Commuter Bike to Live Outside. Security Recommendations

[mat205125]

Hi all.

Thinking of a cheap commuter bike to use for to and from work, however too many toys in the garage will mean it’ll have to live outside on the drive by the car.

Is this a stupid idea that will mean it’ll only be a matter of time before it walks, or are there practical measures and deterants which can protect my investment.

I’ve no problem installing anchor points into the ground to chain it down, for example, and would be interested to know what others have done.

[Donbot]

Your profile says you live in Wiltshire. Does crime even happen there?

I'd just stick a cheap Thatcham chain round it.

[Bumblebee7]

Have a look at a Pragmasis chain. I've got the 19 for home and the 16 for out and about (London, so a bit pedantic about security). The chains I use are always bigger than those of the bikes near to where I park so I would hope no-one would bother as it would be too much risk for a thief. They're bolt crop proof so only real way to get them is a repeated attack with a sledgehammer or angle grinder both of which are noisy. Also a cover is a good idea, it exposes thieves to additional risk and they have no idea if under the cover is a brand new bike or a crappy scooter so they're likely to try and find easier prey.

You can look at alarms, immobilisers or even trackers but they're usually easily found and defeated. They also risk draining the battery somewhat so I'd stick to primary security like good lock, disc lock and cover.

BTW, if you do go for the chain I'd recommend the noose variety. I went for the 19 regular in a 2m length and went for the 16 in the noose in 1.5m length. The noose one, despite being shorter gives me far more useful reach than the longer chain does.

[mat205125]

Donbot said:

Your profile says you live in Wiltshire. Does crime even happen there?

I'd just stick a cheap Thatcham chain round it.

We're in a crime hotspot, with the area being rife for poaching, fishing without a rod licence, deviating from an ordnance survey marked foot path, and putting the bins out on the wrong day!!

[mat205125]

Thanks both.

Will look at your recommendations for chains and such like, and the cover idea as a deterrent is also a good one.

I've the advantage that my driveway is next to the house and garage, so I could park the bike up close to the wall, and box in with the car. Just mean that I'd have to shuffle the car in the morning, to get the bike out.

[RizzoTheRat]

Have you got space to put in something like a Bike Barn to keep it out of sight?
http://www.thebikebarn.net/

[kiethton]

I'd put on an alarmed disc-lock (gets moved it beeps) and also a chain to a ground anchor - I've got an Almax which has defeated many a tea leaf (they just smashed my ignition barrel instead in spite)

[Dog Star]

Bumblebee7 said:

Have a look at a Pragmasis chain. I've got the 19 for home and the 16 for out and about

You actually carry a 16mm Pragmasis about with you? Do you have a sidecar to put it in or ride a massive Harley? I use my 16 and 19mm at home but there's no way I can take it with me; even my insurers who I have it listed with think I'm being reasonable.

[Bumblebee7]

Dog Star said:

You actually carry a 16mm Pragmasis about with you? Do you have a sidecar to put it in or ride a massive Harley? I use my 16 and 19mm at home but there's no way I can take it with me; even my insurers who I have it listed with think I'm being reasonable.

I keep the 19 at home and keep the 16 at work. If I need the bike at work I put the 16 in the top box and lock it up to wherever it is I'm going. This is definitely excessive but I have complete peace of mind when leaving my bike for a few hours in London. I had a bicycle stolen years ago and had no desire to repeat the process. So yes, probably OTT but I feel better leaving my bike when out and about. As the vast majority of my riding is commuting about 9 miles each way I'd say that over 95% of my riding I am not carrying any weight on me as I have chains either end.

[TwoStrokeNut]

Bumblebee7 said:

I keep the 19 at home and keep the 16 at work. If I need the bike at work I put the 16 in the top box and lock it up to wherever it is I'm going. This is definitely excessive but I have complete peace of mind when leaving my bike for a few hours in London. I had a bicycle stolen years ago and had no desire to repeat the process. So yes, probably OTT but I feel better leaving my bike when out and about. As the vast majority of my riding is commuting about 9 miles each way I'd say that over 95% of my riding I am not carrying any weight on me as I have chains either end.

I just can't see how you can use a 16mm chain practically when out and about. What top box can carry one either!

I once had just a 6kg chain strapped to the back of my RGV250 and that was always on the back wheel. Good fun!

[Lee540]

TwoStrokeNut said:

I just can't see how you can use a 16mm chain practically when out and about. What top box can carry one either!

I once had just a 6kg chain strapped to the back of my RGV250 and that was always on the back wheel. Good fun!

I carry a 2m Almax System 3 16mm chain in my top box..

Bandit 1250 with the OE top box.. probably maxing out the load capacity but seems secure to me.. no issues in the last 2 years.

[Donbot]

This must be the 'London effect' as to me a 19mm chain seems like total overkill.

Something like a Datatool Portable Python put through a bike cover should stop the locals scrumping it. As least then you have something which is usable when out on the bike. Disc locks are also good.