Stolen bikes

I rather like how you build that, really sorry about your lost, but can you also tell us what lock you use and how you lock it?

Gold rated big motherfucking Magnum Plus lock through the frame and back wheel. Thought I was risking the front wheel but turns out they whipped the whole thing away pretty rapidly. I will pay a little reward if anyone tracks down the thing, like I said not hugely attached but it was my first ever fixed gear and pretty much what gets me to work every day.

It wasn't this one was it? - http://www.bikeradar.com/commuting/gear/category/accessories/locks/product/plus-110cm-armoured-cable-16469

by the way, the infamous bike theft hotspot, The George in Dalston, has installed a camera so you can watch your bike from inside the pub.

It wasn't this one was it? - http://www.bikeradar.com/commuting/gear/category/accessories/locks/product/plus-110cm-armoured-cable-16469

I'd love to say no... but yes. I guess that's why then. Fooled by the girth and the weight of a baby, and a shiny sticker that says GOLD. More pissed off at myself than the numbnuts that nicked it now!!

by the way, the infamous bike theft hotspot, The George in Dalston, has installed a camera so you can watch your bike from inside the pub.

ten-to-one says the camera is the next thing to get nicked!

@alruii, its a shame your bike got stolen, but I'm glad at least that it was insured.

Do look to get a real lock next time. Cable are no good at all, and I think the Gold rating on there might have been from the Marzipan Society.....and not from Sold Secure. If you're really interested in not having your bike stolen, mosey on over to the thread called Locks That Work. The locks there are at least 3-6 times heavier than the lock you used, but offer REAL protection. Different price points, but all heavy. Very heavy. It will be up to you.

Yeah, will definitely take a look at that thread, cheers. Worryingly, the gold rating was from sold secure. If that lock was really that shit, it's disgusting they can give it a rating like that.

I guess this is all part of riding in London! Cheers for everyone's help.

I was speaking to a friend who had his bike stolen from a secure bike compound (magnetic key lock) next to his house...

He said the door had been smashed open with brute force, and his new bike had been stolen by having his krypto chain frozen and smashed!
He said they'd managed to get one link resting on the floor, froze it and smashed it into pieces.

Bikes locked up next to his had been stolen by having the cycle rack frozen and smashed! wtf!

Nobody heard a thing!

No stopping some people...

I have had some concerns about the Sold Secure ratings in the past year, as some seem to be given to manufacturers that may have somehow involved themselves in some backdoor ingratiation. It can't be proved, but some locks that have been given a GOLD, are not even worth a SILVER. I have paid no attention at all to those ratings, and made recommendations based on the laws of physics.

It's disgusting. For people that just want a high quality lock, most people would just go out and buy something with a gold mark. You don't think anything of it if you don't read reviews, you just assume it's all fine.

Learn something new every day, will certainly pay more attention to the next one.

I have had some concerns about the Sold Secure ratings in the past year, as some seem to be given to manufacturers that may have somehow involved themselves in some backdoor ingratiation. It can't be proved, but some locks that have been given a GOLD, are not even worth a SILVER. I have paid no attention at all to those ratings, and made recommendations based on the laws of physics.

the rating from the sound of it, are pretty flawed, as it's only measured by certain tools, I doubt they included those big bolt cutter in those test otherwise it would fail.

i think the GA2G test and the Ed test should implemented.
Ed would be style points, and GA2G would be the security points.

in a shop

"how safe is this lock ?"

"well, its passed the Ed test and the GA2G test"

"i'll take it"

"thanks"

the end.

This sounds like a plan .

:D

Yeah, will definitely take a look at that thread, cheers. Worryingly, the gold rating was from sold secure. If that lock was really that shit, it's disgusting they can give it a rating like that.

I guess this is all part of riding in London! Cheers for everyone's help.

alruii, pretty much any lock can be cracked if you have the right kit. There are gangs going around London in vans with heavy-duty tools. Your bike is highly fashionable and has a high re-sale value, and if some of the more distinctive components are taken off, you won't be able to track it down. It's good that you're insured.

