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Shed Shackle should stop stealing
A clever new device offers added security for anyone storing bikes in a wooden shed...
Just launched by UK company Pragmasis is the Shed Shackle: a device to provide a secure locking point for bikes and other items, even in a relatively flimsy wooden shed. Often such sheds have no concrete floor to which could be bolted a strong ground anchor, and doors and windows are also often vulnerable.
The Shed Shackle instead works by bolting through the shed's wall structure - which may not be particularly strong either, but can't be demolished quietly or inconspicuously. There are a series of 'links' of hardened steel plate to offer flexibility in positioning - for maximum strength both horiontal and upright beams should be used:
A large steel hoop allows D-locks or heavy chains to secure the bike. The device is secured to the shed structure with coachbolts inserted from the outside: inside there are security nuts (they break off when tightened to leave a smooth cone) further secured with thread lock:
From the outside you can see is the heads of the coach bolts:
 ]
While inside, the Shackle is a clear visual deterrant:
Clever idea, thought it well worth giving them a plug! Also UK made by a small company who seemed very enthusiastic on the phone. Available direct from them (via their online shop) for £37.95.
Posted on 7 August 2006
Your comments ...| From: Antony (at pedalcars) on 8 August 2006 |
Now that's clever.
So simple, as many of the best ideas are. Almost worth buying a flimsy wooden shed just to fit one into.
;-) |
| From: Antony (again) on 8 August 2006 |
| Also occurs that, with suitable (security) masonry bolts, one could use this to provide locking points against "real" walls, in or against sheds, garages, houses, shops, cafes, etc. |
| From: Stephen Briggs (sbriggs@pragmasis.com) on 9 August 2006 |
| :-) Speaking as the manufacturer, I wonder if we should diversify and also offer flimsy sheds... Regarding the "real" walls angle, yes, we now have prototypes of a variation that is aimed at block walls etc, where a large anchoring area counteracts the crumbliness(?) of the blocks. The "Maxi Shackle". We're presently wrestling with the bolts as we prefer the 'Rolls Royce' of anchors made by Liebig, that we use in the brick wall fitting kit for our higher security Torc ground anchor. They are expensive but they are the best. Feel free to e-mail us via the web site if you're interested in more details. Thanks for the comments. |
| From: Ian Fardoe (not in the shed) on 9 August 2006 |
Couldn't they just rip the fittings off the side of the shed though?
|
| From: Stephen Briggs (sbriggs@pragmasis.com) on 10 August 2006 |
No, because it bolts right through the wall in 8 places and over a large area, with lateral reinforcement to stop the timber itself from being torn away. You could saw it out, but you'd have about 8' of sawing to do, maybe a window or 2 to break, and you'd still have a big contraption hanging off the side of the bike :-) If you know which bolts to drill, you could drill them out, but I never managed that in less than 10 minutes during testing, and thieves typically don't want to use, or indeed carry, either drills or saws. The bars are all hardened steel so they wouldn't get far with trying to saw/drill/cut them. It's a deterrent and we hope quite a good one.
Guineapigs/reviewers have said repeatedly that the height of the shackle part actually makes it very easy to use, as it holds the chain around the height of the crossbar on a bike, hence easy to chain up. Simultaneously, keeping everything off the floor makes it all difficult to attack. |
| From: Mike Hartley (mike1727@googlemail.com) on 10 August 2006 |
Nice idea, quicker than my solution of lifting some of the floor, digging a hole, hammering in some rebar and concreting in a motorbike ground anchor.
Does impoving the locking security get round insurance conmpanies' 'no cover in sheds' exclusions? |
| From: Stephen Briggs (sbriggs@pragmasis.com) on 16 August 2006 |
It is much easier than installing a concrete-in, or even a fit-on-concrete anchor (like our Torc anchor). And it's also a lot cheaper. I think in due course, insurance companies may take it on board as a useful deterrent, but they tend to take time to adjust to anything new and this is a unique product. We haven't approached any of them so far but we will. I wouldn't hold my breath, though.
Which insurers have that clause? Is it only applied to particularly high value bikes? |
| From: Mike Norden (nordenmk@aol.com) on 19 August 2006 |
| Good idea, simple, easy to use and fit and if you ripped the shed apart you still have a big lump attached to the bike. |
| From: Terry Moran (mister_big_wise_owl@yahoo.co.u) on 20 August 2006 |
Regarding "which insurers...?" - most home insurance policies do not cover cycles in sheds, regardless of the locks used. I am with FRIZZELL and they don't cover cycles unless specifically insured, and I've tried other companies who say the roughly the same - bikes must be separately insured AND secured with a recognised lock, unless the bicycle is locked INSIDE the house ! A shed is not recognised as secure when it comes to bikes !
MAYBE you can start to persuade them otherwise !
I like the product, by the way !
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| From: Stephen Briggs (sbriggs@pragmasis.com) on 25 August 2006 |
| Our (Lloyds) home insurance has a limit of £500 on each bike and a total of £1,000, but it does not make any mention about sheds etc. Indeed, the only reference to "securely locked to a permanent structure" relates to bicycle cover when in a public place. However, £500 etc isn't brilliant so our general policy, if you'll forgive the pun, is to try to stop it being stolen rather than paying out lots more in insurance premiums. We will be pursuing the specialist cycle insurers in due course, even so. |
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