Gone in 60 seconds

Streethawk

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jan 12, 2011
634
16
Great program, one thing needs clarifying though, what can and what cant be bolt cropped by the huge 42" croppers. Bear in mind this is all based on one set of jaws, when the croppers fail to cut the jaws actually break into pieces, but a second set of jaws on the already damaged lock of any diameter may get through.

The key for bolt-cropper proof chains and U-locks is the diameter of the links or shackle.

For example Almax, used as an example in that video, use 16mm links in their most basic chain. and i've never heard of a successful bolt-cropper attack (at least with one set of jaws).

The Kryptonite New York chain they cut is 15mm, and various other 15mm chains can be cut the same, and 15mm u-locks.

Kryptonite's New York Lock Standard is 16mm, and you cant bolt crop it. Their New York Lock Mini (Fahgettaboudit) is 18mm, so plenty to stop bolt croppers.

Of course an angle grinder will be through anything in 1-3 minutes.

Ultimately, all you can do is make it so much of a hassle to steal that they pick on someone else's bike.
 

Streethawk

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jan 12, 2011
634
16
We recommend these:Immobitag
I'm sorry, i dont see the point of one of these where bikes need to be scanned, like Datatag or Smart Water etc.

Unless the bike is recovered by the police, and most aren't by the police's own admission, these are no use at all.

Even if they are recovered i'm dubious about the assumption that the police scan for all these different standards.
 

JuicyBike

Trade Member
Jan 26, 2009
1,671
527
Derbyshire
The video is about crime detection and catching criminals which is how tags help. True, they will not stop your bike being stolen, but insurance costs will be reduced.
 

Streethawk

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jan 12, 2011
634
16
The video is about crime detection and catching criminals which is how tags help. True, they will not stop your bike being stolen, but insurance costs will be reduced.
Hmmm, no they wont because i dont have any. I dont need it, i have big locks!;)
 

allen-uk

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 1, 2010
909
25
Maybe the whole problem needs a bigger viewpoint.

Cars aren't stolen as much as bikes not because it's difficult to steal them - it ISN'T! - but because of VIN numbers, registration numbers, log books, etc., and so on. Bikes are (apart from the rarely noted serial no.) almost anonymous.

A
 

Streethawk

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jan 12, 2011
634
16
I was under the impression that car theft dropped to almost zero with the fitting of immobilisers as standard? Now you need the keys to steal a car.
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,616
30,884
I was under the impression that car theft dropped to almost zero with the fitting of immobilisers as standard? Now you need the keys to steal a car.
The introductions of immobilisers, laser cut keys, keyless entry etc has made it extremely difficult to steal the latest cars. Joy riding theft is a thing of the past with them and other casual theft is also impossible.

Only the most sophisticated professionals stand a chance, and the difficulties have meant they mainly aim for the high end very high price cars to make the effort worthwhile. For the great majority of us now, theft is no longer a problem just so long as we guard our car keys, not leaving them within reach of the front door letterbox etc!
.
 

Scottyf

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 2, 2011
1,403
-1
Indeed car theft has gone down. But car jacking has rose instead.

Gps tracker all the way :)
 

allen-uk

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 1, 2010
909
25
Well, the Standards Police haven't been too successful in NW London (nor, would I have thought, in parts of Manchester), so we still have loads of cars from the 1990s onwards - and they are easy to knick.

But assuming you're right about car theft going down in relation to newer models, what is the answer on bikes, particularly ebikes? Carrying a chain weighing 5kg or more really isn't practical (certainly NOT on conventional bikes).

Has registration been seriously considered, i.e. number plates of some sort on bikes, plus ownership documents? Wouldn't deter the joy-rider class of thief, but it might put off those who steal our bikes to re-sell.


A.
 

