MY RED 98 SPECIALIZED M2 S-WORKS ... STOLEN 11/23/02 6-7PM

wddung · 11-23-2002, 08:37 PM

RED 1998 SPECIALIZED M2 S-WORKS / Z1 BOMBER / AVID FRONT DISC BRAKE / SILVER MAGURA HYDRAULIC REAR BRAKE / XTR 46-34-24 CRANKSET / XT DISC SUN RHYNO LITE WHEELSET / MAXXIS MOBSTER XC FRONT AND REAR TIRES / BLACK FLITE GENUINE GEL / BLACK RITCHEY SEATPOST / TITEC HANDLEBAR / THOMSON STEM

Yea. I knew that my combination Master Lock and cable was not secure. I was putting the bike a great risk of being stolen. I was too cheap not to invest in a proper lock for a $2000 bike. Nonetheless, I am still disappointed at myself for not having taken more cautious steps to secure the bike.

The story goes like this:

5:30 pm I lock my bike in my usual place at the wavy bike rack in the breezeway of Stevenson Hall at Sonoma State University near the shared lawn in front of the Student Union. The sun was setting, but not completely dark outside. I can see all the way across the lawn at Salazar building and the Gymnasium.

I passed the straight 4 foot braided cable through front wheel, rear wheel and rear triangle of the frame, and around the wavy bike rack. As I was locking the bike, I heard voices from upstairs. I looked up and there were some people standing inside the doors but right against it at the second floor entrance where I usually enter the building. There were no other bikes locked at this rack. Next, I walked up one flight of stairs, passing by two males and two females (same ones I just saw/heard) talking about mathematical or physics theory problem. I entered the building not taking notice of any other persons or activities so it is hard to think of who I saw. I do not remember seeing any person other than the four I saw walk out of the building and passed by me on the staircase.

I enter the building and spend the next 2 - 2.5 hours inside an office for this internship workroom I usually spend time at on weekends to catch up on reading, write papers, etc. Never during this time did I leave the room for any reason. The window of this office faces the breezeway. The window was open and I can usually hear voices of persons just below the window or the sound of birds from the large trees in the breezeway. However, there is not a direct line of sight from the office window to where the bike rack is located, or for that matter, any sight of my bike.

I did not notice any unusual noises coming from the breezeway during this time.

About 7:30 pm I pack my bag and lock up the office door. I walk out of the building and notice it is already dark and silent. I walked down the stairs (bottom of stairs is just 20 - 30 feet from bike racks), then turned toward the bike racks where I remember I last locked it, not to find my bike. There was no broken lock, no cut cable, no S-Works. I looked up and down the bike rack and there was no evidence of a bike being stolen. The wavy bike rack was in tact, no noticeable damage.

In the seconds after this discovery, I hear/see two bodies walking into the ground level lounge from the breezeway entrance just 50 feet from where I am standing. I run toward their direction, enter the building through the same door as these two, and find them sitting down in the lounge. Two males, both Asians, about my height ( 5' 10" ) and ask them if they had seen a red bike recently. One looks at the other, then both turn their heads toward me, one of them reply "No." I say to them, "my bike was just stolen." They did not say anything further. I did not suspect them because the bike may have been stolen much earlier and these two were just near the building when I exited.

So I leave the lounge, and immediately walk toward the Campus Police Services. As I was walking, I did not see any person on a bike. I saw a few individuals, three students with backpacks and another old man walking up the stairs from the library. I get to the Campus Police office at 7:45 pm. I file a report with Officer Maggie Nunes (SSU Police Services). I only spent 10 minutes inside and walk out with a "we're sorry for your loss, we'll keep our eyes open when we patrol the housing."

HELP!
I do not expect to see the bike again but I am going to put the word out to local bike shops. If you have any other suggestions, please let me know.

I can be contacted directly at wddung@yahoo.com or (650) 996-4149

-Dung

DLo · 11-23-2002, 10:58 PM

I don't think I'll be of much help, but I'll keep an eye out. Just check ebay repeatedly.

