A Picture of My Bike

Catherine Penfold-Waxman: 11th May 2006 - 18:37 GMT

Maybe this picture will help the cops track it down.
(Joking aside, having your bike ripped off sucks. I hope you get it back or an even better one in its place.)

EvilGentleman: 11th May 2006 - 18:50 GMT

I will not be buying a kryptolock, that is for sure.

Tyfoid Kid: 11th May 2006 - 19:10 GMT

Is this one of the old Kryptonite locks that you can open with the barrel of a bic pen? I did it with my old Kryptonite style lock but I heard Kryptonite locks did have this problem as well. They had some kind of recall announcment last year.

www.engadget.com/2004/09/14/kryptonite-evolution-2000-u-lock-hacked-by-a-bic-pen/

Peter: 11th May 2006 - 19:31 GMT

...looks to me like the pipe in the lock is what they used to pop the lock. isnert pipe/2x4/etc and torque til it pops. :(

Walks now: 11th May 2006 - 19:55 GMT

The lock is the new style (no bic job) and it was locked to a metal railing. Yeah, that is the bar they used too. (FYI - I lost my key last year and rented a small grinder and cut an identical lock apart to get my bike free. It came off in under 20 seconds.) There is NO defense against a strong assault. ALL locks WILL come off if someone wants it to.

The worse part is that the night before I was talking to my friend and when asked about "good locks"and my advice was "You don't need a "good" lock if you want to keep your bike. You need to not lock it at all".

Irony, I hate it!

Walks now: 11th May 2006 - 20:00 GMT

Does anybody know the shops in TO that buy stolen bikes? (I know theres one in the Anex somewhere) .... time to start looking.

RIP (this is the exact model bike I lost but this is not the bike itself)

Gabi: 12th May 2006 - 12:54 GMT

My bike was stolen last summer, just under a security camera’s eye at a government bldg. They claimed the camera didn’t work at a time, ha. I had the bike for more than 10 years and I’ve just spent almost $200 on it to replace the worn out parts. Anyway, it wasn’t only the financial consequences what hurt. I felt that bike was my body part traveling thousands of kms. together. There was a whole history to it and some bum just comes and takes it. Now, I’m riding an “uglified” bike sprayed all over, and still worry if it’s get stolen. You never feel safe again.

Anyway, some places that sells stolen bikes. One on Spadina Avenue north of College St. It’s called Uncle Sam’s and the other one is on Queen St. W. & Strachan St. I think it’s called Igor’s. If you go there just pretend you are buying a bike and don’t be too specific what kind of bike you are looking for. Good luck.

jeeff: 12th May 2006 - 14:59 GMT

i had the same experience at george brown college. my bike was locked up in full view of a security camera, but they said i couldn't look at the tape. which leads me to wonder what exactly the camera is for, anyway?

jeeff: 12th May 2006 - 15:05 GMT

and on the same subject, i was once walking back to a friend's house with a half-dozen other people and as we came near we saw someone hanging around by the schoolyard fence across the street, where one friend had her bicycle locked. as we approached she said, "hey, he's messing with my bike!" but everyone just stood there, unsure what to do. the guy looked up and quickly began to walk away. so i summoned my pent-up rage from having 3 bicycles stolen in 7 years, and i chased the guy at top speed for about 2 blocks, until he disappeared down a bunch of alleys. i didn't even really want to catch him, but i sure gave him a good scare (and a workout).

Walks now: 12th May 2006 - 21:10 GMT

Jeeff, i don't really want to catch this guy either. Mostly because I don't want to have to face the music for what would happen if I caught them. They have no idea what I look like but I remember EVERY little detail about my bike. If I could just get close enough to see the sitckers and scratches BAM! what a sucker punch they would get.

R.: 16th May 2006 - 01:48 GMT

I just had my bike stolen from my supposedly 'posh' building - the bike was in plain view of the front door of the condo at all times. One swift clean cut through my 10mm cable - so much for trying to prevent the 'wheel' from being stolen.

thanks for the tips on Igor and uncle sam.

T.U. Cyclist: 23rd May 2006 - 20:24 GMT

Cycle thieves never try it again, once they’ve had some "U lock justice". Google U lock justice!

H.S.: 12th Jul 2006 - 16:02 GMT

I had my bike stolen last night from in front of my posh building - the one night that I leave it locked up outside instead of bringing it to the underground garage like I always too. My bad :( My super came to tell me about Igor's and I am going to go and check it out - maybe I will find my dear beautiful Trek from there. Apparantly I should not go there alone as a female but my boyfriend will be coming with me - I can't wait until the end of the day!!!

groovehouse: 26th Jul 2006 - 14:54 GMT

These are the locks my friends and I use, they have real keys as opposed to those round, pickable keys...

www.onguardlock.com/

Thus, these products should be harder to pick

markus: 1st Aug 2006 - 21:57 GMT

I been a bike courier for years in different cities, but in the early 90's bikes were getting ripped off from couriers in T.O, they were using a larger bar to break them at the guts, we came up with an idea, you go and buy a T pipe from the hardware store that fits over the lock than you silicone the T pipe to lock.It adds a bit of weight but I haven't seen them broke, ps.sorry about the bike I lost a few in my time and it licks.

Danny: 15th Sep 2006 - 19:45 GMT

Just had my Haro Extreme ripped off, in front of 700 University Ave in broad daylight. It has the V-bent frame & high end components.
I've been to Igor's on Queen near Strachan, but he's willey and knows when people are sniffing around. He's been to court several times but the cops can't nail him. Good luck to you all.

zagg: 25th Sep 2006 - 22:24 GMT

My security measures on my 5 year old bike involve locking it up attached to big ugly metal shelving within the shed I share with 3 other people (that I can't stand).

banana: 28th Sep 2006 - 22:09 GMT

i really wish people would stop buying bikes from Igor and people like him. how does this guy operate without being caught by the police anyway?

Helenka: 11th Oct 2006 - 21:57 GMT

I'm so upset. My son's BMX has just been stolen today - he had left it in front of a convenience store in Bloor West Village, unlocked - he should have known better. Now he has learned a lesson the hard way.

Micah: 12th Oct 2006 - 00:24 GMT

My friend recently got her stolen bike back, hurrah! She was biking along on her regular bike and she saw someone going along on a recumbent and she looked closely and it was hers! It had been stolen about a month previously and had been her main ride since a major knee issue earlier this year. So anyway he saw her looking at the bike and cottoned on and went for it. She gave chase (bike chase!) and managed to catch him. He said, it's mine, I bought it for 250$ off some kid and she said well give me your name and number and I will see that you are reimbursed. He said never mind and took off without the bike. She locked it up, got a taxi to take her to work, called the cops from work, and they were quite shocked that she had chased and caught him on her bicycle! So he wasn't caught but with any luck he won't be doing that anytime soon. And she has her bike back!
Not to change the subject but does anyone know how to resize photos for posting on here using iPhoto? I've already accidentally permanently cropped the one I wanted to put on here, without managing to reduce the size of it, and don't want to do any more damage... thanks if you know.

