UKH

I'm looking for a new bike and so many of the ads are so detail free they strike me as having been nicked? Surely if you have recently bought a £500 bike you'll at least know the model name or size?

In reply to Tyler: Funny you say that, I am trying to sell a motorbike on gumtree at the moment. Compared to the other ads for same machine, mine has heaps more description and history posted. Mind you, still not sold yet.

In reply to Tyler: At the risk of sounding really thick, I bought a Specialized something-or-other Elite. I think it is large and it is definitely silver. No idea what gear is attached to it though other than the child seat I fitted.

Alas, dedicated cyclists are not necessarily dedicated cycle geeks but I would certainly be cautious buying from Gumtree.

In reply to Tyler: You could always go onto this site and put the serial code in to see if it is nicked?

http://www.bikeshepherd.org/stolen-bikes.html

Obviously is dependent on the owner registering it in the first place

and there is http://www.checkmend.com/uk/help_identifiers which searches the national databases for lost and stolen property (again thats been reported and has frame number etc etc.

I have my bikes registered on bikeshepard and on immobitag.
My bike got stolen and had a immobitag radio frrequency fitted and i can't see it doing a great deal as the police force where I live haven't even got the equipment to check it!! And to check is a bit of a pina!

I have notifications set now for search terms on ebay and gumtree.

Findmybike does the above for you as well.

In reply to Tyler:

I was very cautious and spoke to a number of people who were quite clearly not the legitimate owners of the bikes in question. Then I found one that was a near right as I could possibly ascertain - right down to him having the team kit that matched the bike, which he pitched in with the deal.

You just need to be patient and quick of the mark when you find the right one, and be prepared to speak to a lot of chancers. A simple question such as 'what sort of pedals has it got on it?' will probably ID a casual thief, if not a specialist villain.

When you then find someone 6'4" selling a small bike, or vice versa, you know that something's not quite right.

In reply to Tyler: Stick the seller's mobile number into Google and see how many other nearly new bikes they've advertised...

In reply to Steve John B:
Or just say "I'm phoning about the bike". If they've a few nicked ones stashed they'll be somewhat confused.

In reply to Tyler: The answer to your question is yes, of course. A theif isn't going to spend money on an ebay ad to shift hot goods (although a worrying number do!).

In reply to EeeByGum:

if you were flogging it though i suspect you would try and find the manual etc and write up a slightly better description.

for op: dunno about most but depending on the area i would guess its going to be pretty high.

In reply to Tyler: Just be cautious. I got a 2008 Spec Allez for £150 in great nick, as the guy had it buried in his shed He was a bit eccentric but unlikely a thief.

In reply to nniff:
A simple question such as 'what sort of pedals has it got on it?' will probably ID a casual thief, if not a specialist villain.

My bike was £400 new, from a shop, not sure what make it is. Asking me what the pedals are is like asking the make of the engine coils in my car

In reply to trouserburp: I think asking more pertinent questions like the size and how many gears it has will stump a thief just as easy as something that most people with a bike wouldn't know!

In reply to trouserburp:

Not quite - you'd know if your car was diesel, petrol or hybrid. Just like you know if your bike has got flats, SPD, speedplay or whatever on it. For anything other than flat pedals the more certain you are to know because you'll have the shoes to match.....

In reply to nniff:

I commuted for about 3 months using an spd/running shoes combo. I knew what they were, I just didn't get round to changing them for flats. Stoopid.

In reply to Game of Conkers: So as an update to my motorbike selling on Gum tree

Received text yesterday asking if still available. I said yes. They ask to come in the evening to view at 6.30pm, I say fine.

I bring motorcycle to street for viewing under street lamp and told chap I would allow test ride if he brought all the cash.

At 6.30pm BMW 5 series 535d on a 59 plate pulls up and out steps 4 scruffy people...one baby, an (approx) 10yr old, and two (approx) 20 yr olds. All male.

One lad identifies himself as the prospective buyer. Has a quick look over it then tells me he has £100 cash deposit to take it off gum tree and would like a test ride. He offers me keys to the BMW, £100 and gets on bike. I tell him he needs a helmet, he says "don't worry I will just nip along this road and back" !?...I insist and give him a helmet. Off he rides leaving me with the keys to this BMW, £100 and three new friends.

After an interesting 5 minutes he comes back and says he wants it. They all leave and he's coming back tonight with the balance.

I took the bike back onto my property and spent a couple of minutes wondering if I had somehow let down my guard and this was all a bit dodgy , mainly because the car didn't match the personel. But I shouldn't judge and I am still in possession of the bike, I have £100 cash and am expecting him back tonight.

Funny business flogging things to strangers. A bit out of comfort zone.

In reply to Game of Conkers:

Sold a stereo many years ago when I as living in London. Bloke turned up to pay with it. Handed over a few £50 notes. Obvious fakes, and I said so. He looked shifty, made an excuse and left. Bit odd, and like you say a bit out of comfort zone, some bloke in your house trying to rip you off...

In reply to Game of Conkers:
I want to know the end of the story....did he return?

I remember taking £4500 cash for a car and as the car drove off a second car pulled up with two heavy blokes walking up my path. In terror of being mugged I flung the notes in the tumble dryer.

Turned out the new blokes were on a completely different mission - delivering something I'd ordered - and in all the confusion I forgot about the cash.

With inevitable consequences....

In reply to Babika: Returning tonight hopefully

In reply to Babika:

Don't worry, it is only money laundering if you put them in the washing machine.