Almax advise against anti-pinch pins

Ive recently purchased a Pragmatic anti-pinch pin to put through my BMW GSA rear hub to help when chaining my bike. I figured it would be easier to pass the pin through the hub than a floppy chain. I contacted Almax to check their chains would allow this pin to pass through the links, which they confirmed it would. But they also strongly advised against using the pin as they feel a fluid object like a chain is harder to cut than a solid pin?

I accept their point, but the pin is more convent to use. Any thoughts on this?

I guessed as much. But the anti-pinch pin compliments their chains nicely. Surprised Almax don't make one themselves.

But as far as Almax advising not to use an anti-pinch pin, is it reasonable? Personally I'm happy to use one.

My Almax chained bikes got nicked last month - stolen with my own angle grinder I think.

I've got a new load of stuff from Pragmasis (who I will point to this thread) and while I'm not disclosing on a public forum what I have got, what it boils down to is ease of use. If its a total arse to secure, passing bulky, heavy chains through swing arms and so forth then sooner or later you will drop the ball because you can't be arsed and then you'll lose your bike.

As far as I'm concerned their stuff is the best in the business, and lets be honest: If someone can get to your bike and defeat the pinch pin then they are having your bike. From my own experience if they're using a grinder then they'll go for the lock shackle.

the lock shackle even on the biggest squire lock I have is smaller than the pinch pin and around same as 19mm chain ...so you would cut the thinnest bit you can get at

you can only get so paranoid and take adequate measures to secure your bike, after that its insured like everything else ...alarmed bike, alarmed garage, chained to floor with 19mm chain, immobilised ....hopefully the thieves will choose something easier

I think they nicked the angle grinder too.

I'm Steve from Pragmasis. We make the Anti-Pinch Pin.

Our view is if you don't need to use a Pin, then don't! If it makes the difference between locking your bike up and not, and/or if it makes the difference between locking your bike up badly or properly, then do, if it fits through a structural part of your bike.

'Badly' means through something that is not structural. If you can get a 16mm+ chain through the frame then do it that way. Adding a Pin to that configuration cannot possibly make it more secure (simplicity is good for security). But if you can only put a chain through the wheel, then that is 'bad' in our opinion as wheels can be removed. I think Almax's view is that bikes are never stolen unless complete as a thief wouldn't want a bike he can't sell on. We have a different view on that as, although a thief would certainly prefer a complete bike, if it is easy to get a bike minus the wheel, that is still a lot of value in parts through eBay etc.

Removing a wheel is quiet and easy. We had another example of that recently when someone came to us after his bike was stolen. Stolen except for the wheel (and the non-Pragmasis/non-Almax chain that was still through it). He wanted a Pin as he could see that was likely to make his replacement bike a lot harder to steal.

And yes, thieves with a grinder will go for whatever is easiest/thinnest and it makes little difference to any of us what they cut as it's not going to make a 5-minute difference from one thing to another and the bike will likely be gone, unfortunately.

Thieves without a grinder, though, are the vast majority and the ones we can all stop if we bother to use proper security properly.

I hope that helps.

I asked Almax about their new Series V chain with 22mm links, but they said it designed for commercial use, not domestic as each link weighs 1kg. I can't understand why they think domestic users wouldn't want to use one?

Your probably right, but I only need a 1m length down from my rear hub to ground anchor so the weight shouldn't be an issue as it will lay on the garage floor when not in use.

The ridiculous size is the reason they are crop proof. There are no croppers on the market with jaws that will open up to accept a 22mm chain.

The best exterior deterrent is CCTV cameras. You have to pass through 3 cameras at my place to even get to my bike and on the last two it sends me a picture to my phone when they see motion.

Just remember folks, the more security you have, the more time you buy while you are under siege.