Sorry to hear about stolen bikes here on CL. Unfortunately it's a fact of life.
I ask people to post details of their bicycle theft whenever posting online.
How was it stolen?
Was it locked?
Where was it stolen from?
If so, what type of lock was used?
Please provide as many details as possible. Your posts will be instructive for other bike owners and help them prevent their bikes from being stolen. We all hate bike thieves, right?
Also, please do not buy that "really good deal!" Or if you do, please ask for original receipts. If the seller has 'em, bike sale is most certainly legit. At LEAST check bike registries for the serial number. No serial number or filed off/modified? Then it's stolen. Any bike with a missing or altered S/N is "illegal" and will be confiscated by the police.
Here's my advice:
Report your stolen bike to PD, then on bicycle registry websites like
www.bikeindex.org
https://project529.com/garage
Today, what WILL stop a thief is using EFFECTIVE security strategies. These include: .
1) Using today's crop of grinder-resistant locks. $$$$ but so worth it.
2) Effectively locking your bicycle properly.
3) Not locking overnight outside.
4) Locking your bicycle ALL THE TIME! You already own a good lock - use it! Most thefts occur from homes, garages, sheds, yards and the like. Nothing worse than letting a thief ride away on your bike with your lock siting on the ground next to it unused.
5) Lock in smart places.
6) Beef up your storage! Lock your bikes in your locked garage!
7) Use motion-sensing video surveillance on your bikes! Convert that old Iphone to a WiFi-enabled security measure!
8. Use GPS trackers.
9) Beef up your car rack security - the cables they come with are JUNK!
10) NEVER use only a cable to secure your bike!!!
11) Engrave your Drivers License number on your frame & fork. And/or put little tags with your contact info within the bike's parts.
12) Take ample pictures of all of your bikes.
13) Register them with online resources.
14) Use a motion-sensor alarm on your bike.
15) Secure your bike's parts. Losing components is expensive!
16) Look into insurance, either on an existing policy or as a separate bike policy.
17) Check what you're locking to. Avoid loose sign posts, cut racks and other tricks.