CATCH A BIKE THIEF!: 27th May 2007 - 17:22 GMT

We bought brand new bikes from these nice guys at CycOmotive on Bathurst. We paid $3,500 for the two mountain bikes. One was higher end Giant and the other one was Giant Pistol 2 16 inch serial # GW619449 (DARK GREY with rear/front suspension, disc brakes etc). We locked the bikes at the SW corner for Market St. and Esplanade and went inside to the St. Lawrence market for arond 45 mins. Lo and Behold when we come out the bikes are gone! Vanished! My hard earned after tax money is gone at blink of an eye! Those of you who have gone through this experience could emapthize with me better, I guess.
Anyhow, this is where it gets interesting. After usual (useless) calls to police and visit to 51 Division and doing all the so called "paper work" we clearly knew that the police is totally useless and is not going to help. So, we (me and my girl friend) went back to St. Lawrence Mkt and started talking to the security guard there. Subsequently, we spoke with this dude who sells newspapers at that corner and spends most of his day there. He sounded like a nice and honest guy. He said he know these "Crackheads" who steal bikes in this area and also knows where they take the stolen bikes. He offered his help. I asked him where do these thugs sell the bikes? He said "UNCLE JACOBS" SOUTH OF COLLEGE ON EAST SIDE OF SPADINA.
His story made sense and I gave him $50 in lieu of his help although he did not ask. We also spoke to this cop on the bike (D. LOVE) who took few notes down on his pad (another form of paper work and formality) and gave us a very dry response before he took off on a nice joy ride of the town on the bike that you and I paid through our annual draf of TAXES. The newspaper guy tried to tell Love that he knows that these bikes end up at Uncle Jacobs and he said that these thugs actually ride the freshly stolen bikes to UNCLE JACOBS. Love seemed to be least bit bothered and gave a dirty look to the newspaper guy and said that if he is @#$R#@ trying to teach him how to write a report!!!! Welcome to Toronto Police!
Anyhow, dissappointed as we were, we took a drive to UNCLE JACOBS. We went inside pretended to be shoppers and looked around for our bikes. UNCLE JACOB said the kind of bikes we are looking for on not in yet but we should check every day as he gets used (of course stolen) stuff every day. Our Bikes weren't there (yet). We came out took my truck out of the parking and thought of checking out other THUG BIKE SHOPS on Queen st (E of Bathurst). But before we did that something occured to me and I thought of taking one more drive around the UNCLE JACOBS. When I came back around to Spadina and was passing UNCLE JACOBS...I screamed shit that's my bike!!!! This crackhead is riding my bike and about to enter UNCLE JACOBS. Instantenously, I slam the brakes on my truck in front of this crack head (PLEASE SEE HIS ATTACHED PIC.). I step out, go up to him and shout at him that this is my bike that I paid $1500 last week. First he panicked and got off the bike. I snatched it back right away and put it aside. He gave me a lame arse story that he bought it off of somebody for $300 (Sure!). My Girl Friend called 911 right away. I told this THUG that he is got nothing to worry and when cops come he just need to say that somebody sold him the used bike. 911 call took long time bcoz the operator was taking luxury time to note down names etc rather than sending a dispatch right away. (Cops are totally useless). In the meanwhile I was having a yelling match with this THUG. A big crowd gathered around. There were couple of other guys on the bikes who were apparently witht his guy that I did not notice and they started telling this THUG to run away. I told him not to as he is not guilty. Of course he was. i knew he is about to slip away and I wanted to punch this THUG right on his nose and teach him a lesson but then I tought of a better idea and I reached back into my truck for a camera (that I use for my work and it's in my vehicle most of the time). I took his picture. He dashed right away! I chased him and so did couple of other samaritans on the street. He ran for his dear life into all these streets east of spadina while I was on the phone with 911 giving description and asking for dispatch. But of course it was shift change time and nobody cared. The THUG vanished but I've got his pic. We were on the 911 call for probably around 25 mins and waited another 25 mins after before the two cops showed up (PORTER AND COSTABILE from 51 Div.). All this happened right in front of UNCLE JACOBS. They took around 10 mins sitting in the car checking some stuff. They came out and we gave them our story and told them about the pic. They were nice guys overall but I wanted them to get on the case do something catch this guy. But that was not the case. It was about doing the paperwork and completing the "incident report" as if that's going to itself solve this case. I said I could deliver pics by email but they said they don't have the capability. I offered prints and deliver it to them. There is a lot that happened in between but long story short we gave the cops pics and notes on the guys description etc. Pls look at the shot which is very good quality one. Then we went to check some other bike shops on QUEEN ST WEST OF BATHURST. There is one which is on the South side of Queen across from the park. That son of a @#$#@ is the biggest arsehole in town and is the god father of all THUGS. We tried to be nice to him and shop for bikes but he was outright crooked and abusive. I kept my calm as I wanted to catch him with the stolen bikes. He is used to this stuff and was a tough nut to crack. I am 90% sure that he has our other bike inside that store. He wouldn't let me enter in there. It was as if he was expecting us! i wish Toronto police could help and I could take the cops with me and check for my bike. Of course that won't happen.
PLEASE HELP FIND THIS THUG (PIC INCL.) AND REPORT IT TO 911 REPORT # 2254648 OR call me at 647-831-9500. AND SOME OF THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN NEED TO GET TOGETHER AND DO A DEMONSTRATION IN FRONT OF UNCLE JACOB AND QUEEN ST. SHOP TO GET THEM SHUT DOWN AND GET THE COPS INSIDE TO CHECK EACH AND EVERY BIKE AGAINST THE STOLEN BIKE SERIAL #. let's catch these rascals and put them where they belong - PRISON!
DESCRIPTION OF THE BIKE THIEF:-
5 Ft 7 to 5 FT 8 inches.
Stocky built (weight around 200 lbs)
Greyish/Bluish eyes.
Full Tattoos on both arms
Wears a baseball cap
You should be able to catch him around St. Lawrence/Esplanade area OR along Spadina St./Dundas Square/Queen St.
- If you spot him pls quietly follow him. Call 911 and quote the report # above and try to stay on his trail for as long as you can.
IF THIS THIEF AND HIS ASSOCIATES I.E UNCLE JACOBS OR IGOR ON QUEEN ST. ARE NOT STOPPED THEY WILL CARRY ON WITH THEIR BUSINESS STEALING PEOPLE'S BIKES ON DAILY BASIS AND THAT BIKE COULD BE YOURS ONE DAY! ANY HELP TO GET RID OF THIS SCUM WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

CATCH A BIKE THIEF!: 27th May 2007 - 17:37 GMT

If you need another full size pic pls contact me at amarbirnijjar@yahoo.ca

St. Lawrence Market Bike Theft: 27th May 2007 - 17:43 GMT

With respect to the above threads here is a picture of our other bike that this thief still has in his possession. If you come across it kindly let me know on the email above.
Here's a picture.

St. Lawrence Market Bike Theft: 27th May 2007 - 17:44 GMT

Oops! The pic din't post. Here it is again..

CE: 27th May 2007 - 18:36 GMT

I've had two bikes stolen since moving to Montreal last August. I bought an On Guard lock as mentioned above for $70 and my bike was 50. So far, it's been a good investment as it hasn't been stolen...yet.

re: CATCH A BIKE THIEF!: : 28th May 2007 - 01:22 GMT

Very cool post and glad you got at least one of your bikes back! I've had two bikes stolen in the past few years and it's no picnic. One was a high end mountain bike I used to tour six weeks in Europe from Great Britain to Morocco. Now, I'm fortunate to livein a buildingwith hogh security and would never leave my bike outside. I would love to be part of a group that plants high end bikes with the sole purpose of catching bike thieves. ie: set up hidden video camera; park and lock bike; person steals bike, confront thief and make citizens arrest, call police and press charges, hand over video evidence. Bye bye bike thief. Anyone?

Andrew: 28th May 2007 - 06:32 GMT

He looks a lot like a jerk who hangs out in Cabbagetown that I've seen. He tried to sell me bus tickets last summer and I've seen him drunk/cracked out at the corner of Gerrard and Parliament a few times. I think I've seen him at the sleazy pub at the corner of Spruce and Parliament, on the patio. He does look very much like the guy in your picture.

In any event, I hope you get your other bike back. Maybe Uncle Jacob needs to have someone crack his skull with a good heavy U-lock to smarten him up.

St. Lawrence Market Bike Theft: 29th May 2007 - 03:32 GMT

Thanks for your comments guys! Too bad the other bike is still out with a crackhead like the one in pic enjoying it. These thugs are easy to catch as they are complete idiots. All we need is a camcorder and 2-3 hrs each saturday or sunday morning for a few weeks and a decent bike to grab these dougheads' attention. Once we get them on camera we need to send the clip to CP24 or City TV. Or better just beat the crap out of the one who is caught stealing and hand him over to cops once we are done! In the meanwhile please pass on the pics of this guy to as many people as you can. SHAME ON IGOR AND SHAME ON UNCLE JACOB!

Anon: 4th Jun 2007 - 22:57 GMT

To help with recovering your other bike or even bringing attention to this problem (and perhaps Uncle Jacobs as well) I would suggest contacting "silverman helps" through City TV. He works with city TV and does a spot on helping innocent GTA victims get their deserved belongings back or to at least bring bad publicity to the vendors of the stolen bikes. It's worth a shot! Good luck!

Tanja: 19th Jun 2007 - 03:15 GMT

I just had my bike stolen tonight on Park Rd. just off of Bloor. I was gone 40 minutes and apparently so was my bike and lock. I didn't even have a high end bike - just a Raleigh. I am quite upset (but reading these posts - I at least know I'm not the only one who's experienced this crap). According to cops I'd have better luck winning the lotto than getting my bike back. I might go check out those stores you guys mention above. Next bike I'm investing in a On Guard lock. That part that really bugs me is that I only had the bike 2 months. I also remember seeing this shady looking guy hanging around as I was pulling into the street. It all sucks.

