Bike Security @home
Discussion
There's been a spate of expensive bike thefts in our village over the last couple of weeks. As usual police have no clue but seems they must be watching the owners as they are targeting the more expensive bikes.
With this in mind I'm looking to try and secure mine in the garage rather than just wheel it in. Has anyone done this? I was thinking maybe bolt something to the wall then lock the bike to that. Anything available off the shelf that people can recommend?
Cheers,
Graham
With this in mind I'm looking to try and secure mine in the garage rather than just wheel it in. Has anyone done this? I was thinking maybe bolt something to the wall then lock the bike to that. Anything available off the shelf that people can recommend?
Cheers,
Graham
My garage with a £2k security door (apparently thief proof) wall anchor and big sodding chain was all demolished and £5k worth of bikes stolen. My riding buddy was also hit. Seems the thieves followed us home from a ride, noted his location as I dropped him off then followed me back.
If they want it they will take it from a garage.
Take the bike in the house. It will ps off the Missus, but you wont loose your PnJ.
If they want it they will take it from a garage.
Take the bike in the house. It will ps off the Missus, but you wont loose your PnJ.
I've got an oxford floor anchor and a massive heavy chain wrapped around the frame of mine, plus big lock on the door. It's not full proof, the 'quick release' nature of bike things means a half way human bike thief could have the frames stripped of their expensive bits in a couple of mins or more likely ruin the frames through spite.
I think the best security is not letting them know where to look, I avoid letting anyone follow me home from the local trail centres (that happens a lot in South Wales I hear) and try to not make too much of a display things like leaving bikes on show to dry for example. A scrote might not be brazen enough to walk up your drive to nick a bike in broad daylight but will note which house it lives in. Plus avoid things like massive stickers on Vans and Cars which give the game away that you're a cyclist and probably have a collection of expensive bikes in the garage.
When I was a kid my Car had a Cavalier SRI (I know hold the presses!) It got broken into about 3 times by the same toe rag, he actually got caught twice doing it, and stolen about 4 times again by the same arse, the police knew it was him because he would try to get them to chase him in it. This ended in him reversing it up the bonnet of a traffic car and injuring the officers inside - that was the first time he actually saw the inside of a prison for it. He died a few years later in a crash but it taught me that thieves are as stupid as they are lazy, if they think there's something worth stealing it doesn't matter how many times they fail or are caught rather than moving on they'll keep trying until they find a good enough reason to stop. To that end if I ever caught someone stealing my bike I'd be more likely to give them a 'proper shoeing' before I called the old bill. I know that's a minefield of potential pitfalls but that's how I feel.
I think the best security is not letting them know where to look, I avoid letting anyone follow me home from the local trail centres (that happens a lot in South Wales I hear) and try to not make too much of a display things like leaving bikes on show to dry for example. A scrote might not be brazen enough to walk up your drive to nick a bike in broad daylight but will note which house it lives in. Plus avoid things like massive stickers on Vans and Cars which give the game away that you're a cyclist and probably have a collection of expensive bikes in the garage.
When I was a kid my Car had a Cavalier SRI (I know hold the presses!) It got broken into about 3 times by the same toe rag, he actually got caught twice doing it, and stolen about 4 times again by the same arse, the police knew it was him because he would try to get them to chase him in it. This ended in him reversing it up the bonnet of a traffic car and injuring the officers inside - that was the first time he actually saw the inside of a prison for it. He died a few years later in a crash but it taught me that thieves are as stupid as they are lazy, if they think there's something worth stealing it doesn't matter how many times they fail or are caught rather than moving on they'll keep trying until they find a good enough reason to stop. To that end if I ever caught someone stealing my bike I'd be more likely to give them a 'proper shoeing' before I called the old bill. I know that's a minefield of potential pitfalls but that's how I feel.
Look at the motorcycle stuff - ground anchors (easily installed by drilling into the wall or concrete floor) and a decent chain. Almax make some of the best ones and sell the anchors too: http://www.almax-security-chains.co.uk/ . Worth securing your garage door with extra deadbolts too, although it does then make it more of a faff to open.
As said though, not showing off your bikes is the best plan - and one of the reasons I always transport bikes in the car rather than on roofbars or a rack. A more opportunistic thief might be put off if they get in your garage and find bikes chained up - someone who's targeted you because of the £thousands of bikes in the garage will probably come well equipped.
As said though, not showing off your bikes is the best plan - and one of the reasons I always transport bikes in the car rather than on roofbars or a rack. A more opportunistic thief might be put off if they get in your garage and find bikes chained up - someone who's targeted you because of the £thousands of bikes in the garage will probably come well equipped.
Thanks for all the info. Looking at the links I'll be needing an anchor point to bolt to the floor and a decent heavy duty chain lock.
In terms of insurance I've noticed Evan's do bike specific insurance which for a £2k bike is about £150 a year in my area. I'll be checking with my house insurance to see what they cover and compairing the two, may be that the bike specific insurance from Evans is better given the level of cover.
Cheers,
Graham
In terms of insurance I've noticed Evan's do bike specific insurance which for a £2k bike is about £150 a year in my area. I'll be checking with my house insurance to see what they cover and compairing the two, may be that the bike specific insurance from Evans is better given the level of cover.
Cheers,
Graham
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