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Jesse Melamed & Jack Menzies' Canyon Bikes Stolen from Team Van Just Outside of Vienna

May 14, 2024 at 7:37
by Sarah Moore  


Jesse Melamed and Jack Menzies' Canyon Strive race bikes and spare bikes were stolen out of their team van near Vienna, Austria last night. A shop in Bratislava, Slovakia, Cyklopoint, an hour's drive from Vienna spotted one of them today and alerted the team, but as of yet they have not been able to recover them.

Luckily, it sounds like Canyon and the team's other partners will be able to get bikes for Melamed and Menzies to ride by Thursday ahead of the next round of the EDR World Cup in Poland, but they would still love to recover these bikes if possible so urge anyone in the Bratislava area to keep an eye out for them.

This news comes just a week after we posted that the Frameworks bikes were stolen out of their team van in the UK.

photo
photo
photo

Jesse Melamed charging on Stage 3
Jesse Melamed raced his bike to 6th place in Finale Ligure, despite a crash on Stage 2.


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257 Comments
  • 196 8
 Easy to say why TF were the bikes in the van?? But, we should be able to leave our stuff places, and not worry about it. We're trying to live in a society here people!! lol
  • 115 16
 You have too much faith in humanity... people suck and you need to act accordingly.
  • 39 5
 Guessing you are not from a big city? We should be able to do a lot of things we cant....
  • 104 52
 @millsr4: Most people are actually alright when they have their basic needs met. Obviously some people are just dickheads but the growing inequality in western society is definitely going to fuel crime, particularly in low income or urban areas
  • 47 8
 I guess the point is more that we need more condolences and actioned support, and less self-righteous "told-you-so" when something goes bad for someone.
  • 15 3
 @hgardner: Individuals on a personal level can be much more than alright but when you are talking about the masses it's a different story. If you have thousands of dollars of bikes that your career depends on and you are traveling with through an unfamiliar area, I don't think you should count on others respecting your property and being good people...
  • 21 3
 We should, but we can't. To be honest it's getting a bit absurd that these crews think they can drive around in giant billboards advertising what's inside and expect everything to be left alone. It's lame and it's wrong, but at this point there's not really a good excuse for having it happen. When I travel with my bike, I assume 100% of the time someone is going to steal my bike if I don't protect it and plan accordingly. Always assuming the worst possible outcome is the only way to make sure you never get the gut punch of a stolen bike.
  • 9 0
 Nice thing about my van looking like something for a hobo, definitely not attracting attention.
  • 23 3
 @hgardner: Vienna ain't low income.
  • 6 0
 Too much trust in the legendary austrian "nothinghappeness".
  • 15 9
 Societies where you can leave your belongings safely are considered inequitable. You will own nothing and be happy.
  • 3 1
 Thanks George Cantstandya.
  • 29 8
 @hgardner: gangs and organized crime are not low income they are lazy asshats who don't want to work
  • 7 6
 @jay-me: They have seen the bikes around Bratislava which happens to be in Slovakia, so they were probably not Austrian. The only reasons Austrians go to Slovakia are prostitutes and drugs...
  • 19 18
 @hgardner: Nothing to do with inequality. All to do with 'culture', or the lack there of. Don't deny it. So clear for everyone to see. But don't dare say it. Some of the nicest people I know are poor by most standards. They're still nice souls.
  • 14 4
 @hgardner: I grew up with and around a lot of criminals who had their basic needs met. Some people just like committing crime.
  • 10 12
 @fabwizard: Most of them are very much low income. There is proper academic research on this topic. Real gangsters don’t live like Hollywood gangsters.
  • 5 3
 Obviously the solution is making the price of the bikes and parts dirt cheap..no one steals things of no value /s
  • 20 17
 @Ttimer: ........and fatherless. No male role models. Cultural thang around here.
  • 16 9
 @hgardner: Nothing like making excuses for criminals.... its societies fault! lol
  • 6 7
 @SlavikChris: this was in Vienna. What do you think it says that you go to “fatherlessness” and “no male role models” and “culture” as your explanation?
  • 12 19
flag SlavikChris (May 14, 2024 at 12:41) (Below Threshold)
 @Aeth: Same characters from other nations taking over all societies across Europe and NA. All by design.
Blame the politicians.
  • 8 6
 @SlavikChris: That response is *such* a massive jump from "fatherlessness" and "it's a cultural thang", putting aside who you're demonizing, you should seriously consider how you were taken that far down conspiratorial thinking.
  • 5 3
 @hgardner: BINGO. Any place where people are struggling will lead to desperate acts like these.
  • 9 3
 as a Chilean, I remember when going to the US or Europe was safe AF, very different from here, througout the years the change is so noticeable, what a shame how things are going...
  • 5 5
 @dgwww: desperate is stealing a loaf of bread because your family is starving.
  • 6 4
 @fabwizard: or stealing to pay for that same loaf of bread
  • 2 0
 Would it be better if the bikes were outside the van?
  • 13 0
 @BiNARYBiKE: Exactly the reason that instead of plastering the outside of my truck's cap with bling bike stickers I got some commercial signs made that say "Ed's Dog Poop Collection Service - Our service is shit!" I can park at any popular MTB destination and nobody bothers my truck.
  • 6 0
 @BiNARYBiKE: I’ve got an idea: We all pitch in for a fleet of vans with team logos, bling, the whole 9 yards. Park them around races and nearby hotels. Inside: half starved dobermans that will eat the face off of any thief that opens the door.
  • 12 10
 @SlavikChris: White supremacists have hijacked the bicycle discussion again. Kick these wankers out please @brianpark
  • 1 0
 @lkubica: believe it or not, they also come here to ride bikes...I met and guided two guys from Vienna last year over the local mountains Smile
  • 1 0
 @katko: Of course, was just kidding. But the number of casinos and nightclubs near the border is substantial Smile
Slovakia mountains are great, the only downside is that it is mostly illegal, but I have friends who ride verts and they mostly ride in Slovakia.
  • 3 0
 @lkubica: yes of course, riding in the most protected natural reservations and even making videos is the way to go...and now on e-bikes of course, so that they can do more laps...I am no saint in this too but some areas are a no go...
  • 3 0
 @katko: That's why I do not do it, but some people especially from my generation who started mtb like in 2000's behave like nothing changed. There were times when almost no one rode there and it was kind of ok, not really different than just hiking. This changes when more and more people want to do the same and then it becomes a problem. I remember walking in Slovakian mountains in 2010 and not meeting anyone for hours.
  • 8 1
 @jay-me: it's definitely an urban environment though