Brad: 19th Jun 2007 - 04:56 GMT

On the bright side, about the only thing left of this bike is the frame that is locked up. Part of the fork is laying under it too. Greenwich & Gough Street, San Francisco.

Corinne: 19th Jun 2007 - 12:11 GMT

I had my brand new Fuji Crosstown 3.0 stolen on June 18th from outside the Hudson Bay Building at Yonge and Bloor. I owned it for 3 days. They cut right through the good cable lock. The first time I rode it in to work it disappeared. DRAG! Contacted building security (cameras not pointed on the bike racks) and the TO Police to make a report. Bye bye brand new bike. So disappointing - first beautiful new bike in 17 years. I'm sorry to read that so many others have had similar situations. I like the idea of catching bike theives - although it could be dangerous. Better than sitting around doing nothing? Photo of my model is below (didn't have it long enough to think to take one of the actual thing)

Gregory: 5th Jul 2007 - 01:59 GMT

Hi. Bike theft sucks!! I'm a Toronto filmmaker/cyclist who has had five bikes stolen. And I'm sick of it. I am interested in YOUR experiences with bike theft for inclusion in a documentary film I'm producing. Please contact me at biketheft@rogers.com

St. Lawrence Market Bike Theft: 17th Jul 2007 - 02:39 GMT

Sorry to see read about the theft of your bike. Make sure you guys check Uncle Jacobs on spadina and mother of all crooks - Igor on queen st across from Trinity Belwood park. Silverman idea is great but it might help us to substantiate our case if a few of us can get together and write/sign a letter to him. Anyone up for that? Pls contact me at anijjar@trebnet.com. Thanks.

Mama Mia: 17th Jul 2007 - 03:11 GMT

This reminds me of 'Pee Wee's Big Adventure'. Did you try looking at the Alamo? Joking aside...I hope you find your bike.

Ya. My cute Pink bike got stollen today from Bathurst/Harbord area.: 17th Jul 2007 - 18:43 GMT

Question... Is Uncle Jacob the same thing as Bike Pirates? I live in the neighborhood and the only bike shop I know around there is Bike pirates. Anyways - my bike disappeared off the steel bar in our front yard with not a sign of the lock or anything this morning.
It's not worth much $ - but my dad & I painted it together last summer so it's special.
It's easy to recognize because it's baby pink with no graphics on it and brushed aluminum spray guards. The paint is a bit chipped and the seat & handles are grey & black. (See Pic) If you think you see it anywhere please give me a call or reply to this post. #416-889-8679.

Bike Theft Aurora: 18th Jul 2007 - 15:20 GMT

I just had my bike stolen yesterday during the day in Aurora while I was at work. It was a beater, but it was my transportation to public transit and I had only been using it for a few days before this (I thought the steel U-Lock was pretty solid...). Anyone have any idea of the odds that I'll ever see it again?

Helen: 19th Jul 2007 - 02:22 GMT

I lost my Kona today from a locked cage at work.... can you believe this? Only started riding to work for about 3 weeks, and this week I had to stay behind to do some overtime. Sure enough, when I walked out of the building (downtown TO) at 7:30 pm, only my chain was left behind. This was my bike...http://www.konaworld.com/bikes/2k7/DEWFS/index.html

Helen: 19th Jul 2007 - 02:24 GMT

here is the photo of my lost bike from work today :'(

Tasha: 20th Jul 2007 - 04:31 GMT

I lost my bike of over 5 years, and sole mode of transportation, just the other night... fack!
Blue Norco Bush Pilot, with black handle bars, 21 speed, special click gears... sigh.
It was hacked off a solid wood patio in the west end of Toronto (Queen & Euclid) sometime late night/early morning July16-17th.
I'm going to hit Igor's (just down the street... how convenient) and Uncle Jacobs thereafter. Wish me luck!
If anyone has any words of wisdom or advice on tracking down stolen bikes, please feel free to email me at tashiquoi@gmail.com
I'm desperate to find it!!

susan: 22nd Jul 2007 - 23:14 GMT

Please encourage people you know to not shop at Uncle Jacobs or Igor's. I can't believe all the people outside there every night buying from him. I've had two bikes stolen and both ended up there. It's almost impossible to get anything back from him. He's super shifty and seemingly soulless. If people didn't buy from these guys, there would be no money for them to buy bikes from crack heads in the first place!

neesa: 23rd Jul 2007 - 14:41 GMT

And here is one more story on the stolen bike. My and my brother's bikes were stolen yesterday evening in front of the Fairview mall (DonMills subway station)!!! Both bikes!!! We went to the cinema and while we were there the bicycles were stolen=( It was between 4pm and 9pm...Oh, of course it was late and we shouldn't left them for so long and so late, but...it was already done=( And even though we talked to the mall's security, the only thing they said is that they would write report about that but there is no chance to get the bikes back. And we had those bikes for only 2 weeks! We'll try to go to Igor's and Uncle Jacob's, but after I've read all the comments I hardly believe that I could get the bikes out of the store even if I find them there. And who buys the bicycles in those stores???? Oh...it's nonsense! And I'm still not sure if there is any sense to report that incident to the police?...Is there any help from them?...Oh! I hate those people stealing bikes!!!

jgirl: 3rd Aug 2007 - 03:15 GMT

I went to Igor's tonight in secret search of my recently stolen vintage bike. Sure he's shifty and what his does is evil and soulless- ---perhaps I'm just too good at lying/pretending/manipulating but I played to his nature and had him showing me all the bikes in his 'shop' and backyard under the pretense that I wanted to see his single speed cruisers... I've met lots of shifty people and he is certainly one but I don't feel I should have "gone with a few guys b/c I'm a girl" as one bike store owner told me. Alas, I didn't find my bike- and I'm off to search at Uncle Jacobs tomorrow...

Elektric: 11th Aug 2007 - 00:06 GMT

My red Trek mountain bike just got stolen a few days ago. And I was actually planning to go to Igor's to buy a new bike because I'm just so sick of getting my bikes stolen (this is my 3rd that I've lost). I bought this bike "used" from Bikes on Wheels in Kensington. Payed 300 dollars, they said they bought it from a police auction. I felt good about this decision --> buying a used bike with a clean conscious. BUt until I read this forum I was ready to march down to Igor's to get a "cheaper" priced bike.... GRRRRR... the cops told me I have a 1 in 10 chance of getting my bike back. They said that if I DO find it in a used bike store to give them a call.... Somethings really wrong with our system. THere is WAY too much demand in Toronto for buying stolen bikes... Please people. Don't BUY stolen bikes. You know you're doing it! STOP IT!

Elektric: 11th Aug 2007 - 00:10 GMT

By the way... Bike Pirates are the good guys. They are a really cool bunch of kids who are promoting clean conscience purchasing of used bikes, plus they'll teach you how to make a bike out of old bicycle parts. These kids work hard, and are constantly lobbying the municipal government to have better bike lanes, better bike laws, etc.

Bike Pirates are found on Bathurst street, in between Bloor and Queen on the East side.

Louis Le Grand: 11th Aug 2007 - 02:08 GMT

I just had my racing COPPI bike stolen, last saturday. Went to visit my aunt at Soeurs St Joseph, in Lachine, west of Montreal. Asked the security man if possible to let the bike in, he refused but convinced me he would check the bike. The guy did not check the bike, it disappeared. Cinelli frame, mavic wheels, shimano 600, yellow cables and red frame. The police does nothing, they asked me if there was a camera on the spot, the nuns do nothing, the security guy does nothing. Is it legal to steal a bike? It may be black magic, but I hope anyone who touches that bike would be a little sick...until I have it again. Abra-Khad-Abra!

ray: 13th Aug 2007 - 01:23 GMT

I cannot believe how awful it feels to have a bike stolen. I had locked my bike on Avenue Rd (outside WholeFoods) last week and went inside to ask about the possibility of parking my bike inside somewhere. I wasnt even in there 3 minutes when i came back out to find my bike gone. Im sure the thief was no more than 100yrds away but i could not spot him and didnt know which way to run. Anyway the bike is gone and ill have to check out Igor's (already checked Uncle Jacobs.) Im not optimistic. In case anyone spots it. The bike is a converted Cannondale F700 MtBike now hybrid. It is electric blue with bright yellow highlights and Red city slicks. Honesly you cant miss it. contact me at barcanr@bloomberg.net.

ffox88: 14th Aug 2007 - 23:55 GMT

Hey... some heartfelt stories to be read here. I had my bike (Grey Kona Condercone 2004) stolen last week in Riverdale. I'm devastated. This bike has been with me over 12000km all over Germany. For sentimental reasons I flew it over here last May. Here's the story: About 2 months ago, my downstairs neighbour had his brand new bike stolen only after 2 days from our closed-in porch. The bastards had the guts to climb through the next door neighbours porch (a tiny awkward 3' x 4' opening) and slip the bike through while everyone was sleeping in the house. I knew they had a good look at my locked Kona on the way out. We talked to the landlord about closing off the opening but one thing led to another and nothing was done. Well sure enough, last Thursday they finished their shopping by pulling the same stunt this time on my beloved KONA with the added difficulty that they had to cut through a lock before they took it. Again no one in the house heard them. Of course, the police I talked to showed compassion but were useless.

