hi everyone I am after recommendations for a lock, that I can secure my bike with whilst in the garage at night, the lock will only be used in the garage so weight is not an issue, it will need to have a gold rating thanks

Hi Newboater

 

May I suggest that you run an internet search for 'top bicycle locks' and read some of the results from the tests and reviews.

 

People will recommend all sorts of things but there are several really well-built locks around and some of those are probably far more difficult to break/crop/grind than the material to which people attach them.

 

It depend to a large degree how much of a loss the bike(s) would represent and how much you might be prepared to invest to avoid that, or at least minimise the risk. The set of sold-secure gold lock & cable I use currently cost about £50-60 from memory and I use that on a £1500 bike. Only the more determined thieves would have a go at that and I never leave it anywhere I feel that that type of people might operate.

 

If I used a garage, I'd secure and alarm that, possibly covering it with CCTV if I felt there was any great risk.

 

A solid ground anchor and motor-cycle security chain might be something you'd like to explore if you want to secure inside a garage that's less than Fort-Knox secure.

 

Tom

I can't tell if it's sold secure gold or sold secure silver but you will more than likely need to fit a ground anchor too for a chain so I would try find a bundle.

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Secure-Ground-Anchor-Chain-Motorcycles/dp/B002NTVUL4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1396192368&sr=8-3&keywords=approved+bike+chain#productDescription

 

Aren't too many on the approved lists so to narrow it down for you it's pretty much the kryptonite new york ones, oxford monster/hardcore ones, abus granit and a couple of motorbike ones that are usually thatcham but not always sold secure approved. Here is the lists so maybe best to find a few locks and then see what you can/can't get.

 

http://www.soldsecure.com/search-by-approval-category/

 

If you can do it with D locks then the cheapest gold rated is this, it's a rebranded oxford magnum. 2 of those and a sheffield bike/cycle stand/rack off ebay(the type most in the street are) and it could turn out cheaper and stronger than a chain. If you are fitting an anchor then surface mounted racks will take the same things to fix.

 

http://www.clasohlson.com/uk/Asaklitt-Shackle-Lock/31-2166

+

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sheffield-cycle-stand-Galvanised-Surface-Mounted-/201061965454?pt=UK_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item2ed03a1e8e

 

Also be careful when buying from ebay, it isn't common but some locks loose the sold secure mark or are moved down a grade and ebay sellers often forget to say this, reciepts for an as new lock from a retailer the insurer likes can also go a long way when/if you need to claim. Once you are all setup take a photo of how you lock your bike, if anything changes take another picture, if ever you need to claim show them the pictures and it should help prove you did your part.

Squire, sold by Raleigh dealers, has a gold standard sold secure D lock for £44.99 rrp.

thanks for the advice folks

We have several sold secure gold locks by both Squire and OnGuard (not listed on the website yet, we are currently upgrading website with new launch soon). We also have some very strong Pragmasis chains (Gold rated).

 

http://www.electrifyingcycles.co.uk/locks.html

Kryptonite U lock

We have several sold secure gold locks

 

and they have been tested with bolt cutters and bottle jacks ?

A.) No bicycle locking system can ever be impregnable so the decision as to how much money one is prepared to invest is what it all boils down to in the end.

 

B.) Geography and both daytime and overnight location come into play in arriving at the answer to A.

 

Bicycle parking areas in both Oxford and Cambridge are full of cheap, elderly bikes looking rusty, dirty and completely unloved. Many of those however have decent locks as the owners care more about the bikes actually being where they were left than about the quality and desirability of the machines themselves.

 

By and large, bike thieves prefer 'name' bikes in half-decent condition that can be easily 'processed' for a bit of profit. High-end bikes in the wrong location are a magnet for the professional thieves and they are particularly adept at releasing locked bikes.

 

In the home situation, if one has a garden, I have often thought that a secure, large dog kennel area, replete with a couple of rottweilers or similar may be the ideal spot to house expensive bikes!

 

Tom

I've got a Kryptonite New York 3000 lock - never lost a bike yet - but then again I tend not to leave the bike for a long time or somewhere overly dodgy.

 

I have a couple of Abus Booster Pro cable locks as well to secure the wheels if the bike I'm on has QR's.

How many of you would actually go by bus instead of bike for fear of cycle theft at a particular location? I have and do at times.

How many of you would actually go by bus instead of bike for fear of cycle theft at a particular location? I have and do at times.

 

Fear of theft does limit what I would like to do by ebike.

 

Taking the bus is a bit extreme, but I do take the car for some journeys that I would otherwise prefer to do by bike.

How many of you would actually go by bus instead of bike for fear of cycle theft at a particular location? I have and do at times.

 

Fear of theft does limit what I would like to do by ebike.

 

Taking the bus is a bit extreme, but I do take the car for some journeys that I would otherwise prefer to do by bike.

 

Having such regard for the value of your investment is simply common sense. To ignore your fears about particular locations and carry on regardless is foolish and reckless.

 

Tom

I use an Almax chain and a ludicrous squire padlock on mine. You'd probably be shocked at just how fast an 18V cutter will buzz through your average 'gold rated' lock, with no questions asked by the couldn't care less bystanders.

 

Also, good insurance is a must.

yes finding a good lock is a bit of a minefield,i shall be looking at a few today, and also fitting a ground anchor.legal and general who insure my house have quoted me only £14 a year on top of the house insurance ,this to me sounds to cheap! beba have quoted me £135

Similar chain reviewed here

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/accessories/locks/product/review-pragmasis-protector-chain-master-lock-padlock-10-39837/

 

Please note is very heavy so not ideal for bike transport but great for storage at home. As other people have said no lock is perfect but all Gold locks have to meet a certain standard and getting a sold secure lock ensures you are covered by insurance. Electric bikes will require at least a silver lock (above £250) and others gold (£1500+)

 

Good quote from insurance sometimes some companies are funny about insuring a electric bike. Assuming the amount is no April fool joke

legal and general who insure my house have quoted me only £14 a year on top of the house insurance ,this to me sounds to cheap! beba have quoted me £135

 

That's a great quote Newboater!

 

Most insurers don't have a clue about electric bikes and either refuse to quote or offer a very expensive premium based on their ignorance. You need to be sure that they understand both what you have and recognise its value to avoid potential problems in the event of a claim.

 

While 'bicycle' will show up on the idiot guides used by the telephone-answering people employed to sell policies, EAPCs or EBIKES almost certainly won't be there. If the quote is purely for fire & theft, I can understand the low premium but if it's to include 3rd party liability and cover all eventualities on the road, then it's remarkably cheap.

 

Tom

If the op wants the lock for home only, buy a heavy chain fit a shielded padlock and attach to floor or wall and fit an alarm system to the garage, if they can't make it to the bike they can't steal it