MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Ah, looks like he has.
I don't have a fat fork and used to run an Ardent on a P35 but now am addicted to a Knard on a Dually. A few people just don't like the tyre rather than the size so it's something to be aware of. Looking forward to trying the Maxxis Chronicle (sort of Ardent 29+). 29+ does raise the front a little though.
Futonrivercrossing on here says he prefers a fat front to the Knard
I did love fat front.
What happened to the girl? Did she come back for the bike? What was the story there?
I'm so hoping a love story enfolds, between Chainline & the puncture girl.
Would make a lovely ending.
Glad you got your ugly bike back dude. Yay singletrack!
Obviously we need a pic of the bike/chainline reunion.... should be on the front page.
Well done to all involved (eevn the polis) but especially to the guys in the shop. Most excellent.
It will be a happy ending if you get it back. I came across a bike i had had stolen, in a bike shop awaiting repair. Because the owner had bought it 'in good faith' they got to keep it. Well actually, he kindly allowed me to buy it from him at the bargain price which he bought it. Subsequently, the guy he bought it from, a builder who was clearing out some flats in which I used to live, when he took the bike, came round and refunded me the money!
I understand from someone who works in the shop that the woman and a bloke came back in to collect the bike and that he was arrested and also had a knife on him! Sounds like a nice fella! I don't know any more but I'm sure we will find out more soon
It just gets better
Bike has been recovered and my insurers have done a U turn. I should requested written confirmation at the time of enquiry or argued it was a verbal contract.
Now they want me to pay them for it but they wont tell me how much.
So how much is a 5yr old Jones worth? Alot less than I paid I'd say given they are now a production unit in taiwan and there is a steel version to do the same job.
I do want it back but I wasn't planning on an ad hoc purchase! What is HMRC depreciation rates on cycle to work...
Only have a short time to decide..so if they are greedy there may not be a reunion...
The insurers don't want it so I'd offer them a couple of hundred and see what they say.
So there could be a clown ti bike for sale through some random auction house soon....?
What can an old stolen bicycle be worth? £150? You can always increse your offer.
I do want it back but I wasn't planning on an ad hoc purchase! What is HMRC depreciation rates on cycle to work...
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[quote=Chainline said]
So how much is a 5yr old Jones worth? Alot less than I paid I'd say given they are now a production unit in taiwan and there is a steel version to do the same job.
Don't forget it's been poorly maintained during the nicked-period etc etc so needs work to get back to usable standard. Feed the insurers all the bad news 🙂
PS: please can you inform your insurance company I'll offer them £160 for it. Ta
Don't forget it'll definitely need de-rusting
7%!
That means my 5 is worth less than £230 🙂 hehe
haha. they were at pains to point out the Police say its in good condition..
It was more expensive than a new one now, you could build it again for £6.3k with equally good if less rare parts. Amazing how much many parts have reduced in price.
I'll make an offer and see what they say...
True tho isn't it unless you break it..a 5-6 yr old S works enduro I used to have that cost 5k in 2007/8 what would you pay complete for it now...£700
Just remember, they don't want it
They'd simply send the details to a bunch of general dealers that buy stuff off them looking for the best offer.
they were at pains to point out the Police say its in good condition..
Send them the photo, it's quite clearly bent.
Huge thanks to EBC,best of luck to Chainline and no thanks to all the knobs who posted negative and plain dumb posts (a certain persons post ticks both boxes plus a few not mentioned)
Onward & upward.
ps I wonder if there is any chance of using this stroke of good fortune to open up investigations to your other stolen bikes ❓
They are cogitating..don't like my offer which was somewhat higher than suggested and in line with HMRC guidance, which doesn't account for unmaintained parts..thay also won't tell me what they do want.
Hmmm, All phone calls are recorded for my protection..."Hi, my bike has been found, but officially its yours, I would like it back, how do we proceed"......"It's been 5 yrs sir and you are no longer insured with us, normally we would ask for a salvage contribution but in this case due to the time elapsed that's not necessary, you can keep it.....yes we can confirm that if requested...."