@nismo325: recognising that there's a link between poverty or income inequality and crime rates doesn't absolve individuals from their shitty actions.

@fabwizard: but there's definitely a link between gangs and poorer neighbourhoods, doesn't mean that gang members are the victims in this scenario. Just means that tackling issues like poverty helps to reduce crime. Show people there's a better option from a young age

@ATXZJ: Yeh, like I said, some people are just arseholes. But in a more equitable society there's gonna be less crime. Then we're just left to deal with the arseholes. If you steal a loaf of bread to eat that's one thing, if you steal a fleet full of custom bikes to make a quick buck that's another
  • 1 0
 @fabwizard: think it is mostly that really..
  • 1 0
 @hgardner: steeling a fleet full of bikes could very well of effected the livelihood of Jesse, the person stealing doesn't get to make that judgment call morally. What about stealing some tools out of a truck, only to find out construction apprentice spent his last $ buying so he could learn a trade...there are layers to this.
  • 4 0
 @RadBartTaylor: At no point have a defended the bike thieves in this case....

I merely asserted that people weren't all dickheads and most of us if our needs are met are happy to plug on within the bounds of the social contract.

I literally agreed there's layers to crime, saying this was different to stealing food for your family.
  • 4 6
 @hgardner: @hgardner: I don't see anyone starving on the streets of Austin TX. Most are lil piggies as a matter of fact. Whatever the BMI, it's far from Calcutta living standards by any stretch. On the contrary I think the last couple of generations in the USA have existed without enough struggle and hardship. It truly appears that there's a whole generation of human veal being readied to be fed to the machine. They've never been in a physical fight, hunted, fished, grew their own food, worked hard labor, put in the back of a squad car, feared for their life or had to unf*ck themselves when things go crossways. Including going clean without any support. They just want big brother to solve it for them. Any time I start feeling sorry for myself, I just talk to my wife's 102 y/o grandmother who served as a nurse in WW2. She put three of four children and three husbands in the dirt after fighting a world war. I got no complaints.
  • 3 4
 @ATXZJ: can't argue with that, great book "Coddling of the American Mind..." hits on a lot of that, which is not just the US, but younger generations in general.

Excellent advice - never lose context of prior generations and I bet your wifes grandmother would laugh at the crap kids get spun up with today.
  • 3 3
 @RadBartTaylor: That's a great book. Heard Lukianoff on a couple podcasts and was hooked.

