Can anyone recommend a ground anchor? [Archive] - SV650.org

SVStorm

04-11-09, 11:44 AM

My SV is currently stored nice and safe in a garage, but I am going to have to move and new place may not have a garage L Can anyone recommend a good ground anchor, cover and give me any tips on how to best secure bike from theft and protect from elements over winter????

I have had a look on ebay for cover, ground anchor, and good chain, but there are so many choices out there so would prefer to have a choice based on recommendations....

Any help would be appreciated….

Thankyou J

SUPERSTARDJ01

04-11-09, 11:50 AM

Below is the best chain money can buy, not sure about there anchors but the chain with the Squire lock is the only chain that can not be cropped, hacksawed, hammered and is resistant to angle grinders.

http://www.almax-security-chains.co.uk/24w3mp139310/Almax-Immobiliser-Series-IV/c-1-70/

http://www.almax-security-chains.co.uk/24w3mp139310/Anchors-and-Locks/c-1-71/

SUPERSTARDJ01

04-11-09, 11:51 AM

You tube Almax.

jambo

04-11-09, 11:51 AM

The cover can be just about anything, though do make sure you get one that is rain proof (some are just dust covers) and one that has a lining inside that will stop it melting to the exhaust if you want to be able to throw it straight on after a ride.

Abus chains are decent quality. Though as far as I can tell the only manufacturer that makes chains that are significantly better than them are Almax, though they're not exactly portable.

Plenty of ground anchors to choose from, it's going to partly depend if you can dig into the surface to set one into the floor, or if you're going to drill into the base and use bolts to hold it down.

Jambo

SVStorm

04-11-09, 11:24 PM

Ground anchor that I think would be suitable is this one
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140357308846&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Any ideas of how difficult these are to install ?

Thanks for the advice on the Chains it helps me out loads

Have any of you ever had any experience with this Bike cover ???
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280417643131&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Or would you bother with this bike cover or just get a normal cover?

barwel1992

04-11-09, 11:34 PM

WOW just looked at the price of that chain :O

SVStorm

04-11-09, 11:45 PM

i know but i would rather pay that for a chain and still have a bike :)
I did you tube Almax and the video footing of poeple trying to break through the chain is interesting
Link below
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bZMvrPo34g

I then watchad a video of the non almax chains
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cpf35C7wu6Q

It is scary that someone can get through a chain that quick

yorkie_chris

05-11-09, 09:24 AM

Y anchor looks to be the most secure to me.

Puppie

05-11-09, 10:05 AM

ground anchor: how about a concrete fence post, sunk 4 feet into the ground and concreted in. then just loop chain round it. it will be high enough that they cant just lift the chain over the top.

Dave20046

05-11-09, 10:15 AM

WOW just looked at the price of that chain :O
Aye but if you buy one £60 chain and return home to find some pondlife has cut it open and your bikes gone for a walk then the replacement chain alone say another £60 would mean your overall payout ain't far off the price of an almax, that supposedly can't be cut - and presumably your bike wouldn't have escaped either. Also bear in mind its heavy duty shiz, it's gonna last a while.
Regards

David 20046
Almax -security

p.s I also like the y anchor. Tip I use is when chaining a bike to a ground anchor is park the bike over the anchor so access to the anchor and chain/padlock is awkward. Also try and keep the chain off the ground (suspended if possible) as it's easier to attack when layed out.

Luckypants

05-11-09, 10:17 AM

ground anchor: how about a concrete fence post, sunk 4 feet into the ground and concreted in. then just loop chain round it. it will be high enough that they cant just lift the chain over the top.

Scaffold poles through wheels, lift bike, lift chain off post, put bike in back of transit van.... Easy.

As said previously, depends if you can concrete the anchor in or if it has to be bolted. I have a Diamond Security ground anchor concreted into the garage floor and is very secure.

