Fifty Plus (50+) - Bike Disappeared

I completed the Hotter N Hell Hundred yesterday afternoon. I was quite pleased that I completed my first century on my 61st birthday.

I put my bike on the Swagman Rack and latched it. I am sure I latched it because I remember taking the Garmin Forerunner off it after it was on the Swagman. My wife was driving and I wasn't paying any attention during the drive. When we got to Ft Worth, I got out to pump gas and saw there was no bike on the Swagman.

We had only 2 very short stops in Wichita Falls at a stop sign and a light. I really doubt somebody took it off the rack,.

When I got gas the hook that holds the bike was in the same position that would have compressed the bike into the wheel holders. I don't see how the bike could have come out of the Swagman.

Unfortunately the mods on the bike cost more than the bike; so replacement will be quite expensive.

? Did you put the bike on the right car?

bummer. :(

Well, happy birthday I guess. Not a great way to celebrate though. Sorry to hear about that.

Sad.......had a buddy who cooked BBQ lost his cooking rig on wheels on an interstate and never found it but never heard of anyone losing a bike.

Sad.......had a buddy who cooked BBQ lost his cooking rig on wheels on an interstate and never found it but never heard of anyone losing a bike.

Floyd Landis lost a mountain bike that way:

"Last week we shared the story of Greg Estes, a Kentucky man who bought a broken-down $5 bike (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/post/Bike-bought-for-5-at-yard-sale-belonged-to-Floy;_ylt=AlvRzMtBXoovPC7nwaRccbicvZV4?urn=top-262060) at a yard sale and eventually discovered it was originally an $8,000 custom-built bicycle for former Tour de France champion Floyd Landis. The bike had been discovered on the side of a highway before it was found and sold for the bargain-basement price.The obvious question at the time was, how did a bike built for Landis end up abandoned on the side of the road with two busted tires?

Consider the mystery solved (http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=AuvA1n2.2Qso.wkrQD2oKGycvZV4/SIG=137oi1a8d/**http%3A//www.nydailynews.com/blogs/iteam/2010/08/the-mystery-behind-floyd-landi.html%23ixzz0woGMJbUV).

Brad Cobb and Jamey Hurst met Floyd Landis at an endurance mountain-biking event in 2008 and offered to transport his bike between races. They locked the bike on their rack, but when they arrived at their destination, it wasn't there because a gust of wind had blown it off the back of their vehicle. Hours of backtracking their route didn't turn it up, nor did a call to a friend who worked as a Tennessee state trooper. The pair eventually had to tell Landis they lost his bike. They were surprised at how understanding the disgraced champion was.

At first Landis didn't believe them, Cobb says. They had to convince the infamous cyclist that it was true. "He started laughing, and said 'dude, that's awesome,'" Cobb told the New York Daily News. "He said pick up a case of beer, we're going to watch the race together."

Landis eventually called a contact for a new bike to ride at the race.

Cobb was unaware that the bike had been found until Landis emailed him a link of the story last week. He says that the bike's eventual resting place was "right where we were looking."

Estes can expect to get a few thousand dollars for the bike, presuming nobody comes and tries to claim their lost property."

I completed the Hotter N Hell Hundred yesterday afternoon. I was quite pleased that I completed my first century on my 61st birthday.

I put my bike on the Swagman Rack and latched it. I am sure I latched it because I remember taking the Garmin Forerunner off it after it was on the Swagman. My wife was driving and I wasn't paying any attention during the drive. When we got to Ft Worth, I got out to pump gas and saw there was no bike on the Swagman.

We had only 2 very short stops in Wichita Falls at a stop sign and a light. I really doubt somebody took it off the rack,.

When I got gas the hook that holds the bike was in the same position that would have compressed the bike into the wheel holders. I don't see how the bike could have come out of the Swagman.

Unfortunately the mods on the bike cost more than the bike; so replacement will be quite expensive.

Geez Greg, I was only kidding about the new bike, on the other sub forum. I'm really sorry about that. I wonder if home owners insurance would help you out.

Well congratulations on your first century and also Happy Birthday. Did you consider retracing your route? Your bike might be sitting on a shoulder somewhere.