1 day later..."hi, we've changed our mind"...understandable but very annoying. Be much easier if they told me what they want and I could say yes or no. Rather than me wondering how much they are spending with people assessing, cogitating, reviewing recovery costs, making phonec calls etc...50p cheque springs to mind!
Not being arsey about this but isn't this the situation Hora was alluding to?
Its the property of the insurance company the minute you cash their cheque. If they want to give it away or charge for it is completely their choice.
Get the feeling that someone has realised its value is probably much much more than they presumed a 'normal' bike would be worth and who can blame them.
Its a pisser but it actually makes me feel good that the insurance co is looking after its & our best interests for once
ThelittlestHobo.
I don't think so at all. I chose to tell the insurer. Its the right thing to do. They are the official owner. I said I wanted it back, whow much would that cost...What I don't like is how they have gone about it with a change in direction and the false sense of joy coupled with this reluctance to tell me what they are looking to recover, backwards and forwards...it wouldn't happen with a car.
If they told me straight we could have sorted it one way or the other and a decision could be made quickly and easily. and I wouldn't potentially waste any more time and emotional energy doing what I have been doing, liaising with police etc, during my work day, in the evenings providing information, trying to arrange recovery etc. or said fine keep it and move on..my time is money, just like theirs and since I work for myself, probably a lot more so. Not just my time EBC have been fantastic in liaising with me.
Whatever happens I am grateful to EBC. A little network has been uncovered as a result of the recovery so thats also good.
I hope the insurers are sensible about it I will buy it back, that's what I'd like, but not at an any cost...
See ... dealing with the jobworth bureaucrats can be more headache than simply recovering the bike.
🙄
Does that mean you are storing their property for them? I'd pay a solicitor a few quid to write to them and say you will be charging them to store, and insure their property while they make their mind up and will subtract the costs from any amount they look to recover.
I hope it works out for you. Love my Jones and it's not even a proper full on melty one.
What a thread! Hope it all works out ok CL 😀
Its the property of the insurance company the minute you cash their cheque. If they want to give it away or charge for it is completely their choice.
hmm. yes. however...
'the bike i insured with you turned up. do you want it back or do you want to dispose of it to me? after all, i paid a premium, and you placed a bet that it wouldn't go missing. it did, you lost, you paid. now, here we are. where would you like it sent, and how are you going to have it shipped? how will that be paid for? how will you store it? how will you dispose of it?'
insurance companies have offices, not workshops and storage. they're just a means of extracting money from people, and pray on our fear of loosing our stuff. they're not really any different to bookmakers, and they don't often loose.
certainly, if i ever got a car nicked, i'd never want it back. probably would think the same about a bike, TBH.
Hmmm, so both responses accept the bike belongs to the insurer. Chain line doesn't like the fact the company have changed direction in their dealings but simple fact remains they are correctly protecting their interests. If they put it on eBay I think we can safely say it would fetch more.
Really can't work out what point del is trying to make.
Great news it's turned up. Great news you want it back. What's the hurry other than to hope they make a mistake and hand it over too cheap?
Really can't work out what point del is trying to make.
I suspect that if you raised Del's points with the insurance company they might become more accommodating.
I wonder what would happen if you started to charge them for handling and storing their property?
on the other hand chainline. perhaps someone at the insurance co also rides bikes and would prefer the bike for himself ?
[quote=ontor said]
I wonder what would happen if you started to charge them for handling and storing their property?
I got the feeling that the police had it ?
If chainline has the bike then I'd let the insurers do the chasing now an offer is made.
perhaps someone at the insurance co also rides bikes and would prefer the bike for himself ?
But why would you ride a Jones?
Joking aside, I'd write to them and make things formal. Either way you will know where you stand sharpish. It's a 5k bike right? £50-£100 on a solicitor's letter is worth it for your peace of mind.
Assuming chainline has possession of the bike I think I'd do what Del suggests and put everything in writing:
- Confirmation you are in possession of the bike (and perhaps how you came about it)
- Your offer to buy it from them
- A daily rate for storage (equivalent to Lock n Store) and insurance (supplied by a competitor) costs.
