What do you use to secure bikes in a shed?
Discussion
Hi all,
I have a shiny new bike shed installed in the garden. Wooden construction on the front, however there is a brick wall at the back, masonry wall on one side and flagstones on the floor.
I was thinking about some sort of a ground/wall anchor to lock the bikes to. The chap who built the shed put a couple of rings in the wall but I don't reckon they are strong enough.
Over to the panel, what do you use? Half tempted to prise a flagstone up and cement a ring into the ground! However as the bikes will be "Hanging" on the wall it might be a long way to chain/D-Lock.
Further to that- Any recommended vertical bike racks for 3 bikes?!?
I have a shiny new bike shed installed in the garden. Wooden construction on the front, however there is a brick wall at the back, masonry wall on one side and flagstones on the floor.
I was thinking about some sort of a ground/wall anchor to lock the bikes to. The chap who built the shed put a couple of rings in the wall but I don't reckon they are strong enough.
Over to the panel, what do you use? Half tempted to prise a flagstone up and cement a ring into the ground! However as the bikes will be "Hanging" on the wall it might be a long way to chain/D-Lock.
Further to that- Any recommended vertical bike racks for 3 bikes?!?
Edited by carreauchompeur on Wednesday 24th February 10:57
Ground/wall anchors are good, but they won't stop someone nicking it or stripping it in situ, decant cable/chain/padlock as well to go through fork brace/wheels. There have been plenty of bikes get stripped on the spot and the frames left attached to ground anchor/d-lock (seems to be getting more common), its much easier to get rid of the components than the frame itself, and they can be transferred to a legit donor frame to make a new bike (happened to 2 of my mates), also suggest shed alarm. Also, if you have other large bulky items (lawn mower etc), make sure they are chained/locked to the bikes (makes it nigh on impossible to fit the whole lot through the door).
Edited by stu8975 on Wednesday 24th February 11:17
fit a ground anchor and one of those barrier things that fit into the ground that prevents the door being opended. they put stuff infront of the bike is normally a good bet, work bench, lawn mower etc. its a pain when you want the bike but the hassle for the would-be thief will put them off as it will make a lot of noise shifting the kit. you can buy cable alarms that are pretty good, they sound if disturbed or tampered with which are useful for wheels and things.
the best way is to make it difficult for the thief to get in first rather than fitting loads of locks to the bike though.
the best way is to make it difficult for the thief to get in first rather than fitting loads of locks to the bike though.
Those eyes would be too easy to undo or saw off.
Got a hardened steel wall anchor for mine, concrete anchor bolts with the allen-heads rounded off and countersunk heads. It'll take an angle-grinder to get it out. Chain that was used for tying JCBs to trucks - my grandad found it years ago and we can't even mark it with a cold chisel, hacksaw or mini grinder and a mahoosive container padlock.
I've taken reasonable (some would say above & beyond) steps to protect the bikes, if they're nicked then that's what house insurance is there for.
Got a hardened steel wall anchor for mine, concrete anchor bolts with the allen-heads rounded off and countersunk heads. It'll take an angle-grinder to get it out. Chain that was used for tying JCBs to trucks - my grandad found it years ago and we can't even mark it with a cold chisel, hacksaw or mini grinder and a mahoosive container padlock.
I've taken reasonable (some would say above & beyond) steps to protect the bikes, if they're nicked then that's what house insurance is there for.
Edited by Dibby on Wednesday 24th February 13:32
Make it as difficult for the thieving scum to do thier "job" as possible.
Reinforce the door, make entry as hard as poss. CCTV is good but it will only help after the theft and only a small deterrent, I dont think you want big notices around your garden about CCTV.
You have to deter the casual thief and slow down the pro so it isnt worth thier while. BIG locks, ground anchors. I am developing an alarm that will bombard the thief with over 150db of ear shattering hell if they enter the garage. My intent is to make it impossible to spend the 20-40 mins necessary to cut chains, dismantle bikes and get it out the door. Any tools left in the shed/ garage must also be chained down so they cant be used by the thief.
What I found is that when a thief gets in, then shuts the door, he can work unharassed for as long as they desire. You dont want huge windows so you can see if anyone is in your bike shed as this is like a shop window.
Most bystanders pay no attention to alarms, my intent is to make it physically impossible to stay in the garage / shed while the alarm is going off and to p
s off the neighbours so much they will call the police.
Reinforce the door, make entry as hard as poss. CCTV is good but it will only help after the theft and only a small deterrent, I dont think you want big notices around your garden about CCTV.
You have to deter the casual thief and slow down the pro so it isnt worth thier while. BIG locks, ground anchors. I am developing an alarm that will bombard the thief with over 150db of ear shattering hell if they enter the garage. My intent is to make it impossible to spend the 20-40 mins necessary to cut chains, dismantle bikes and get it out the door. Any tools left in the shed/ garage must also be chained down so they cant be used by the thief.
What I found is that when a thief gets in, then shuts the door, he can work unharassed for as long as they desire. You dont want huge windows so you can see if anyone is in your bike shed as this is like a shop window.
Most bystanders pay no attention to alarms, my intent is to make it physically impossible to stay in the garage / shed while the alarm is going off and to p
s off the neighbours so much they will call the police.Unfortunately, if they really want it, they'll take it. Your best bet is just to make it as difficult as possible. I'd go with anchoring to a solid surface and a couple of locks just to make it that much more difficult. I had a friend who locked his bike securely, came back to a frame (minus forks and brakes: decent hydraulic disks) and wheels, that was it, they took everything else that wasn't attached to by the lock 
So on the basis of this, also make it difficult for someone to be able to spend a lot of time in the shed stripping the bikes without you knowing....!
