My Ebike got stolen today.

[set]

*EDIT: I live in Providence, RI USA
I posted some pics below. If anyone knows or have seen the bike anywhere, or posted online (ebay, craigslist, etc) anywhere, please let me know.


I posted in the registry.

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9486

This is a quick copy and paste "

My ebike was stolen today. Here is a link to some pictures and specs.


viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9861

Cheap Mongoose frame with new gen x5304 motor. Double hydro brakes. Cycle analyst. Infineon controller. Good thing the battery was not stolen. I left it in my room. I live on the third floor. I leave my ebike on the frist floor "hallway". I did not lock it up. There was nobody living in the second floor. The way my apartment house is set up is that the only access to my bike is from the second floor, the entrance, and the third floor(my apartment). Tonight at 12 midnight, I went down to the second floor and banged on it to see if anyone was there. There once was a women living there but she was gone. The door opened as I banged. It was a complete mess. I am not sure if that place got robbed or if someone simply broke into the downstairs entrance. I left a sign on my entrance door. "Whoever stole my bike, come see me. I will kill you. - Set 3rd flr"

I am mad. Very mad. My time, energy, and money when into it. I'm heartbroken. I took my pedal bike to work thinking that my ebike was safe. I was wrong. I can't trust my bike being unlocked even inside my own apartment. I'm heartbroken. I estimate over 2 thousand dollars went into it including the batteries. So about 650 less.

I'm mad. I'm going to talk to my landlord ASAP about security. This is ridiculous. I just moved in a few months ago and already some bullshit like this happens. I might have to break my lease.


"

Some thing I wanted to add. I live in what some would call a rough neighborhood. Cops are always around here. It's a high drug area also. People here are on edge and have low income. I make it a priority to come home every night with my hand on my pocket knife. Eventually, when funds arise, I will enroll in a gun safety training course and purchase my own firearm. I can't wait for someone to help me. I have to protect myself and my family/roomates. My sister told me she doesn't feel safe walking past some of these guys.

Update: JUST THIS SECOND. A white Volvo left my driveway. A car I've never seen before. My gf heard a door close and I went to the kitchen to look. I notice that the trash cans were moved. My trash cans are set up so that they are almost blocking my steps to get into the entrance. I am almost 100% convinced these are the frocks that stole my bike! I didnt get a plate number since it was dark. I will keep an eye out. I am sure they saw my sign that I posted.

 

[morph999]

sorry about your loss. That really sucks. I think I understand the type of living arrangements. It's one of those where you need a key to enter and there are 2 or 3 floors of rooms right? So you have to basically use your key twice to get in to your room, one for the outside door then one to your actual room. It's kind of like college dormitory in a way. If I had a room on the 3rd floor. I don't know what I would do. I'd be an awful hassle to haul up about 100lb of bike everyday. I'd probably go with a 25 lb lightweight bike with no motor. Or find out if you have some kind of storage space you can rent on the apt property. That might be too expensive, though. If you have an apartment with a window to the outside, you could possibly haul it up with ropes if you are daring enough. It was probably not someone who lives there but someone's friend who came over.

 

[morph999]

You know what I would do. I'd get a folding bike and turn it into an e-bike and maybe use 36v so it'd still be pretty lightweight. Maybe one of those Dahon bikes...20". That way you could fold it up and haul up to the 3rd floor.

And if it helps, when I go somewhere I have a 14 lb Onguard chain 12mm that I use to lock it up. It'd take someone a good 20 min to get that thing off. I put the lock in a triangle mid-frame bag that I got from nashbar.

 

[needWheels]

Wow that unbelievably sucks. I've had two bike stolen in my life and I still remember the shock and horror.

Not sure if you are a student but If you live in or near student housing, you are a huge target.
I doubt you were robbed by someone who lives around there, I bet you were watched parking it or someone was "browsing" though the apartment for an easy target.