I have no hope, but if you see my bike, please report it to the police or contact me (cfares@gmx.net)...
(looked just like this one)

ffox88: 15th Aug 2007 - 00:15 GMT

... (cont'd)...
I, too, have a lot of built in frustration towards the thieves, the police, the used bike shops that buy stolen wheels. I've been up at night imagining how to catch them in the act and wondered what I would do. So I would punch them in the nose, hit them with something, spray them with acid until the cops came... and then what? We go to court, they get away with at most a small fine and then they come back and get even with me?

There are probably better solutions. And no, I don't want to start on how to lock a bike properly... there are enough websites for this (including the Toronto Police). I know now that if they see your bike and want your bike and find that they won't get caught, THEY WILL GET TO IT.
It would be better to get all you guys organized and have a central website where you can all report your stolen bikes. This Dude (Micheal Jones) from Portland has a nice service at www.finetoothcog.com where people do just that. He has a googlemap tool to survey where and when bikes get stolen. And you can have all the craiglist and ebay ads automatically searched daily for your missing bike in case it pops up. If we had a site like this in Toronto, we could also have a newsgroup with success stories like the St.Lawrence Market story. Or we could also list shady shops like those listed above. The Dude replied to me and said all we need are sponsors. I wonder if the city would want to help. Or if maybe the "good" bike shops would want to advertise through such a website (although here I wonder if ALL bike shops profit from a healthy bike theft system in a city...)... Anyway, I would be willing to put my efforts into something like that...
Anyone knows where to start? to spread the word? Any coders out there?

Koleso: 15th Aug 2007 - 03:17 GMT

I fix and sell used/trash bicycles in Toronto. I do a great job diverting these wonderful machines from landfills and scrap yards.
Too bad the scum bags like Igor and Co don't have any conscience.
Because of them I hate being second guessed when selling a bike.

suki: 22 Aug 2007: 22nd Aug 2007 - 22:00 GMT

Some shitheads just stole two of my son's bikes out our garage where they were locked. He is 15 and works part time as a bike technician. He purchased both of his bike's with his own wages. It is a hard lesson to learn for a hardworking kid. One bike was a downhill mountain bike and the other was a street bike. They were both Specialized and expensive. My husband and I spent three hours riding around checking out the pawn shops and bike cannibals. Talk about SCUMBAGS!!! We gave the cops the serial #'s and are hopeful we may find the downhill bike as it is quite distinctive and a crackhead would look quite irregular riding it around. There is a special place in hell for Igor and Uncle Jakob.

suki: 23rd Aug 2007 - 04:33 GMT

just as an update one of them is an 2003 specialized bighit Dh and the other is a 2004 specialized hardrock pro with 24" wheels

TimmoGraf: 25th Aug 2007 - 18:12 GMT

I have had 2 bikes stolen(one parked in front of a police station). Now i have a fixed wheel bike with Mavic wheels.It weighs 19 lbs.
Tips I use now.
1. I put mud to cover up the labels.Making my bike to look a little shabby.
2. Lock it with the wheels rotated so as not to show any labels.

Now the thieves don't know whats hiding behind the shabby mask.
AND I AM LAUGHING ON THE INSIDE EVERY TIME I PARK MY BIKE IN THE CITY.

106!!: 2nd Sep 2007 - 03:41 GMT

well well.... i guess us cycling types need to band together to protect one another.... a few years ago my girlfriend bought me a new bike for my bday!! i was my first new bike since foreverand it was a great gift, well it lasted 1 night, the next morning someone had stolen it!! so disapointed i went to work by bus... i came home that night to find she had felt so bad about it she got me a second bike (used, but still a great gift) this time we got a large u lock with a chain....locked it up and went in to watch a movie. after that i came out to bring my bike in(around 10pm) all that they left was the front wheel...... i was so pissed. anyway about a month later i just couldnt get to sleep so i took a stroll down the street! (this all happened at queen and ossington) what do i see just ahead of my but a couple of bike thives, a guy and girl, guy breaks lock girl rides off on bike! so i follow this guy west on queen thinking the whole time about my bikeless ass! when i looked up and had the greatest idea.. the bridge over queen at gladstone provided me the perfect revenge. i ran up to the top and waited on the other side with a handful of rocks until i saw him and unleashed!! i hit him square in the face 2 or 3 times and the body until it hit him dead on his head and knocked him out cold.... i felt really horrible for about 2 seconds then left.

people like uncle jerkoff and igor make it extremly hard to enjoy this city.

cindy: 6th Sep 2007 - 04:34 GMT

I am so upset right now since I just had my 2,600$ one month old bike stolen right on St Clair Ave. East close too yonge st, right outside the deerpark library. It took me a whole month to buy it and is my only mode of transport other than the TTC (crap). Some eye witness said that a streetperson took it who hangs out on the same street corner all the time at yonge and st.clair....when I went back 3 hours later, the streetperson was there with the exact desciption of three eyewitnesses who saw him take his cutters to my lock.....if you see it:
Silver with alitte gold " Giant Trance 2" with an 18 " frame.....reward $400.00
Many thanks,....when I told the police to interrogate him they didn't do too much and said that my witnesses had to come into take a look at his mugshot...he was arrested 2 yrs. ago,....how many bikes in between has he stolen, I wonder?????
Date: Sept. 5 2007

cindy: 6th Sep 2007 - 04:37 GMT

In resonse to my earlier post regarding my stolen mountain bike "giant" 18 " frame,........you can reach me at: cerross@ca.inter.net
Many thanks for allowing me to VENT!!!!

EvilGentleman: 6th Sep 2007 - 07:19 GMT

I saw this post the day it was first posted, and had not looked back it till today. What a lot of comments about stolen bikes in the Toronto area! Incredible.

Reminds me of this guy that passes through the west end of downtown Montreal at about 1 to 2 am, always riding a different junker, always trying to sell it for either $7 or $10. I assume he asks for $7 when he wants to get a big beer in the bar, and $10 when he needs a pack of smokes. He never sticks around long, although I have seen him go into bars looking for customers. He never locks the bikes, either. Just leans them on the parking meter and strolls inside.

There are other guys that come around with newer bikes and ask for $25 to $50, except for one purported racing bike that the thief wanted $500 for. These guys seem a little more hard-core and professional, and worry me somewhat. At least the guy on the junkers is probably just a scruffy crackhead/bum who would probably apologize, return the bike and run if confronted. The pro guys tend to dress in more expensive clothes, and look like they carry weapons.

But either way, I will never buy stolen personal property, although I did buy a hot street atlas for $4. This was also wrong, but the crisp $19.99 price tag from the major retail chain the atlas came from failed to inspire any pity in me that day.

I wish to extend my sincerest sympathies to the many victims of theft here. I know how it feels, but in a much lesser sense. I have had two rear wheels stolen from my bike that was parked in an open space under bright lights in a space of 3 months. That was back in 1995.

Luckily, I have never had a full bike stolen, although my son's bike was stolen back when he was 6, when we were up in the Arctic. I knew a local kid was hiding it and riding it at night, but which kid? I made some reward posters on my computer and offered $20 to whoever brought it back, no questions asked. Within a few hours, some 10 year old kid showed up with the bike. He told us the name of the 9 year old who stole it, but said to never mind going to his family to give him shit, since he already suffered a beating from the kid who brought the bike back. I would never have condoned violence to children as a means of repatriating my son's bike, but hey, life is full is tough lessons, so if that is what happened, so be it.

Looking back at my own childhood, I can recall the worst insult of all. I had an old 3-speed when I was about 13. I locked it up in front of the Mac's Milk store in the Riverdale district of Cornwall, Ontario. After about 2 hours of playing Tempest and Galaxian inside, I came out to find that some asshole had stolen my lock and left my bike! Damn those crappy old Canadian Tire drum combination chain locks, anyways. The next day, my parents bought me my first U-lock. My, how times have changed.

