I've just FOUND a Specialized Roubaix bike!

[Globalti]

Yes! Lying in the bed of the brook near my house where it had been thrown off the bridge. Our street runs north out of the town centre and gets used as a short cut by people heading home, some pretty drunk on weekend nights.

It must have been thrown over during Saturday night, it's a 56.5" frame, the rear tyre is flat and the wheel buckled so we assume that whoever stole it to get home must have got a flattie and thrown it over the bridge in disgust, which bent the wheel. (Can't say I'm impressed with the wheels though) It's got plastic shop pedals with toeclips so can't belong to a "proper" cyclist.

I'll take it to the Police station today. If nobody claims it, how long will they keep it before I can get it? Is it worth having? Will the frame fit me? (I'm 6' with 32" inside leg)

These cost £1800 on the web, I see. Somebody must be unhappy.

 

[fossyant]

6 weeks or so !

 

[summerdays]

It's mine ... its red/blue/black (delete as appropriate)

Good luck ... but I would have thought that someone would report losing a bike worth that much.

 

[Arch]

I know you'll be torn about wanting to keep it, but I think I'd make all effort I could to get it reunited... Maybe mention it in local bike shops, in case they know the owner (and/or local cycling club?). I don't think I'd rely on the police alone....

And stop being a snob about the pedals. Toe clips are fine. Maybe it's someone who just didn't get on with clipless. Or someone who swapped pedals for everyday use with ordinary shoes.

 

[ChrisKH]

Well it's better than my bike. It might just fit. You're the same size as me and I have a 58 which is, if I'm honest marginally (very marginally) too large for me and I had to get a shorter stem to make it viable.

 

[Melvil]

You're doing the right thing, just repeat that to yourself as your hand locks around the frame of its own accord as you're handing it over the cops!

 

[GrahamG]

Stolen from a shop perhaps? Testers always have the plastic pedals/clips. Definitely check with police though even if it is about your size.

 

[gbb]

I had this a few years ago...
I think its been years since you could claim it if the owner wasnt found..they stopped all that, certainly in Cambs. All bikes go to auction now.

 

[girofan]

May whoever stole this machine die of "Galloping Knob Rot." If my Roubaix was stolen I'd hunt down the perp. and throw him off the bridge to see if his wheel buckled!!!!!!!!!!
As for the police, don't bother, because as already stated the bikes just go to auction after a suitable interlude.
"I'm very sorry sir we don't have time to look for the owners of stolen bikes. Were too busy attaining Government targets."

 

[Fab Foodie]

Stolen from a shop perhaps? Testers always have the plastic pedals/clips. Definitely check with police though even if it is about your size.

Not possibly an S-works as stolen here...

http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=26728

Agree, contact the police.

 

[dellzeqq]

better pop out, just in case there's a Trek 6.9 Madone....

http://bicycling.suite101.com/article.cfm/someone_stole_lance_armstrongs_bike

 

[Cubist]

As for the police, don't bother, because as already stated the bikes just go to auction after a suitable interlude.
"I'm very sorry sir we don't have time to look for the owners of stolen bikes. Were too busy attaining Government targets."

Sorry to contradict but this isn't the case. Knowing what the bike is worth, and deciding to keep it without reporting the find to the police will mean you commit the offence of theft by finding. All it would take would be for the details of the bike to be circulated on a briefing, and an eagle-eyed cop sees the OP riding the found bike. The serial number is checked and the bike found to be stolen. OP arrested for theft or handling, and on interview admits he didn't report it because he couldn't be bothered. To disprove a theft, the OP will have to show that he acted honestly. The offence would probably attract an adult caution, but that's still a criminal record.

If however he takes it to the station, the property clerks probably won't know what a Roubaix is, or what it's worth. They will however check the serial number against the database of lost or stolen bikes, and depending on the force will check Immobilise.com. If the owner can be traced they will contact them and get them reunited. If they can't, a bike with a buckled wheel will not go to auction, it'll go to the scrapyard.

OP, ring the local police and report the fact that you have found the bike. They will be all too pleased if you save them the trouble of storing it, by stating that you will look after it and will be willing to return it to the owner should one be found. Two possible scenarios here: one, the owner will be traced and the police will contact you, whereby you will have saved the bike from being tossed into the property store at the nick and suffering more damage. Happy owner reunited with bike through honest and bike-friendly actions of fellow cyclist.

Scenario two, you get the wheel straightened/replaced and use the bike. No owner is found and you have done all that could be reasonably expected of you to trace the owner. You win a Roubaix for the price of a repaired wheel and a phone call.


However, there is no set period in law as to how long you keep found property before it becomes yours. Theoretically it will ALWAYS belong to the original loser.

 

[Arch]

However, there is no set period in law as to how long you keep found property before it becomes yours. Theoretically it will ALWAYS belong to the original loser.

That's a bit harsh, calling him a loser just because he had toe clips...

 

[yorkshiregoth]

If it has red bonttrager bar tape, and a little black ninja doll on the bars, then it's mine that was nicked back in November (although sans toe clips).

 

[Dave5N]

Sorry to contradict but this isn't the case. Knowing what the bike is worth, and deciding to keep it without reporting the find to the police will mean you commit the offence of theft by finding. All it would take would be for the details of the bike to be circulated on a briefing, and an eagle-eyed cop sees the OP riding the found bike. The serial number is checked and the bike found to be stolen. OP arrested for theft or handling, and on interview admits he didn't report it because he couldn't be bothered. To disprove a theft, the OP will have to show that he acted honestly. The offence would probably attract an adult caution, but that's still a criminal record.

If however he takes it to the station, the property clerks probably won't know what a Roubaix is, or what it's worth. They will however check the serial number against the database of lost or stolen bikes, and depending on the force will check Immobilise.com. If the owner can be traced they will contact them and get them reunited. If they can't, a bike with a buckled wheel will not go to auction, it'll go to the scrapyard.

OP, ring the local police and report the fact that you have found the bike. They will be all too pleased if you save them the trouble of storing it, by stating that you will look after it and will be willing to return it to the owner should one be found. Two possible scenarios here: one, the owner will be traced and the police will contact you, whereby you will have saved the bike from being tossed into the property store at the nick and suffering more damage. Happy owner reunited with bike through honest and bike-friendly actions of fellow cyclist.

Scenario two, you get the wheel straightened/replaced and use the bike. No owner is found and you have done all that could be reasonably expected of you to trace the owner. You win a Roubaix for the price of a repaired wheel and a phone call.


However, there is no set period in law as to how long you keep found property before it becomes yours. Theoretically it will ALWAYS belong to the original loser.

Good post.

WHen I was a kid, I found a ten pound note. Lot of money then. I took it to the police. They kept it for four weeks and when it waasn't claimed, they gave it to me.