EDIT: Hmmm it looks like they no longer do security products. http://www.diasec.co.uk/

Alpinestarhero

05-11-09, 10:24 AM

Regarding the money:

security for your bike is an investment, preventing you from having to spend laods because you didnt spend alot on the beginning.

I have a 1.5m almax chain; for a curvy, you can loop it around the front downpipe and through the front wheel (as long as the spoke isnt in the way) and through a ground anchor. There is not enough slack for the chain to drop on the ground, further increasing your security.

For some added peice ofmind,check out Xena alarmed locks. If you dont have an alarm and dont want to fit one bercause you realise they can cause more trouble than they are worth, a Xena lock may be a good alternative

SUPERSTARDJ01

05-11-09, 11:59 AM

Get an Almax chain, anchor if you wish (mine is connected to a pole of a carport roof) a xena alarmed disk lock, maybe even a grip lock (I have one and they are great as part of a layered security approach), alarm if you really want to (or if insurance requires it) but do remember a chain and an anchor are great but you really need layered security for your bike i.e I have a chain, anchor (of sorts), disc lock alarm a grip lock and a Rottweiler that's willing to give up her life for me.

Dave20046

05-11-09, 12:03 PM

Agree with relying on more than just 1 form of defence. Especially as if you have a nice bike and I had a transit, I'd see no problem with just removing the wheel you've chained it through and carrying the bike off*
Alpinestars chain through the wheel & down pipe is a good approach bit more for them to tackle. If you can get something round the frame even better.

*if I was thieving scum.

2hys

05-11-09, 12:11 PM

RIDE magazine has a whole feature about this worth a read,

5hort5

05-11-09, 12:28 PM

Y anchor looks to be the most secure to me.

Agreed, we brought some Almax chains for bikes at work and they recommended fitting Y anchors for them. worth a note though if you do have a Y anchor you'll prob need a 1.5 metre chain as the 1 m chains sometimes don't go round the wheel and anchor as the links are so large. The chain only just about goes between the disc and the wheel rim :p

IrishRob

05-11-09, 01:01 PM

RIDE magazine has a whole feature about this worth a read,

I have that issue of the magazine.

Dave20046

05-11-09, 01:14 PM

got a scanner? :)

SVStorm

05-11-09, 01:17 PM

got a scanner? :)

Ha ha
Irish rob dont need one as he lives with me
:)

I can scan it to you if you need it ?

Dave20046

05-11-09, 01:18 PM

If it's only a page or so I'd appreciate a scan if you don't mind. Sounds like its worth reading :)

maviczap

05-11-09, 01:19 PM

If he hasn't then I'm pretty sure I have it, and I do have a scanner :p

I don't recall them testing an Almax chain.

Their top rated chain & lock is an Oxford one. Can't remember which model

SUPERSTARDJ01

05-11-09, 01:23 PM

Could I have a copy?

maviczap

05-11-09, 01:25 PM

I'll try and do it today or tomorrow, if you can wait that long? I'll send you a PM

Dave20046

05-11-09, 02:13 PM

might be best just uploading it onto photobucket or something and posting the link, if you have it available to you. I'm in no rush just fancy reading what they have to say on them.
Anyone ever used 'mammoth security' chains? I can get them reasonably cheap and they look brutal.

maviczap

06-11-09, 07:48 PM

Hi Peeps, sorry it took so long to scan and upload these to photobucket, but was sorting out some Evilbay listings, oil change on the car & looking after daughter no2. Plus cooking & making brews

Upload wasn't helped by the file size or AOL's diabolical speed.

But here's the link to the album. The articles aren't rocket science either. I didn't bother uploading the street security, as it was about chaining your bike to a lampost.

http://photobucket.com/ridemagazinesecurityarticles

yorkie_chris

07-11-09, 11:35 AM

If he hasn't then I'm pretty sure I have it, and I do have a scanner :p

I don't recall them testing an Almax chain.

Their top rated chain & lock is an Oxford one. Can't remember which model

Because they're useless tossers and must be on the take from someone!

according to almax, that chain they rated as top dog can be snipped with a pair of boltcutters in 23 seconds or something daft.

