The pain of bike theft, the thrill of bike shopping
10-19-11, 04:35 PM
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Older I get, faster I was
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The pain of bike theft, the thrill of bike shopping
Yup, some scum bag/s knowing just what they were after entered my fenced back yard at night, entered my detached garage (I know! I did not lock the side door that faces my living room French doors!) and took my Specialized Roubaix that had nice upgrades like Rolf wheels and also took my Specialized Allez also well set up nice with Ultegra and Mavic, etc.
My garage is small and very well organized so within sight and easy reach was about every mechanics tool for motorcycles, such wrenches, veneer calipers, micrometers, a number of torque wrenches along with a good variety of power hand tools, like chop saws, Bosh Jig saws, Mikita cordless tools, and Dremels. The crazy part, they opened ever drawer of my well stocked roll away and mechanics tool chest and only emptied one drawer…..The drawer full of bicycle tools. It was without question the drawer with the lowest tech, cheapest tools in the garage. They only took my two good bikes, left the other bikes, and took my bike tools and did not take any other tools; Creepy, they knew what I had and what they wanted.
Anyway, I digress, after my blood pressure dropped, I went bike shopping. My criteria, I wanted one light road bike to train on, use on weekends and commute on for my 12 mile daily climb up into the Santa Cruz Mountains to work.
For a second bike I wanted it to be a back up commuter, so not too much of a slug for that long climb daily. It also had to be capable of getting groceries, and most importantly, it had to be capable of taking me up into the Santa Cruz Mountains onto the spectacular mountain bike roads and single tracks that start a couple of miles from my door.
There are a lot of bikes out there to pick from when insurance hands you a big check. I looked used and new and every marquee and found that in reality many bikes would fit the bill, but I settled on these two.
Cervelo RS
Why: stiff bottom bracket, light weight at just over 17lbs, comfy seat stays, relaxed ergos and Sram double tap groupo. The three hour test ride was wonderful. I bought it from my LBS, they treat me good!
Upgrades: Ultegra crank, Roman saddle, 28t cassette, Fulcrum 4 wheel set
Salsa Vaya
Why: I liked the idea of steel, disc brakes, capable of limited off road, Sram double tap groupo, set up for racks and fenders and good looks.
It is the first bike I ever purchased having never seen one in person. I bought it new over the internet from a dealer for a great price. It arrived on time packed perfectly, completely assembled.
Upgrades: Roman saddle, Thompson setback seat post, BB7 rear brake (front BB7 next), Ritchey 32mm Speedmax cross tires, Tubus Fly rack, Tangle frame pack, King Stainless steel bottle cages, Ortlieb panniers, cut 1 inch off each end of the BellLap bars.
After three months and about 1500 miles between the two bikes I must say I’m very pleased. One reaction from me I did not expect, being a roadie for ages and an ex mediocre Cat 4 crit/road racer..... I found I get more excited about heading out on the Vaya than the Cervelo….I did not expect that.
My garage is small and very well organized so within sight and easy reach was about every mechanics tool for motorcycles, such wrenches, veneer calipers, micrometers, a number of torque wrenches along with a good variety of power hand tools, like chop saws, Bosh Jig saws, Mikita cordless tools, and Dremels. The crazy part, they opened ever drawer of my well stocked roll away and mechanics tool chest and only emptied one drawer…..The drawer full of bicycle tools. It was without question the drawer with the lowest tech, cheapest tools in the garage. They only took my two good bikes, left the other bikes, and took my bike tools and did not take any other tools; Creepy, they knew what I had and what they wanted.
Anyway, I digress, after my blood pressure dropped, I went bike shopping. My criteria, I wanted one light road bike to train on, use on weekends and commute on for my 12 mile daily climb up into the Santa Cruz Mountains to work.
For a second bike I wanted it to be a back up commuter, so not too much of a slug for that long climb daily. It also had to be capable of getting groceries, and most importantly, it had to be capable of taking me up into the Santa Cruz Mountains onto the spectacular mountain bike roads and single tracks that start a couple of miles from my door.
There are a lot of bikes out there to pick from when insurance hands you a big check. I looked used and new and every marquee and found that in reality many bikes would fit the bill, but I settled on these two.
Cervelo RS
Why: stiff bottom bracket, light weight at just over 17lbs, comfy seat stays, relaxed ergos and Sram double tap groupo. The three hour test ride was wonderful. I bought it from my LBS, they treat me good!