Only place I would ever leave a bike unlocked is physically inside my apartment, there are just too many a-holes out there.

For your replacement, Walmart has a $15 Onguard lock which is excellent quality, go get one.
They are super smooth to lock/unlock unlike the cheap Bell ulocks which are a joke anyway.
$15 in-store, $20 online: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10298312

If you don't mind much more extra weight but get a much thicker bar in return, get this Onguard clone from Harbor Freight for $12 after a 20% off coupon:
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=10057&start=45#p157521
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/download/file.php?id=22116

After I tried the walmart one I went and bought an Onguard pitbull mini lock which is even smaller and lighter but has a 13mm bar so hopefully it takes an extra minute to cut. It also comes with a $500+ policy on the bike if you return the cut lock to them.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001C6BHMQ

 

[set]

my apartment is kinda weird. It's not quite like a college dorm. But yes, I do have to unlock twice to get into my apartment. My sister bf has a Dahon Jack and it is locked up downstairs. His was not stolen. It's funny but I think this was something of a good thing. Now I know other creeps have keys to my downstairs door. I'm gonna have a nice long talk with the landlord. My sense of security has fallen flat. If I were to leave the bike unlocked outside, okay, then I would take the blame and feel stupid about it but I didn't. It was inside and "strangers" came in and stole it! It's not just the bike anymore. We don't feel safe. I'm just mad as hell. I might have to take the law into my own hands. Maybe tear up every white volvo I see. .

To think: If I had my ebike upstairs, I would've still had this false sense of security. What if these slimeballs actually came upstairs and tried to break in my apartment? What if they tried this when I'm not home and my gf and sister was here? Horrible thing to think about. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

After I settle things with the landlord, I am going to start from scratch. All that money I put into it. And granted, I'm not rich at all. Not even close. I am actually on food stamps. It took me hard work and a long time to save up that money. It wasn't just a bike. It was my pride and joy. The product of my sweat and hard work. This just sucks. I'm bummed hard.

 

[needWheels]

You don't think the lady that moved out maybe had kids or a bf who took it with them do you?

 

[set]

No I am not a student. I live in shaddy area. I guess you can call it the ghetto. I have a wicked long 7 foot braided wire that I combine with a decent Master Lock. So far it has served me well. The thing about it was that I chose to take the pedal bike to work since my ebike had a bit of electrical problem I was going to sort out on my day off. Well, I took my 7 ft. lock with me to work so I can lock that bike up. It wasn't unreasonable for me to assume that my ebike would be safe since it was inside the apartment. I mean the only way my bike would be stolen is if someone broke in... and they did! I usually lock it to the staircase but didn't this time since I took the lock for the pedal bike. Boy what a mistake that was. I can't trust anyone here. Someone must have put it in someone's ear. The first floor tenants knew about my bike. I'm sure they were involved but I have no proof. I'm going to change the locks tomorrow. frock this shit. What is this world coming to when you can't even trust your own neighbors.

I'm going to get another lock with me new project. I still have the long 7 ft lock but I'm going to get an onguard U-lock also. I am usually the type of person that's prepared but this was a special situation. Lock you bikes at ALL times. Don't let what happen to me happen to you. I'm going to work on security here in the meantime.

 

[set]

You don't think the lady that moved out maybe had kids or a bf who took it with them do you?

That's the thing, she could've given a copy of the keys to someone. If so then I'll definitely let the landlord know. We are good tenants. We pay rent on time and we are quiet. This frocking lady is dealing with some type of domestic violence, which I totally sympathize with, but then when it affects me, I gotta tell my landlord, "hey, her negligence resulted in me losing a 1.4k investment." This lady had to go to a women's shelter because she was afraid of her life. GTFO of here. Take that drama and leave. I hate dealing with people's drama. Sure it's non of my business, so don't make it my problem when my bike gets stolen ya know? People these days are unbelievably irresponsible. I'm just mad at the world right now and venting.