You'll develop a good feeling for which sites are suitable to leave a bike with experience--not that I'm suggesting the site you chose wasn't suitable (as I don't know where exactly you left it), and of course you should be able to leave your bike anywhere without fear of it getting stolen. Go for well-overlooked sites where there is high pedestrian footfall and people are coming at the site from a number of different angles, so that a theft in progress can easily be spotted. Don't rely on the presence of CCTV. There are many more tips, such as not enabling thieves to get much leverage on your lock, and to use two locks of different types (although I think in the long run if most people adopt this rule it will cause thieves to be prepared).

Better luck with your next bikes! Many people on here have a beater that they wouldn't mind losing that much, and a nice bike (or ten).

another bike stolen...
locked to bike rack outside evans cycles on waterloo road, saturday 23rd may between 2200-0230

lemond fillmore 56cm 2008 model bought jan 09. shimano mtb cleat pedals; black mudguards and rack; speedo bracket with wire to sensor on front fork + magnet on spokes; brackets for cateye LD260 lights

f**ckers.

Sorry for your loss chsee - how was it locked/what was it locked with?

Get yourself down Brick Lane Market today might well be there.

Is anyone going down to brick lane today ? If so can they keep an eye out for my wheels that were nicked last weekend. Silver H+Sons on orange Goltecs. Cheers in advance. CMC

thanks clefty. It was locked to a bike rack outside Evans cycles on waterloo road, ie right opposite waterloo station, next to 24 hour shop, bus stop, massive CCTV camera, etc etc etc.

had an abus varedo through the front wheel/frame and a krytonite kryptoflex through the back wheel/onto the lock.

it is this 2008 model, only with the added accessories (mudguards/rack/shimano cleats) and the one in pic looks like a smaller frame (?) - mine was a 56cm

2200-0230 is a risky length of time to leave your bike locked up at night time, regardless of whether it's next to a station, 24 hours shop, etc.

here's your lock review;

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/accessories/locks/product/varedo-33956

from the sound of it, less than a minute.

HAPPY ENDING! (surely this never happens?)

thanks for the excellent suggestion clefty - it actually literally was down brick lane market right in front of my eyes on sclater street. Bike returned relatively unscathed and one ne'erdowell nicked by 'babylon'. I would have waited, but since some chancer was about to buy it I told the stallholder it was mine; he was virtually running after me to give me the bike back after that. His bad luck that the police were already on their way by then... The only disppointment is that they can't prove he was trying to sell it as 'some bloke just left it leaning against my stall'.

I can also report that the would-be thieves have very thoughtfully given me a summer makeover by removing the mudguards, reminded me to stop carrying so much crap around all the time by removing the carrier, and drawn my attention to the unhealthiness of racing myself to work by removing the speedo bracket, wire and magnet. Oh, and the put the front wheel back on the wrong way round.

Other than that, maybe minor scratches and a couple of slightly twisted spokes. Result!

... and of course a valuable lesson in locks not to buy.. thanks edscoble. What sort would you recommend for Me vs. The Criminal Underworld pt II? Obv not leaving it around at night would help, I can guess that one. And to be fair I would have been alot less pleased to be reminded of the obvious lock failure had I not got the bike back :S

Happy days!

That's good news. Probably less to do with the locks than the amount of time, and time of day, it was left. If they're going equipped to break a d-lock then they'll be able to get through even the biggest ones. Maybe a mini-d rather than a cable would add an extra disincentive. Or take the Tynan route and smear shit all over your saddle.

As for lock - check 'the list' in bikes & bits, it got all you need to know there.

That's good news. Probably less to do with the locks than the amount of time, and time of day, it was left. If they're going equipped to break a d-lock then they'll be able to get through even the biggest ones. Maybe a mini-d rather than a cable would add an extra disincentive. Or take the Tynan route and smear shit all over your saddle.

Hell yeah bitch, you know that's the only sure fire way to make sure when you come out of the STD clinic your horse will be there.

One small detail: It has got to be human shit, and your own - this is the most powerful.

Saw some miscreant being pinched opposite Les Trois Garcons along with the bike in question and what was presumably one happy owner. Today at about 2pm.

Good to hear that, chsee. Did you get any insight into how the police currently operate around this sort of thing?