After having two bikes stolen I have started to use a 13mm Pragmasis chain that curls through my bike and is attached to a section of channel concreted into a Belfast sink (new I would find a good use for the sink in the end). So the only way to steal it is to either break through the chain or pick the lock.
I really don't want this new bike stolen and was wondering if anyone had had a bike stolen using these chains and if so how were the chains cut through, croppers? Saw? Grinder?
I've used one on my motorcycle for years.
It lives on the street i the centre of Edinburgh, chained to railings along with a bunch of other bikes.
In 6 years most of the other bikes have been stolen, though that is mostly becasue they just put a disklock on.
However, I have the biggest chain (and the most expensive bike) but never had it pinched or any evidence of an attempt.
Not very scientific, but there you go. There's lots of debate on Almax vs Sold Secure online - that guided my purchase
Thanks Yourguitarhero.
I keep reading that someone has had their bike stolen and that it was 'chained' in the garage.
So unless someone comes forward and shames Almax/Pragmasis then I can sleep happily and that I may find a half stripped bike at worst!
In years of riding motorbikes and with dozens of mates with bikes as well, I've never heard of one of them losing a bike that was locked up with an Almax chain.
Just make sure you use a good ground anchor with it and as you say, the worst that would happen is that they strip the bike!
There was a cheery story on visordown, thieves had raided a police station and stolen a set of portable hydraulic cutters to get through massive motorbike chains- not much else works, angle grinders take ages, plasma cutters aren't very practical... Nothing's impregnable but you'd have to be a pretty stupid thief to put all that effort into breaking a strong chain, when there's so many bikes with crap locks or none at all.
Cool. Can't help but be paranoid and still on the look out for a bear trap or a few wooden spikes 'Rambo' style.
Now use an alias on Strava and ensure it is private.
Stupidly used my real name on that before and also on here.
Anyone using this site or Strava should do the same as it is easy to cross reference on the internet.
Notmyrealname - can't really beat that.
The only other thing I thought of was after watching it in 'Breaking Bad' - Thermite, gets through anything. Probably melt the bike too.
From what I've heard the thief will generally cut through the (push)bikes frame to bypass big huge chains. They usual dump the frame anyway as thats the traceable part.
I have big chains. And a big alarm.
The only other thing I thought of was after watching it in 'Breaking Bad' - Thermite, gets through anything. Probably melt the bike too.
If you Google it, there's a video knocking about somewhere of a guy trying to cut through an Almax with thermite.
It doesn't work 😯
Chain goes through the forks, frame and around the back wheel, so they would have to dismantle/cut through the forks and then cut through the frame and the back wheel to take it away.
I forgot, also have the wife's Pashley that the chain passes through, that is stronger and heavier than a ships anchor!
I guess that you'd have to match it with a bomb proof padlock though as this could be a potential weak spot.
Pragmasis do bundle deals with good quality Squire padlocks with minimal shackle exposed for cutting.
They also do deals with ground anchors & padlocks. They're very helpful on the phone too both before and after purchase.