- Perhaps a bill for the period to date.
Ask them how they'd like to proceed and suggest that if they don't respond with a workable solution before the unpaid storage/insurance costs meet/exceed your offer then you will assume the bike is yours.
What's the latest?
Hope there's a happy ending.
Perhaps the insurance company might be more accommodating if it realised all the positive publicity it could generate for itself via this thread!
Bike is in police possession awaiting them arranging to release it from property, to confirm its mine etc It doesn't seem to be the fastest process.
Police are still liaising with me in terms of arranging pickup. Which I wont be doing until the insurance confirm what they want to do. They said they had been in touch with the police but you could have fooled me.
Police have been very good letting me know what's going on, unlike the ex insurers who promised to call back following a review of my my offer but so far haven't. No I haven't chased them.
I was never going to offer them a big number, why would I knowing they will want to squeeze the max out of it and be hoping I offer more than their minimum so they are quids in.
Like I said, if they tell me what they want we can figure out if I can afford it/am willing to pay it and get on with it. In the meantime I'm not going to take a day off work and fetch it for them!
Lets be honest here if you had a bike nicked, wrote it off as gone and five years late someone said "we've found it you can have it back for a couple of grand" you'd probably have to go and check your bank account since the odds are you've replaced it and the wife might get peevish, especially since you've no clue how its ben treated other than its got exactly the same parts fitted and been in the possession of people of dubious reputation who cant even fix a puncture"
If it doesn't work out it will be a great shame for most concerned in terms of publicity etc. I will live however, just like I have the last 5 years!
If I could get it from the police then I'd do so (without worrying about the insurance people). With it in my possession then the bargaining position with the insurers becomes much stronger. Stating "Na, that's too much, you can arrange to have the bike collected from me" would probably result in a deal being made 🙂 If not then let the, have it (they don't want it though).
Get it back from the police, agree to what the insurance company want for it, then charge them their price in storage!
qwerty - MemberGet it back from the police, agree to what the insurance company want for it, then charge them their price in storage!
Yes, this one ^^^ 😀
Why are the police giving you the bike? Its no longer yours, Its the insurance companies.
Would that mean you have stolen the property or the insurance company if the police give it to you.
The insurance company know what the bike is worth and want to get some money back hopefully to bring the premiums down.
Amazing storey! And another - why didn't you buy another Jones question? I've tried the 29+ Knard front on mine! and I really didn't like the tyre! poor grip in anything other than hardpack conditions, I'll give it another go when better rubber is available .......... 4.8" rubber is the way to go. I hope you get it back ok.
Slogo,
The Police arent giving me the bike currently, but the insurance company don't appear to have informed all parties.
I have done the right thing here. as did EBC.
"The insurance company know what its worth?" Do you know what a stolen, un maintained, 5 year old Jones is worth? I'm not sure I do. If they do, great, let them tell me and I'll make a decision if they're on LSD and whether I can afford it right now. If not someone else who can will go to some auction or other and take it on, probably after the insurance company has burned a bunch of cash in time and administration.
Bring the premiums down..right! This is M&S and an underwriter that no longer covers high value bikes to my knowledge....
With the insurer being so cagey about the value they want for whatever reason and the s£$t I've taken on here, apparently for being honest, like the OP, I almost don't care anymore.
With the insurer being so cagey about the value they want for whatever reason...
I would imagine they are trying to find out what their property is currently worth so they make sure they get a fair price for it when they sell it.
I've no doubt you made sure you made sure you got a fair price for it when they paid out a few thousand quid for the claim ?
They are just doing the same thing now aren't they ?
I'm not having a pop, and it's great that you did the right thing and told them about it.
But if an ex-Jones owner, who I presume knows a fair bit about them, can't value it accurately/easily, how can you expect an insurance company to do it any better/quicker ?
They know what they want, they just don't want to tell me. I do know a bit about Jones bikes but alot has changed principally the increase in scale of production in Taiwan in addition to the production of a low (relative) cost steel frame.