Dude, I'm sorry to be a bit hard mouthed, and you already acknowledge this, but even riding that bike to class is insane. Doesn't matter what bike lock is on it. If the thief wants it, it's his. Should have used your hardrock for commute. I hope you catch the punk and kick his ass though. Ain't hard to cut through cable. Remember pinwood guys? :D:D:D

mudanoman · 11-24-2002, 07:35 PM

Sorry to hear that Dung. I hope you get to see your bike again. Just wondering do you have any sorta of renter's insurance or anything that will cover some of the loss? I think I may spend an extra $200 for renters insurance just incase something like that happens to my m1 or az...the m1 barely held on the rack from Fontana today (really close call). Anyway, best of the luck with your situation. Peace,mm

Dog · 11-25-2002, 07:40 PM

:cry: Dung,I dont know you,but I have read your posts. I am sorry for your loss. You just got it all pimped out if I am not mistaken? Shoulda Coulda Woulda does not help you now. I am here to offer parts for you.
I have bars,brakes,and some other stuff I could give to you? Muda spoke of another bike? I assume you will be using that bike, and I do not know if you have the means to replace what has been taken? Ever little bit helps though. If someone took my bike,I would not have the strength to Even post about it,so I feel your pain. Let me know if I can help.

Dog

wddung · 11-25-2002, 08:59 PM

On Sunday, I went through a cycle of task-oriented actions to try and alleviate this mangle of emotions.

I created a webpage for my lost bike, a sort of flyer/memorial for a bike into which I invested so much of my resources – money, time, and riding.
Take a look: http://www.geocities.com/wddung/112302_stolenbike.htm

I printed up 40 copies for distribution. Started by hitting three bike shops in the area (including Cambria at Rohnert Park) and went to buy a u-lock since the one destroyed in the theft was not very strong. Cambria suggested I register this old Specialized Hardrock bike with police services as well as tag it with a National Bike Registry (NBR) id tag which can be traced online if the bike is ever recovered. I am skeptical how effective this will be… and in a stupor put down the $8.50 for the NBR sticker and online identification tag. Of course, it does me no good for the S-Works since I did not have the frame’s serial number nor was it registered with campus police services.

The bike I am riding now is my 9 year old (purchased back in 1993) Specialized Hardrock Sport I recently converted to a cross/touring bike. It has a mountain bike geometry with road specs – drivetrain and controls. I swap between skinny slicks and low-rolling knobbies depending on the weather. Two weeks ago I bought a pair of fenders… preparing for this season’s rain. I would have turned this bike into another mountain bike with suspension but it has a 1” headtube and threaded headset.

Saturday’s lesson only strengthened my conviction to continue riding urban and XC. When the bike disappeared, the only convincing argument for which I could legitimate the expenses of another bike were the fact that I cannot tolerate not riding... be it off stairs and docks, or jumping up curbs and walkways. The Hardrock is not well suited for jumping, much less curbs even. Nevertheless, I can use this winter season to train on the road.

Dog – I cannot thank you enough for the offer. I know that the riders posting to this message board show tremendous heart. That is why I feel comfortable posting such a story here.

I do have various parts I am now saving toward the next build or concept bike I will assemble including:

Syncros riser bar, Titec Knucklehead stem, XTR v-brake set, Magura hydraulic front brake, XT rear der, XTR right-hand shift/brake lever.

Got anything not listed here?

I may consider buying a complete bike like the new Specialized P.2 for a scant $600 (the total investment for the S-works was near $2000 in materials not including tools/repair stand and various LBS labor charges). My preference is to build a bike because I love so many of the responsibilities related to assembling and maintaining bikes. (this is one reason I built up the Hardrock again after the S-Works). If you noticed, I have a “Specialized bias” that runs in the family. Dad has a Hardrock GS he used to ride to work and he bought the Hardrock Sport for me in 7th grade, and I when it was time to upgrade I shot for the S-works. Maybe a “Project P-Spec(ialized)” by February/March 2003?? Who knows. :P

Dog · 11-26-2002, 07:45 AM

Well,I have the LEFT,X,to the T,to the motherfuckin R, Brake/Shift combo. 8)
I have the Hope C2 rear brake I posted. I have XT BB's, 3 of them. 110,and 113 on spindle length, 73 shell I think on all of them,one might be a 68. I have 2 Azonic Risers,28 width,and 1.5 rise. Ummmm,I have
Thompson Post's,Salsa QR's seat collar's. XT V brakes with InterLoc brake booster's I have my beloved 97 Mazi Z1 with heavy springs for Dogie. I have tires. I dont know what else I have off my head? I have a Hope DH04 front Disc brake. I have wheels,Rynos on XT hubs,QR.
These things I was going to sell Dung. But I am here for a fellow biker in need. I dont know your how your money is? If you are in need,then I am here. If you have money,then I'll sell it to you real cheap. I am not working as I have been laid off,so times are tough all over. I'm out.