Dave20046

07-11-09, 01:57 PM

Most chains can, just almax quite rightly puts the popular ones in their place. Oxford claim their chain is better than a £20-£25 you get down your local shop so because of their branding and promises slap a premium on it. I reckon almax is the actual proper chain (although in fairness they put an even bigger premium on it :( )
However oxford monster chain and lock is just over like £100 (1.2m £105) an almax series 3 1.5m chain & lock is £135.

maviczap

07-11-09, 07:05 PM

Because they're useless tossers and must be on the take from someone!

according to almax, that chain they rated as top dog can be snipped with a pair of boltcutters in 23 seconds or something daft.

Yes, I am suspisious as to why a lot of Oxford products seem to get a top rating and they don't test a lot of manufactures kit.

However I am pleased with the Hein Gerike gloves that they gave a good rating too, so their reviews aren't all biased or influenced by advertisement revenue streams :p

ian505050

08-11-09, 12:57 AM

You want one of these http://www.yanchor.com/

Swin

08-11-09, 09:02 AM

I bought a "Sold Secure" ground anchor - the one problem I found is that I rent a council garage and it doesn't have electrics and is too far from the house to run an extension, I didnt have a cordless drill capable of taking the 24mm drill bit needed for the bolts.
Luckily my brother in law is a builder and I was able to borrow a cordless from him that was up to the job.
Now I always have chain through the back wheel, disc lock on front and alarm armed whilst the bike sits in a padlocked garage - if a tea leaf wants the bike badly enough to go through that lot then I give up!

Dave20046

08-11-09, 10:49 AM

SVStorm

08-11-09, 11:05 AM

Fantastic thanks for all the replies I think i now have an idea about ground anchor and chain.......now how about a cover ??

Dave20046

08-11-09, 11:07 AM

Is it goin to be outside? Any cover will do, I'm sure people rave about the argos covers. mandp are currently doing 2 covers for £20 I think

SVStorm

08-11-09, 11:24 AM

yeah it will be going outside so i will need a cover to protect it from the elements thanks :)

maviczap

09-11-09, 09:40 AM

Here's another good ground anchor, but you may need access to a 10 ton crane :smt082

5599

Sorry, this had been in the back of my mind for ages:p

Tigerrrr.......

09-11-09, 05:27 PM

I wrote to RiDE magazine asking why Almax hadn't been part of their last chain/lock test despite being previous winners with top marks. They (eventually) said that Almax probably weren't being imported anymore. What, from the Newcastle area?????

SVStorm

10-11-09, 09:48 PM

ha ha well they are still available placed my order for one yesterday and no mention of them running out of stock :) I suppose it is just an excuse as they know it would not be comparable to other chains

Dave20046

11-11-09, 10:41 AM

Get yourself a really good ground anchor with the almax, obviously it's such a strong chain you don't want to create a massive weakpoint by using a papermaché ground anchor or something

Owenski

11-11-09, 12:14 PM

Build a garage.

SVStorm

11-11-09, 05:52 PM

Build a garage.

Thanks for that.....it is amazing that I never thought of that idea before :rolleyes:

Now seriously......have already thought of that and would if it was my house. HA HA
:)

SVStorm

11-11-09, 05:55 PM

Dave20046

11-11-09, 05:55 PM

Build a garage.
Why don't you build one matt? Bet you couldn't.

I'll pm you an address to prove me wrong at ;)

SVStorm

11-11-09, 06:08 PM

Why don't you build one matt? Bet you couldn't.

I'll pm you an address to prove me wrong at ;)

I second that :D....... and I bet I could build a garage..... even thought i am a Girl ;)

Dave20046

11-11-09, 06:11 PM

Just a quick post to let you all know thanks for all the very valuable advise and to let you know what I have decided on.
Chain = Almax chain with Squire lock
Ground anchor = Y anchor
Cover = Cover recommended by many of you from Argos.
:D nice work. By the way can't remember where we got with this thread exactly but you realise installing a y-anchor most likely means digging a big hole, did you say you park it on the street? Ignore me if no, can just forsee the council getting a little peed off at you.

