almax grinded?
Discussion
bogie said:
Nearly 60% of all total UK bike thefts occur in London. Organised professionals and little risk, its easy money for them
Not sure what else you can do other than get the bike out of sight, not on the street. If its in plain view, its just a matter of time
Or get something worse less just for commuting and a nice weekend bike kept somewhere else
Its a sad state of affairs really ......
sNot sure what else you can do other than get the bike out of sight, not on the street. If its in plain view, its just a matter of time
Or get something worse less just for commuting and a nice weekend bike kept somewhere else
Its a sad state of affairs really ......
t traffic, st public transport, expensive and with bike thieves around every corner.When my 2004 Fireblade got stolen (chained with an Almax), I thankfully got it back as it was fitted with a Tracker UK Tracker (the proper one used by Police not the
track it yourself types).From that point I decided to get a job away from the s
tty and eventually I moved out completely and I've been much happier ever since.If you've got a nice bike or car, get out of London if you can IMO.
IanBeale said:
bogie said:
Nearly 60% of all total UK bike thefts occur in London. Organised professionals and little risk, its easy money for them
Not sure what else you can do other than get the bike out of sight, not on the street. If its in plain view, its just a matter of time
Or get something worse less just for commuting and a nice weekend bike kept somewhere else
Its a sad state of affairs really ......
sNot sure what else you can do other than get the bike out of sight, not on the street. If its in plain view, its just a matter of time
Or get something worse less just for commuting and a nice weekend bike kept somewhere else
Its a sad state of affairs really ......
t traffic, st public transport, expensive and with bike thieves around every corner.When my 2004 Fireblade got stolen (chained with an Almax), I thankfully got it back as it was fitted with a Tracker UK Tracker (the proper one used by Police not the
track it yourself types).From that point I decided to get a job away from the s
tty and eventually I moved out completely and I've been much happier ever since.If you've got a nice bike or car, get out of London if you can IMO.
kiethton said:
Thing is if your in certain industries, or haven't reached the level of seniority to work for yourself or make your own decisions you often don't have any choice unless you fancy a hellish and extortionate daily commute.
Yeah, I feel for anyone that lives there and that likes / wants nice vehicles, but can't afford a gated property, personal underground parking or guard. Guess I'm glad I got older then...I used to be on certain bike forums back in the day and there were daily my bike got nicked posts.
I had 4 nicked in total (RS125, R6, FireBlade and R1) but thankfully got 3 back in various states of damage. Bar the Aprilia that just had a disc lock, they were all chained and alarmed.
IanBeale said:
kiethton said:
Thing is if your in certain industries, or haven't reached the level of seniority to work for yourself or make your own decisions you often don't have any choice unless you fancy a hellish and extortionate daily commute.
Yeah, I feel for anyone that lives there and that likes / wants nice vehicles, but can't afford a gated property, personal underground parking or guard. Guess I'm glad I got older then...I used to be on certain bike forums back in the day and there were daily my bike got nicked posts.
I had 4 nicked in total (RS125, R6, FireBlade and R1) but thankfully got 3 back in various states of damage. Bar the Aprilia that just had a disc lock, they were all chained and alarmed.
Had my bike for 18 months and commute into the city daily, leaving it in an on-street bike bay. At work I have no protection other than the standard steering lock (nothing to chain it to and every one of the 3 disc lock's I've purchased wont fit). At work I've had no problem, but, it is only a CBR125R which is battered (I bought it as Cat-D cosmetic salvage and haven't fixed anything).
It was stolen at home last year however, secured with an Oxford gold which was chopped by the local (St Mary Cray) chav's for a night of joyriding....recovered the next day and an Almax purchased...
Guess its totally bike dependent based on desirability of the specific location you're in.
Almax are crap.
I had two of them stolen in three months.
The first one was chained to a pole on the road and it disappeared when I was away for a few days. That was the III series 16mm.
At first I thought it had been removed by the council but there wasn't any sign on the pavement or pole and other chains were still there.
As I was afraid that if replaced with the same one my bike will be stolen I bought the IV series 19mm.
14 fecking kg of chain.
One weekend when I left my bike parked in an underground garage it got taken away. The bike was still there!
I really couldn't believe it.
First of all why would you steal a chain and second why didn't they take the bike?
Unbelievable!
By the way the weak point is clearly the padlock because neither of the two chains were cut and weren't left there so the thefts clearly wanted the chain.
I don't see any point now in spending all that money for a padlock/chain that first can easily get opened and second is wanted by thefts meaning that every time you have to spend £200+ to replace it.
I'd rather buy something cheaper that it can be picked as easy as Almax but at least doesn't get stolen!
I also found Almax customer service terrible. I asked for the chain sleeve to be replaced as after only one month the seam got ripped and never arrived.
