Home > Bike Types > Road Bike

Theft of irreplaceable bikes at Specialized headquarters prompts $25,000 reward for information

11 Comments
Support us! Bikerumor may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More

What’s worse than having your bicycles stolen? When those bicycles include one-of-a-kind, irreplaceable displays from your museum. That’s exactly what has happened to Specialized recently, as thieves broke into their headquarters in Morgan Hill, California and made off with some incredible rides.

Stolen bicycles from Specialized Headquarters 2020
FABIAN CANCELLARA ON STAGE TWO OF THE 2009 TOUR DE FRANCE. Photo c. Specialized

While a number of employee bikes were also stolen, there were some very notable (and recognizable) bikes in the bunch like Fabian Cancellara’s Yellow Jersey S-Works Tarmac.

Stolen bicycles from Specialized Headquarters 2020

Stolen bicycles from Specialized Headquarters 2020

Also stolen was Philippe Gilbert’s 2019 Paris-Roubaix-winning S-Works Roubaix.

Stolen bicycles from Specialized Headquarters 2020 Stolen bicycles from Specialized Headquarters 2020

When we last toured the Specialized Museum in 2019, this bike was one of the most recent additions – it was even still covered in dust from the famed cobble sectors. Left unwashed, the bike was destined for the museum – the Roubaix winning Roubaix, covered in dirt from Roubaix.

Stolen bicycles from Specialized Headquarters 2020 Stolen bicycles from Specialized Headquarters 2020 Stolen bicycles from Specialized Headquarters 2020

Hopefully, this bike isn’t damaged and can be recovered, but chances are good that it won’t be quite the same ever again.

Stolen bicycles from Specialized Headquarters 2020
Photo: Jim Fryer / BrakeThrough Media | www.brakethroughmedia.com
Stolen bicycles from Specialized Headquarters 2020
Photo: Iri Greco / BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com

Sadly, that wasn’t the only notable Roubaix stolen. Sagan’s S-works roubaix in black and gold was also stolen…

Stolen bicycles from Specialized Headquarters 2020
Photo c. Specialized

As well as Sagan’s S-Works Venge in Bora team livery.

Not shown, an orange S-Works Shiv ridden by Tony Martin in the Olympics as well as a yellow S-Works Tarmac ridden by Olympic Triathlon Champion Gwen Jorgensen.

Stolen bicycles from Specialized Headquarters 2020
Photo c. Specialized/ Martin Platter
Stolen bicycles from Specialized Headquarters 2020
Photo c. Specialized

On the mountain bike side, stolen bikes include the S-Works Epic of both Christoph Sauser and Jaroslav Kulhavy.

Stolen bicycles from Specialized Headquarters 2020 Stolen bicycles from Specialized Headquarters 2020

Not to mention the theft of Ned Overend’s Fat Bike National Championship winning Fat Boy.

Stolen bicycles from Specialized Headquarters 2020

And it wasn’t just race winning bikes that are irreplaceable – Robert Egger’s Scambled Egger concept bike was among those hit.

Stolen bicycles from Specialized Headquarters 2020 Stolen bicycles from Specialized Headquarters 2020 Stolen bicycles from Specialized Headquarters 2020

This one is a true one-of-a-kind concept full suspension gravel bike so it should be instantly recognizable.

Stolen bicycles from Specialized Headquarters 2020
Photo c. Specialized

On top of all that, a number of employee’s personal bikes got ripped off including this custom Rainbow OZ Trails Stumpjumper EVO that belonged to Sam Benedict. Specialized’ own in-house painter, Tyler Marchesano, also had two of his personal bikes taken including an S-Works Stumpjumper and S-Works Crux. Even the founder of Specialized, Mike Sinyard, had two personal Stumpjumpers taken.

Even assigning just a stock retail figure of $10k to these bikes, you’re looking at more than $160,000 worth of stolen bicycles. But it’s not the monetary value that has led Specialized to offer a $25,000 reward. Their hope is that the reward may lead to the return of many of these bikes that mean more than the sum of their parts. If you have information that could lead to the return of these bikes or the arrest and conviction of those responsible, reach out to Specialized or contact the Morgan Hill Police Department.

specialized.com

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

11 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
nooner
nooner
3 years ago

My god, this is a travesty… prolly got some of Robert Eggers concept bikes which were/are amazeballs if you ever saw one, you would know, Thieves SUCK! and i hope you get caught.

csabiker
csabiker
3 years ago

Why steal bikes you can’t sell! And why is Specialized’s security system so bad? It’s only a matter of time, grand theft, breaking and entering, (deleted)
f-ing bike thieves!!

Crash Bandicoot
Crash Bandicoot
3 years ago
Reply to  csabiker

Bike industry is largely an unprofessional cottage industry hence poor security and minimal reward. The reason the museum/HQ was broken into is because the warehouses were largely empty. would have rather thieves had stolen a bunch of warehouse inventory as it would be more easily covered by insurance and frankly it might mean actually getting an Allez Sprint in a 58 which seems impossible these days.

thesteve4761
thesteve4761
3 years ago

Meth.

Jaspreet Bhatia
Jaspreet Bhatia
3 years ago

This is the saddest thing I have heard . May the thieves rot in hell.

Bryin
Bryin
3 years ago

“the saddest thing I have heard” Really? In a world with ethnic cleansing, racism, murder and child sex trafficking, this is worst? Really?

Jared
Jared
3 years ago

Has anyone questioned UCI officials?

Kelvin
Kelvin
3 years ago

The truth will set you free.

Velofreak
Velofreak
3 years ago

Such a shame the comments censorship on this one, would be great otherwise. Such a pity.

Kristi Benedict
Admin
3 years ago
Reply to  Velofreak

Velofreak, your comment came before we even checked comments – were you preemptively mourning?

Chris
Chris
3 years ago

Any current news on the status of these bikes?

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.