I'm looking for some locks, primarily for securing bikes in my new shed. I've fitted it out with 4 fixed vertical racks (that I picked up for a good price) each with a substantial metal hoop for locking the bike to (see image below). As they are primarily for static locking so weight doesn't matter.
I was thinking of getting a couple of different types - chain/D so that they will have, hopefully, different weaknesses (so if anyone gets into the shed they are faced with different problems to "liberate" bikes).
What would folk recommend to get (or avoid)?
Former member of the Cult of the Polystyrene Head Carbuncle.
They seem secure to me but they have never been tested and they were pricey. You could supplement them with D locks and a lock on the shed door.
Another cheap and simple security measure is to use tamperproof screws on the shed doors' hinges, because unscrewing hinges could be easier than picking a lock.
Don't neglect the shed as your first line of defence. Shed doors are generally quite flimsy but it's sometimes possible to beef up the frame and fit a better door. Mortice locks are much better than padlocks.
Also consider some form of alarm. DIY options options will work well and are only limited by your imagination. I remember someone on here recommending a rape alarm with the actuation pin connected to the door with a cable.
A friend in the force recommended that the anchor be placed on the wall (if masonry) as it is harder to grind off without damaging the bikes. No reputable thief would want that.
In my work vehicle, my petrol powered kit is locked to the truck bed with agricultural chains. You need an angle grinder to break them or the locks. Petrol + sparks = caramelised thief.
So chain a tank of petrol to the bike for good measure. Have a handy supply of red wine and mushrooms. Nothing beats 'Thief Wellington'.
RickH wrote:I was thinking of getting a couple of different types - chain/D so that they will have, hopefully, different weaknesses (so if anyone gets into the shed they are faced with different problems to "liberate" bikes).
Sounds a good approach but ...
RickH wrote:... I've fitted it out with 4 fixed vertical racks ... each with a substantial metal hoop for locking the bike to ...
Unless it is a really substantial "substantial metal hoop" you may have already purchased the same weak point for all the bikes.
What else is in the shed? If my shed is broken into they can make off with a lawnmower and an unlocked sacrificial eBay MTB that I could replace for under £100.
Should anyone break in (and I hope they don't) then they might be satisifed with that and not bother with the effort of attacking the ground anchor and D-locks.
gaz wrote:Unless it is a really substantial "substantial metal hoop" you may have already purchased the same weak point for all the bikes.
Its about 3/4" thick steel bar welded to a thick plate that is itself attached to the rack with fixings into the wall at each end. I don't know if it is hardened but would take a reasonable amount of work to cut through.
Former member of the Cult of the Polystyrene Head Carbuncle.
As well as any internal locking of bikes, when I put a bike shed up for my son (and indeed on my garage) I added a bit to it so it would (hopefully) make it longer, and noisier, for someone to get in in the first place.
So walls are strengthened by lining internally with T & G loft flooring, screwed into place (with vent holes so damp doesn't get in between the walls). So yo can't just remove the external planks! Corners of walls - where they meet - again strengthened with coach bolts top, bottom and middle, double-nutted with spreader washers. And the roof, and behind windows etc.
Doors and door jambs thickened where hinges and hasp/staples go through with extra layer of wood.
All hinges drilled-through to accept coach bolts (both where they go through the door and the door frame), with penny washers on the insides to make it more difficult to use a jemmy on them. Ditto all bolts - brenton bolts are used, 2 to a door top and bottom, and a mortise lock in the middle. The "Staples2 for the brenton bolts are each hed in place with 2 coach bolts, washered and locknutted
It seems to work - a couple of years ago someone tried to force open the garage side door, causing a lot of damage to the frame but didn't get in. At the same time his mate was bashing-in the bottom panel of one of the conservatory doors, but they were obviously disturbed maybe because of the noise they had to make.
Brompton, Condor Heritage, creaky joints and thinning white (formerly grey) hair ""You know you're getting old when it's easier to ride a bike than to get on and off it" - quote from observant jogger !
There are various things you can do, depending on location and budget. It's difficult to walk on a gravel path without making a racket. I'm a fan of thorny hedges, though they can take time to grow. I like the idea of fitting a trellis to the outer walls of a wooden shed and training something like pyracantha up it.
You need a balance between public view - so would-be thieves have no privacy - and your own privacy, so they don't know exactly what you have that's worth nicking: even when you are there, keep the door shut as much as possible. Access for a motor vehicle may be vital or inevitable, but if it can be avoided, it's not so easy to use a vehicle to ram a way in or tow doors off. It's also harder to carry stuff than to load it into a waiting vehicle.
I suspect that prominent expensive security attracts as many as it deters, on the basis that there must be something worth nicking.
Above all, never admire the strong bits: always look for the weakest links. Think how you would get in if you lost your keys - that's the position a burglar would be in.
RickH wrote:I'm looking for some locks, primarily for securing bikes in my new shed. I've fitted it out with 4 fixed vertical racks (that I picked up for a good price) each with a substantial metal hoop for locking the bike to (see image below). As they are primarily for static locking so weight doesn't matter.
I was thinking of getting a couple of different types - chain/D so that they will have, hopefully, different weaknesses (so if anyone gets into the shed they are faced with different problems to "liberate" bikes).
What would folk recommend to get (or avoid)?
From that photo with the lock in that position and all other things aside, I would say that a D lock would be more vulnerable than a heavy duty chain because access looks good to get a jack into the D, but a chain at that height would be harder to tackle with bolt croppers because there isn't much to brace against or get leverage.
Disclaimer: Treat what I say with caution and if possible, wait for someone with more knowledge and experience to contribute.
If any of your bikes have the necessary mounting points how about a frame lock? Lock is always on the bike and some, like Axa, have the option of an additional chain to secure it to a stand.
worked out about £50 with shipping IIRC for the 30", have to wait and see if there is any duty to pay tho' . I've only used a lock from the £1 shop, for years, silly I know, but I never really leave the bike out of sight. About 2 months ago, the 'secure' outhouse door was kicked open, then the other door was opened from inside the building allowing access down the alley, the other scrote then tried to kick this open to steal the 2 'unlocked' bikes in the shed. But they were obviously as thick as sh**e, because there was a cupboard unit preventing it from opening. They could have walked out with 2 bikes from the first door they opened, as it happened they made so much noise, they scared themselves and ran off empty handed. ''Don't give up the day job lads!''.....whaddayoumean they ain't got one!
So now doors ARE VERY secure, bike chaiend to gether , and to the floor, so I'm a bit more philosof.....wary, about it now, ''IT'S A SIGN!' so would like something lightweight and secure for the day rides on the bike.
