Ground anchor advice

[Stonec0ld]

As some of you may remember I've had a couple of occasions where would-be thieves have sniffed around bike.

It's stored in an off site car park one Street over from my flat and I have it covered with a chain going through the back wheel and cover attached to the chain link fence post, and the front just has a chain going through chaining the cover to the front wheel.

Normally that seems to be enough, but for the last month the gates to the car park have broken and are locked wide open so anyone can just wander in. There have been a number of cars vandalised and had windows smashed and even bumpers ripped off and stolen. The housing association have sent out letters to remind everyone that vehicles parked there are at the owners risk, so it got me thinking about beefing up my security a bit.

I don't want an alarm as I had awful trouble with the data tool system 3 on my GSXR, and I don't want the constant drain on the battery. So I was thinking about getting a ground anchor for underneath the bike.

Problem I have is installing the anchor. I have no tools for the job... so I'll have to get those too.

So any recommendations for ground anchors that require minimal toolage I.e. anchors that are drilled in. And what tools (drills/bits) would I need?

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[650XT Pete]

Hi Paul, l have all the necessary tools but you would need access to mains electric for the drill. You are welcome to borrow them or l could pop across town and give you a hand. 

[Rusty Nuts]

Would the Housing Association let you drill? Do you know what you'd be fixing into?

[Stonec0ld]

Thanks for the offer Pete! Mains could be an issue though... No mains for at least 100m in either direction.

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[bigpie]

Where abouts in Sheffield are you? PM me if you'd rather. I'm in the centre 3 days per week. I've a dewalt and two batteries along with some large masonry bits.

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[UK_Vstrom650]

In terms of ground anchor, a Thatcham or equivalent. I've got a Red Alert Double Bridge ground anchor like this one in the garage http://www.pjbsecurity.co.uk/red-alert-double-bridge-anchor

If I remember, 4x M10 bolts drilled into concrete. The shield draws up and fixes into the concrete. Then you hammer steel ball bearings into the bolt heads and it'll never come out.

You can also buy it as a combo package with a chain here: http://www.pjbsecurity.co.uk/thatcham-combo-package

Hope that helps.

[Angustoyou]

It is unlikely you'll ever regret fitting a good ground anchor and upgrading your chain and lock.  You may regret not doing it, especially if you think you should.  I kept thinking I should bolt up the bottom of my garage, and only did after some toe rags stole my mtb.  Guess how they got in?

 Spending at least whatever your insurance excess is is a good rule of thumb.  If that sounds a lot, if the bike does go you'll lose that much money immediately, have to find another bike and upgrade your security aswell.  That's not just money, but time, hassle, and lost no claims bonus.

 Almax do some good chain, lock, anchor combinations for various needs.  Highly recommended.

Oh, and if it was me, I'd be inclined to beg forgiveness for installing without asking, rather than asking and getting an answer I didn't like  ;)

Sounds like it wouldn't be causing an obstruction where you park, and you're only following their advice....

Good luck.

Good on you for the offers of assistance folks.   

[Antipodean]

Is there something like a HSS Hire near you? You should be able to hire all the tools and probably a portable generator from them.

[TLPower]

Hi Paul, give these blokes a shout https://www.yell.com/biz/a-m-k-fence-in-ltd-Sheffield-911482/, they're just round the corner from you. Cash works well.

They'll give you a price for fixing the gates as well.

[Stonec0ld]

Thanks for the tips! I'll get one of those anchors ordered!

@bigpie I'm in Kelham Island so Might just take you up on that offer.

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[Turtleossie]

http://www.almax-security-chains.co.uk

I can not advise you strongly enough to go to the almax website and then buy the best chain, padlock and ground anchor that they do, you will not be sorry.

I've had bikes stolen in the past and it highlighted to me most chains are a waste of time, also not having the bike locked to something immovable....

[revapi]

if you don't want an alarm fitted then why not get an alarmed disc lock , you don't have to put it on your wheel you can put it under your seat etc

[pr]

I have this ground anchor, because it is removable
http://securityforbikes.com/removable-ground-anchor.php

Drill bits come with it, so you just need a good drill. Best fixed to some concrete slab or equivalent

[Stonec0ld]

Wow thanks for the recommendations. I'll look into each and see which would be best for me, I like the look if the removable one but I'm worried I might not have the correct chain tension and mess it up. So I'll probably get one of the others and leave it there When I move.

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[bigpie]

I leave work at 4 Mon Weds and Thurs, give me a shout if you want me to stop by on the way home with the DeWalt.

[Robotstar5]

Remember to make access to the chain as awkward as possible, between bike and a wall etc. as a battery angle grinder will make short work of it  , a local lad had 2 chains round his bike and a lamppost, the toolmarks on the cut ends were from a cutting disc.

[Stonec0ld]

@bigpie cheers I'll let you know when I've got the anchor.

@Robotstar I have no wall unfortunately. There's a chain link fence that has already been cut further down and repaired.  I was thinking about positioning it near the rear wheel on the fence side to make it as hard as possible but they could always just cut the fence...


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[bigpie]

Have you thought about getting a really big plant pot and filling it with concrete if you've not got anywhere suitable to attach ground anchor? Ideally they should be attached to concrete ground or low down on a decent strength wall.

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[Stonec0ld]

I was planning on attaching it to the ground underneath the bike

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[pr]

What do you mean with you don't have the right chain tension? Too long or short?