Trex 850

Pedelecer
Feb 2, 2011
53
1
After watching that ,almost wants to make me give up biking in ANY form :eek:
Currently, I used my old Oxford motorcycle d lock and a heavy duty coil cable and padlock- looks like I need stronger stuff to stop/slow the b#ggers down..
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,616
30,884
But assuming you're right about car theft going down in relation to newer models, what is the answer on bikes, particularly ebikes? Carrying a chain weighing 5kg or more really isn't practical (certainly NOT on conventional bikes).
There's no assumption, car theft is officially no longer a problem outside of that done by using the owner's keys. That's the reason for the recent campaign about keeping car keys safe and out of reach of front door letter boxes. The trick thieves have been using to get round the impossibility of theft of the newest cars is using a fishing rod through letter boxes to lift car keys from the hall table etc. Then a press of the key button alerts the thieves to which car it is in the street with the chirrup sound and light flashes and they are away.

Sadly there will never be an equivalent solution for bicycles or motorbikes since viable locks can be defeated and bikes/motorbikes can just be picked up and carried away by van, as they often are at present. The only safe cycle parking is in the dedicated locking parking boxes that some locations have.
.
 

allen-uk

Esteemed Pedelecer
May 1, 2010
909
25
Fine, we/you've all stated quite succinctly where we ARE. What I'd like to do is to investigate where we might BE in the future.

Is there anywhere in the world where bicycles are common but theft is kept down? If so, where, and how?

Has registration been seriously considered? I'm talking about a number plate being welded onto crossbar or part of the frame at manufacture (and being phased in for older bikes), which will be hard to tamper with, and which accompanies a registration document, WITHOUT which you can't buy or SELL a bike.

If something drastic is not attempted, then whoever (above) said that his bike wouldn't get nicked because he NEVER leaves it anywhere has got the only (though quite impractical) solution.


Allen.
 

Mussels

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 17, 2008
3,207
8
Crowborough
Dont waste your money on £120 bike locks like abus or new yorker ...get a tracker!

YouTube - Gone In 60 Seconds - The Bike Crime Wave Part 1
That's pretty poor advice, why have a bike if you are always using the tracker to get it back?
You'll notice how Sold Secure were only interested to show how poor cheap lock are, that's because the bad expensive ones have their highest rating on them. Don't trust SS if you want the best security.
The Almax section was also careful as their cheaper stuff is easily beaten with those methods.
The chap called Gary in the Almax section has been a lock crusader for some years, lives in London and is fed up of motorbike thefts. He didn't do it for money and only works with Almax because they are very good. Anyway I asked him what would be best for an ebike and he recommended the 16 or 18mm New York D locks or the Abus Granite Extreme, the Abus is the better one as it has more resistance to twisting if one side is cut but it's very expensive. I went for the 18mm Kryptonite that is sold for motorbikes.
Weight itself is not a problem but transporting it is, over time it would damage bags or frames so I now leave it fixed to the railing at work and carry a more standard chain for emergencies.
In London there are lots more decent racks around now, with a decent lock theives will most likely go elsewhere. I've often found my bike moved when people have checked out the locks. I've had plenty of things stolen from my bikes so don't leave anything expensive on them.
 
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overlander

Esteemed Pedelecer
Apr 22, 2009
532
42
I do not know the lock you use but be careful of leaving your chain overnight. I use an almax chain and it comes with a nice cover but i do not leave it overnight. What they do is cut your chain overnight when they have lots of time to do it. They then secure the cut link with say a tie wrap and put the cover back over. So when you lock your bike all they have to do is cut the tie wrap and they are off with it.
 

Orraman

Pedelecer
May 4, 2008
226
1
Fine, we/you've all stated quite succinctly where we ARE. What I'd like to do is to investigate where we might BE in the future.

Allen.

I have long thought that the seat tube could hold a long chemical or pressure cartridge that would emit smoke and a persistent dye with odour of skunk when triggered. I would use Gammexane fumigation tablets as once used in agriculture 'cos I know they got rid of vermin. But today.......?

Lacking short term memory I would need a foolproof indication that the deterrent had been activated. Perhaps tipping the seat to lock in the vertical position to arm it might remind me to disable the device with a key or remotely as a car.

Add sound, vibration and motion sensors to warn and trigger.

Dave