There are plenty of other apartments here. It's like a renter's market. If I break my lease and leave, I'm sure my landlord would lose his house through foreclosure. He better cooperate with me. We will see soon.

 

[Lessss]

Sorry to hear.

Not enough detail fo anybody here help you recover it.
Got a motor serial number?
Got any pictures?
Unique marks detail?

The idea of the registry is for people to be able to recognize the bike if they see it then bne able to forward the info to the cops to confirm ownership.

 

[needWheels]

There are plenty of other apartments here. It's like a renter's market. If I break my lease and leave, I'm sure my landlord would lose his house through foreclosure. He better cooperate with me. We will see soon.

Keep in mind a landlord can put it on your credit report if you break your lease.
Technically he can't control who let's who into his building.
(and even in small claims court, the moment you admit to a judge you left it unlocked outside your apartment, you'd lose)

Maybe they will have some insurance to help you but I kind doubt they will even try, most landlords I know are downright cheap and don't like their renters at all. He can write off an unrented apartment, maybe even get financial assistance for lack of ability to pay mortgage because of missing tenants.

Be sure to check pawn shops and craigslist over the next couple weeks.
Never confront the person directly if you find it, call the police or you'll lose when the police do finally show up on their own.

By the way, if you think your landlord is that close to foreclosure, be sure to be checking if your building is in foreclosure before paying rent - there are things on the news all the time where the tennant just paid rent and get an eviction notice the next week on the building from the bank.

 

[TPA]

what city do you live in. Those close by can keep an eye out.

Watch craigslist and ebay.

 

[TylerDurden]

Post to CL:

• Lost & Found
  Wanted
  For Sale (as "buyer beware...")

 

[dnmun]

find out where the 2nd floor tenant moved to and go there. look around outside and inside through the windows, see if that white volvo is around, make your landlord cooperate by threatening to file a police report and having the police interview the landlord for the address of the people who left. talk to people who know the tenants who left and find out if they know where she moved. your bike will be there. if the bike is there, tell them to return it or call the police and wait for them to arrive so they can't haul the bike away in the meantime.

common keys can end up in anyone's hands, but the bike was taken by the people who moved out because they had a truck to haul it. of course the people who helped her move could have it also, so find where that volvo lives too and go there, look outside and inside, knock on the door and try to go in to see if it is inside, no need to carry a weapon if you can handle yourself but force them to return it or threaten to get them busted for possession or some other thing the police always use on people.

 

[set]

There are plenty of other apartments here. It's like a renter's market. If I break my lease and leave, I'm sure my landlord would lose his house through foreclosure. He better cooperate with me. We will see soon.

Keep in mind a landlord can put it on your credit report if you break your lease.
Technically he can't control who let's who into his building.
(and even in small claims court, the moment you admit to a judge you left it unlocked outside your apartment, you'd lose)

Maybe they will have some insurance to help you but I kind doubt they will even try, most landlords I know are downright cheap and don't like their renters at all. He can write off an unrented apartment, maybe even get financial assistance for lack of ability to pay mortgage because of missing tenants.

Be sure to check pawn shops and craigslist over the next couple weeks.
Never confront the person directly if you find it, call the police or you'll lose when the police do finally show up on their own.

By the way, if you think your landlord is that close to foreclosure, be sure to be checking if your building is in foreclosure before paying rent - there are things on the news all the time where the tennant just paid rent and get an eviction notice the next week on the building from the bank.

@ less, I posted a link to some pics on the registry.

Here are some pics directly linked.

