How to avoid buying a stolen bike?

[jwil10]

Hi,

I am thinking about buying a bike on craigslist or ebay, but the last thing I want to do is buy a stolen bike. Is there any hints or advice that will help make sure the bike I buy is on the up and up?

Thanks.

[Kurt Arndorfer]

The easiest way to tell is to check prices. If a bike would sell on CL for $300 and is offered to you for $75, it's probably stolen. Another way is just to talk to the person selling it. A guy tried to sell me a nice Cannondale saying it was his, but he knew nothing about components, brands, etc. Maybe more important, the bike was pasted with stickers from bands he didn't know.

There are websites that have stolen bike listings, but I think most go unreported. I would just do your homework and then enjoy your bike knowing that you did what you could.