Her GMs 's German & Irish parents came over in the boat in the 1800s probably gave her the same criticism. It's okay to be empathetic to your kids and fellow citizens hardships but it just seems we're too consumed with the self to look outside our fragile egos and be objective.
  • 1 0
 Actually. Not that this location would be this bad. But I could see a situation where bringing the bikes to your room could put you at risk from a home invasion type robbery. California had a time where armed thugs would steal your bike mid ride. I think London as well.
  • 5 6
 @ATXZJ: Here we go again with the conservative talking points
  • 1 2
 @ATXZJ: Agreed.....John McWhorter's stuff a good read too....
  • 5 3
 @dgwww: Man, get over yourself. I hate all politicians equally. Anyone DUMB enough to align themselves with any type of political ideology deserves everything they get. Speaking of which, looks like you guys are getting it b*lls deep up there.
  • 1 0
 Immigration is a chance
  • 150 1
 the bikes were STLN
  • 15 0
 vowels straight tooken
  • 2 0
 @mkul7r4: vwls strght tkn
  • 1 0
 Hey, psst, anyone looking to buy a vowel? I've got a o and an e going cheap....
  • 56 12
 Mountain bikers buy stolen mtbs and mtb parts. No one else wants them. Recyclers? No. Collectors? No. Speculators? No. The demand for stolen mtbs and mtb parts comes from mountain bikers unwilling to look too close at that smoking deal they’re being offered. Not some shadowy other. Just something to consider before you climb on your high horse, sheriff, and the thread goes full on power fantasy again.
  • 30 2
 Didn't expect the voice of reason to come from the tin foil hat, but here we are.
  • 5 8
 This: if people asked for proof of purchase before spending money on second hand stuff there wouldn't be that much theft.
  • 19 0
 Who says it's "smoking deal"? Often those parts are sold just enough below market to get them sold, but high enough to make money for the crook and not look too suspicious. That's for the professional or informed criminal. Meth heads...breaking into houses and cars often sell super cheap....
  • 20 6
 The frames will likely end up in Russia, the country that is trying to steal Ukraine.
  • 19 2
 It's not because mtbers want to buy stolen parts, most simply don't know to check for proof of purchase. But to blame mtbers if Bikes get stolen is ridiculous.
  • 2 0
 @opignonlibre: what if you're not buying from the original owner?
  • 7 2
 True! Generally if I’m buying used parts and get the vibe that the seller isn’t a mtn biker, no sale. It’s pretty easy to tell.
  • 4 0
 *Trots into town*
“Call that a high horse?”
  • 4 0
 @brycebee: No flannel, no bueno
  • 3 10
flag Wilkomacc (May 14, 2024 at 12:49) (Below Threshold)
 People probably wouldn’t buy stolen mtb stuff if the bike industry didn’t rob them!
Also probably pretty hard to tell if your buying parts and not a full bike
  • 7 1
 @Wilkomacc: who in the bike industry is "robbing them"? Are prices high , almost ridiculous in some areas? Yes. However, not a single bike/bike component company is forcing us to buy a single item. We are playing in the woods on expensive toys. Nothing is critical or forced.
  • 3 0
 @fred-frod: Proof of purchase can be forged in 5 minutes. You'd have to "validate it" by calling whoever issued it and asking if if matches what they have in their "system"

Personally, I wouldn't go through the hassle and the social pressure of, in a way, implicating the seller is a crook when it's about a 700eur fork.
  • 4 1
 @hohmskullkrishten: I wouldn't speak so broadly about things you know nothing about
  • 6 16
flag ATXZJ (May 14, 2024 at 14:03) (Below Threshold)
 @hohmskullkrishten: Don't worry, Ukraine is more than capable of f*cking up their country on their own.
  • 1 0
 @opignonlibre: but what if you are buying something used which has had several owners ? Proof of purchase doesn't stick around long enough. But maybe in the digital age this could work long term (like NFT's) the issue would be how to keep that chain of owners' information safe.
  • 5 6
 @hohmskullkrishten: Thx for bringing WW3 on the European soil again ... US go home. Bisous
  • 5 1
 @Maximilien-Connor: Give Putin Paris to leave Ukraine.
  • 2 0
 @sdaly: Would be the safest place to take them and Russia has a coordinated networks of criminals in Europe.
www.google.com/amp/s/ecfr.eu/publication/crimintern_how_the_kremlin_uses_russias_criminal_networks_in_europe/%3famp
  • 2 0
 @dgwww: why couldn't the original proof of purchase been passed on + each seller establishing a sale paper?