Then I sent an email saying that even the second chain got stolen and nobody bothered to reply.
I had two of them stolen in three months.
The first one was chained to a pole on the road and it disappeared when I was away for a few days. That was the III series 16mm.
At first I thought it had been removed by the council but there wasn't any sign on the pavement or pole and other chains were still there.
As I was afraid that if replaced with the same one my bike will be stolen I bought the IV series 19mm.
14 fecking kg of chain.
One weekend when I left my bike parked in an underground garage it got taken away. The bike was still there!
I really couldn't believe it.
First of all why would you steal a chain and second why didn't they take the bike?
Unbelievable!
By the way the weak point is clearly the padlock because neither of the two chains were cut and weren't left there so the thefts clearly wanted the chain.
I don't see any point now in spending all that money for a padlock/chain that first can easily get opened and second is wanted by thefts meaning that every time you have to spend £200+ to replace it.
I'd rather buy something cheaper that it can be picked as easy as Almax but at least doesn't get stolen!
I also found Almax customer service terrible. I asked for the chain sleeve to be replaced as after only one month the seam got ripped and never arrived.
Then I sent an email saying that even the second chain got stolen and nobody bothered to reply.
Cocoz said:
Almax are crap.
I had two of them stolen in three months.
The first one was chained to a pole on the road and it disappeared when I was away for a few days. That was the III series 16mm.
At first I thought it had been removed by the council but there wasn't any sign on the pavement or pole and other chains were still there.
As I was afraid that if replaced with the same one my bike will be stolen I bought the IV series 19mm.
14 fecking kg of chain.
One weekend when I left my bike parked in an underground garage it got taken away. The bike was still there!
I really couldn't believe it.
First of all why would you steal a chain and second why didn't they take the bike?
Unbelievable!
By the way the weak point is clearly the padlock because neither of the two chains were cut and weren't left there so the thefts clearly wanted the chain.
I don't see any point now in spending all that money for a padlock/chain that first can easily get opened and second is wanted by thefts meaning that every time you have to spend £200+ to replace it.
I'd rather buy something cheaper that it can be picked as easy as Almax but at least doesn't get stolen!
I also found Almax customer service terrible. I asked for the chain sleeve to be replaced as after only one month the seam got ripped and never arrived.
Then I sent an email saying that even the second chain got stolen and nobody bothered to reply.
Surely you should be saying that the padlock company is crap and not Almax if the chain wasn't cut? They are usually supplied with Squire padlocks.I had two of them stolen in three months.
The first one was chained to a pole on the road and it disappeared when I was away for a few days. That was the III series 16mm.
At first I thought it had been removed by the council but there wasn't any sign on the pavement or pole and other chains were still there.
As I was afraid that if replaced with the same one my bike will be stolen I bought the IV series 19mm.
14 fecking kg of chain.
One weekend when I left my bike parked in an underground garage it got taken away. The bike was still there!
I really couldn't believe it.
First of all why would you steal a chain and second why didn't they take the bike?
Unbelievable!
By the way the weak point is clearly the padlock because neither of the two chains were cut and weren't left there so the thefts clearly wanted the chain.
I don't see any point now in spending all that money for a padlock/chain that first can easily get opened and second is wanted by thefts meaning that every time you have to spend £200+ to replace it.
I'd rather buy something cheaper that it can be picked as easy as Almax but at least doesn't get stolen!
I also found Almax customer service terrible. I asked for the chain sleeve to be replaced as after only one month the seam got ripped and never arrived.
Then I sent an email saying that even the second chain got stolen and nobody bothered to reply.
As they don't make any claims to being "ungrindable", they will tell you explicitly it can be cut with a grinder (like everything else?), I don't see how this makes them crap.
They're alleged "uncroppable", this is all you're attempting to prevent. The fact they went for the grinder in the first place to me shows they work.
They're alleged "uncroppable", this is all you're attempting to prevent. The fact they went for the grinder in the first place to me shows they work.
Almax don't make the padlock, they only recommend the squire CS65 things which of course is the weak point when securing something.
But nothing is going to last when being attacked with a cordless angle grinder period.
The chains are valuable hence being nicked.. also nicking them stops them being used meaning when trying to nick the bike subsequently its that bit easier.
Last poster who said they took the chain and not the bike - they either got disturbed part way through nicking your bike and took the chain to stop you reusing it or you have a bike they don't want - i.e. the chain is more valuable to them I doubt that though.
Agreed they arn't cheap - there is a reason why though cos they will stand up better to non angle grinder action than many other chains.
But nothing is going to last when being attacked with a cordless angle grinder period.
The chains are valuable hence being nicked.. also nicking them stops them being used meaning when trying to nick the bike subsequently its that bit easier.
