Tampered lock, replace?
 

Hey folks,
I went to unchain my bike this morning to find that it had been tampered with.

I have an Oxford Hardcore Lock and chain (Crap I know) and it seems to have two parts to it, an upper and lower plastic body.

This morning the two halves of the plastic body on the lock had been seperated, they hadn't gotten it open very far with the lock and chain engage but enough for me to see a couple of rods and bits inside the lock.

Snapped it back together and it seems to be working fine but now I'm wondering if this has been comprimised and needs replacing...
Any ideas?

Simple, how much are you going to kick yourself if you don't ?
you sure it's not just weathering? - frost?

If in doubt.....

I'd replace it ASAP, whoever damaged it may have been disturbed and walked away, if they check it out again half the job is done.

The plastic bits on the Oxford Hardcore are just cosmetic, and maybe to protect agains the weather I broke mine off by, er, cunningly wedging it into my swingarm. But it does make them look really shoddy and cheap without it, so I suppose the plastics might work as a deterrant... Either way, it's no less secure without it, it'd take 10 seconds for a thief to get the plastics off if they wanted them off.

The lock's not so terrible on those, it's the chain that's made of toffee. Whoever had a go at it was strictly amateur or you'd probably have no bike :) Is it the one with the half-moon key, or a round key?

I'd not replace it by itself, since the chain's still the weak spot, not the lock- that's not changed. But if you actually depend on that chain, I'd bin the whole thing personally. It just depends what you use it for- my own Sold Secure, Thatcham, Oxford Bathplug Chain that I could bite through is purely to deter kids and opportunists, no point in spending real money on a chain that I hardly ever use. But if I used it daily I'd get a real one.

The next thing I really think you (and anyone else in a similar position) should do is report it to the cops. Yes, I know they won't be able to "solve" the crime of the century, but the way modern policing is intelligence lead, it is important that as many criminal acts are recorded as possible. That way, if there is an upward trend in an area of crime, be it bike theft, shed breaks, burglary etc, it will be noticed by the crime pattern analysts and more patrols allocated to the area.
It is a bit of a pain, but as you saw nothing, you should be able to report it over the phone at your leasure.
Oh, and as someone once replied to one of my posts, your bike is worth several thousand pounds, why scrimp on the security? Buy a new lock and chain.

Have to say, the plastic bits on my oxford lock came off all on their own...

Aye I'm going to replace it and I've been considering replacing the chain as well after seeing it cropped in 3 seconds!!! :grumbles:

Can't quite push myself to an almax yet but something a bit sturdier than this is welcome.

Basically I was fishing to see how worried I should be IE: is this lock now comprimised and I may as well not use it tonight (I chain my bike up everynight to a solid cement post after a previous botched theft attempt) or if I have some time to go shopping.

I suppose it is about a year old now so maybe it is just getting old and falling apart but I'm fairly sure it was in one piece when I locked it up last night.

Anyway if the plastics aren't intergral to the lock I won't kill myself trying to get it replaced today and I'll shop around for a good replacement (lock AND chain).

*Edit* hmm last time I checked the almax website the chains were about £400 unless I was imagining it now it's £70...I think I'll go Almax.....and get my eye's checked....

2x Cheap chains - £160

1x Almax = £200 (guess)

Isnt it worth paying more for something that will last longer?

David

You can get a 1.5m ALMAX with CISA lock for £125 on their website.

Don't rely on a single chain!!

Go for variety. Disk lock, u-lock, cable lock, chains etc.

My er5 was the most over protected commuter in the land when I used to have to keep it on the street. (2 cable locks, 2 chains, 1 u lock, 1 disk lock). Always wear protection (well....your bike ;))