I understand it would be a lot of paperwork for individual parts but for complete bike this would be totally doable.
  • 2 0
 @opignonlibre: I think people might be sensitive about personal information being attached to that POP. I do like the idea of a record for used goods though, in Canada there is such a record for vehicles, through the registration records. But something more official would be nice.
  • 70 31
 Is this comment section gonna turn into another round of ammosexuals jerking each other off about how they'd camp out in the van and execute the thieves?
  • 10 3
 Septics gonna septic.
  • 13 19
flag jray152 (May 14, 2024 at 9:32) (Below Threshold)
 I would. What about it? Armed security is a great deterrent.
  • 13 0
 I just learned ammosexuals exist :'D
  • 10 29
flag coloradohaze (May 14, 2024 at 10:39) (Below Threshold)
 Awesome term, I am going to proudly start referring to myself as such. I'd rather use my Muay Thai against them first though. Too many beta males in this world don't train the arts, especially thieves.
  • 9 1
 Seal team six with there call of duty headsets on.
  • 15 21
flag ATXZJ (May 14, 2024 at 11:32) (Below Threshold)
 I'm not into the whole tacti-cool poser thing but there's something to be said for a little fear and respect. If thieves know there's if nothing but pain and suffering awaiting them in that van, they'll avoid. Just like home invasions. If criminals know there's a gunned up dude on the other side of that door, they'll take it on down to the house with the SJW virtue signaling signs in the front yard. My cop friends make jokes about those signs as being bullseyes for robbers.
  • 3 0
 Here we have bait cars and bikes. Not sure how well they work but is another deterrent.
  • 1 0
 @naptime: clearly you have never been on Facebook
  • 2 0
 @hessiannate:

Do you have a bike theft problem in white fish where a 900 square foot apartment costs 1.4m?
  • 38 10
 In what world does your bike stay in a van outside a hotel overnight?
  • 40 1
 When you didn't pay for the bike yourself you probably don't bring them to your room.
  • 37 0
 In lots of places there is no issue with leaving stuff in vans overnight. A branded team van in a large city near the border to Slovakia sadly is not one of those places.
  • 27 0
 It's almost as if a big van with bike company logos written across it is a target for bike theft.
  • 81 56
 STOP LEAVING BIKES IN VANS
  • 198 70
 Stop victim blaming.
  • 49 32
 @flattoflat: LOL - he's not victim blaming any more than saying it's not a good idea to leave your wallet in a crowded restaurant and expecting what?
  • 48 13
 @RadBartTaylor: assuming van was locked it is not a good comparison.
  • 16 3
 @fabwizard: Locks are made for honest people.
  • 19 3
 @fabwizard: WTF, you think because something is not locked up it's fair game?
  • 14 3
 @flattoflat: my comment was a natural reaction to bikes being stolen for a second time in a week from a van.
  • 18 0
 Even more surprising is that teams aren't using GPS tagging devices
  • 7 2
 Might as well drive a pickup truck.
  • 24 5
 When I was a kid, my parents taught me that 'if it wasn't mine, then don't touch it'. I passed the exact same message to my now 28yr old daughter. Just a shame that so many worthless humans' parents did such a terrible job of raising them that when I get something stolen out of say my locked garage, it will somehow be my fault.
  • 12 8
 @TStruckMTB: Worse thing is in a lot of states and countries you, the property owner can be sued or face criminal charges for defending yourself and your home. We live in backwardsland
  • 9 1
 @TStruckMTB: unfortunately the rare exception are folks that are bad apples - but they ruin it for everybody. I grew up in a small / safe town, very trusting and conversely very honest (to a fault) but a couple years in a big city like Portland, OR and it jaded me.

I remember reading an article in the local Portland tribune years ago (early 2000s) where they interviewed a street "kid", she said if she saw something in a car she wanted, zero f- given, she broke in and took it since they/you had more than her and she felt like it was evening the playing field....it was then I lost ALL faith in trusting a damn person outside my circle unfortunately.
  • 9 11
 @ATXZJ: you can face criminal charge for a thief breaking into your house and HURTING themselves.
  • 3 1
 @fabwizard: ummm, yeah, probably still is a good comparison (leaving your wallet out in a crowded restaurant). Consider - your wallet might have $100 in it and a credit card that you could rack up a few hundred before being blocked. But those bikes are likely worth upwards of $40k. So, proportionally, it's a great comparison. When the value/payoff is 400x - expect the effort of the thief/thieves to up proportionally. Not to mention the van is likely a walking buildboard to bike thieves.
  • 15 9
 @RadBartTaylor: We spent decade in and out of Austin and experienced the same thing. Now its a sh*tshow on its way to being like LA or SF. The biggest issue is there's no consequence for breaking the law. The DA and judges are too afraid of being perceived as being meanies in the news so they don't enforce the law.

