Bike anchor (not bolted to the wall)

Oink

Hello Boardies / boardettes,

I need your help. I have grown accustomed to my bike, and I don't want to have it nicked (they've already stolen my lights etc.).

I have requested that the management company install a bike rack, or approve the installation of a ground anchor in our underground car park. However by the time they reply and tell me to get bent, either my GF's bike or mine will be gone.

Consequently I am looking for something heavy but not ridiculously huge (with a loop in it for the chain), which I could leave in a corner without drilling holes etc. Something just awkward enough that it won't be worth carrying around if they can't angle-grind my kryptonite lock.

Asking madam to carry her bike up and down the stairs (2nd floor) is not a viable option....

Where could I find something like that?

Thanks!

donal2000

Something similar to this any use?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=8495

beazee

One of these seems awkward enough

Oink

Thanks Donal, but I am not looking for the usual type of anchor that needs to be bolted down. Instead I need something heavy I can just drop on the ground, but still move (with a lot of effort) if necessary.

Something just heavy and awkward enough that it won't be worth dragging around to steal a €350 bike.

EDIT - It doesn't need to be designed for bikes specifically. A ball and chain would do for example...

Dawn Rider

Lidl have 'garden containers' in at the moment for about 7euro's. Essentially it's just a flexible bucket.

Fill that with concrete and sink an old U-lock into it, lock/barrel in first. You only need enough of the loop sticking out to attach your 'good' chain too.

That should be heavy enough to suit.

You can by ready-mix bags of concrete in garden centers like B&Q. Just add water
Otherwise buy a half bag from a builders merchant. You'll get the gravel there too.

smacl

Off the top of my head;

- Large hollow breeze block
- Attach regular ground anchor to it
- Fill it with quick drying cement to add mass

I'd tend to add the cement on site, because it'll be one heavy mofo to move otherwise. If you want more mass, cement two blocks together and fill the cavities. Just buying a ground anchor yourself and installing it might be easier though.

ednwireland

Oink wrote: »

Thanks Donal, but I am not looking for the usual type of anchor that needs to be bolted down. Instead I need something heavy I can just drop on the ground, but still move (with a lot of effort) if necessary.

Something just heavy and awkward enough that it won't be worth dragging around to steal a €350 bike.

EDIT - It doesn't need to be designed for bikes specifically. A ball and chain would do for example...

local precast concrete supplies place get them to make something big enough with a steel loop to lock it to

Dawn Rider

smacl wrote: »

Off the top of my head;

- Large hollow breeze block
- Attach regular ground anchor to it
- Fill it with quick drying cement to add mass

I'd tend to add the cement on site, because it'll be one heavy mofo to move otherwise. If you want more mass, cement two blocks together and fill the cavities. Just buying a ground anchor yourself and installing it might be easier though.

When I was renting over the years I used those for my commuter bike and the landlord/s never had a problem with them. That said, I'm not sure he ever noticed because I had the raid cover disguising it if he came around

Oink

Thanks guys, I hadn't thought of the aul' bucket of concrete.

Now I don't really fancy trying to mix the concrete etc. myself, so I'll see if I can find an Artiste who can make that for me...

sconhome

Oink wrote: »

Thanks guys, I hadn't thought of the aul' bucket of concrete.

Now I don't really fancy trying to mix the concrete etc. myself, so I'll see if I can find an Artiste who can make that for me...

Buy a bag of ready mixed concrete for fencing posts, pour it in the bucket and add water. Easy peasy.

Dawn Rider

Woodies have bags already made up - just add water.
http://www.buy4now.ie/woodiesdiy/productdetail.aspx?pid=13967&loc=P&catid=101.15

You could of course boost your feminist credentials by getting 'madam' to do it
Just don't blow it by saying " It's as easy as baking a cake" or you could ending wearing it

Oink

That's great, cheers! Assuming it's not the kind of concrete that can be destroyed with a hammer within a minute, it should do the trick! (EDIT: assuming my bike doesn't get nicked within a week...)

Thanks!

