Alright, basically I went to a shop located in a decent sized strip mall. I locked up my bike with a padlock and stell cable not a very thick cable but thick enough that you would need bolt cutters to get through them. I go inside look around, after 5 minues I look over and my bike is still there. 3-4 minutes later, I look again and it's gone. The lock has been cut and the bike is nowhere to be seen. No one saw anything and there are no cameras anywhere on the premesis recording the bike racks. Oddly, I see a very beat up bicycle abandoned face down on the road path about 20 feet away. I have this gut feeling that it belonged to the person who stole my bicycle. This bike has no identifying marks or registration for that matter. I put this bicycle back onto the rack where mine was stolen and waited a couple hours to see if this same guy by chance would come by to pick it up, nothing happens.

I've called the police to make a report, checked Craigslist as soon as I came back, and just finished calling some local pawn shops (most say they don't buy bicycles because they can't verify it being stolen or not), so far no luck. Can someone give me a suggestion as to where someone might try to flip this bicycle?? I'm about to try local bike shops but the ones I know of don't buy used bicycles.

Probably not what you want to hear, but move on. Think about getting your replacement bike. Chalk this one up to experience, and get a better lock/chain next time or leave it in a safer place.

If you get the bike back, great, but in all likelihood, it's gone forever. I've had bikes, lights and parts stolen and vandalized, and it can be upsetting to know someone made off with your precious possessions, but there's not much you can really do about it.

If they ditched their bike to take yours there's a good chance they're not going to flip it, just ride it until they get a flat or something breaks, and steal a new one.

But, call your local bike shops anyway. If the perp. hasn't stolen bikes before he may not know what shops will, and won't buy used bikes. Make some fliers, give them to your LBS, and hang them around town. I'd post an ad on Craigslist as well.

Good luck.

Also check ebay and craigslist for your bike regularly!

Also, if they were riding by possibly they are local to the area. Might be worth it to drive around the area at different times of the day to see if you can spot your bike. If you see it then video/photo it and call the cops, if you're in an area where the cops will repond to stuff like this. Not worth dieing over though.

edit: based on your previous posts it looks like you might be in the Los Angeles region where two miles can seem like a different country. With that in mind, cut your losses, check your homeowner's or renter's insurance if you have that to see if there is any coverage and find a new bike. And as noted above, get a better lock and learn the procedures to secure a bike. No bike can be made theft proof, but you can sure slow them down a bit or cause them to find easier targets.

Sorry for your loss.

I just wanted to say I prefer 6 foot cable locks that you have to lock with a key, not click like a padlock. I noticed I had a tendency to forget to click the padlocks. I also prefer 12mm cables. Anyway, mine is a Kryptonite and I've had lots of luck because I haven't had a bike stolen in a while (some in the past though).

Sorry to hear about your bike. At this stage there is nothing you can do except continue to check craigslist and hope you 'get lucky'. If there are some identifying marks on your bike, you should make note of that for police, but the chances are small (see movie, The Bicycle Thief).

When riding Frankenbikefenderbeast I use a fat Brinks 6 ft. cable secured with a Kryptonite U lock which I store at work and can also keep an eye on my bike from where I usually work.
When I ride my road bike it sits right next to me while I work so if anyone gets within a foot of it I can bark at them.

When out an about lugging enough lock to deter most thief's is a real pain.
I suspect there is an extra warm corner of hell for bike thieves.

A good start. https://aebike.com/product/kryptonite...k4212-qc30.htm Lock your frame and rear wheel to something super-strong with that, and use your cable to lasoo your front wheel to the U-lock.

Regarding the bike, if you don't have the serial number documented, you really can't prove your claim of ownership. Find another bike and make sure no one gets an easy pass to steal it.

Get a new bike, that's all I can say.
No identifying features or you not having the serial number (it's printed on most bikes on the seattube or the underside of the downtube bottom bracket area) means you can't prove your ownership to the police (unless you kept the original receipt, or it was a recent purchase where bike shops can confirm that it's you that bought it.

Check your local ads, get a couple friends to scour it too. Use keyterms like your brand and colour. They might take accessories off and may take parts out to sell it as a "different" bike from the bike you remember, but they won't go as far as repaint it (lowers cost in a lot of cases) There's a 90% chance it won't show up, but if it does, call ASAP and ask to meet up ASAP. Bring a couple friends and a couple bats.
Also be on the lookout for cheap bikes. Often bike thieves will try to make a quick sale and not hassle with anyone.

They may part it out if it's an expensive bike. If your bike was under $300, though, just forget it.
Most cable locks are rubbish. My apartment recently cleaned out some old bikes that past tenants left behind, and I helped my manager cut some of the locks off. Cable locks take literally 3 seconds with a 16 inch bolt cutter. Padlocks are the same deal. Cable locks should be only used to secure bikes if you can keep it within your view at all times (it just basically prevents opportunist thieves from just riding it away) or for securing wheels. A solid U-lock like Kryptonite is tough to crack. Can be done with 36 inch bolt cutters after much work, but anyone with 36 inch bolt cutters trying to open a lock will be noticed.