As a result, all the people who actually PAY the bills via property and sales taxes have to live like an animal in their own city. Stepping over bums, needles, sh*t & p*ss and dealing with tent cities and constant harassment and petty crime.
  • 7 0
 Forreal. My bike is double locked, to the rack (which is also locked to the truck) and to the tow hitch. If it's inside the locked tonneau cover it's also locked to the bed of the truck. It also has BOTH a Tile and an AirTag on it. This cutting edge security system costs about $100 but it does take discipline and effort. My bike might get stolen one day, but if it does I have the satisfaction of knowing it wasn't easy and that I'm coming for their asses.
  • 11 5
 @flattoflat: JESUS i hope you're joking. "Victims" need to take extreme ownership. "What could I have done to prevent this from happening? How can I ensure this doesn't happen in the future?" Yes, people shouldn't steal, but they do. IF the bikes were properly secured, they wouldn't have been stolen. Take ownership of your stuff, take responsibility for your actions.
  • 9 5
 @ATXZJ: I've heard very sim things from the likes of Austin and you are 100% on point and why we got the heck out of PDX, started to turn 2010(ish) and slow decline until we said peace out in 2021 after 15+ years.

At this point stealing, looting and it seems like drugs (in general) all are functionally legal with repercussions being minimal at best.

I've thought about taking my nice vintage Airstream trailer and parking it in a park in downtown PDX or next to city officials house, well kept, organized, working remote out of it, paying taxes....I'd get shut down in 5 minutes, would be a great documentary, doing that for a year across cities in the US.
  • 5 4
 @RadBartTaylor: Yeah man, its sad to see what leadership let happen there too. We did a house hunting in PDX in 2013 and were strongly considering it. Ended up back in ATX because of wife's family. Have visited a couple times since but like many other cities we loved, we just cant bring myself to go back and see them in these conditions.

There's so many laws already on the books to deal with the open air drug markets i.e. homeless camps, but all that federal homeless subsidy money is too good for the greedy city leaders to turn down.
  • 4 3
 @RadBartTaylor: Yep. It's insane
  • 11 1
 @flattoflat: there's victim blaming an then there's basic f*cking common sense. Don't leave bikes in vans, they are literally thieves magnets
  • 1 0
 @succulentsausage: For $100 you can get something that will easily cut through that and also jam your Tile and Airtag. If they want it, they are going to get it, unfortunately. Insurance is our only hope to get back anything. Keep good photos and records of what you have, not just bikes, everything.
  • 7 0
 @flattoflat: Victim blaming would be letting the scumbag thieves off easy because the bikes were in the van. No one is making that suggestion.

Keeping your valuables as secure as possible is common sense.
  • 1 0
 The van was probably tracked so would have had been broken into at some point!
  • 1 7
flag fabwizard FL (May 14, 2024 at 10:47) (Below Threshold)
 @bocomtb: secure as possible is in a bank vault. How far do you go.
  • 6 5
 @ATXZJ: Where? I'm in Cali and we shoot burglars.
  • 4 0
 @Tmackstab: in the real world, outside of this comment section, every business is required to take reasonable steps to secure its assets. Theft is a known risk and all businesses with valuable assets take steps to secure them. This has been going on for years that bikes and equipment are stolen from teams. Your reaction is rational to me.
  • 2 1
 @Cheddar420: um that was what radbart said.
I said his example wasn't a good comparison. One is locked away, the wallet was unsecured at all.


How about 24 hour tracking device for convicted thieves for 5 years.

Much less likely to commit a crime again if their location can be tracked. Also tracker could alert if close to another convicted thief?
  • 3 0
 @DanKaplan: they were in a locked van.

What is considered secure probably varies from city to city.