So on the basis of this, also make it difficult for someone to be able to spend a lot of time in the shed stripping the bikes without you knowing....!They'd be through a scaffold eye with an angle grinder in seconds Rouleur.
AyBee, with a 4, 5 and 8mm allen key you could strip a bike to the frame in no time at all, high end stuff is designed to be easy to work on, with the downside of being easy to take off and pinch. Wheels on quick release, 2 5mm bolts, snip the gear cables and rear brake hose and the whole front end will come off in under a minute, forks, bars, front wheel, brake & shifters
I watched one of my bikes being stolen at uni from the bike sheds, same chain but a weaker padlock, it took them all of 5 seconds with bolt croppers to get through what I thought was a beefy padlock and they were gone quicker than I could get out of the building.
To be honest, if a good thief knows you've got a bike in the shed and wants it they'll get it one way or another, a pair of ear defenders will get round 150dB, the only guaranteed ways of defending a bike are likely to land you in court for injuring/ burning/ maiming the thief and as satisfying as it would be to unleash hell on a thief for some reason they get the upper hand in court and 'If he wasn't there he wouldn't have got hurt' doesn't stand up as a defence.
Unless you're riding a one-off prototype, everything on a bike can be replaced so name it on your insurance and as long as you take reasonable steps to prevent making yourself a target you'll be covered.
A mate had repeated bikes nicked in Bristol, he was told once they knew what was in the house they'll be back. He was told not to put bars on the window because they'll get frustrated at not getting in and simply petrol bomb you instead. He couldn't get insurance and had to move in the end.
AyBee, with a 4, 5 and 8mm allen key you could strip a bike to the frame in no time at all, high end stuff is designed to be easy to work on, with the downside of being easy to take off and pinch. Wheels on quick release, 2 5mm bolts, snip the gear cables and rear brake hose and the whole front end will come off in under a minute, forks, bars, front wheel, brake & shifters
I watched one of my bikes being stolen at uni from the bike sheds, same chain but a weaker padlock, it took them all of 5 seconds with bolt croppers to get through what I thought was a beefy padlock and they were gone quicker than I could get out of the building.
To be honest, if a good thief knows you've got a bike in the shed and wants it they'll get it one way or another, a pair of ear defenders will get round 150dB, the only guaranteed ways of defending a bike are likely to land you in court for injuring/ burning/ maiming the thief and as satisfying as it would be to unleash hell on a thief for some reason they get the upper hand in court and 'If he wasn't there he wouldn't have got hurt' doesn't stand up as a defence.
Unless you're riding a one-off prototype, everything on a bike can be replaced so name it on your insurance and as long as you take reasonable steps to prevent making yourself a target you'll be covered.
A mate had repeated bikes nicked in Bristol, he was told once they knew what was in the house they'll be back. He was told not to put bars on the window because they'll get frustrated at not getting in and simply petrol bomb you instead. He couldn't get insurance and had to move in the end.
Edited by Dibby on Wednesday 24th February 15:11
There are very sensible guides to bike security on both Bikeradar and lfgss forums (locks, securing sheds).
Personally, I like to use combinations of devices. Chains, wires, d-locks and padlocks. Each can be 'broken' with the right tools etc... but in different ways.
Secondly, If you make the shed 'look' really secure then it'll attract attention. You can very easily make modern flimsy sheds reasonably secure without making them look secure.
Personally, I like to use combinations of devices. Chains, wires, d-locks and padlocks. Each can be 'broken' with the right tools etc... but in different ways.
Secondly, If you make the shed 'look' really secure then it'll attract attention. You can very easily make modern flimsy sheds reasonably secure without making them look secure.
Dibby said:
Now there's a good idea ... Until they sue you.
I'd love a circle of bear traps, electrified frames, gas burners in the wall, nail and glass bombs and a CCTV camera to the carnage unleash all over a chav
Sue you for what? Could you not go to seton and order lots of Danger HV signs and stuff, lots of warnings etc? Thief will assume you are lying and get fried...I'd love a circle of bear traps, electrified frames, gas burners in the wall, nail and glass bombs and a CCTV camera to the carnage unleash all over a chav
Dibby said:
Sue you for negligence in your duty to prevent injury while on your property.
A warning sign does not sufficiently cover ones arse in court
Well you could leave a load of hi-vis vests and safetly helmets outside with a sign saying "Can all thieves please wear full PPE and familiarise themselves with HV switching procedures before entering my shed" Then when they don't, well, their fault.A warning sign does not sufficiently cover ones arse in court
Just bought one of these. £15.
I was out and about at work and popped into the local Specialized store on the offchance. It's a great bit of kit, very sturdy loop of steel. The person who built my shed stuck a couple of rings in too, so I can D-lock to this, and then run various cables through bikes/rings... Marvellous!
I was out and about at work and popped into the local Specialized store on the offchance. It's a great bit of kit, very sturdy loop of steel. The person who built my shed stuck a couple of rings in too, so I can D-lock to this, and then run various cables through bikes/rings... Marvellous!
carreauchompeur said:
Just bought one of these. £15.
I was out and about at work and popped into the local Specialized store on the offchance. It's a great bit of kit, very sturdy loop of steel. The person who built my shed stuck a couple of rings in too, so I can D-lock to this, and then run various cables through bikes/rings... Marvellous!
That's the exact same one I've got. I've drilled the allen heads out to round them off instead of using the ball bearings.I was out and about at work and popped into the local Specialized store on the offchance. It's a great bit of kit, very sturdy loop of steel. The person who built my shed stuck a couple of rings in too, so I can D-lock to this, and then run various cables through bikes/rings... Marvellous!
Just be careful not to overtighten the bolts, those anchors can crack a house brick easily.
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