I can see my bike in the rearview mirror - I have a Saris Bones that gets lashed to the window of my hatchback. I try to keep an eye on it while I'm driving, just out of general paranoia (and affection for the bike, of course), but if it were to fall off on the highway, I"m not sure what difference it would make if I were to see it fall or not.

Wow.. well happy birthday and congrats on the ride... but sorry for your loss.

Keep looking, contact the HHH organization, call the newspaper... the people of WF are good folks, somebody could turn it in.

Also - post a "lost bike" thread in the Texas forum w pix.

Well that pretty much sucks...sorry for your misfortune gtragitt. :(

I saw oodles of cars with bikes on them, and if it fell off on the route, there's a good chance one of those vehicles stopped to pick it up. Get in touch with the HH100 folks, and maybe contact sheriff's dept/ city police/ highway patrol along the way. If an honest person found it, how would they get in touch with you?

Even if the bike was toast, I'd say there's a good chance that some of the components would be salvageable.

congratulations on the century.
Loosing the bike would take the shine out of your day.
Sorry to hear about that.

Was it this rack?
http://www.swagmanbikeracks.com/shopnew/product.php?productid=16151&cat=253&page=1

My Xport from Performance is similar. The upper frame hook on mine will work it's way up a bit if I run into a rough section of road where the bike is bouncing up and down back there. Even with the wheels tied into the hoops, I still hook two bungee cords around the hook to keep it from moving up. Maybe it moved up just enough for your bike to come out.

Was it this rack?
http://www.swagmanbikeracks.com/shopnew/product.php?productid=16151&cat=253&page=1

My Xport from Performance is similar. The upper frame hook on mine will work it's way up a bit if I run into a rough section of road where the bike is bouncing up and down back there. Even with the wheels tied into the hoops, I still hook two bungee cords around the hook to keep it from moving up. Maybe it moved up just enough for your bike to come out.

That is the rack that I have.

Ouch, a mystery, a loss, a bummer all the way around.

I saw oodles of cars with bikes on them, and if it fell off on the route, there's a good chance one of those vehicles stopped to pick it up. Get in touch with the HH100 folks, and maybe contact sheriff's dept/ city police/ highway patrol along the way. If an honest person found it, how would they get in touch with you?

Even if the bike was toast, I'd say there's a good chance that some of the components would be salvageable.

I have called the Wichita Falls Police Dept. They said I need to call the Property Room on Monday.

I called and left a voice mail message for the only contact phone number available for the HHH 100. I also sent an email. I have not heard back from them.

I called my homeowners insurance. They indicate that the general deductible is $3000. When I look in my policy it says $1000. I will talk to the claims adjuster in the morning.

I went to the bike shop where I bought the Roubaix. The bikes are on sale. I am trying to decide if I should upgrade to the Roubaix Expert. If I do there is another decision as to whether I buy the 2011 or the 2010. The 2011 has a 10r frame and the 2010 has a 9r frame. I like the Roval wheels on the 2010 better than the fulcrum Racing 4 on the 2011.

I suspect the Rovals are as good or better than the Mavic Kysrium Elites that I had.

I had put a 11-28 cassette on my 2009 compact. I liked it better than the original 12-27. I see the Roubaix Expert has an 11-28 cassette. It also has Shimano Ultegra Flight Deck vs Shimano 105 on the Roubaix.

With my carbon bar, Kysrium elites and titanium Speedplays my Roubaix was 20 lb. The expert had heavy pedals with toe clips. It felt heavier than my 2009 Roubaix. I wish Specialized would post frame weights for each size and model.

I guess this debunks the theory that racks that secure bikes by the wheels are always better than those that secure the top tube. Note to self: do not buy a swagman.

Sorry for your loss.

I guess this debunks the theory that racks that secure bikes by the wheels are always better than those that secure the top tube. Note to self: do not buy a swagman.

Sorry for your loss.

Overall I have been happy with the Swagman. In the future I will add measures to supplement the means of securing the bike. I still prefer it to a rack that hangs the bike.

Congratulations on your century. I hope you find your bike.
I have gotten into the habit of always locking my bikes on my rack if I am going farther than the seven miles to the local trail. I have a heavy plastic coated cable that I thread through the seat rails and then the bottle cage so it doesn't touch the bike anywhere.
I put it on mainly in case I stop and go into a store, but it also would keep the bike from falling off of the rack.