Where I grew up kids left bikes in the yard along with hockey sticks etc...
Move to Vancouver and not a single bike or toy
  • 1 2
 @fabwizard: again - are you suggesting if it's not locked up fair play to steal? Leaving anything in a vehicle, locked or not, in a major city Vancouver, Seattle, San Fran, Portland or otherwise overnight, 50% chance it's gone in the morning....90% if you have a big sticker on the outside saying "Bike Brand X"....
  • 6 0
 @fabwizard: vans have long been proven not to be a safe place to leave race bikes overnight.
  • 2 0
 @RadBartTaylor: I don't know where you are getting that it is ok to steal if not locked up.
  • 1 0
 @DanKaplan: except when I am in my van at a race camping with my bike. Then it is a very safe place to be and a very unsafe place for the thief to be.
  • 3 0
 @fabwizard: Spend the extra 5-10 minutes to get the bikes indoors overnight. That's inconvenient. A lot less inconvenient than dealing with replacing everything that was stolen.

"How far you go" is proportionate to the value of the item. A bank vault? Seems excessive even for a high-end, world-class level race bicycle. But if your transporting a Rembrandt original? That extra 30 minutes to store it in a bank vault overnight make sense (although something like that probably travels by armored car).

Anyways, I think you are losing the plot here so I will re-iterate: taking a little extra time to secure something valuable is common sense, not victim blaming.
  • 1 2
 @fabwizard: wallet on table vs something that is locked up - you said "assuming van was locked it is not a good comparison", why? Taking something that is not yours, either way, is wrong, I think you'd agree.
  • 3 1
 @RadBartTaylor: I was saying security wise leaving a wallet on table is not comparable to locked vehicle.

There is plain theft vs break and entry plus theft.

Stealing is stealing. But the courts here look at it differently.
  • 1 2
 per OP, still a bad idea, which was my point....as you can see, outcome was the same.
  • 22 0
 My bike goes inside the hotel room with me always. That's too much $ to risk and worse still is ruining a trip.
  • 9 0
 Me too 100%
I’ve had arguments with hotel staff about having my bike in the room with me. I’m paying for the room. My stuff, including my bike are coming with me to the room.
  • 3 5
 Unfortunately there are probably a lot of challenges to this. Whether it's tight hotel rooms or hallways, sometimes they might not stay at a formal hotel and instead someplace like an AirBNB with even more logistical challenges. Plus we're talking quite a bit of gear.

I think a better option is to better secure bikes inside vans. Chaining them all together and to the seat brackets, a super loud alarm/strobe inside the van. Airtags hidden deep inside the bike.
  • 8 14
flag Pukeproof (May 14, 2024 at 8:51) (Below Threshold)
 @PHeller: shotguns shell traps should be mandatory in team vans.
A mouth full of birdshot is what those thief’s deserve!
  • 3 0
 @tcmtnbikr same, but every once in a while a hotel manager spots you bringing a bike in and shuts it down. Probably doubly hard when you're bringing multiple bikes in.
I don't see what the big deal is with bikes in hotels... my shoes touch just as much dirt as my tires and it's not like I'm being forced to walk around in socks. If hotels are so concerned about bikes inside then just charge me for any damage to the room. Hotel employees don't like these arguments though.
  • 2 0
 @WTF-IDK: I've never had an issue bringing my bike in, provided it's not dirty as f*ck. If they did hassle me I'd ask for a refund and stay somewhere else
  • 4 0
 @Portland-maine:

You should see how they react when you’re pushing a motorcycle out of your ground floor room.
  • 2 0
 But you only have one bike. Often these guys will have 2-3 bikes per person. Plus frames, parts and tools. That's a lot of stuff to move in and out a few times a day, every day.
  • 2 1
 @anotherstoneinthewoods:
They’d still have their race bikes if they took them into the hotel with them.
  • 1 0
 @anotherstoneinthewoods:
And yes. You might be correct in assuming that when I stay at a hotel/ABB I only have one bike at that time.
But my currant count is 32.
  • 20 1
 What's with these clowns stealing team bikes? Do they not understand that as soon as they try to sell these components it will be a dead giveaway? Unreleased forks, custom decals, one-off spec, I mean really.
  • 7 2
 Just sit on them for a while, or sell the complete bike to someone else who will strip and move on.
  • 4 5
 Parts sold separately no doubt. You wonder how much user error there is with these van thefts. Maybe its down to the teams like Canyon to educate their riders how to look after and protect their stuff as it's them itll cost in long run.
  • 82 0
 Thieves about to find out how bad the used market is right now
  • 30 1
 New Team Sponsors: Master Lock + Kryptonite + ABUS
  • 11 1
 @racecase: better hope the thieves don't have LPL on their side. no lock is safe
  • 38 2
 It's unbelievable how much this happens. The first thing we ask hotels when going on bike trips is if they have a secure lot and I'll always ask the front desk person about theft issues.