A final thought: How many people in Toronto own bikes that cost between $1000 and $3000 and park them close to crackheads downtown? Are you nuts? Some of these people are so poor, they have nothing to lose. And to leave a few grand's worth of hardware lying around without an alarm system? To them, that bike is a month's groceries, just waiting to be eaten. Why tempt fate?

Maybe the time has come for cyclists to join the world of paid parking, where the cyclist can enclose their ride in an iron bar cage that issues randomly-coded paper card keys. A scanner reads the card before unlocking the cage again (after payment, of course) Add video surveillance, and maybe the bikes can finally be safe.

S.: 9th Sep 2007 - 16:07 GMT

It's unfortunate when you can be considered naive for thinking a bike locked up on your enclosed front porch is safe. I will check Uncle Jacob's. Again, naive. I've been there before but did not know he sells stolen bikes. He and his staff are f@#*'n creepy but, I'd love to cuss him out and call the cops on him.

strategic: 14th Sep 2007 - 13:46 GMT

WOW...time for we "receipt carrying/ paid full price for my bike" citizens to unite...I am also a bike commuter who just had my FuJi Crosstown 3 stolen from in Front of Metro Hall in the past month - I'm in the process of getting a new bike - ( this will be # 5 ) but really want to do something to stop this insanity. Anyone up for 24/7 watchdogging at the two known chop shops - snapping photos of all the bikes going in and out then posting them on a blog...so people can identify their bike and we can build a case. contact me at longlakenearsudbury@yahoo.ca

QQbiker: 14th Sep 2007 - 15:01 GMT

Guys, before you go too heavy on Uncle Jacob, you have to know that he does his best to avoid the stolen bikes. A few might end up in his store from people claiming that they are really the rightful owner, but he and his staff do try to weed out the stolen bikes. In fact, they buy most of their bikes from the Toronto Police auction, e-bay, or kijiji. You can even track his activity on there. He buys bikes and sells them for a modest profit. There's no harm in that at all. Yes, the bikes were stolen, BUT, if the owner never clamied them through the proper channels, then they are legally allowed to be resold. I can't speak for Igor's though as I've yet to see him on the police auctions site. I have absolutely no affiliaton with Uncle Jacob's store whatsoever, and was once sceptical myself. Like all pawns shops he's gotten a bad rap. Yes, people try to sell him bikes that are stolen, but he really does his best to report these from what I know of him. If you were to come across a stolen bike in his shop, work with him not against him to get the bike back to you. Oh, and ALWAYS register your bike with the police and ALWAYS report the theft. Even if its not found, it will help paint a real picture of the level of theft in the community. Not reporting a theft makes the stats look better than they really are.

jeeff: 14th Sep 2007 - 15:18 GMT

anybody know of a place in toronto to get your bicycle microchipped? i know on the university of toronto campus they have a program with dummy bikes tagged with RFID microchips that are locked up around campus, waiting as bait for bike thieves. i hear it's been a big success so far. if they can track these bikes down, why not private citizens?

QQbiker: 14th Sep 2007 - 17:00 GMT

Not yet. LowJack is an option, but they focus on cars. Quite expensive.

QQbiker: 14th Sep 2007 - 17:21 GMT

The cost right now is in the range of $300. Problem is that's for the device itself and doesn't cover monthly service fees, registration, etc. if you need someone to track it for you. Also, the smaller devices are still about the size of a motorla razor phone, so its hard to hide it on your bike. Within the year I predict a cheaper solution. I'm looking into one myself.

jeeff: 16th Sep 2007 - 16:58 GMT

but what about the tiny tracking microchips that ppl implant in pets? surely those aren't the size of a razr phone. any reason you couldn't just affix one of these to your bike? (eg. inside of the handlebar)

QQbiker: 17th Sep 2007 - 18:41 GMT

The microchips are readable by scanners at vets, SPCA's, etc. They're not really a tracking device per se. They are used more as a serial number for Scruffy or Fluffy in case they end up running away and are found without their collar.

isa: 20th Sep 2007 : 26th Sep 2007 - 15:01 GMT

I had my bike stolen on Queen and Yonge. It was a 2 years old silver folding bike and a gift from my boyfriend...I am very sad because I should have been more carefull but I never thought that it could happen in that spot and with me. I am very much desappointed and I hope I could find it.

SS12: 30th Sep 2007 - 03:02 GMT

I also saw this asshole who busted a lock at Ossington station and his "girlfriend" rode away on the stolen bike while he dropped the lock into a garbage bin.
Even if he is caught red-handed, nothing could be done, really. It would cost way too much keep him in jail......

Peter S: 2nd Oct 2007 - 04:09 GMT

I have bought a couple of brand new bikes from Uncle Jacob, and have also had good experience with getting repairs done by them at very reasonable prices. So he is definitely a legit bike dealer who provides a useful service. I never paid much attention to his used bike selection, but never had the impression that there was much in the way of high end (likely stolen) bikes.

As somebody else mentioned, you should get an engraver and engrave your info (e.g., e-mail address -- which protects your privacy) on the bike in large letters. That would reduce the chance of it getting stolen, and increase the chance of getting it back if it is stolen.

Bec M: 10th Oct 2007 - 21:33 GMT

I had my beautiful Trek mountain bike stolen from University Ave on a Friday in July, during business hours! So many people walking by all the hospitals there on University Ave and still nobody saw anything. Why are Toronotonians so bloody passive!!! If you see someone looking suspicious why wouldn't you say anything? I was devastated as this was my first mountain bike in Canada and was the first I ever toured with. I had my bike locked on one of the "city's" bike locks - if you can call them that. Wouldn't it be great if the city of Toronto actually did something about the sheer volume of bikes being stolen every day in this city. I hope the election today results in some changes around here.

Sasha: 11th Oct 2007 - 17:32 GMT

My bike got stolen yesterday. Its a purple Miele with a basket on it. It was given to me to borrow by this lovely woman and was taken right on Bloor Street at Jarvis. Apparantly bike thefts there are insane these days.

Anyone have an idea where to go to find my bike?
Any help would be appreciatted. Ive heard Uncle Jacobs. But what side of Spadina is that on. Cant seem to find it.

anon (dhcphosta30.scar.utoronto.ca): 11th Oct 2007 - 20:04 GMT

Wow this is certainly a post that resonates with me. I've had several experiences of bike theft and am EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED about the whole situation. My most recent 'loss' was this past summer while visiting Kingston. Nice small town you think, but no K-Town is just as bad a Toronto for bike theivery. After spending $600 on a nice hybrid from Cylemania on the Danforth, I had it stolen off me after leaving it locked up on the Queen's campus, along with my boyfriend's Giant. All they left was the cut lock. What a horrible sinking feeling, followed by rage. I am still so angry about the loss and it is clearly because I feel helpless. The cops in Kingston had a good laugh at us and told us there was very little they could do. I'm sure there is a similar "uncle bob" in K-town but I'm not from there so I have no idea where we might have looked for them. Now I've got a new bike and I'm locking it up with two locks but everytime I come back to it I have this horrible expectation that it won't be there.

I think we need to be active using Craigslist. People need to post the bikes they've had stolen and we need to check out places like Uncle Bob's and post what he's got for sale...

Trek 9800 OLCV: 14th Oct 2007 - 20:27 GMT

Stolen last night off my porch (along with my wifes bike) - if you manage to see it around town please let me know. Queen + Carlaw area. Funny thing is I was walking my son the next morning when I noticed our bikes were gone. A cop was at the top of the street arresting some dude for who knows what (unfortunately not just having stole my bikes) and I asked him what I should do. He said wait until monday and hit the pawn shop at the top of my street. They have 300+ bikes in their basement and mine will likely be their by noon! I mentioned the amount of crime on my street and he shrugged and said the police do not want to risk their lives so most do nothing but hand out useless tickets so they can spend the night in the station. paul.kerr@scalar.ca if you happen to see my wheels.

sperlimail@gmail.com: 16th Oct 2007 - 01:59 GMT

Boo hoo! :( Third bike in 3.5 years! I am still deciding if I believe in Karma... Anyway, for those of us on the hunt, if you happen to come across this sweet girl that was taken from behind OISE at St. George and Bloor, please be kind and let me know. In the meantime, I will be hitting the used bike shops with a vengeance this week!!! YAAARGHHH!! (It feels good vent anyway - thanks for listening.)

sperlimail@gmail.com: 16th Oct 2007 - 02:01 GMT

Here is the photo. It had two bells on it, a vintage clown on the left handle and a cool compass dinger on the right.
:(

gwendolyn (jillgwenward@hotmail.com): 17th Oct 2007 - 00:09 GMT

so sad to read about all the thefts as i was there myself last fall with 2 different bikes and just had my beautiful (and recovered from last year) specialized stolen again. sigh. guess i'll be hitting all the regular spots. i'd gladly join a protest - perhaps outside the police station or the mayor's office? i'm seriously thinking about moving on to rollerblades - at least those i can keep with me when i'm done :)

Tim (timmillan@hotmail.com): 29th Oct 2007 - 19:15 GMT

Bought my wife a Black and Silver Trek Lime for her bday Oct 4. Stolen Oct 26. Thanks for the tips-I'll check out those shops.

testeez: 29th Oct 2007 - 19:42 GMT

Wow..... How could a shop with such a bad reputation for re-selling stolen property stay in business for so long?