Hey Greg,you might want to try on a few different bikes for size. I know you've seen my Look, but the Cervelo RS had a pretty nice ride. They do cost more money though. Just a suggestion.

I appreciate the suggestions for getting a new bike. I think your Look is fantastic.

The 58 cm Roubaix fit me so well and has been so comfortable. I suspect getting the Roubaix Expert will give me some additional bottom bracket stiffness and improved power transfer that you have in your Look.

I will try to test ride both the Look and the Cervelo.

I didn't want to ride today because I think it is a good idea to recover.

I can still ride my Hybrid until I get another road bike. Although I dislike the hybrid it is better than not riding.

While driving to work one morning, I found an $1,000 Zipp wheel beside the road. The Cabon rim was trashed, but the hub was is good condition. I tried but couldn't locate the owner. I still wonder how that happened.

If my bike was found they could probably locate me. My bike had a HHH 100 tag on the front with number 2240. If they could communicate with the organizers they should be able to obtain my contact information. I have been unable to obtain a response from an email or a voice message from the phonenumber or email address posted on their web site.

Geroge,

I just went to the Cervelo dealer. They said that Cervelo frames are more aggressive and I would be happier with a Giant. The giant comparable to what I had was more expensive than the Roubaix with no real advantages. I will ride both the Giant and the Cervelo this evening when I have some bike shorts. They were pushing the Defy but I saw a TCR Advanced 2 with Mavic Ksyrium wheels that looked good. They steered me away from that bike as well because it was a more aggressive geometry.

Geroge,

... They were pushing the Defy ...

Because it's the closest to the Roubaix in the Giant line. You should just ride a whole bunch of bikes and decide. And I mean properly; bring shoes/pedals, set it up right, and tell 'em you're going to be gone for a few hours.

Has Floyd Landis found your bike, yet?

I only need to bring my MTB shoes with spd cleats. They said they had demo spd pedals. I offered to bring my spd pedals.

Also they can't get the upper range Defys. The 2010's are sold out. They said the 2011's won't be here until December or January.

Hmm, that's a shame the 2010s are sold out; if you could find one in your size, you could probably work yourself a good deal to equalize the pricing since we're getting to the end of the season. Keep looking though, 'lots of bikes out there, and changes from year to year are more cosmetic than functional.

Thanks for the suggestions t4mv! I looked at the geometry for the Defy and the TCR Advanced 1 and the dimensions are fairly close.

Wow.. well happy birthday and congrats on the ride... but sorry for your loss.

Keep looking, contact the HHH organization, call the newspaper... the people of WF are good folks, somebody could turn it in.

Also - post a "lost bike" thread in the Texas forum w pix.

Also, put it on the local Craigslist.

The 2011 Roubaix Expert looks like a very nice bike. The SL3 design frame is supposed to be a step up from last year's model which was very nice itself.

The RS has just about the geometry as the Look 566.

I tried the Cervelo RS. the geometry was wrong for me. I also didn't get used to the SRAM Force double taps. The cervelo had Fulcrum Racing 7 wheels.

I tried the Giant TCR Advanced and it was great. It was light and very responsive. The only thing I didn't like was the wide bar. I really prefer a 40. With SPD pedals it weighed 17.3 lb. I think I prefer the Ultegra 6700 components and the Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels.

I tried the Cervelo RS. the geometry was wrong for me. I also didn't get used to the SRAM Force double taps. The cervelo had Fulcrum Racing 7 wheels.

I tried the Giant TCR Advanced and it was great. It was light and very responsive. The only thing I didn't like was the wide bar. I really prefer a 40. With SPD pedals it weighed 17.3 lb. I think I prefer the Ultegra 6700 components and the Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels.