On another note - off to meet a guy with a "Canyen MTB Style offroad tires with red fork and rear full suspension bicycle", $500 seems like a great deal.
  • 3 0
 They just flip it over and spray paint it on the sidewalk here. No one cares, and they ride away smiling.
  • 7 1
 @racecase: Kryptonite DH sounds much better than Whoop, jus sayn' ...
  • 8 0
 Can't say I've seen many articles about these thieves being caught, though...
  • 5 5
 @RadBartTaylor: Seriously, it's to the point that I have little sympathy and just view the teams this happens to as naive. When somebody steals your locked bike from your garage I have sympathy. When teams have bikes stolen from team vans it's due to laziness, unless they are being held at gunpoint.
  • 8 0
 As a member of the clown community, I take offense at the accusation.
  • 1 0
 The BEST bike lock is a beater bike no one wants to steal. Any lock can be broken with enough knowhow even without power tools. There's even been thefts where the thief has cut through the frame to get parts to sell.....
  • 1 0
 For many who are buying these parts they will not care or possibly even realise they are not released. It is just a smart component at a competitive price. There are always going to be people who buy stuff that is dodgy and then move it on themselves. That is how fencing works.
  • 9 0
 Wait, Vienna or Bratislava? The cities are about an hour from each other and the article is very confusing regarding what happened where.
  • 13 1
 Mailand or Madrid, whatever, at least it's in Spain.
  • 13 0
 "Bratislava, just outside of Vienna" made me chuckle. Yeah that's one way to say they are the capitals of two neighboring countries Big Grin
  • 6 1
 @reo-driver: ich sehe was du da gemacht hast.
  • 8 1
 For the US and Canada an hour away is pretty close
  • 11 2
 @k-n-i-x-o-n: True, hence Vancouver BC, just outside of Seattle.
  • 1 0
 @rarerider: You joke but we do consider Seattle close and it is more than 2.5 hours away. Abbotsford is the same distance from Vancouver as Bratislava is from Vienna and we would definitely say it’s just outside Vancouver.
  • 1 0
 @k-n-i-x-o-n: Yup, it take me an hour just to get on the other side of town. Takes me 5 hours to get to Las Vegas from Phoenix.
  • 7 0
 Some people are lucky and never get their bikes stolen so they don’t bother with basic security. Other people like me have had a bike stolen from my house while I was asleep in next room and have had bikes stolen from the streets. There’s a financial and emotional loss when my bike gets stolen but for other people it’s not a big deal …
  • 14 7
 I guess a van covered in only consonants is a dead giveaway that there be bikes in it. Really shitty to hear this...thieves suck but leaving your bikes in a van sucks even more.
  • 6 2
 Are you sure that you mean that leaving your bikes in your van sucks even more than the very people that break into your van to steal your bike?
  • 5 0
 @L0rdTom: haha, right. That's like saying "murder sucks, but getting intoxicated and walking down a dangerous street at night sucks even more".
  • 12 2
 Maybe I can finally get a red Zeb
  • 10 1
 This is getting ridiculous.
  • 10 2
 Having your truck/van plastered with branding probably doesn’t help, like a magnet for these thieving basturds
  • 5 0
 If they are not doing this already, but perhaps run plain white vans vs vans wrapped with company logos to draw less attention between events? Employ magnetic signs to stick on the side of the van when at events, remove when traveling. It's pretty freaking sad something like this even needs to be discussed.
  • 3 0
 I remember when Alison Sydor had her bike stolen mid season in Vancouver. A friend of a friend was in a dive bar in downtown East Van known for people trying to fence you stuff. Someone came up to him offering him a mountain bike for a $200. He went outside to look at what the guy was offering, recognized the bike, offered the guy $50 (which he took), and then got a hold of Alison to return her bike to her.
  • 6 1
 Once again, team vans should have security systems. Loud alarms, air tag for all bikes, etc.
  • 4 3
 As mention by someone else, all race bikes should have a tracking chip on them when in the team vans or store some where over night.
The good news is the Canyon CLLCTV eMTB race bikes were not stolen, so Canyon still has their EDR-e race team going strongSmile
  • 1 0
 Definitely a strong argument now for teams to have employed drivers who can also remain with the van/vehicle overnight. Another 40k salary for a race season is a drop in the ocean. Peace of mind and takes the fatigue of driving away from the team. Call me Canyon.
  • 1 0
 Regardless of the right/wrong of keeping bikes in the van, there are commercially available GPS tracking devices that are relatively affordable and would fit inside a seatpost, downtube storage, or taped to the underside of a seat. A lot more functional than an Airtag, and less trackable by a thief.