@ needswheels,

I don't really care if he puts me on a "blacklist" for credit report. I am not going to buy anything big and I don't need a big loan any time soon. Also, I did not leave it unlock outside. I left my bike unlocked INSIDE. So I don't think I would lose any case if anything. I talked to the neighbors and let them know what was up. I am very good at reading body language. The people on the first floor were very sympathetic. The were opened to talking to me. I don't trust the guy at the basement. He was very defensive. The first floor people told me he's a drug dealer(which I already knew). What I didn't know was that some of his "clients" go to the second floor and get high/coked up. They must've stolen my bike! I don't have proof but I just know. I don't trust that snake one bit. I talked to the landlord over the phone and told him what was going on. He said it was okay to change the locks but now I'm looking to get a double sided lock. I also went to the police about half an hour ago to file a police report. I will continue to check craigslist. I live in Providence, RI.

 

[broloch]

on your next build, have you considered a GPS locator? like a homing device/alert beacon so that you can track where it goes, if it were to be stolen again

get your conceal and carry asap in case you are dealing with druggies, and for safety

 

[broloch]

in modern times, an ebike, or a regular pedal bike is like a man's horse from days of old, you don't mess with a man's mode of transport

 

[gogo]

The feeling of violation really sucks when you get ripped off. You seem to be doing the right things and that should help counter the bad vibes.

Cool thing I learned from TD here in the forums is how to search CL. Go to google and put in <search words> site:craigslist.org. That will search craigslist everywhere.

 

[set]

in modern times, an ebike, or a regular pedal bike is like a man's horse from days of old, you don't mess with a man's mode of transport

Thanks broloch and everyone else for supporting me. I've seriously considered getting a gun to protect my home. As for my personal carry, there are lots of loopholes here if I wish to obtain a concealed carry permit. I wish it wasn't like this but in my world, I can't trust people to be "honest" citizens. I will work on that and everything else when funds become available. The gps locator sounds like a good idea. Kind of like a Lo-Jack for bikes. Some people might say that's going too far, but it can be cheap insurance when your bike gets stolen.

As for my future build, I am drained. I am thinking about a x4 series @ 36V. Might be a downgrade depending on how you look at it. Can an x4 run "safely" at 72V? I think I will start another thread concerning my next build. I've had the set up for less than a season. I was slowly building it and keeping it upstairs during the winter and early spring. I am realizing that there is no way for me to get another x5 and accessories this summer. I might have to downgrade at least for now to enjoy ebiking in the summer. possibly an x4 or an e-bikekits.com set-up.

I am now offering my cammy pack for sale. It is 48V 20AH pack. Max discharge amps I've ever drawn was 29-30 amps. That's 1.5C. Taken to work 4 days a week 9.6 miles round trip. Ridden regularly since mid spring. I paid over $500 for it. If anyone is interested, PM me.

 

[broloch]

Yeah, it suckzorz. Probably those druggies. Try not to take it PERSONALLY. Think about it, if you saw a sweet rig, X-5 series, Ping 48V20Ah, dual-suspension Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper, just sitting there, don't tell me that you wouldn't feel the "impulse" to steal it. But you wouldn't. Then take a druggie who's mind has been picked apart by years of chemical and substance abuse, conscience smeared with dog poop, and sees an ebike that is unlocked, that is all it took.

It doesn't matter if it is a 5-series, a 4-series can still be very formidable.

The new controllers for the 4 series have FETs and CAPs rated for 100V.
You should be fine for that. Even if you went at 60V, that is around 42km/h which is still a very swift speed. You will give most roadies a run for their money. Even on my road bike, I only maintain around 35-40km/h for brief periods. The 4-series will be less draining on your batteries too, so that is a sorta win.

 

[morph999]

I wouldn't get the gun if I were you. Even if you legally use it, I've heard of police investigating people for 6 months after an incident. It's not fun knowing for 6 months that at anytime you could be brought up on murder charges. Get a taser or mace.

 

[nomad85]

Sorry to hear about this man. I would kill someone(or try to) if I caught them stealing my bike.
I have a couple extra motor/controller kits if you want to get one cheap. I have an amped bikes front 26" kit(22-23mph) w/ 23A 36-48v controller, and a crystalyte 407 700c rear(26-28 mph) w/ 20 amp 36-48v controller from ebikes.ca. Both are used, the amped bikes kit just needs the spokes tightened up a little and the crystalyte motor had some rust problems, I cleaned it up but it might need a little more tlc, it should be fine though, i just haven't used since I cleaned it up. If you think one of those would work for you let me know and we can work something out.