BostonB

I don't get the logic. If you can move it. You can be sure someone else will, especially if theres more than one and a van.

endacl

BostonB wrote: »

I don't get the logic. If you can move it. You can be sure someone else will, especially if theres more than one and a van.

Simple. Put the bucket of concrete in an even bigger bucket of concrete....

sled driver

BostonB wrote: »

I don't get the logic. If you can move it. You can be sure someone else will, especially if theres more than one and a van.

Exactly.

I wouldn't trust any bike in the basement carpark of an apartment complex. Wasn't there someone over in the stolen bikes thread recently who posted that they came in with a van, unbolted and lifted the whole bicycle rack into the van ??

In terms of security in an apartment complex, there's simply no substitute for keeping the bike in the apartment. If asking madam to carry her bike up and down the stairs is not an viable option, then you should do it for her.

Oink

@ Sled driver and BostonB :I get your point, however I am not looking for a foolproof solution. I accept that if I leave my bike in the basement, anything short of a high end Fahgettaboudit lock + bike anchor is a risk. A determined thief who really wants my €350 bike, or my GF's €200 bike, will take them.

The alternative is to carry 2 bikes up and down 2 floors twice a day, and keep them in my tiny appartment where they will be in my way and will piss me off constantly. At which point I will probably consider selling the bikes. So I will take my chances with the bucket of concrete, and hope we only come across your usual opportunistic scummie instead of a pro.

Thanks for the input though!

Steve_hooo

This is stylish, http://www.frontyardcompany.co.uk/products/plantlock.html

and your landlord/mng company may be pleased too

monkeypants

What about a gas cylinder or two?

Wishbone Ash

Oink wrote: »

So I will take my chances with the bucket of concrete, and hope we only come across your usual opportunistic scummie instead of a pro.

Thanks for the input though!

Oink - would drilling a few holes and installing a wall/floor anchor not be easier and neater than the hassle of transporting/mixing concrete? I'm sure the management company won't mind (and probably won't even notice).

bal1000

How about parking an old van or car in the basement and locking them in it.plenty of them around DOE or NCT failers for small enough money.

Lusk Doyle

Oink wrote: »

@ Sled driver and BostonB :I get your point, however I am not looking for a foolproof solution. I accept that if I leave my bike in the basement, anything short of a high end Fahgettaboudit lock + bike anchor is a risk. A determined thief who really wants my €350 bike, or my GF's €200 bike, will take them.

The alternative is to carry 2 bikes up and down 2 floors twice a day, and keep them in my tiny appartment where they will be in my way and will piss me off constantly. At which point I will probably consider selling the bikes. So I will take my chances with the bucket of concrete, and hope we only come across your usual opportunistic scummie instead of a pro.

Thanks for the input though!

If you can't be ar$ed with that then sell them both and buy a car! You don't need such hair brained ideas to secure one of them!

Roger Hassenforder

sled driver wrote: »

BostonB wrote: »

I don't get the logic. If you can move it. You can be sure someone else will, especially if theres more than one and a van.

Exactly.

I wouldn't trust any bike in the basement carpark of an apartment complex. Wasn't there someone over in the stolen bikes thread recently who posted that they came in with a van, unbolted and lifted the whole bicycle rack into the van ??

In terms of security in an apartment complex, there's simply no substitute for keeping the bike in the apartment. If asking madam to carry her bike up and down the stairs is not an viable option, then you should do it for her.

Is the bike or madame due an upgrade?

Oink

Guess who had their bike stolen last night? :rolleyes:

I had seen the light and gave up on the idea of the bucket of concrete, and decided to go for the wall anchor instead. Was waiting for approval (3 weeks or so).

I had been carrying the bikes upstairs, then gave up. I also took the serial number a couple of weeks back, but can't find it now. Think I deleted it by mistake.

I need a word with my estate agent. I'll let the guards call him first to view the video footage of the "camera".

I'm a pedestrian now. I'll have to practice walking in the cycle lane and crossing the road in front of bikes without looking.