Last poster who said they took the chain and not the bike - they either got disturbed part way through nicking your bike and took the chain to stop you reusing it or you have a bike they don't want - i.e. the chain is more valuable to them I doubt that though.
Agreed they arn't cheap - there is a reason why though cos they will stand up better to non angle grinder action than many other chains.
sjtscott said:
Almax don't make the padlock, they only recommend the squire CS65 things which of course is the weak point when securing something.
But nothing is going to last when being attacked with a cordless angle grinder period.
The chains are valuable hence being nicked.. also nicking them stops them being used meaning when trying to nick the bike subsequently its that bit easier.
Last poster who said they took the chain and not the bike - they either got disturbed part way through nicking your bike and took the chain to stop you reusing it or you have a bike they don't want - i.e. the chain is more valuable to them I doubt that though.
Agreed they arn't cheap - there is a reason why though cos they will stand up better to non angle grinder action than many other chains.
Almax doesn't recommend Squire SS65CS, they SELL it with the chain and that's what I bought. Almax is crap because it provides a crap padlock if that is the problem.But nothing is going to last when being attacked with a cordless angle grinder period.
The chains are valuable hence being nicked.. also nicking them stops them being used meaning when trying to nick the bike subsequently its that bit easier.
Last poster who said they took the chain and not the bike - they either got disturbed part way through nicking your bike and took the chain to stop you reusing it or you have a bike they don't want - i.e. the chain is more valuable to them I doubt that though.
Agreed they arn't cheap - there is a reason why though cos they will stand up better to non angle grinder action than many other chains.
What's the point in selling the toughest chain on earth with a rubbish padlock? Does it make any sense to you? So they should sell chains only then if you want me not to say they are crap. If I buy a set from them they are my supplier. They have definitely tested the padlock and agreed it was good enough for sale.
Also no grinder was involved here in both cases
Cocoz said:
sjtscott said:
Almax don't make the padlock, they only recommend the squire CS65 things which of course is the weak point when securing something.
But nothing is going to last when being attacked with a cordless angle grinder period.
The chains are valuable hence being nicked.. also nicking them stops them being used meaning when trying to nick the bike subsequently its that bit easier.
Last poster who said they took the chain and not the bike - they either got disturbed part way through nicking your bike and took the chain to stop you reusing it or you have a bike they don't want - i.e. the chain is more valuable to them I doubt that though.
Agreed they arn't cheap - there is a reason why though cos they will stand up better to non angle grinder action than many other chains.
Almax doesn't recommend Squire SS65CS, they SELL it with the chain and that's what I bought. Almax is crap because it provides a crap padlock if that is the problem.But nothing is going to last when being attacked with a cordless angle grinder period.
The chains are valuable hence being nicked.. also nicking them stops them being used meaning when trying to nick the bike subsequently its that bit easier.
Last poster who said they took the chain and not the bike - they either got disturbed part way through nicking your bike and took the chain to stop you reusing it or you have a bike they don't want - i.e. the chain is more valuable to them I doubt that though.
Agreed they arn't cheap - there is a reason why though cos they will stand up better to non angle grinder action than many other chains.
What's the point in selling the toughest chain on earth with a rubbish padlock? Does it make any sense to you? So they should sell chains only then if you want me not to say they are crap. If I buy a set from them they are my supplier. They have definitely tested the padlock and agreed it was good enough for sale.
Also no grinder was involved here in both cases
I've had my Almax for 6-8 years. Faultless. But then again I put the bike in a garage, behind locked doors, CCTV etc...
The best chain and padlock available are generally Almax and Pragmasis . the big Squire lock is as good as it gets.
If they really want your bike and come armed with a cordless angle grinder then no chain is going to save you, simple as that.
Its not the fault of the chain manufacturer that thieves can access tools to cut through the toughest chains.
There are bikes being stolen in locked alarmed garages, chained to the floor. If they want your bike and know what security you have, they come armed to defeat it. My house was burgled, they broke the yale locks to get in...was it Yales fault or the druggie scrote ?
Its Sad really as the penalty for getting caught is not enough deterrent for these people so they continue to make a living stealing other peoples property. We need to deal with the root cause.....
we need tougher penalties and st prisons ...so they are not in too much of a rush to make it back. Perhaps we can outsource the prison system to some 3rd world country ? 
If they really want your bike and come armed with a cordless angle grinder then no chain is going to save you, simple as that.
Its not the fault of the chain manufacturer that thieves can access tools to cut through the toughest chains.
There are bikes being stolen in locked alarmed garages, chained to the floor. If they want your bike and know what security you have, they come armed to defeat it. My house was burgled, they broke the yale locks to get in...was it Yales fault or the druggie scrote ?
