you get hit. If you don't speak up we can't help each other.

I feel kind of silly for posting on a forum, but I am knowingly allowing you all to rip this apart and go into hyper critical mode. Bring it. Bottom line is it sucks getting shit stolen, don't buy anything if the deal is just too good to be true, good people/bad people no one deserves to have their ride lifted, there is no hierarchy of loss; a stolen bike is a stolen bike. Bailey is a great friend and it never hurts to have folks watch your back. As for the call to violence, sure it was a joke. That is not always understood so watch what you say in public. In this case, I know Bailey well and he would not hurt a fly. The only time he ever gets in a scuffle is when he fights hard with the pavement and loses.

Enjoy your riding and never let the fear of theft stop you from enjoying what it means to be on a bicycle. If you do, someone has stolen a lot more than your material possessions.

End of Diatribe.

• ▶ Reply

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