 

[pwbset]

Yeah.. sorry to hear about your loss! That sucks!

I'm contemplating selling my rear 4011 which I ran all last summer at 84v nominal. It's got a pedal first Clyte controller that's good from 24v-90+v and the shunt is soldered so it delivers plenty of amps. It's in a 26" rim and I've got two 12mm stainless steel torques arms with it also. I climbed 1,600ft to work (at a ski resort) with it so it's got some really decent power that's for sure. I wouldn't run it under 72v though as it doesn't really start to come into it's own unless you throw a lotta volts at it. Currently running it at 36v and it's underwhelming to say the least. I'm finding now that my 5 series is running the 4011 is just sitting there neglected though so let me know if you get desperate as I'd be willing to part with the whole setup pretty cheap if it went to a good home. Old build thread here if you want to see it:

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4716

 

[GTA1]

Every time I read this kind of stories... I like my $300 heap much better.

 

[spinningmagnets]

Dear set, I had a car stolen in broad daylight when I went into a Home Depot for 15 Minutes to see if a certain door was in-stock. It was used in a crime and then discarded, when I went to pull personal items from the holding yard, I saw how he did it. Door had been locked (slim-Jim?), top half of the key-ignition was broken, you could start the lower half of the ignition with a screw-driver.

My wife is paranoid, so when we move into a new house, I must buy and swap-in new dead-bolts on (usually) 3 doors. In an apartment, you may not be allowed (to exclude previous tenants with key copies) For travelling businessmen there are doorknob hangers that lock onto the inside knob and are a travel alarm. They are activated/de-activated by a key-fob. Its a simple motion sensor, and if the door is opened, the alarm goes off.

But if you did swap dead-bolts (and gave owner a key-copy as required) there are still other measures that come to mind.

An infra-red motion-sensor that activates a hidden camera and records who came in on an old laptop that is also hidden (with a clock placed in the cameras view). During an undercover police fencing operation, they put an unusual item high on the wall and the hidden camera next to it. People couldn't help but to look at it, and the camera got a solidly clear shot of their face. I installed a motion-sensing light in a relatives driveway, when he pulled in at night, the light went on for 5 minutes, so there must be a way to rig something up.

Cheap pay-as-you-go cell phones that have a GPS function can be wired to become a sort-of "LoJack" (hidden inside a controller-box?). As soon as you realize your bike is stolen, you call the phone (ringer and vibrate disabled) and track the location. Once you reach their door, call the police and report you saw your stolen vehicle (dont say bicycle,) and followed them to "X" address. Tell them you are going in, and hang up.

There is an argument for stealth, such as an RC build hidden behind panniers on a cheap-looking bike. It may even be possible to attach an RC motor so that it can be easily popped off, just like a light-weight lithium battery. The batteries and motor can cost WAY more than the $200 I paid for my bike.

Crackheads will steal a rusty pedal-bike if they think they can get $20 for it, an obviously electric E-bike may fetch over $100, so I can envision a thief following you to find out where you live, and planning out how and when to grab it.

I have even seen a "magnetic key" that operates a hidden lock on cabinets to keep toddlers out, such a device is cheap and could activate a hidden switch inside a controller, locking out power and setting the motor into regen, so it at least cant be powered or pedaled

Fechter ! when is your web-catalogue coming out with the Fech-You 3000 GPS tracking anti-theft controller?

[edit: spelling corrections]

 

[TylerDurden]

Fechter ! when is your web-catalogue coming out with the Fech-You 3000 GPS tracking anti-theft controller?

$80 usd @Costco:

http://www.dogtracs.com/product.asp