Upgrades: Ultegra crank, Roman saddle, 28t cassette, Fulcrum 4 wheel set
Salsa Vaya
Why: I liked the idea of steel, disc brakes, capable of limited off road, Sram double tap groupo, set up for racks and fenders and good looks.
It is the first bike I ever purchased having never seen one in person. I bought it new over the internet from a dealer for a great price. It arrived on time packed perfectly, completely assembled.
Upgrades: Roman saddle, Thompson setback seat post, BB7 rear brake (front BB7 next), Ritchey 32mm Speedmax cross tires, Tubus Fly rack, Tangle frame pack, King Stainless steel bottle cages, Ortlieb panniers, cut 1 inch off each end of the BellLap bars.
After three months and about 1500 miles between the two bikes I must say I’m very pleased. One reaction from me I did not expect, being a roadie for ages and an ex mediocre Cat 4 crit/road racer..... I found I get more excited about heading out on the Vaya than the Cervelo….I did not expect that.
Last edited by con; 10-20-11 at 06:33 AM.
10-19-11, 04:49 PM
#2
Never fear the hills...
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Awesome story and nice bikes... now strip off that pack, bottle cages, and rear rack and give cyclocross a try. Being an ex crit/road racer you'll love it!
10-19-11, 04:51 PM
#3
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I covet your Vaya. A cross bike is the n+1 that goes into the stable next. Do you keep your Uzi in that top tube bag?
I had my MTB stolen out of my garage almost 6 years ago...it caused me to switch to road and I finally replaced the MTB about 2 years ago. I still get mad remembering that day I discovered the MTB was gone.
I had my MTB stolen out of my garage almost 6 years ago...it caused me to switch to road and I finally replaced the MTB about 2 years ago. I still get mad remembering that day I discovered the MTB was gone.
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2014 Specialized Roubaix2003 Interloc Impala2007 ParkPre Image C6 (RIP)
2014 Specialized Roubaix2003 Interloc Impala2007 ParkPre Image C6 (RIP)
10-19-11, 04:58 PM
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Older I get, faster I was
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My racing days were 30 years ago. I no longer bounce when I fall, I just hit with a thud like a sack of cement and think..."i'm dead"
Now, age group crits, I can't let go of that fantasy
10-19-11, 05:06 PM
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Older I get, faster I was
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Post script
Lesson learned
The garage is now always locked with high dollar 6 pin bump resistive long throw dead bolt and steel plate reinforced studs where the bolt enters. I expect the thieves back…….
I also implemented my bicycle version of the President Vice President travel rules, my two good bikes stay in separate locations at all times. The Vaya lives in the garage and the Cervelo hangs out in the house with me and the wife....Oh ya, and the dog, who was in the house upstairs sleeping when the bikes were taken....Bad doggie
The garage is now always locked with high dollar 6 pin bump resistive long throw dead bolt and steel plate reinforced studs where the bolt enters. I expect the thieves back…….
I also implemented my bicycle version of the President Vice President travel rules, my two good bikes stay in separate locations at all times. The Vaya lives in the garage and the Cervelo hangs out in the house with me and the wife....Oh ya, and the dog, who was in the house upstairs sleeping when the bikes were taken....Bad doggie
10-19-11, 05:17 PM
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I can't imagine how I feel if my bike was stolen, specially out of my garage. argggggh Makes me want to take my bike to the basement every day.
10-19-11, 05:41 PM
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I've never been hurt in a cross race, and I fall like... constantly.
10-19-11, 06:00 PM
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Originally Posted by con;13387919
[QUOTE
[QUOTE
....Oh ya, and the dog, who was in the house upstairs sleeping when the bikes
were taken....Bad doggie
were taken....Bad doggie
- Slim
10-19-11, 06:04 PM
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10-19-11, 06:19 PM
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Lesson learned
The garage is now always locked with high dollar 6 pin bump resistive long throw dead bolt and steel plate reinforced studs where the bolt enters. I expect the thieves back…….
I also implemented my bicycle version of the President Vice President travel rules, my two good bikes stay in separate locations at all times. The Vaya lives in the garage and the Cervelo hangs out in the house with me and the wife....Oh ya, and the dog, who was in the house upstairs sleeping when the bikes were taken....Bad doggie
The garage is now always locked with high dollar 6 pin bump resistive long throw dead bolt and steel plate reinforced studs where the bolt enters. I expect the thieves back…….
I also implemented my bicycle version of the President Vice President travel rules, my two good bikes stay in separate locations at all times. The Vaya lives in the garage and the Cervelo hangs out in the house with me and the wife....Oh ya, and the dog, who was in the house upstairs sleeping when the bikes were taken....Bad doggie
unfortunate circumstance leading up to ... but this photo is hilarious! good doggie now.
