“Why would someone take the time to replace the wheel that’s being stolen? What does this mean?”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric P.

“Dear PoPville,

I’m reaching out because I had a very strange situation with my bike on Thursday night.

It was locked up on Capitol Hill with both a u-lock (on the frame) and a pretty hefty cord (the cord went through the frame, the bike rack, and the front wheel). When I came out to unlock my bike something didn’t seem right. As I started to unlock it I realized that the front wheel was not the correct one. My commuter wheel had been stolen but replaced with a smaller mountain bike wheel.

Someone had tried to cut the u-lock (there were a few marks which looked like an attempt had been made), successfully cut the cord (which was no where to be found), and then after taking off my wheel, replaced it with another one.

The mountain bike wheel was too small for the frame so the wheel didn’t quiet reach to the brake pads. I was able to actually ride the bike home just without front breaks. Additionally, the mountain bike tire is not in terrible shape. The tread is fine and it was inflated and held air.

I’m so puzzled by this.

Have you ever heard of something like this before? Why would someone take the time to replace the wheel that’s being stolen? What does this mean?”