Its Sad really as the penalty for getting caught is not enough deterrent for these people so they continue to make a living stealing other peoples property. We need to deal with the root cause.....
we need tougher penalties and s
t prisons ...so they are not in too much of a rush to make it back. Perhaps we can outsource the prison system to some 3rd world country ? Edited by bogie on Monday 21st August 16:50
I've had a chain stolen once, I'd left it coiled up in my spot when I went out for a ride. Seemed very strange as it was not an expensive one and was locked so probably useless.
OT: My alarmed disc lock seemed to work as I found the steering lock had been broken but the "promising footballers" had got no further...
OT: My alarmed disc lock seemed to work as I found the steering lock had been broken but the "promising footballers" had got no further...
His post shows a 342 being cut. 10mm shackle. Then shows a 13mm chain failing to be cut. The 362 has a 15mm shackle. Can't see that being cut when the croppers fail with a 13mm chain.
We know a SS65 shackle can be cut with a grinder so Im not seeing the Abloy as being weaker in that regard.
With regards to picking one of the first google hits brought up this:
"I've always loved visiting this forum as a source of good information to help me when i need it. So i'm really hoping the community can help with this.
i've got a 16mm chain and bought a Squire Stronghold ss65cs padlock to lock it with, i chose this lock because of it's closed 12.5 shackle having a 18mm gap for the chain. -this means once the chain is in there's no room for the Irvin bolt croppers to crop the shackle. As i'm sure u know.
But my problem with the lock is I raked it open with a Southord set in 10seconds... ...fml. I was so surprised i bent up a paper clip and did it in 2mins... FML!
Does this give me a right to return it or something? I mean that's just pathetic.
It's allso got a 3 key system where the next coloured key locks out the key befor. Could that be why it's so kak?
really though, it's a fine, and expensive, CEN6 lock. So why is the key bit so rubbish?
I know very little about lock picking and am very rookie but it's fun and can help mates sometimes.
Any thoughts on what i can do to either get my money back or sort this lock so it's not so rubbish?
Many many thanks you lot. Look forward to hearing from you."
Granted I've no idea what internals were in the lock
Edited to add that the above was an old lock and to share this comment:
"In 30 years as a cop I never heard of never mind saw an active criminal who had the ability to use lock picks , even professional locksmiths use much less artistic methods to defeat a lock, although I have seen one old school locksmith using them rather successfully.
I've been involved in numerous incidents where people were arrested for either thefts, burglaries or for offences of going equipped and have never yet recovered a set of lock picks.
Angle grinders,battery drills , crowbars, bolt croppers ,slim jims, window punches, acetylene cutting gear, hydraulic cutters, pass keys, electronic scanners and so on but never lock picks.
They appear to have gone the way of 'Gentlemen Thieves , Jelly Men and black and white films '"
We know a SS65 shackle can be cut with a grinder so Im not seeing the Abloy as being weaker in that regard.
With regards to picking one of the first google hits brought up this:
"I've always loved visiting this forum as a source of good information to help me when i need it. So i'm really hoping the community can help with this.
i've got a 16mm chain and bought a Squire Stronghold ss65cs padlock to lock it with, i chose this lock because of it's closed 12.5 shackle having a 18mm gap for the chain. -this means once the chain is in there's no room for the Irvin bolt croppers to crop the shackle. As i'm sure u know.
But my problem with the lock is I raked it open with a Southord set in 10seconds... ...fml. I was so surprised i bent up a paper clip and did it in 2mins... FML!
Does this give me a right to return it or something? I mean that's just pathetic.
It's allso got a 3 key system where the next coloured key locks out the key befor. Could that be why it's so kak?
really though, it's a fine, and expensive, CEN6 lock. So why is the key bit so rubbish?
I know very little about lock picking and am very rookie but it's fun and can help mates sometimes.
Any thoughts on what i can do to either get my money back or sort this lock so it's not so rubbish?
Many many thanks you lot. Look forward to hearing from you."
Granted I've no idea what internals were in the lock
Edited to add that the above was an old lock and to share this comment:
"In 30 years as a cop I never heard of never mind saw an active criminal who had the ability to use lock picks , even professional locksmiths use much less artistic methods to defeat a lock, although I have seen one old school locksmith using them rather successfully.
I've been involved in numerous incidents where people were arrested for either thefts, burglaries or for offences of going equipped and have never yet recovered a set of lock picks.
Angle grinders,battery drills , crowbars, bolt croppers ,slim jims, window punches, acetylene cutting gear, hydraulic cutters, pass keys, electronic scanners and so on but never lock picks.
They appear to have gone the way of 'Gentlemen Thieves , Jelly Men and black and white films '"
Edited by foxsasha on Tuesday 22 August 19:27
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