10-19-11, 06:20 PM
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Bad memories come flooding back. My first stolen bike was my beloved Falcon (Reynolds 531, all-campag), nicked from the farthest-back basement storage area under the front quad of Balliol College (England) around 1970. It was locked to the cycle rack of course but with a feeble chain, bits of which were left around the place to add insult to injury. I kid you not, the b*s*a*d must have walked past a good 50 bikes in the 2 or 3 rooms nearer the only entrance to get to my bike, and then out again the same way and through the front gate to freedom! A professional job by a townie most likely. Replaced it with a Dawes but part of me died that day ..... <sigh>
You made the best possible recovery.
You made the best possible recovery.
Last edited by ChasH; 10-19-11 at 06:31 PM.
10-19-11, 06:31 PM
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Did you get the dog intentionally to match the flooring, or was it happy coincidence? Hardwood camouflage.
10-19-11, 06:52 PM
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Tough story to read but after all the trouble, it sure sounds like it has ended on a positive note.
The last pic sums it up.... life is good again.
The last pic sums it up.... life is good again.
10-19-11, 07:12 PM
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10-19-11, 08:06 PM
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It's ridiculous to think about how "ballsy" bike swindlers are.... I'm waiting for the moment when one of them tries to trespass on someones property and comes head to head with a dog about to tear their head off (obviously NOT the one above, ) OR worse the bike owner. Although It's never happened to me (Cross your fingers, knock on wood...) it has to be one of the worst violations EVER. -- Plus, some of the bikes that get lifted are the ones that have inevitably become irreplaceable. Sure some bikes can be "replaced" but it won't ever be the same bike you build a lifetime of memories on...won races on...build from scratch...toured the world with...or the classic that you have ridden for years....those are the bikes that will live on, but NEVER EVER be replaced! Congrats on your "new" ones... may they bring you as many AMAZING memories as the last two did!
) OR worse the bike owner. Although It's never happened to me (Cross your fingers, knock on wood...) it has to be one of the worst violations EVER. -- Plus, some of the bikes that get lifted are the ones that have inevitably become irreplaceable. Sure some bikes can be "replaced" but it won't ever be the same bike you build a lifetime of memories on...won races on...build from scratch...toured the world with...or the classic that you have ridden for years....those are the bikes that will live on, but NEVER EVER be replaced! Congrats on your "new" ones... may they bring you as many AMAZING memories as the last two did!
10-19-11, 08:14 PM
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Just For Your FYI, saying "Local LBS" is like saying "ATM Machine".... ;D
Which shop in SC? I used to live there. Shopped at Spokesman and Another Bike Shop and Bike Shop Santa Cruz.
Which shop in SC? I used to live there. Shopped at Spokesman and Another Bike Shop and Bike Shop Santa Cruz.
10-19-11, 08:15 PM
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It's ridiculous to think about how "ballsy" bike swindlers are.... I'm waiting for the moment when one of them tries to trespass on someones property and comes head to head with a dog about to tear their head off (obviously NOT the one above, ) OR worse the bike owner. Although It's never happened to me (Cross your fingers, knock on wood...) it has to be one of the worst violations EVER. -- Plus, some of the bikes that get lifted are the ones that have inevitably become irreplaceable. Sure some bikes can be "replaced" but it won't ever be the same bike you build a lifetime of memories on...won races on...build from scratch...toured the world with...or the classic that you have ridden for years....those are the bikes that will live on, but NEVER EVER be replaced! Congrats on your "new" ones... may they bring you as many AMAZING memories as the last two did!
) OR worse the bike owner. Although It's never happened to me (Cross your fingers, knock on wood...) it has to be one of the worst violations EVER. -- Plus, some of the bikes that get lifted are the ones that have inevitably become irreplaceable. Sure some bikes can be "replaced" but it won't ever be the same bike you build a lifetime of memories on...won races on...build from scratch...toured the world with...or the classic that you have ridden for years....those are the bikes that will live on, but NEVER EVER be replaced! Congrats on your "new" ones... may they bring you as many AMAZING memories as the last two did!
10-19-11, 08:31 PM
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Both...That's brutal...either way! It's a lose-lose & a smack in the face. : (
10-19-11, 08:52 PM
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Thieves took our oldest two girls bikes from a locked detached garage 12 years ago. Thankfully they didn't know much about anything valuable, apparently, but i'm still pissed. Thanks for the pics, and glad the replacements are working well for you. Love the Vaya!