Genny: 30th Oct 2007 - 19:43 GMT

Oh dear, all these tales of sadness and I have my own to add.

My previous bike was stolen last year from where it was locked in front of the Canadian Tire on Yonge St. and (after some raging and tears) I went out and bought a replacement.
A lovely Giant FCR3 that could speed like a gazzel through the frantic city streets. I loved my new bike and I commute 20km to work every day, rain and shine.

Well, I managed to hang on to it for close to a full year.

I almost never locked it outside and when I did run into a shop for 5 min it was always double locked (1 Kriptonite cable lock and 1 Kriptonite New York mini U lock) and I would always try to keep the bike in sight throught the window of the shop. So I thought I was safe.

Then I got up yesterday and went outside in the dim, crisp twilight of 6:30am to cycle into work and the door of the garage was hanging open. I looked closer and someone had used a hammer and crowbar (and maybe an axe) and hacked open the locks on the shed and my lovely bike was gone :(

I thought it would be safe at the very back of our yard, out of sight of the street in a well locked shed.

I guess I need to get a big dog. Or perhaps electrify the locks.

So if anyone sees a Giant FCR3 in gold with red and dark grey strip. Small frame 16 or 17 inch I think (I have short legs) you'll know its mine. I did register the serial number (GU512948) with the police but I understand that rarly helps.

Now I need to get a new bike before the TTC takes all my money, but I think this time I will buy a beater for $100 bucks and try not to get emotionally attached.

Kelly: 11th Apr 2008 - 02:00 GMT

I say we should spend a day sitting at the Trinity Bellwood Park and watch Igor's store with our camera, taking photos of people who go in there with expensive bikes and post them on a website. I got so angry when my bike was stolen outside City Hall with two locks... anyone wants to join me?

Ana: 15th Apr 2008 - 13:40 GMT

I'm in! Bike theft is rampant in this city and it needs to stop. I don't know how this hasn't yet become an issue with law enforcement and no one's spoken out loud.
This issue needs publicity - any PR people out there?

Nelson: 16th Apr 2008 - 04:57 GMT

Had my bike stolen April 13 at Dufferin Mall. It's a yellow, with blue and red, Giant
AtX 890 mountain bike, 19.5" frame. The only thing they left was the cut lock. I reported it to Police, who basically said that there is only a slim chance of ever seeing it again.
For many of you, like myself, your bikes were your means of getting around the city and as such are as important as a car. Recently, the federal government has stepped up to bring car theft down. Well, I think we also need to apply enough pressure at the political and police levels in Toronto and elsewhere in Canada to lower bike theft.
I think this can be done through:
1) proper registration of a bike when you buy it, used or new. This could be done
over a website, maintained by the city. This way, when you buy a used bike,
you could check if the registration matches the person selling it.
The bike could also carry a small license plate, though such a system may entail
a fee and may be more difficult to implement.
2) have a special police unit for bicycle (or other non-motor vehicle) theft for each
major city. Maybe there is such a unit in Toronto already. If not, this would
increase the priority of investigating bike theft.

Any more ideas?

Kevin: 24th Apr 2008 - 19:39 GMT

I currently own a couple of decent mountain bikes and haven't owned a lock in 10 years after having had 3 bikes (of all varying quality and price range) stolen. This year I had planned on commuting to and from work but after reading these tragic and dismal responses, I'm hesitating of even purchasing a "beater". I'm curious if anyone here has had their bikes stolen after securing their bike with a Kryptonite New York lock.

As for scouting out Igors with a camera, I'm interested if this will help bring justice for future victims.

Kevin: 24th Apr 2008 - 19:56 GMT

I forgot to specify which Kryptonite New York I was inquiring about. I was referring to the Fahgettaboudit Mini U-lock.

Ben Baillargeon: 26th Apr 2008 - 06:11 GMT

Let me tell everyone the number one way to stop bike theft!

Don't be stupid for one without critisizing anyone, but if you love you bike bring it everywhere you go! seriously i ride my norco kokanee to the corner store in Windsor Ontario and i bring my bike right inside with me if the store owner says you can't bring your bike in simply reply with "fine the next corner store wants my money more!" that usually makes them say ok leave it there but be quick. My bike is my life! i have spent over 2500.00 on this monster transforming it into a trail machiene, and frankly I aint going to let some punk steal it! if you have your own house don't think your garage will save your ride beucase people have balls these days and if they want it they will take it! bring it in your house if your going to leave home. For those out there where money isn't an thing get your ride micro chipped! and let someone steal your bike and then track it down! or not, depends if you want some street justice ;). I have had my first bmx stolen from me and that was it for me, now everywhere i go my ride goes with me, grocery store, corner store, clinics any public place! never let it out of your sight and you will never lose your bike plain and simple.

For those who still insist on leaving your bike outside you can do 1 of 2 things i used to do to make it alot harder for them to take your bike!

one take the fucking chain off the chainrings all the way in first gear on the front so your chain sitting on your frame and then switch your front derailer over to third gear! it's a great way to slow someone down! (thus your chain will be imobilized! don't forget to fix it because it will damage your bike if you try to pedal away!

Two befor you bring your bike into one of those bike rack things change your gears into the highest ones available such as 3 ring in the front and 7th 8th or 9th in the back!
if you happen to catch them in time you will more then likly catch up to them because you can't make a quick getaway on a bike in it's highest gears!

last but not least take off the rims! bring them with you! if your quick release good for you, you should have no problem doing this one. because if someone does steal your bike and it has no rims they have to walk with it! easy to spot!

LOL just though of this one but for the girls out there i'm sure you know what a rape alarm is. it's a simple colored plastic box handheld size with a pull tab. when you pull that tab man is it ever a peircing noise, having one of these attached to your bike a jerry rigged to whatever you bike may be locked to could give you a slight advantage in catching someone who is stealing your bike.

my e-mail is Airbrush_techniques@hotmail.com if anyone wants to get anymore tips just send me some mail and i will gladly help! been riding my Norco for 3 years now so send me a line if you would like!

Windsor Ontario guy!

Dan: 26th May 2008 - 19:45 GMT

hi my ironhorse was stolen in early May while i was at school, here are the pics, email me if you found it as I probably wont check this site again since i stumbled upon it while googling stuff.

http://maiwang.zyphernetworks.net/IH/

Stolen while I worked... Curses!: 30th May 2008 - 18:25 GMT

Hello this was my bike.

Scott FB60 Speedster - Black, Grey, Gunmetal, 24 spd, 23c tires

It was stolen between 5-7 on Thursday, May 30, 2008.

In front of the University of Toronto Athletics Center, Harbord and Spadina.

If you see this bike let me know, I just want it back, if you have a chance to buy it do so and I'll pay you back double.

Any information leading to me either finding the person who stole it, bought it, or me actually getting it back will be rewarded handsomely.

I do not want any cops involved, I simply want my bike. Please help

See photos here toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/700844950.html

Stolen while I worked out... Curses!: 2nd Jun 2008 - 03:46 GMT

oh btw - can you actually go into Igor's? I went today and he wasn't there.

It didn't look like a real store.

anon (CPE001d7e0bfd12-CM0012250076ce.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com): 6th Jun 2008 - 15:45 GMT

Yeah, I think Igor's place has been finally shut down - good riddance! I'm off to Jacob's to look for my girlfriend's stolen bike. Anyone know of any other good places to look these days?

Nope: 18th Jun 2008 - 20:53 GMT

Igor's was open today. I just drove by around noon and the door was open, and bikes were on display...

