Stolen bike blues

[Trek420]

And as an after thought, perhaps they would still have the old bike around??

Do they have the Peugot? That's a shame, because no doubt they've cleaned it up, replaced the chain and sold it as a classic French Steel bike or maybe a fixie. and sold him a new bike.

Ridebikeme (and other TE mechanics) doesn't the power train wear together? So when the chain is worn you replace the works and it all matches? Or was he too lazy to find the matching chain?

[Brandi]

yea what happen to he's old bike?
Here where I live I have noticed out at the police station they have this area with ton's of bikes that have been recovered but not claimed. maybe he can go to he's local police station and see if they sell some of the non claimed bikes? I don't even know if that is possible but maybe worth looking into. I have an old diamond back that needs new tires he can have if he wants to pay for shipping and handling. I believe fedex is fairly cheap ground transport wise. at least a couple years ago it cost us around $40.00 to send it from Cali to colorado. Just a thought. It is a 1988 no suspension commuter bike. i believe it is around 18 inch. Like I said tires don't hold air anymore.

[Kimmyt]

Unfortunately, he gave his old bike to charity since he didn't have any room for it in his tiny apartment. I gave him The Boy's old mountain bike and showed him the best way to lock up his bike, I think he didn't think anyone would take a bike, so hopefully nothing like this happens again!

[kat_h]

I bought a couple of rolls of reflective tape and wrapped my commuter bike in it, partly for visability and partly to make it distinctive (ugly) enough that it's less likely (hopefully) to be stolen.

[Trek420]

yea what happen to he's old bike?
Here where I live I have noticed out at the police station they have this area with ton's of bikes that have been recovered but not claimed. maybe he can go to he's local police station and see if they sell some of the non claimed bikes?

They hold them for auction. He could check when they hold that. Funny story is when I found my Motobecane I did everything I could to make sure it was not "hot" including called the local PD to see if it was reprted.

They sent someone out to "recover" it. Realizing they just want it for sale at the auction I conveniently was not home. It's the only time I've hidden from the police

My LBS is the wrench for local PD so I had one of his clients check too , not hot, just thrown out.

[ridebikeme]

With the current bikes with indexed shifting, the drivetrains Do indeed wear together. Normally you would replace a chain and a cassette or freewheel. However, if the bike was old enough to not have indexed shifting(each gear clicks into place) normally the chains and freewheels wear for quite awhile, and could be replaced replaced separately... although not always the case.

I do indeed hope that the shop has the orginal bike... keep us posted!

[Trek420]

With the current bikes with indexed shifting, the drivetrains Do indeed wear together. Normally you would replace a chain and a cassette or freewheel. However, if the bike was old enough to not have indexed shifting(each gear clicks into place) normally the chains and freewheels wear for quite awhile, and could be replaced replaced separately... although not always the case.

I do indeed hope that the shop has the orginal bike... keep us posted!

Sorry for the thread hijack TE Ridebikeme and other TE techie gals - the wearing all together stuff ... I thought that was a Campy vs Shimano thang. That Campy is modular: wear out the chain, replace the chain but Shimano you wear out one thing and might as well get the whole works.

But maybe MY LBS told me that to get me to buy Record I'm glad I did though.

Can you just get the part on Shimano (we don't know if that's what he had).

[ridebikeme]

I would agree with you that Shimano tends to wear much quicker than Campy. However, if you replace your chain every 1200-1500 miles then generally you can replace your cassette every other time. In the long run, you save quite a bit of money because the cassettes are much more expensive than the chains.(especially Record, although there is nothing better in my eyes

On non indexed bikes, there is very little stress on the chain/freewheel so they seem to last for many years. I quess one could say that they aren't as user friendly as the indexed systems... but there are arguments to both.

Anyway, sorry for the hijack... hope your brother finds another bike!

[Trek420]

Back to the chain question: let's see if I've got this right. My LBS was explaining that the width of the chain has to do with the number of gears. Like I have Campy 10 spd, if I had a chain/deraileur for a 9 spd it might be too wide. So as deraileurs get more and more gears as in converting an old 10 speed to modern bits there are conflicts.

Could that had been what the LBS meant? He could replace the chain but it would have to be a new chain of the right width.

[tulip]

Back to the chain question: let's see if I've got this right. My LBS was explaining that the width of the chain has to do with the number of gears. Like I have Campy 10 spd, if I had a chain/deraileur for a 9 spd it might be too wide. So as deraileurs get more and more gears as in converting an old 10 speed to modern bits there are conflicts.

Could that had been what the LBS meant? He could replace the chain but it would have to be a new chain of the right width.

Of course, we weren't there, by KimmyT's original message said this:

"the bike mechanic told him they didn't make that chain anymore. He'd have to buy a new bike."

Sounds to me like the mechanic was trying to get a quick and easy sale in addition to a classic Peugeot. KimmyT, I'd love to know what shop this was, as I used to live in DC and still go up there from time to time. But I understand if you don't want to put the shop name on the list, so if you want, PM me. I hope he gets another bike soon and a good lock. Bikes are the best way to get around DC. Driving is horrible and the Metro is expensive (and less than efficient)