Dog{wants to attach a picture,but cant}

mudanoman · 11-26-2002, 10:43 PM

Dung, if you need anything from Azonic (frame, parts, etc.) let me know...also I there is a 19inch Medium M-30 Raleigh frame sitting in the shop that has a broken derailluer hanger (non replaceable) if you can find use to it let me know...I am pretty sure it free. :D -mm

wddung · 11-27-2002, 10:05 AM

argh! 19 inch frame is too large. I will not be able to "straddle the bike."

hm... I guess the two hardtail offerings from Azonic are the Evolution and DS1? What are the prices I can get for Evolution, DS1?

What are the geometry numbers of each?

mudanoman · 11-27-2002, 06:57 PM

AZONIC EVOLUTION II GEOMETRY
Size Head Tube Length Head Angle Seat Angle Bottom Bracket Height Top Tube (effective) Estimated Weight* Chainstay Wheel Base Front Derailleur BB Shell Seatpost Diameter

14" 4 3/8" 70° 73.5° 12" 21 5/8" 4.9 lbs 16" NA 34.9 mm, top pull 68 mm 30.0 mm
16.5" 4 3/8" 70° 73.5° 12" 22 7/16" 4.9 lbs 16" 42" 34.9 mm, top pull 68 mm 30.0 mm
18" 4 3/8" 70° 73.5° 12" 22 7/16" 4.9 lbs 16" 42" 34.9 mm, top pull 68 mm 30.0 mm

Prices should be close to half of what you see at Jenson USA ie...MSRP AZ Evolution = $459/2

I could not see the DS-1 specs but they should be very close to that of the Evolution if I am not mistaken. Happy Thanksgiving.

Peace,
Ivan

DLo · 11-27-2002, 09:30 PM

http://www.pricepoint.com/frames.html

Azonic DS1 at $229.98

wddung · 11-28-2002, 02:50 PM

I read the MTBR Azonic DS1 reviews... I guess it would suit my current riding style fine (some urban and mostly XC).

Positive comments include good slalom geometry (when spec'd like Azonic Evolution complete bike), lighter than CroMo frames and sturdier than lightweight XC race frames, good tire clearance.

Noted disadvantages include aluminum frame bending at the top and down tubes or breakage at the rear triangle with 8+ foot drops and 180+ pound riders, awkward geometry with 5 inch forks, paint wears easily/ thin coat of paint, lame decals/ peel off too easily from frame, and MRP clearance problems.

Dunno. There are many more positive reviews than negative ones. Overall Average rating = 4.62/5.00 of 93 reviews.

DLo, are you riding a DS1 or Evolution?

mudanoman · 11-28-2002, 03:46 PM

DLo and Tone both have DS-1s. I have an Evolution.

DLo · 11-28-2002, 07:20 PM

For the money you can't complain. As well as that lifetime warranty. I'm runnin a DJ1 on it if you haven't seen already. 5" fork, I"m going to bring it down to 4" for stiffness structurally. But, you know, it's not bad at all. I think it's the perfect mix in between XC and downhill. It's set up to do fairly well. You could run a Z1 on it and be pretty happy. I think it's an excellent setup.

Tell you what, the frame DOES kind of suck. In this sport, you definitely get what you pay for. I can push against my race face cranks and see the frame flex noticeably. No big deal. It is aluminum. Too much flex, oh well.

The set up on my bike is pretty heavy... I'm sure it weighs over 30 lbs. But I faired well on it at Northstar, a little shakey, but if you've got the right technique you can score.

Would I buy another? Sure I guess. I would rather go with a Planet X or a Bombshell, but the AZ is pretty good. I fit a 2.7 Mobster front, 2.5 High Roller rear. It has the horizontal dropouts. Big PITA to take off the rear wheel but no biggie. I have to disco the rear caliper as well.

On a scale of 5 with 5 being best, I'd give it a 3.5-4. I hope that helps you out some.

wddung · 11-29-2002, 08:24 AM

Good to know. I think I will keep my eyes open for additional options...

Other rides I have in mind

- the FOR FORTY frame (now called FMJ or FMH) from Full Boar Bikes up near Kamloops (retail CAN$720),
- the Specialized P.1 or P.2 cuz I want to test ride the bike. This will probably play the biggest factor in my purchase decision. A whole bike for a cheap $440, sell the parts and upgrade...
- Balfa MinuteMan (CroMo)
- DeKerf Implant with custom paintjob??(bitchin monostay and huge chainstays in a Reynolds 853 package)
- DeVinci Hucker

Tone · 11-30-2002, 09:14 PM

Hey, i have a ds1 for sale if anyone is interested. it is ready to ride. let me know @ tonypatane@hotmail.com