WR: 11th Jul 2008 - 21:08 GMT

Had my bike stolen out of my garage this afternoon, probably an hour before I was gonna go use it. Now, I got the thing for free from my neighbor, so I'm not out any money luckily, but what pisses me off is that my bike was a complete piece of junk and they stole it anyway. It was a friggin' rusted-out piece of shit with bad brakes, messed-up gears, and ONE FRIGGIN' PEDAL, and they stole it anyway. It even had a u-lock through the spokes, so they must have carried it away, plus they'll have to pry it off before they can sell it for the 35 cents that the bike's worth. So I guess my point is that they'll steal ANYTHING. Not even having the world's shittiest bike is an effective anti-theft device. Anyway, I'm certainly not feeling sorry for myself here. My condolences to the people here who had actually valuable bikes stolen. I can't even imagine how pissed-off you must be.

jeeff: 17th Jul 2008 - 22:20 GMT

ha! igor gets caught red-handed and the city celebrates. people are even posting about it on craigslist. a couple links:

www.torontosun.com/News/TorontoAndGTA/2008/07/17/6181516-sun.html
www.ibiketo.ca/node/2353
www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2008/07/17/bike-theft.html

Some Guy Ya: 20th Jul 2008 - 04:42 GMT

Hi folks.

I got sick of my bikes being taken back in 92. So since then, I've been keeping it inside. I still have my 1992 Ironhorse. Lovely bike. For the first time in my life, I am in the market for a new bike and I still have my old one.

You have to start catching thieves. Get a small team of trusted people together, park a bike in an obvious place, film it, and wait. Keep the team hidden, and pounce when the bike is being tampered with. Take a bunch of films to the police.

John Q Public: 20th Jul 2008 - 20:19 GMT

Igor is a fucking cunt, I am going to crack his fucking skull open. You fucking piece of shit faggot.

twice robbed: 2nd Aug 2008 - 21:59 GMT

hundreds of bikes are stolen from the bike racks infront of the uoft athletic centre every year. The University administration should be ashamed that they have not attempted to address this issue by providing a secure facility for their patrons to store bicycles. At the very least signs could be posted alerting cyclists that it is a high bike theft zone.
Insane bike hoarder Igor needs to be committed to a Slovenian mental institution and treated for drug, alcohol and hoarding addiction with electro shock therapy and zoloft.

Liam: 6th Aug 2008 - 11:18 GMT

I had my old (ca 1980) Peugeot 10 speed taken from in front of 20 Dundas St West last Wednesday afternoon. It was grey with "Peugeot" in orange letters on the down post and an aluminum carrier on the back. Not worth alot but I had that bike longer than anything else that I can think of. I may pay Uncle Jacob's a visit but if anyone here has seen it please send me a note. liam.lacy@cibc.com

bikeguy: 21st Aug 2008 - 03:54 GMT

Uncle Jacobs is getting a lot of negative reviews here as a stolen bike shop. Look, if you're going to sell used bikes in the world capital of bike theft then you're obviously going to come across a few stolen bikes. IT'S INEVITABLE. That having been said, I've befriended the guy and he's pretty solid. He's also pretty stringent about checking credentials on bikes before he buys them. If you try to bring him a bike made in the past 10 years, he'll definitely ask you for a receipt. And he won't take the bike without one, believe it or not. I've witnessed him send multiple guys out of the shop who he suspects has just stolen a bike, and he even refused a trade in on my friend's beat-up 6 year old Trek. If you have an old bike (20 years or more), good luck tracking it down. I don't think there's a used bike store in town that wouldn't pick it up off your hands easily. Igor was a bad guy, but Jacob is a stand-up vintage bike nerd.

bikejustice: 7th Apr 2009 - 16:12 GMT

for SS12 and anyone else in this post who has mentioned seeing a guy and girl girlfriend stealing bikes around the ossington & bloor area:

Last summer I had a personal encounter with these two. Unfortunately for them, I know where he works and sure enough- at On The Go at 975 Bloor St West. He's a bike mechanic there and has done tune ups for my roomates and I in the past. One night, I had my beater bike stolen off my porch and walked out to find a better beater bike left on my lawn. I found this quite odd and proceeded to throw the bike into my house before leaving for the night.

The next day I was riding it around when I passed the bike mechanic and his girlfriend double riding by my house. They seemed to be amazed by the sight of me and after staring me down starting laughing wildly like a pack of hyenas! My guess is they stole my bike with the intention of coming back minutes later for the one the left behind- to find that I stepped out the door at the right moment.

I'm not one to accuse but it's quite obvious that these two are guilty. On The Go does definately sell stolen bikes and not only that- they steal them themselves! Just a warning to anyone living in the bloor & dovercourt area.

Here's they're descriptions:
Male: 18-23 Black tall, at least 6'3 thin and stylish clothes
Female: Blonde, petite maybe 20 years old

Rico: 7th May 2009 - 04:31 GMT

after visiting uncle jacobs, had them show me a couple of bikes within my price range but i still felt it was expensive for used/beater bikes. So I explained to one of the employees that im a student, without a lot of money and he brought me outside to jacob and explained exactly that and told him the price i wanted for. He offered a counter price and I was rethinking if it was worth the value...(maybe 15 seconds?) The employee still was holding it infront of jacob and I was still silent thinking, and jacob said "bring it in dont have it out here." So I dont know what he meant by that.

Donny: 17th Jun 2009 - 16:26 GMT

The Kryptonite Krytolock model not strong enough for urban centres, easy to leverage off.
Have had many brought to our store, don't recommend it a primary lock.
Whether it's the barrel key system or flat key, it doesn't matter, they would just bend that model open, under a minute.
NY model is much stronger the mini EV, if just locking the frame or even Abus Granit series for U-locks and the chains are good too.
Spend the money on a good lock, they will steal what they can 'break', even if your bike is old and beat up.

gloria: 14th Jul 2009 - 15:27 GMT

hi iv resently had my bike stolen iv started cycling 2 get fit and tiuse the car less so pretty pist of at moment iv reported 2 the police x claimed on our house insurance but u have 2 put down £100 axcess on it then is it worth it not even had the bike a year yet its got to the point that i wont take bike anywhere if i dont have to lock it as u no locks r a wast of time it take secs to break them i thinking is it worth the hussle of cycling anymore get back into my car gloria

Sheeds: 21st Jul 2009 - 19:25 GMT

Agree with Donny. I've owned a very nice bike but I bought a Kryptonite New York Lock. You cant totally tell that the lock has been slashed and hacked at by bike thieves all to no avail. So many times, I've found my bike lying on the ground because some bike thief is trying to use a lever to break it off. Some jerk off even tried to nitro the insides...the lock didn't work for a while but after it warmed up, it started working again. I actually parked one of my bikes at the Ex and found the tires slashed...probably a frustrated thief.

I've owned that lock longer than I've owned my bike. It's 130 bucks, which is steep but you're actually buying peace of mind and this baby will be with you for a good 10 plus years.

Stolen in parkdale: 13th Sep 2009 - 21:30 GMT

My old bike got stolen around Dufferin/Queen and I know who these two ppl are !!! I am not sure what I should do next, what is the normal legal punishment for a bike thief?

Peter: 18th Sep 2009 - 12:46 GMT

they finally put a stop to igor's operation:
www.bikingtoronto.com/2008/07/toronto-police-bust-bike-thief-and.html

Howard: 9th Oct 2009 - 19:26 GMT

I spotted a nice bike at Uncle Jacobs on Spadina via Craigslist. Do you think it's stolen? Is uncle Jacob a regular buyer of hot bikes from Toronto's crackheads? If I was going to buy a used bike, I would ask for a receipt for the original purchase from the seller. If not that, I would at least want a photo I.D. like a license and write down the info just in case I got busted for unknowingly riding a stolen bike. Yes, I have a Kryptonite New York lock!

Kursk: 11th Nov 2009 - 07:58 GMT

Why do none of you just crack open the fucking skulls of these people..? You know who is stealing your bikes, go fuck them up!

Can't steal much when your paws are smashed and you're drinking lunch through a sippy straw!

Nikki: 24th Nov 2009 - 03:31 GMT

sad sad sad. I am so pissed off to come home on my dinner break today to find my bike stolen from the second floor balcony of our house. We rent an apartment in the house and I am 99% sure that the neighbour in the ajoined house (also a rental unit with a balcony right next to ours) hopped the balcony and broke my lock. we want to stake him out with my boyfriend's bike (bait)and film it. Ahhhh, I am so aggrevated. I loved my bike. It was a great Haro bike that I've had for many years and served me very well.
If you see a deep red bike with Haro in black letters down the crossbar. It had a red 'honkahoota' horn and a light in the front and back.
thanks
nsmaclellan@yahoo.ca

Nikki: 24th Nov 2009 - 03:34 GMT

re the previous posting: this occured in the cabbagetown neighbourhood. If anyone knows where stolen bikes are pawned in this area, please let me know.