Like I said I almost don't care now.
They know what they want, they just don't want to tell me.
That doesn't seem very likely.
They have a bike that they don't want, they have no use for it and they want to recover some of the money they paid for it when you claimed.
And they have a buyer waiting (you)
If they knew what they wanted for it, they would tell you.
Anyway, it seems like they have lost the potential buyer from what you have said. So it will likely end up at auction and be a bargain for someone eventually.
Like I said I almost don't care now.
If that's the case would you mind giving me your insurance companies details and reference?
Would the bike fit a 5' 6" tall guy?
I am willing to put a decent offer for a 5 year old stolen recovered jones.
I found myself in this position with a stolen Cannondale. Not only did I recover the bike, detained the perps which led to someone being charged with 86 counts of bicycle theft. I also told them the police had it, told them again that the police had it, phoned them again when they couldn't find it because it had been sitting in a police station having not been moved to the place the Insurance company expected the police to move it to, and they still wouldn't take my offer for the resprayed frame. I pointed out to them that parts of the bike ( wheels, saddle post, saddle) weren't theirs anyway as they had been swapped, but refrained from telling the police this when they took the lot anyway. While I accept they need to get a fair price, they wouldn't tell me what that was. Let's face it, if it hadn't been for me they wouldn't have got anything at all. It hardly encourages people to report or recover stuff they know is stolen.
Not certain on this but don't most insurance companies have agents in place to 'buy' recovered goods at a set rate. Ie if the item payout was £5k then the agent pays a set % regardless.
This makes things efficient.
It covers the insurer for things like liability if for example there was a crack in that Jones frame and you killed yourself on it next week
Its probably cost effective.
Maybe it also comes under the scope of the buyer getting a bonus item once in a while after taking most of the insurance companies junk all the time.
Life is soooo messy sometimes
Reading imnotverygood post it makes even more sense that maybe it is a liability issue. An agent probably has a contract in place that they are buying the goods in whatever condition they get. If the insurance company sell you a bike with absolutely no knowledge of its roadworthiness then maybe they are open to being sued if you crash and kill yourself.
A few quid to the insurance company is probably not worth the hastle.
Ok to bring this thing almost to a close. Insurance company and I came to an agreement. The bike is mine again and will come home.
I just hope it not broken, cos the only was the insurance company would proceed was on the basis I paid up front with no recourse. Hey ho.
Did you meet in a middle ground in case it is in a poor state? Did the guys in the shop say anything about the condition?
So it [b]is[/b] a happy ending, good work stw.
Awesome. Great result. I hope it was worth the hastle!
Have you moved since it was stolen? If not make sure they don't just steal it again.
Not moved. More security..although there was a lot already, but there's more now. If they really want it...they'll get it won't they. Got 2 alarms, one linked to house, a pragmasis 19mm chain thru frame, 16mm thru wheels via ground anchor, in a cube of concrete with resin locked rounded off bolts + 2 squire U locks attaching it all together. It takes me 15mins to get a bike out to go ride with the keys, can't do much more.
To answer an earlier question the shop said its in decent condition as did police. I'm only worried about a crack/break, it's ti so will brush up. Hubs are maintainable. The crank looks like it needs some ltc to bring back the shine but that's ok. The drivetrain is a bit behind the times but it was then so there you go. Not many 6spd cassettes on SS hubs with thumbies.Jefff is all about a strong wheel so minimising the dish was the goals, same at the front with 135mm spacing. Makes a big difference on a 29er.
Great!! Post up when you have your first ride:))
Good to hear it's back where it belongs.
RE : your shed/garage security?….that's unreal what you have to do….i can't even remember the last time i locked my house….dunno where the keys are it was so long ago?. Not much happens up here to be worried about.
somafunk, I should have said there is a custom squire mutha of a padlock around the 19mm chain, they have to machine the U to make it fit, in a addition to the rest. TBH I'm just really paranoid after that theft.
