Bike security advice/almax yay or nay?
 

It's very frustrating having to park on a road but living in London, no garage, no driveway, no choice... last night I got very hot under the collar after a friend leaving mine happened to see a thug pick up my chain and look at it... normally I'm only using a mammoth chain attached to a lamp post. I ran downstairs, put the cover on and put on both of my bicycle D locks through the wheel and chain. Not much else I can do. I hope it's still there when I go out this morning....

What can you do if you have to park on a road? I'm pretty broke but contemplating investing in an almax chain. Better £150 output now than lose £3k worth of bike :'( what do you guys think? Might lower my insurance slightly so small offset...

I mean, there's a good reason why I bought an SV; people are not supposed to want to steal it so I just need a good deterrent for the opportunist thug so that when he looks at it, will walk off cos it looks like a bit too much effort. Surely no one is going to turn up with a van are they? Damn if they did, I'd laugh so hard I'd applaud them! LOL :D

Then there's the issue of parking away from home. You don't always get a lamp post... at uni there's nothing. Gotta get disc locks too I guess....

Re: Bike security advice/almax yay or nay?
 

Hi.

You're right to be thinking about the worst case scenario, because one day it will happen.

You're also right to be putting as many obstacles in a thief's way as possible, however small. The longer it would potentially take them to steal your bike, the better the chance they'll go elsewhere.

Now, the Almax chain. In my opinion, it's a no brainer. The Almax is the only chain on the market you can't bolt crop by hand. I saw Alex and Maxine at a bike show a few years ago with every chain on the market in front of them. They were inviting people to select what they thought was the toughest chain, then were bolt cropping them all in seconds with 36" bolt cropper. Oxford Products were on the opposite stand and were none too impressed to say the least!

It's Almax all the way for me. Very heavy - not recommended you carry it on your bike. The Squire padlock (SC65?) is also the top of the range.

If you value your pride and joy, spend the cash and get an Almax series 3 or 4 (depending on cash). Your bike will love you for it!

Best wishes.

Re: Bike security advice/almax yay or nay?
 

I've invested in an disc lock alarm for when I'm out an about. I would definitely get the best chain you can afford for when your at home though. Also, may be worth considering an alarm for the bike. Sure, people tend to ignore them, but the noise may just be enough to put the opportunist thief off.

Re: Bike security advice/almax yay or nay?
 

Thanks guys.
Is there much difference between the almax 16 and 19mm?

Also I was wondering: you declare your security on insurance form. But if you are parked say at work you're obviously not using the chain you declared. If your bike gets stolen at work is your insurance invalid because you weren't using that particular security device?

How much is an alarmed disc lock?

Re: Bike security advice/almax yay or nay?
 

Got mine on ebay for around £20. I don't have the link handy as on mobile but if you do a search for JDC disclock you should find it.

Re: Bike security advice/almax yay or nay?
 

Yep, found it. £20 that's cheap!

Re: Bike security advice/almax yay or nay?
 

It seems pretty good in the flesh. Not as solid as say an Oxford Patriot but makes a hell of a racket!

Re: Bike security advice/almax yay or nay?
 

I've just spoken to someone and they said the lock that comes with the chain can be picked in seconds... erm... what's the point of an amazing chain if the lock is no good?

Re: Bike security advice/almax yay or nay?
 

You're right.

Don't buy any lock with a cylinder type key as they can be opened in seconds with a pen.

Plenty examples on You Tube.

Stick to a flat key.

Re: Bike security advice/almax yay or nay?
 

What about the squire one the chain comes with?