Did you talk to Ryan? If so, he's a pretty good fitter and I very nice guy to work with. He wasn't there went I tried the Cervelo out, but I did talk to him about it. He said he couldn't come down on the bike. So I rode some others and ended up with the Look. I really don't think you could go wrong with the Giant either. I didn't like the fit, so that was out of the question for me. It takes a little getting use to the Sram components, but once I did, I like them. If I ride my Roubaix for a while and then get back on the Look, I still screw up some of my shifts.
If you want to, you can take the Look some day and ride it all day and see how you like it . You probably wont like it, if you didn't like the Cervelo though, but the offer is there. Good luck.

If you want to, you can take the Look some day and ride it all day and see how you like it . You probably wont like it, if you didn't like the Cervelo though, but the offer is there. Good luck.

Thanks for the offer. You are very kind and generous.

I worked with Manny. The Giant fit fairly close. I felt cramped on the Cervelo with the shorter top tube. The Giant turned quite well even with the longer wheelbase.

I would probably like the SRAM after getting used to them, but wouldn't want to pay more for them than the Ultegras. I have been totally satisfied with the 105's that I had previously.

Although I liked the Giant I will probably not get it because the LBS did not want to deal. The Giant is a 2010 and near the end of the model year.

A competing LBS is giving me a good sale price on a competing brand for a 2010 and even a good discount on a 2011. I see no compelling reason to buy the Giant even though I really liked it.

I am going to ride the 2010 Roubaix Expert tomorrow.

If you really liked the bike, but the bar was too wide, that is an easy fix.
When I put my bike in the wheel hoops, I hook a bungee cord on one side of the hoop, run it through the wheel between the spokes and wrap it around, hooking it on the other side of the hoop. I use the 13" cord. You've got to be careful to keep it between the spokes, not putting pressure on them.

If you really liked the bike, but the bar was too wide, that is an easy fix.

They actually did deal on a replacement bar - not the bike.

Your idea about the bungee cords is great. On the way up to Wichita Falls I secured the bike with a cable lock due to planned stops.

They actually did deal on a replacement bar - not the bike.

I think in the grander scheme of things, if you're buying a big ticket item, everything on the bike should fit you as well as it can before you head out the door with the receipt. That means changing out the hbars, stem, saddle, whatever so it's as dialed in as it can be. Usually with the hardware, shops are happy to swap out at no cost. If you opt for high-zoot replacement stuff (like maybe wheels, tires, etc) then, yeah, you might be out of pocket to cover the diff on those.

I think in the grander scheme of things, if you're buying a big ticket item, everything on the bike should fit you as well as it can before you head out the door with the receipt. That means changing out the hbars, stem, saddle, whatever so it's as dialed in as it can be. Usually with the hardware, shops are happy to swap out at no cost. If you opt for high-zoot replacement stuff (like maybe wheels, tires, etc) then, yeah, you might be out of pocket to cover the diff on those.
That particular LBS was quite fair on giving me a reasonable credit for the alloy bar that they would take off the bike (it would be of little or no value to them for resale). they also offered a good discount on the carbon after-market bar.

The LBS, however, was unwilling to deal on a high end 2010 bike at the end of the model year. That was the deal breaker!

I was fortunate to find their competitor that was willing to make a deal on 2010 models. The competitor that earned my business was even willing to discount a high end 2011.

What a bummer on losing your bike. I almost know the feeling. On a trip home from Tahoe I heard my roof mounted front wheel carrier whistling, like it does without a wheel. Sure enough, it was gone, forever lost on Interstate 5 somewhere... I now bungee it in.

On the Specialized Expert: I have a 2010 and am absolutely in love with it. It leaves me less beat up than any of my other bikes did, and I have to admit that at 57 the slightly more relaxed position means my neck is completely comfortable after a century, or even a double.

What a bummer on losing your bike. I almost know the feeling. On a trip home from Tahoe I heard my roof mounted front wheel carrier whistling, like it does without a wheel. Sure enough, it was gone, forever lost on Interstate 5 somewhere... I now bungee it in.

On the Specialized Expert: I have a 2010 and am absolutely in love with it. It leaves me less beat up than any of my other bikes did, and I have to admit that at 57 the slightly more relaxed position means my neck is completely comfortable after a century, or even a double.