Some models of Krptonite also offer theft gurantee - they're so confident their locks won't be cut that they will replace any bike up to $2000. Lock costs $70, so if you have a bike that costs $150, it's not worth it, but if you got a $600 bike (like me), please do.

Sorry for your loss.

Kryptonite theft guarantee is an option, as OP lives in US where the guarantee / warranty is valid. But from what I've read in BF, it seems you will have to go through a lot of red tape to claim replacement. AFAIK, you will have to be able to produce the broken lock for inspection, for example. If the thief takes that too, you're SOL. At the very least, read the fine print carefully - if you can find it. Terms and conditions are nowhere in Kryptonite home page to be seen.

There's a good chance your home or renter's insurance provides better coverage with less hassle.

Padlocks are easily picked using a paper clip, most steel cables can be cut with a small lineman pliers. Lots of YouTube videos on how to defeat bike locks. A ulock and thick cable, cheaper looking bike and public parking locations are the only reasonable option.

This sucks! I had my bike stolen almost a year ago from my transit station, and I was religious about checking CL for the first couple of weeks. However, it was almost a month before it was posted. I don't know if it was a really patient thief or if they just know that you'll get bored, frustrated or move on, but you might want to give it more time before giving up.

That said, the other reply about starting to plan your replacement is probably good advice; even if it does show up, recovery is far from assured. The 'detective' in my case, although not blatantly unhelpful, wasn't exactly jumping up and down to 'solve' the crime; he claims he responded to the add through a dummy, but whatever, he never got contact back from the seller (and the ad was gone the next day). He also didn't try to get a subpoena for the CL listing information (if that's even worth bothering with), so yeah, not too helpful.

I had made a report, including serial number and detailed description. When I found the listing on CL, I should have just responded to the advert myself, and gone for the meeting with some 'self help' prepared, but I trusted the system, and someone else is now enjoying my bike.

Oh, and whether you recover yours or get a new bike, get a good lock.

Sounds like the best idea is to respond to the add yourself, and after you've confirmed it's your bike, whip out the cell phone and call 911.

OP, I hope you get your bike back.

Baseball bats do work in such situations. If you can find the thief.

Ok, good advice, knowing myself I will definitely be checking CL ads for awhile in case this is a patient thief. Just the thought of it really irks me. If I do find the bike and hearing the experience with the police. I’ll probably just meet up with the guy, take it for a test ride once confirming it’s mine and ride off.

i have a giant combination cable lock and an abus d lock its gold secured rated should i buy a third lock at all, like one of these kryptonite ones, if so which one?

Well I have a story to tell about locks!

I am living car free, because I can and I want to.

While I was shopping at whole foods, I misplaced my keys! DRAT!
My bike was locked up with a forgetaboutit U-lock, and a Kryptonight chain and another forgetaboutit lock.

No problem, I call my friend who has an extra set of keys to my store, I own a pawn shop.
He comes and gets me, we go to my store, get a ac/dc converter, and a small plamsa cutter.

Back to the Whole foods. Hook up converter to car, plug in cutter cut chain and lock in less than 5 seconds.
No kidding it took 5 seconds to cut both lock and chain!

If a thief wants your bike, he will have it!

BTW: Not 1 person said one thing to me while this was going on!

The only problem with the Baseball-bat theory, is that they made many bikes the exact same make and color as the OP's.

I can just see it right now...."But it looked like my bike, Sir! .....I'm so sorry, Dr. Pooperstein...If you can hear my voice, please ...just wiggle your fingers now!"

Just Say'N!

- Slim

Say... What kind of bike did they steal from you anyways?

I'd be very careful about provoking an altercation with someone based solely on the evidence that they own a bike, and your gut tells you that means they are a thief. That could turn out badly.

They stole my 2009 Specialized crosstrail that I bought 1 week ago for $240. More than anything, I'm pissed that I won't be able to find that great of a deal! On the bright side, the original owner was able to provide me with a serial number.

It looks exactly like this: https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...009&spid=38464

Only it has an aftermarket rear kickstand and grips. The serial numbers start with WUD8084**** It was stolen in Northridge, CA so keep an eye out if by some miracle some person reads this lives in that area.

I swear knowing myself I will be checking Craigslist for months. I'm going to be calling local bike and pawn shops that accept bikes and I'm going to local flea markets to find it. I swear if I find this person I will make sure he is punished.

Keep in mind that if you found a person with your bike, it does NOT mean they're the same person who stole it. They might've bought it from someone for $240. See what I'm getting at?

Hey there DragonWalker!

Sorry for your loss...I do know the feeling X 3!

I live in California too! I will also be checking Craigslist for you!

Remember, NOT to take the law in your own hands. If you spot your bike, call the police immediately and give the description and direction of the rider. If you're close enough, take a cell phone picture. Do NOT confront the person yourself!!!

Thanks for the info...I'll be on the look-out!

Sincerely,

- Slim

This ^^^

Any cable is worthless as a primary lock as they are so easily and quickly cut... you might as well write "please steal me" on your bicycle if you opt to not use a quality shackle.