Edit: sorry ,no im thinkin of the thread with the nicked r1

SVStorm

12-11-09, 10:57 PM

:D nice work. By the way can't remember where we got with this thread exactly but you realise installing a y-anchor most likely means digging a big hole, did you say you park it on the street? Ignore me if no, can just forsee the council getting a little peed off at you.

Edit: sorry ,no im thinkin of the thread with the nicked r1

Yeah wrong thread ...... ha ha :)
I am fully aware i need to dig a big hole for it and it is actually going tin a back garden. The guy I am actually going to house share with is giving me freedom to do what i like at the back. There are a couple of loose paving slabs that I am going to lift and put the ground anchor in the lay a few extra slabs make it look nice and also give me enough space to turn the bike round. And he is going to help me with it so all good :D

speedplay

12-11-09, 11:03 PM

There are a couple of loose paving slabs that I am going to lift and put the ground anchor in the lay a few extra slabs make it look nice and also give me enough space to turn the bike round. And he is going to help me with it so all good :D

Nice houseshare find :)

If you make a little wooden frame the same size (internally) as a slab, once you dig the hole, sit the frame round it and fill with concrete.
Youll cast a slab with the anchor in it ready to lay the other (real) slabs round it.

yorkie_chris

12-11-09, 11:49 PM

Can't you just leave one slab out and fill the hole remaining?

speedplay

12-11-09, 11:51 PM

Can't you just leave one slab out and fill the hole remaining?

Depends how much concrete your chucking in ;)

*edit* as super slab mix is about 100 quid per cube you could always get a half load and bulk it out with a nagging mrs*

yorkie_chris

12-11-09, 11:52 PM

Would be the same amount either way.

dyzio

18-12-09, 02:27 PM

You want one of these http://www.yanchor.com/
Are these still the ones to go for?
There's been an increase in bike theft recently, for £60 think it's a good investment.
Dunno how the owner would feel about me digging a hole in the ground in his garage though :roll:

Dave20046

18-12-09, 06:34 PM

Are these still the ones to go for?
There's been an increase in bike theft recently, for £60 think it's a good investment.
Dunno how the owner would feel about me digging a hole in the ground in his garage though :roll:
I'd get one if I needed one.
Better add one of these (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Asda-lilac-cotton-scatter-rug_W0QQitemZ220526442868QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Hom e_Garden_Rugs_SM?hash=item3358667974) to your shopping list in that case ;)

SVStorm

18-12-09, 07:20 PM

Are these still the ones to go for?
There's been an increase in bike theft recently, for £60 think it's a good investment.
Dunno how the owner would feel about me digging a hole in the ground in his garage though :roll:

Well if you ask the landlord they may be ok with it. If i was a landlord I would have no problem as if installed properly it sits flush with the ground.
I would highly reccomend you get a Almax chain and a good lock. These chains can be a bit bulky and a bit pricey but well worth it.
I went for one of these
http://www.almax-security-chains.co.uk/product.asp?s=bh8sge142976&strPageHistory=category&numSearchStartRecord=0&strParents=73&CAT_ID=73&P_ID=123&btnProduct=More+Details

I'd get one if I needed one.
Better add one of these (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Asda-lilac-cotton-scatter-rug_W0QQitemZ220526442868QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Hom e_Garden_Rugs_SM?hash=item3358667974) to your shopping list in that case ;)

Dave you do realise that the link you inserted takes you to a pink scatter rug ?? I am not even going to ask what anyone with a bike would need that for :)

Dave20046

18-12-09, 07:27 PM

Dave you do realise that the link you inserted takes you to a pink scatter rug ?? I am not even going to ask what anyone with a bike would need that for :)
That's for incase the landlord says no ;)