I hear you. I've let my security slide a bit recently as getting a bike out of the garage was taking me ten minutes, longer if it was at the back of the stack. So I could never be arsed!
I now keep the most used bike just u-locked to the outermost 'properly' locked bike and can have it ready to go in two mins. I'll let you know when it gets nicked. Again.
I'm only worried about a crack/break, it's ti so will brush up
IIRC Enigma do Ti repairs if that helps?
Got the bike back today. I'd like to say a huge thanks to Alex and the EBC for being on the ball and alerting the forum.
I went in to thank them personally.
[url= https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3888/14618027067_7ebf892eb7_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3888/14618027067_7ebf892eb7_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/ogKdar ]image[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people// ]philip.pryor[/url], on Flickr
Thanks again to the members on here who recognised the bike and got in touch so quickly.
Its in pretty good condition although clearly never been maintained and has 5 years of grime on it.
The front brake is useless with more air than fluid I think, the gear adjuster was broken off and only two gears working and it bears the scars of being leaned up against alot of walls outside of shops. Its clearly been left outside too as the lovely Ti railed Brooks swift leather has sagged and maybe beyond saving.
However these are minor things.
As it wasn't a huge detour on my way home, and I've always wanted to meet the guy, I popped into Sideways Cycles and asked Tim if he could build a Marge lite rim on the front PhilWood hub and put a Nate on it. He duly obliged on the spot and despite a bit of trouble due to huge flanges on the hub, maybe due to my incessant talking, it came good. Fat front was always my preferred Jones configuration.
[url= https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2919/14618057280_192d6a5a33_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2919/14618057280_192d6a5a33_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/ogKn9m ]image[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people// ]philip.pryor[/url], on Flickr
And home finally, Fat front on awaiting some TLC over the weekend and a test spin
[url= https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3910/14618250857_6eb0c4af2a_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3910/14618250857_6eb0c4af2a_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/ogLmFT ]image[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people// ]philip.pryor[/url], on Flickr
Yay! I love happy endings...
Ooh, it's looking better already 🙂
I feel like we orchestrated our shirts for the photo! It was good to meet you Phil, glad you got your baby back!
Voila, trail ready..brakes bled, serviced, gears fettled, saddle tensioned, grips replaced, headset nipped up,
its still ace. Thanks again guys.
[img][url= https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5567/14843069665_5d51c048f3_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5567/14843069665_5d51c048f3_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/oBCBue ]image[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people// ]philip.pryor[/url], on Flickr[/img]
[url= https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5551/14839988471_38af2600f4_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5551/14839988471_38af2600f4_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/oBmPyc ]image[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people// ]philip.pryor[/url], on Flickr
and on the trail
[url= https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3880/14842725062_0fb4a80d14_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3880/14842725062_0fb4a80d14_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/oBAR3N ]image[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people// ]philip.pryor[/url], on Flickr
Awe, brill story 8)
Glad you got it back. Well done to those involved.
Nice... Have read the whole thread on my train ride today.
But the I'm left wanting more.... How much did you have to pay to get it back?
Welcome to the half fat Jones club 8)
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Just read the whole thread, what a rollercoaster!
Good to see the right thing does happen sometimes 🙂
[scuttles off to write down frame numbers]
Is that mod on the where the brake hose leaves the lever common on loopy bsrs - presume it allows a shorter hose run?
Good to see a Disney ending.
Pedaphile - has the lass been back in (with her big brother maybe?)
Ace looking bike!
oldnick, yes and yes, Jeff recommended it. Not possible with all brakes I guess but the Hopes allow it.
JohnCimber, its nice to be back, half-fat is as good as I remember, I much prefer it to full fat for normal riding.
Have been aout a few times now. lovely and so different to my other bike it makes owning both justifiable 🙂
As to what I had to pay to get it back, well thats not a number I want to publish other than more than I'd have liked, especially for an old,used rigid bike (I can't imagine asking it for a 5yr old even very high end FS for example) but less than it could have been.
I didnt realise until afterwards the Ti has been out of production, still alot more around than when I got it.