I rode the Expert 15 mi after work yesterday. I was disappointed with it. My 2009 Roubaix Compact that I modded was more comfortable and faster. I think much of the difference is the horrible seat on the Expert and those wide bars along with a lower bar height. The Expert is lighter. The Expert had the same seat as the 2009 Roubaix. I swapped the 143 gel seat for a cheap 130 E3 seat that was half the weight. I can't find one of those to buy. Although the E3 was cheap it was comfortable even on a century.

I rode the Expert 15 mi after work yesterday. I was disappointed with it. My 2009 Roubaix Compact that I modded was more comfortable and faster. I think much of the difference is the horrible seat on the Expert and those wide bars along with a lower bar height. The Expert is lighter. The Expert had the same seat as the 2009 Roubaix. I swapped the 143 gel seat for a cheap 130 E3 seat that was half the weight. I can't find one of those to buy. Although the E3 was cheap it was comfortable even on a century.

Sorry to hear that. I believe you could take it back if your not satisfied with it.

I bet you're going to love it once you get everything dialed in just right.

I rode the Expert 15 mi after work yesterday. I was disappointed with it. My 2009 Roubaix Compact that I modded was more comfortable and faster. I think much of the difference is the horrible seat on the Expert and those wide bars along with a lower bar height. The Expert is lighter. The Expert had the same seat as the 2009 Roubaix. I swapped the 143 gel seat for a cheap 130 E3 seat that was half the weight. I can't find one of those to buy. Although the E3 was cheap it was comfortable even on a century.

Yep, I did not like the seat after 100 yards. My LBS gave me credit toward a Toupe. I also had them swap the 44 bars for 42. So when I said I love the bike, I really do, but after those changes, which seem minor.

Sorry to hear that. I believe you could take it back if your not satisfied with it.

I was thinking about the new bike today while riding. Your last bike had you pretty upright and the new one looks more aggressive. I think after you get it dialed in and get use to the different position, your going to like it better. I read where some riders take years playing with adjustments with there bike. Sounds like me, but I know as we change and get stronger you'll have to make adjustments, as we go. Good luck and hang in there, you'll get it the way you want it, I'm sure.

I am sure that I will feel much better with a narrower seat. I wasn't planning playing with the stem until my new bars arrive. I think I will get it dialed in when the new bars arrive.

The LBS will swap stems. I might be fine with a little longer stem than I had last time after raising the bars a little bit.

The other issue is the LBS pumped the tires up to 120. I didn't deflate them to my normal 100 psi. I am not heavy enough to require that much air in the tires.

If you think it's a fit issue after all is said and done, call John at the Katy store. He's the guy that started there fit studio downtown.

Remind me to never buy a Swagman

I put my bike on the Swagman Rack and latched it. I am sure I latched it because I remember taking the Garmin Forerunner off it after it was on the Swagman..

My question , after looking at a youtube video on the Swagman Rack, is are you 100% sure you latched it? It looks like the latch system ratchets on and you have to release a lever to undo the latch to get the bike off. My question to you is where was that latch when you noticed the bike missing? Was it up/ down, where?
If it was up then maybe you didn't latch it and only thought you did. It happens.

If you are 100% sure you did and nobody took it off then I would think the rack/latch defective and never use it again unless I were to put a lock on the latch like they say you could.

Maybe your attention was on taking the Garmin off and you just forgot to latch it?

Whatever, I am sorry for the lose of your bike, a real bummer.

I have been following this thread because a long time ago I used to race Moto-x and one race I had the bikes on the trailer and got everything ready to roll. When I got to the race about two hours away I went to take trailer off and noticed I never latched the trailer to the ball. I did have the safety chains on though, I was lucky to be sure. If I had lost the trailer/bikes and somebody asked me if I latched it I would have sworn I did. Sometimes our attention is diverted for a second and we think we did something and don't. Just an opinion.

The hook was still on the post. I surmise what happened is I used the short hook. My 58 Roubaix is a large bike. I should have used the long hook. I had both hooks because I hauled 2 bikes up and was only hauling my Roubaix back. The other bike was smaller; so, I used the smaller hook for it. I bet I didn't get the small hook to ratchet into the post on the Swagman.

I figured that out when I transported the new bike. I noticed the small hook would not got down far enough to ratchet on the Swagman post.

I never considered not using the Swagman after the lost bike, but I will use additional means to secure the new bike.