[The E]

As some of you may know, two weeks ago, some asshole stole my bike. Unfortunately, this has left me in severe financial difficulties, as my current income does not allow me to cover the cost of a replacement, since there are debts that need repaying, rent that has to be covered, food that has to be procured, and transportation that has to be arranged. As a result, I find myself in need of some assistance.

There are a few questions likely to come up, and I'll try to answer them preemptively:
Don't you live in Germany? Don't you have working social security systems?
Yes, we do, and the appropriate paperwork is on its way. Unfortunately, processing those takes time, time I do not have.

What about a used bike? Aren't they cheaper?
Yes, they are, and I am looking at options there. However, I need a bike that can carry me roughly 100km per week, on average, over a period of months. This rules out most used bikes, unfortunately.

If you wish to donate a small amount, you can send money through paypal (adress is fwoltermann at the google mail).

Thanks in advance to anyone willing  to consider this, and extra special thanks to Scotty and ironbeer, for surprising me with their kindness when this whole thing went down.

[swashmebuckle]

Ah, sorry E.  I've got a special sore spot for bike thieves since my girlfriend's was stolen last month. Luckily it was partly covered by our renters' insurance and she found a good replacement, but it still makes you feel crappy about the world in general for a while

Hope things get back on track soon!

[The E]

Ah, sorry E.  I've got a special sore spot for bike thieves since my girlfriend's was stolen last month. Luckily it was partly covered by our renters' insurance and she found a good replacement, but it still makes you feel crappy about the world in general for a while

Bike thieves are literally the worst.

[Scourge of Ages]

Bike thieves are literally the worst.

I completely agree. Good friend of mine had her's stolen too, recently.

[Fury]

I had my bike stolen last summer as well. Sent you some money.

[Jeff Vader]

If I can find the time to set up PayPal, I'll send some currency.
(I really need to set it up soon. There's stuff on BandCamp I should buy, too.)

[General Battuta]

Just give me a chance to finish the move and I'll be in.

[StarSlayer]

Do you need to replace a motorcycle or a bicycle?

[The E]

Bicycle.

[Grizzly]

I have cycled on a bicycle that was built from spare parts, including a frame from the fifties, for several years (before I outgrew it and passed it on to my kid brother). Troughout the years it has survived being thrown in the ditch (as in, I had to fish it out alongside some other bikes which were there as well) and being kicked the crap out of (probably by the same vandals).  I do have other examples, although not as dramatic. Used bikes aren't as bad as the OP seems to make out in my experience (also, easily repaired).

Then again, I am dutch, a country in which we have more bicycles then actual people (And we have a lot of people), so the quality of second hands here may be a lot higher then in Germany.

[Wobble73]

"There are nine million bicycles in Beijing"

Sorry to hear of the loss The E, if I had Paypal I would definitely pass you a few quid, Sorry!

[Kopachris]

I have cycled on a bicycle that was built from spare parts, including a frame from the fifties, for several years (before I outgrew it and passed it on to my kid brother). Troughout the years it has survived being thrown in the ditch (as in, I had to fish it out alongside some other bikes which were there as well) and being kicked the crap out of (probably by the same vandals).  I do have other examples, although not as dramatic. Used bikes aren't as bad as the OP seems to make out in my experience (also, easily repaired).

Then again, I am dutch, a country in which we have more bicycles then actual people (And we have a lot of people), so the quality of second hands here may be a lot higher then in Germany.

I agree.  I'm pretty sure I could get 100km/wk out of my 6 year old mountain bike (the last two years of which have been spent sitting outside in the rain and snow).  Just needs to have the chain and gears cleaned and lubricated.  I'm more worried about getting 100km/wk out of my legs than the bike.

[swashmebuckle]

If I can find the time to set up PayPal, I'll send some currency.
(I really need to set it up soon. There's stuff on BandCamp I should buy, too.)

You can actually buy on Bandcamp with a normal credit card, they just make it annoyingly difficult and pester you to get on paypal a bunch. Dealt with that last month too.

Anyway, paypal is still quite useful to have for this type of scenario.

/derail

[SypheDMar]

How much do you need?

[Goober5000]

How much do you need?

Yeah, this information would be useful.

[The E]

A new bike will cost somewhere around 400€, 100 of which I can pay out of hand.

[karajorma]

Sorry to hear about that The E. I've always been of the opinion that bicycle thieves should be saddled and forced to carry around their victims for a few weeks.

"There are nine million bicycles in Beijing"

I don't believe that. Maybe if you count silent assassins (electric scooters) as bicycles too.

[jr2]

Tried twice, Paypal reports

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I'll try again later. 

Sorry to hear about the bike, that sucks.  As an aside, will you be able to get some sort of chain?  That might discourage (certainly not prevent) a thief (easier targets elsewhere).  Of course, you may have had one of those to begin with, but, anyways.  Get a nice long chain so you can secure both tires and the frame to whatever you're chaining it to. 

[karajorma]

And an extra length for beating the **** out of bike thieves.

[The E]

Sorry to hear about the bike, that sucks.  As an aside, will you be able to get some sort of chain?  That might discourage (certainly not prevent) a thief (easier targets elsewhere).  Of course, you may have had one of those to begin with, but, anyways.  Get a nice long chain so you can secure both tires and the frame to whatever you're chaining it to. 

A good lock is definitely on the shopping list. But, as I found out, even a good lock is nothing against a person with time, opportunity, and proper tools.