Because the creator of the Chris King Headset Composite Index, I used to be dismayed to be taught (a number of days after it was reported, I’m fairly checked out lately) that the Chris King headquarters has been robbed:
I’m loath to even point out this, since final time I discussed a stolen present bike I bought in all types of bother:
Principally, the too-long-didn’t-read of it’s a bike bought stolen at NAHBS, somebody posted a pretend Craigslist “on the market” advert for it, I tweeted a hyperlink to at, and the builder then accused me of making the advert, which I most assuredly didn’t:
Ah, 2010…it was a less complicated time. Individuals have been so simply offended. Not like right now.
Anyway, it’s been 13 years (!), so I prefer to assume perhaps it’s protected to deal with the topic of stolen present bikes once more. In fact, the primary query that involves thoughts while you examine a heist like that is: “Who?” Not solely is the marketplace for artisan highway and gravel bikes tiny, however each single individual concerned within the promoting, making, and driving of these items is aware of one another and are mates. Moreover, all of them have Instagram accounts, and consistently publish images of their bicycles, which might make possessing one in every of these items and being unable to take action a type of torture since they’d by no means have the ability to share a single image with out incriminating themselves. Sure, I suppose the perpetrator might be some bitter, jilted previous creep the biking world has lengthy since deserted–a once-revered, now-forgotten bike blogger, for instance–although I keep it couldn’t be me as a result of my presence at MADE would have been slightly conspicuous:
Plus, I’ve alibi, as I used to be stealing salmon at a very totally different bike present that week.
Given all this, it’s exhausting to imagine the heist was an inside job engineered by a member of the “bike tradition,” although BikePortland appears to counsel it was in truth a “brah-on-brah” crime:
Nonetheless, it must be famous BikePortland has a fair worse report with accusations than I do with stolen present bikes. Keep in mind when they wrongly outed some man who joined a bunch journey as an undercover officer as a result of he and the cop have been each Asian?
I actually do, as a result of when you have a vested curiosity in making enjoyable of stuff like “tactical urbanists” who arrange group rides and town of Portland, that is precisely the type of factor you reside for.
Wow, trying again, it’s nearly like the one factor the Web is sweet for is producing misunderstandings and making folks indignant!
In any case, engaged on my idea that the thieves have been almost definitely outsiders, I took to Portland Craigslist within the hopes that I may discover listings for the stolen bikes. Alas, I couldn’t, however I used to be heartened to be taught that the over-the-top city fixie (or on this case I assume singlespeed) factor is alive and effectively within the Metropolis of Roses:
Moreover, as a non permanent Nishiki custodian I used to be genuinely impressed with this quantity:
Classic Pelotons additionally look like a sizzling merchandise:
I can completely see folks in Portland cueing up their ironic Olivia Newton-John vinyl and figuring out on these items:
And naturally something even remotely Speedvagen-adjacent nonetheless instructions a excessive premium, even an previous Allez body that was merely painted there:
That’s like asking $150 for a used white Hanes V-neck since you scribbled on it in Sharpie on the Prada retailer.
Nonetheless, there have been no stolen present bikes, and that gold Allez was about as shut as I bought.
Talking of motorcycle thieves, I may use one proper now, as a result of my son’s key broke off within the lock:
I’m open to any and all ideas.