James the cyclist: 15th Feb 2010 - 03:50 GMT

I ran into this website while looking in the Toronto, Canada Craigslist bike sale thread. Some poster mentioned something about Uncle Jacob's henchmen trying to flag bad comments about his shop. That is how I ended up doing a Google search on 'uncle jacob toronto' and found this site. Like many here I've been a victim of stolen bikes before. I had two stolen right out of my garage in broad day light. The theives even left their old beater bikes behind while we had the cops do the paperwork. I was young at that time and my folks got the bikes for us to go for some rides. All brand new bikes totaling about $1500 CDN.

We had a Specialized Hardrock and IIRC 1-2 Mongoose bikes. I only had less then 1km riding on them before they were stolen. Fast forward many years later after a period of no biking and driving my passion for riding returned. This time I found a forum ( www dot bikeforums dot net I have no affliation to them so not spamming) and learned of how to lock the bike and learned of the legend 'Sheldon Brown' while he was still living and helping help all riders with all his knowledge on his website to fix/repair and better keep your bike. He passed away a couple years ago IIRC but his site taught me a lot. I have learned if you want to keep anything lock it up. That was why my bikes back then coupled with my carelessness of youth did not lock up the bikes and they were open to be taken. Now a days I lock up everything in the garage. If they want to try and run off with my bikes they are daisy chain locked up to each other so the theif would have to cut two locks to free one bike pending how sandwiched inside they may have to cut 2-3 locks to get the bike. Sure they could carry it it out of the garage and make a run for it but not withuot looking VERY SUSPICIOUS with 4 bikes locked up in an awkward way to carry it.

Something that I don't think has been mentioned on this website as I've only read half way before I got readers fatigue is that the U-LOCK incidently fits AROUND A PERSONS NECK. I know this as in my elememtary (pre JHS) days I fondly remember a moment when I was screwing around with a then friend and I locked the U-LOCK around his head then road off for a few minutes before returning to unlock it. He was not too pleased but funny enough to remember that coincident that the U-LOCK won't choke out a person. With that knowledge there I say if you find the theif and can pin them down U-LOCK their head to a post. You will NOT sufficate them. I have recently tried this on myself (the U-LOCK to neck not U-LOCKing to a post with my neck :) ) and no it does not sufficate me at all.

It would be a hell of an explaination on the street to someone when they ask for a 'hacksaw' or 'powertool' to remove the lock because you don't U-LOCK someone's head to a post unless they're really scum or 95% a bike theif. I have heard of stories of people bashing heads with U-LOCKs before tho I have one time thwarted a bike theif of a visiting girl to this country. Being one that likes bikes and girls on bikes tickles my fancy whenever I see bikes being ridden around be it fe/male I thin it's cool. I just happened to catch this girl locking up her cruiser bike while I was doing some shopping. After I left my shopping some guy was moving her bike out. For a minute I was thinking the worst but then thought it could have been her boyfriend or friend but when I saw the U-LOCK being left behind worked off the bike as the guy was starting to ride away I knew this punk stole this girls bike.

I don't often ride with a collapsable fishing rod (like those all in one fish kits at Canadian Tire for rookies is what I had) but I happened to have it on my that day as I was thinking of trying it out. I immediately got to my bike, unlocked it, and gave casual chase. I was thinking of alerting the girl first but having known how the girl looks I could probably ID her later but the theif would have gotten away if I did that and time was precious then. I was about 1/2 block distance already when I got my lock off but managed to close the gap. I tried not to look like I was chasing the punk as I was racing to him but needed to conserve some power incase I needed to sprint on him as he already had a head start and geared up already at a coasting speed soI know his legs are still fresh. I managed to maintain visual on the punk till he reached a light that finally web red which gave time to slow down and regain some energy while not biking whisper voice distance behind him. I casually rolled up before the lights turned green after recovering some energy. I had my backpack half open with the fishing rod in easy access. As I got right up to him almost front tire bumping his rear tire the lights changed as I said 'nice bike' and the guy glared me and I said next 'You stole that bike off that girl' which the guy replied '*n word ***ga* I don't know you fool' as he started to race off. I caught up to him already having some rested legs fromt he casual stroll up when the lights was red and stuck my fishing rod into his rear tire. The punk pretty much went over the bars and face rubbed a cabbies bumper before secondary impact of his head on the asphalt. Cabbie saw what happened and I explained bike theif and the guy gave me that look without saying anything but a half grin on his face like 'yah this guy deserved it' but just said 'ah' to me. The punk was not head. Shaken, yes. Badly scraped, yes. Lesson learned? Not sure. Looked mid 20's on this punk. The cabbie motioned to ask the punk if he's ok as I said I'm calling the cops on this punk. When the punk heard I was calling the cops it seemed like someone shot him in the arm with an energy booster. He got up and ran off down the street. I rode with the bike back to the bakery shop the girl was in hopes to return the bike to her. Everything happened so fast and 7 mins was a blur to that recovery point. When I made it back the girl was still there but on the cellphone.

At first I got cussed out when she saw me with her bike with the fishrod in it and when I had a chance to explain my side I explained the situation, she knew her lock got busted, I pointed out to the cabbies down the road where I caught the bike theif to return the the bike to her. I was out the fishing rod but she did buy me a sub lunch. No I did not get *lucky* with her. Wished it was so but we're years apart in age as she was I think 19ish. We kept in touch for a few years then lost touch after she finished university as she's from France and only over to visit some friends. If you're out there bikey angel and see his and remember me you're not forgotten. Girl reminded me so much of Aerith from the game Final Fantasy 7.

Lesson learned... sticks or long items in tires cause punks to vault forward. Time to go buy a short pipe from Home Depot and keep in the bag. Never know when it'll be handy like that. Also good locks weight a lot. The weight is a reason why it's more durable to defeat. As said before in previous posts if the theif wan'ts you bike they'll get it. The lock is nothing more then buying time and making it difficult for the theif and hopefully having them reconsider another easier bike with less hassle.

When you buy a lock you're buying time for detection. Any theif with a hacksaw or pipe is a dead giveaway they're stealing a bike. If you see powertools you're talking in seconds to the defeat time on the locks. I always use a double U-LOCK and cable lock method. I remove my front wheel, lock it to the post, frame, and rear wheel, the second U-LOCK does the same thing. The cable lock (not the cheap 5mm ones but the strongest of the coil lock ones about 3/4" armored on top of the steel wire) is just as a to lock the seat and frame & tires and make it look like a locked up mess job that will cost a bike theif more time and different tools to defeat. Yah sure my cost penalty about 5 mins fastest to lock up everything and ~9-11lb weight but with daily riding and carrying the weight your body gets used to it and adapts. Soon it'll feel like it's nothing on you unless you're carrying 50+ lbs the odd day and hill climbing with that weight then you'll feel the extra 11lbs on you but I ride 9spd and mostly ride the hills with 30lbs soI'm used to it. I've yet to have my bike taken. I've spotted some bike scouters before but they seemed to have passed up my bike. I guess the two NYFU locks are really worth the money after all. I've yet to hear of anyone with 3 NYFU locks (2 U-LOCKS & 1 chain) complain abuot someone walking off with their bike. You pretty much have the best defeat time on the market there using hand tools that most bike thieves would pass up as they'll be sweating to get you bike off.

a person in the know: 7th Oct 2011 - 13:57 GMT

Uncle Jacob is NOT a bike thief. Quite the contrary. Try and sell him a bike if you are so sure of this for he will not buy without coming to your home and/or without proper ID.
Dont know where this rumors began but he's a very decent person.
I do not know him personally but I am aware of many things he has done anonymously for people and he really is a very decent person.
He is Israeli and I wonder if there are some racists out there that have created these rumors because of his nationality,

Smells a crook: 28th Mar 2012 - 03:59 GMT

Where there is smoke there is fire! My debit card info was skimmed recently. It is interesting that if Uncle Jacob is such an upstanding citizen, why did the culprit run to Uncle Jacob's place to make some big purchases?!! This wasn't just a coincidence.

Knower of the past: 30th Sep 2012 - 06:27 GMT

Back in the day we all made mistakes.

anon (71.22.100.94.static.swiftway.net): 29th Mar 2013 - 13:37 GMT

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