Of course, these devices aren't perfect, most eventually require you to pay for a subscription, and they don't guarantee bike recovery. That said, if I were running one of these traveling teams, it would seem like a no-brainer to have these in bikes overnight for some extra safety.

This one seems to be one of the best options to stash in a bike. It uses cell and proximity radar, and it's free to use for an entire year before you need to pay for a subscription: www.invoxia.com/en-US/product/gps-tracker-pro#checkout
  • 6 2
 Weren't The Proclaimers in town giving a concert? This could explain it...
  • 11 0
 Tired of walking 1000 miles?
  • 4 0
 Looks like they stole Jesse's shoes, too!
  • 1 1
 At this point with the Frameworks guys and now CNYN CLLCTV getting robbed, this could totally be an opportunity for local authorities to work with these traveling race teams and set up their vans in a way as a sting operation. Or they could even create duplicate "race bike vans" to attract criminals and catch them on the spot.
  • 1 1
 .learn to implicate tech ...stuff like this is preventable ...ur a target doing what u do thinking u can leave stuff like that laying around this is tough world and most have no respect for others ..ur bikes are worth more then some these peoples houses and everything they own ..I know it suxs I had 5 bikes stolen myself all mine
  • 2 0
 Not sure about the team van, but if it's anything like Norco, or others ive seen pictures of, they might as well have a big sign saying "COME STEAL THESE BIKES".
  • 3 0
 Too bad the Canyon isn’t equipped with the Rocky Penalty Box 2.0 with a hidden AirTag
  • 3 0
 Frantically searching FB marketplace for a red Zeb...nothing yet boys but keep your fingers crossed!!
  • 4 1
 I've always heard Austria was settled by convicts from Europe and now there is proof...
  • 1 1
 If any of the team leads the EWS teams take the time to read this, please drop me a DM. My company Comodule does most of the IoT and trackers that are installed in urban ebikes around the world, and we can set you up with GPS trackers that don't show up like airtags which you can throw on all your team bikes when not in use, along with a good software backend to help track things. Happy to help if anyone needs it
  • 3 0
 "You can blame the system if you want but where are all the fathers at?" -Denzel Washington
  • 6 5
 Thieves probably thought they were getting the e-edr bikes. They will be returned as soon as they realise they are the old motorless ones.
  • 2 1
 “Luckily, it sounds like Canyon and the team's other partners will be able to get bikes for Melamed and Menzies to ride by Thursday”. . . . Why is this a story?
  • 3 0
 Hopefully thieves will ride them like they stole them.
  • 2 0
 ahh let it go...it wasn't that fast anyhow. build up a new one...maybe it'll win.
  • 4 4
 Heck, be like us (that's US) where concealed carry stops some theft and the only residue is a few thousand dead bodies (innocent often) from all the bullets that go where they weren't supposed to. .
  • 1 0
 hell i dont drive in SLC with my bike on the tailgate without a lock on it. and never ever go inside somewhere even with a lock on it
  • 1 0
 Super lame. I'd be looking into using an incognito van with an alarm parked within a secure location as much as possible.
  • 2 0
 Never leave my bikes unattended
  • 2 0
 I'd be sleeping with my bike in the bed with me at this point.....
  • 3 0
 Cue the Bait vans
  • 2 0
 AirTags are $30...just saying.
  • 3 3
 Maybe someone just "woke" up today, and "identified himself" as part of Canyon race team member.
Who are you to disrespect him in his feelings/beliefs?!
  • 1 0
 These will Make themselves found when they submit warranty for a cracked frame, success rate will be 100%.
  • 2 1
 I hate to say it but this is why insurance exists. Also I'm sure Canyon has a spare bike or two laying around somewhere.
  • 2 0
 Again?
  • 1 0
 Sounds like the teams need to hire security dudes.
  • 1 0
 bikes must be equipped with GPS
  • 2 1
 People don’t want to learn. Neko’s crew just got robbed….
  • 1 0
 Move to Seattle
  • 3 5
 If bikes weren't $10,000 they'd get stollen less. This is the industry's fault.
  • 3 1
 pb comments in a nutshell - "make bikes we don't want!!" /s and assuming /s above
  • 1 0
 Wouldn't matter if they were $1,500 3 year old bikes, all the thieves see is a $100 bill.
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