Are you looking to purchase a bicycle? The steep prices of new bikes can deter people from entering the world of cycling. Getting a good deal on a second-hand bike is a viable option.
There is nothing inherently negative about getting a used one. A simple tune-up can usually fix the wear and tear. The only potentially negative thing about getting a used bicycle is the chance it is stolen.
Bike theft is a big problem, especially in a big city.
[amazon box=”B01KD9AQ92,B0151RQAX2″ template=”table”]Read the Seller
Take a good account of the person that is selling you the bicycle. Is it the right size for him or her? Could it even be a possibility that this person was the previous owner?
Take note of the words the seller is using when describing different aspects of the bike. Feel free to ask very specific questions about it. If the person owned the bike, they should have no trouble answering these types of questions.
You can even do a little research beforehand to help verify if the seller knows what he or she is talking about.
Serial Number
Every bicycle has a unique serial number. To find the number you must look on the underside of the bike, underneath the pedals. The number is engraved on the bottom of the frame.
If the number has been scratched off, good chances are the bike has been stolen.
If the number has not been scratched off, be sure to write it down. There are websites with databases filled with bicycles and their serial numbers.
Run the bike’s serial number through some online databases in your country to see if the bike was ever reported stolen.
If you are in the United States, check out bikeregistry.com or bikeindex.org.
If you are in the United Kingdom, check out checkthatbike.co.uk.
Unusual Stickers
Sometimes police will engrave a police number on the cycle, to help track it if stolen. Keep an eye out for unusually placed stickers on the frame. People will use inconspicuous stickers to cover up these police numbers.
Spray Paint
Be weary of it being re-painted. People will spray paint a stolen bicycle to help conceal its identity. The paint not only hides the model and make of the bike but also the serial numbers and rust.
A good indicator that it has been spray painted is to look on the frame. If the frame looks as if it has a bumpy texture in some spots, it was probably spray painted.
Look at the areas that are difficult to spray paint. The areas in which two parts of the frame meet.
Damage from Thieves
The first step in stealing a bike is breaking the lock. Thieves are not particularly gentle when breaking locks. Sometimes they will bend the frame for leverage when cracking a lock.
When locks are broken off, it can cause damage to the frame or the spokes of the wheel. Keep an eye out for damage in these areas, as it can be an indicator that it has been stolen.
Post-Purchase
After you get the used bicycle, feel free to contact your local police department. Explain to them your situation, and have them run your serial number through their local database. It can’t hurt to see if something comes up in their records. You should also be able to register it in their database in case it gets stolen in the future.
I want to know if my bike was stole n but I don’t want to register can I do this
Hello, I got this mountain bike yesterday and I don’t know if it is stolen or not
Wal Mart# 70026658
Vendor# WMA-102605
MODEL#WMA-102605
410 ADELE JOPLIN MO 64801
I would like to find out if it’s stolen, and how do I put the pictures of the bike on here. It’s a hyper 21 speed
Full suspension and black. Grey and white
Walmarts? Don’t worry.
Nobody wants that bike ! I mean NOOOO9BODY.
theft
You’d figure that when you purchase a bike at… let’s say “Walmart” since that seems to be the theme here–not to mention that’s where I bought my bike that was stolen.. Anyway, two weeks into the purchase I walk out of the store only to find it missing. Or, only to not find it. So, you’d think that the department store and the company that manufactured or delivered the bike would have some type of accord about tracking the serial number throughout the entire supply chain until it reaches the end user. But no… the serial number is not recognized throughout the supply chain–regarding Walmart. It is up to the end user; which is the buyer, to document it for security purposes. All Walmart cares about is there sales upc code and make/model.
Frank Mc Hale. My mountain bike was stolen in Manayunk. May. 1. This year after I got it brand new in 2009 white has dual suspension. Sp0kes are wire. One an after every other. One of the kind
Had to roll my eye’s at Dirk’s pampered child comment. Fancy toys are not indicative of skill. A disciplined rider on a Schwinn can destroy a shit rider on a Bianchi. And anyways, we can’t all afford Bianchis and Nukeproofs. Perhaps someone can only afford a Roadmaster, but that is still their ride, their baby, and it crushes their soul when they are stolen. Come on man, this isn’t an Audi forum. Cycling is supposed to be above that money flashing BS.
And you sure don’t want to chase after one that is trying to get away! 😀
Walmarts? Let it get stolen….you can’t polish a turd
I doubt it. Cops are too busy chasing other, more serious crimes. In most cases, they’d just impound the bike. And then sell it at their next auction. (At least that has been my experience)
What if you’ve already bought a second hand bike over Internet and forget to check and when you did u realized serial numbers are completely scratched off can you get arrested if bike is check out by the police
Hi my name is Kevin I like we part a Ike is stolen Sunday yesterday I’ll give you the serial number I have a picture of it if I could only change
Hey Jewel
Quite often when you purchase a floor model bicycle from a store it includes the kickstand (usually extra) put onto the bike at the store to display it.
If it is the centre mounted type (as in attached to the bottom in between the pedals) then it ay quite possibly be covering up the serial number. If you have one of these then simply remove it to expose the serial number.
Hey, Jewel! I’ve always found them down on the underside of the bike. Maybe take it by a local shop? The boys there might be able to spot it!
how can you id your bike if you cant find your serial number after you purchased new. ? can you find or track down your serial number from your purchase recipt? say if you bought at walmarts?