Sydwaiz

Well, I had a crappy weekend. I live in a townhome complex that is gated and this weekend, someone stole my new Trek 2200 from my garage. What really sucks is that I haven't even ridden it yet since I didn't have shoes until Saturday. I noticed my bike was gone on Sunday when I went to pull it down. I'm partly mad at myself because we leave the garage open frequently and so do many of my neighbors as it is a pretty close knit community. I have a feeling we were cased as my wife walks the dog every morning while it is still dark and goes in and out of the garage leaving it open. Any other time the garage is open is during the day and we have a car in front of it. The thief came in, lifted the bike off the ceiling hooks and took off with it probably Friday morning as I looked at it the night before. A police report has been filed and my wife called 9 pawnshops today. Most pawnshops in the area wont even take bikes for this very reason and the one that did call the police with a description first. Credit card and homeowners insurance will cover some of the costs, hopefully.

Well, there's my rant. Thanks for reading this far, now I need help on choosing another bike. I've always been a fan of Trek but I'm open to suggestions. I was lucky in my first purchase in that the bike was my size, 52cm, and since the LBS was clearing out the '04 models I got it for $1300. It had Ultrega shifters, derailuers, and crankset and the brakes were 105. Most come with a 105 front derailuer but not mine for some reason. I'm looking for something comparably equipped. No since in going backwards, right. I have a feeling though that I will end up paying more. The most important thing to me is that the frame be made in the good old U.S. of A. Coming from a family that has it's own manufacturing business, this is something I value. Any suggestions? All are appreciated.

Thanks,
Mark

rule

Bummer big guy. My heart goes out to you. Just remember, if they came in once, the same guy(s) may well be watching to see when you get a replacement.

Around where I live, with gas prices being so high, there is a brisk black market for bikes. I know a frikkin ton of guys who have had theirs ripped off - from their home, at work, at school, and out on the road. I am paranoid about mine. I never leave my garage door raised anymore, not even when I am working around the yard. High-end bikes are too inviting a target. When I ride, I leave out the side door of my garage, yes that's a pain, and lock up as I go. Never forget too that locking your bike up, even when it's in your garage, is always an option as well.

Let your LBS know why you are coming back in so quickly to buy another bike. I wouldn't be at all surprised if they cut you a deal under the circumstances.

55/Rad

This sucks and I'm sorry for you.

My road bike was stolen out of the garage of a townhouse community. It was 13 years before I got another. Now, all the bikes stay indoors. Good luck.

53-11/Rad

fore0121

Same here, the bike is always indoors now.

No worse feeling than "hey, where's my bike?" and retracing your steps to figure out if it was really stolen.

Sorry for the loss.

f

glevii

Check your local bike shops. Tell them the exact bike you had, and see if it shows up there. Look at pawn shops and definitely, above all else, check e-bay. You can track down who's selling the bike by their shipping information. If it's near you, then that may be it. Don't give up, I've had bikes stolen and found again, along with a nice stint with the police for the thieves.

-CM-

I had a bike stolen from my garage once, too. The garage was locked, and the bike was locked to the rafters - didn't matter. Garages are bad places to keep bikes. I think most bikes are stolen from garages. Part of the reason is that some thieves are much more inclined to break into a garage than someone's actual house.

All my bikes go in the house, now. I have a little 9x9 room right inside the back door. A couple of PoleCat stands and one from Supergo hold the bikes off the floor. It's a litle cramped, but I have enough room in the center to set up my workstand.


As for what you should replace it with, it's too bad you won't be able to duplicate the closeout deal you got. But you may want to go back to the same LBS and see what they can do on the current model of what you had. Now that you're a repeat customer, he might be able to help you out.

robncindi

Sorry to hear that! I had a Fuji road bike stolen in 1987, just got a new one last month and it's a Trek 2200. I think you should get the same thing, I love the 2200. It's a sweet ride.

Good Luck!!

Rob
www.pbase.com/robncindi/cycling

my58vw

I always store my bikes in the house also in one of the raise stands that keep the biks off the ground. I have over 4500 in 2 bikes and I do not want them stolen. I always double lock the bike to bike racks also so they can not get them (Or at least it makes it harder).

wfin2004

Sorry to hear that man.

catatonic

Ouch, thet sucks man, hope you find the pricks and get your bike back.

I have a locked room in the basement (also locked, and has a very heavy steel door) of the apartment building i stay at. Pretty much the only way any thief will get anyhting out of there is if one of the other folks who are renting a storage area in there leaves the basement door open...and then it will still take a good while to get anyhting out.

As far as my trek 1100....if the thieves are willing to take out the 4-sided chain I lock it with outside, they can have it....I'll be irritated, but hey if they are willing to use a tool that's worth more than the bike to get it, more power to them.

H23

This probably won't help where you live, but in Baltimore those that have been robbed can often take a visit to local pawn shops and find their stuff.

Theives unload their takings as quickly as possible, and usually are hooked up with someone that can get the goods to pawn shop or flea market for quick resale.

Some neighbors of mine recovered their stuff that way.

Your trek will probably be sold for less than a new dual suspension Next.

Adgooroo

I can't resist suggesting the Tommaso AS2 sold online by Getawaybikes.com. Beautifully made Easton aluminum frame, Ultegra running gear (incl. the shifters), carbon fiber seat post, front fork, stem and handle bars; less than $1000 online. The retailer will put your bike together, true it, adjust it and road test it for another $50 before they box it and ship it to you.

twahl

Ad Guru? Is that for Advertising Guru? 'Cause it sure seems like you are advertising for Getawaybike.com. I've found on quick look no less than half a dozen different threads where you couldn't resist, and that's just in the last week. Please, resist.

wfin2004

Nice work. You must be Bond, James Bond.

twahl

Not particularly clever, but when you read the same advice in several threads, almost word for word, it starts to stick...must be all those marketing tricks in action.

Phatman

yea, I was thinking that something was up when I saw that advice for the third time...BUSTED!

Hitchy

G'day,

sorry to hear about your ride, at least the insurance should cover it, so you can get a better one. All my bikes 'live' indoors. For the latest 'addition' to the family, the insurance company insist that its chained to a U-bolt set into the concrete floor...otherwise they won't cover it...oh & they charge me $12 a monthon top of the normal policy for the priviledge!.......actually I'm hanging to for it to get pinched....the '05 model is out now & the fork is 100gms lighter than my '04....hmmmm.....anyone know the number for 'burglars R Us'**********

Hitchy

DXchulo

I questioned this "ad guru" about his crap and he sent me an e-mail promoting the bikes even more. Pretty lame.

wfin2004

Yes, I also looked and there sure are a lot of the same posts that look the same but there are also some legit posts where there are no mention of any websites.

mpmont

A few months ago, I walked out into my garage and a stranger was taking my bike of the bike rack.... he said something like "I thought this was a garage sale......" anyway, he took a few steps towards me and I pretty much beat the hell out of him...

It was pretty cool.