Latest News
Cycle Thefts are up to 50% Under-Reported According to the ETA - road.cc writes: According to latest figures from the Home Office, cycle theft rose 7% during the three months to September 2009, with 34,600 bikes reported stolen during that period, equivalent to more than 10,000 a month. But the ETA clams that this understates the true extent of bike theft as much as 50% and estimates that the true figure is nearer 20,000 a month, saying that many owners do not report the crime because they are uninsured and believe that there is little prospect of recovering their bike. ...The ETA’s advice is that to deter thieves, cyclists should buy a lock costing around 10% of the value of their bike, ensuring that it has a Sold Secure rating.
Protector 16mm Chain Now Available in 1.0m Lengths: The Protector 16mm guaranteed uncroppable security chain is now available in 1.0m lengths. This length is ideal for securing gates and locking items to posts and nearby ground anchors. This gives a bit more versatility than the 0.7 and 0.8m lengths, but is still reasonably light in weight and easy to handle. Be sure to allow for interlocking the end links when assessing the length required (one end link is passed through the other end link when fitting the padlock).
69% Business Growth: Word seems to be getting around about our products as our year-end accounts are showing our sales 69% up relative to the previous year! Thanks to all customers for your business. It is much appreciated.
New for 2010 - The Lock 'n' Roller: Another innovative product from Pragmasis, the Lock 'n' Roller addresses the thorny topic of roller shutter door security, or lack of it, for commercial buildings. Easy to install, highly visible and tried and tested, the Lock 'n' Roller helps you to keep thieves outside your building and your property inside your building!
VAT now 17.5%: All UK/EU orders are now liable for 17.5% VAT. Product prices displayed here are frozen, for now, at the pre-increase prices so they all now include VAT at 17.5%. Prices are subject to change without notice.
Shipping Update: We are now normally using the 24-hour (i.e. next working day) Parcelforce shipping service for shipments within the UK. There is no cost increase associated with this. We are also now offering a wider range of timed shipping services: next-working-day before noon; next-working-day before 10am; and next-working day *after* noon. The after noon service can be just as convenient as the before noon service - both should avoid you having to stay in all day waiting for a delivery.
We will soon be offering a shipping upgrade for UK orders that already qualify for free 24-hour shipping. This will allow you to pay just the extra cost associated with before-noon/after-noon etc services (just £3.16 in those cases, inc VAT at 17.5%).
Export Shipping - New for 2010: We are now able to offer several improved shipping rates for shipments into the EU and elsewhere in the world generally using Parcelforce. Parcelforce/GLS shipping for most countries within Europe is a flat rate for any weight up to 30kg, so you will get a better deal by buying more products!
Sold Secure News: The Torc Ground Anchor Series II had its annual Sold Secure audit/re-test on 23rd December 2009 and passed with flying colours. It continues to be the only ground anchor with Sold Secure Gold accreditation in every category. We also renewed the Sold Secure status on the popular Shed Shackle.
Untouchable Lock Available - Back Again for 2010! The popular high quality Untouchable lock is available again and can now be ordered through our shopping cart, including in various Package Deals. Note that this lock is of a special design that is only recommended with the Protector 16mm chain (it will not fit the 19mm chain). There is more technical information available on our Padlocks page.
Squire ASWL2 Warehouse Lock now available: Ideal for securing commercial and industrial units, shutters, etc, we are pleased to be able to offer this popular hardened steel armoured lock at an excellent price.
Protector 19mm Chain Now Available in 0.8m and 0.7m Lengths: The new Protector 19mm ultimate security chain is now available in 0.8m and 0.7m lengths. These are ideal for securing gates and similar compact items requiring the ultimate deterrent. Be sure to allow for interlocking the end links when assessing the length required (one end link is passed through the other end link when fitting the padlock).
What Mountain Bike Magazine Awards our Protector Chains 5/5 in Mammoth Lock Test: The Protector 13mm with the Squire SS50CS lock was the top-rated lock/chain on test, and the only one to resist hand and power tool attacks for the entire duration of the test. "This chain is awesome: the jaws of our croppers bent and blunted while the links showed almost no marking at all" "The toughest chain on test, and at a very reasonable price." The Protector 11mm chain with M50D lock was described as "Made of the same tough stuff, this is the best chain you can buy for under £50." (WhatMTB November 2009, p92)
Cycle thefts in central London have risen by a whopping 75 per cent in four months according to The Met, and reported by road.cc: "Ways to beat the thieves, say the Met, include using more than one strong lock and avoid cheaper products that are easier for thieves to remove, removing detachable parts such as saddles and wheels to stop them being stolen and to make the cycle less attractive, have bikes marked and keep a note of the frame number, try not to leave expensive bikes on the street and use cheaper alternatives, and ask employers to provide secure storage space for bikes at work." Read the full story on road.cc. The Police recommend registering your valuables with an organisation such as immobilise.com.
Protector 19mm Chain Now Available and Sold Secure approved. Made from the same grade of European boron steel as our Protector 16mm chain and with our heat treatment and plating, this is the toughest in our range and suitable for the most demanding applications. More details on our Security Chains page, and more money-saving options available on the ultimate security combination with the improved Torc Series II ground anchor and Squire SS65CS padlock.
Squire Urban Paramount D-Lock Now Available and in Discounted Package Deals: We are pleased to offer the Urban Paramount D-lock to help cyclists needing a reasonable home & away solution without wanting to carry a higher security chain and lock. Recently awarded 9/10 in Cycling Plus, this D-lock is one of the best available but is significantly cheaper and significantly lighter than competitors' offerings. Please see important info on how to use a D-lock. You can now get a discounted package combining a Shed Shackle with a chain and D-lock, and optionally with another padlock as well. The D-lock can also be keyed-alike with the Squire SS50CS and SS65CS padlocks, so you can have the same key working the lock on your shed and the lock/D-lock on your bike.
Sold Secure Test Results: We have renewed all of our chains with Sold Secure and are pleased to have attained the gradings expected in all cases, as follows: Protector 11mm - Bicycle Gold/Motor Scooter Silver; Protector 13mm - Bicycle Gold/Motor Scooter Silver; Protector 16mm Gold in All categories. The Motorcycle Gold test on the 13mm chain resulted in a brand new set of Irwin Record 42" bolt croppers having their straps bent such that the jaws no longer line up and the jaws themselves got wrecked!
Protector 13mm Long Link Chain Now Available: We are pleased to announce our replacement for the Protector 13mm short-link chain - the Protector 13mm long link. The Protector 13mm long link chain is made from the same high grade boron steel we've been using to great effect in our Protector 16mm chain. This material offers improved resistance to bolt-cropping and sawing attacks and the long link design means that it is significantly lighter than the previous 13mm short link - This makes it much more viable as a motorbike carry chain! We are also able to offer many more lengths, right up to 6.0m as a maximum! We apologise that we were out of stock of our previous 13mm short link chain for some time. That was caused by a supplier changing to an inferior material spec and we refused to supply a poor quality product. We are pleased that we've finally been able to switch to a superior material, and the long link approach gives us further advantages. It's taken a while, but the results are worth the wait. Click for more details on the Protector 13mm chain.
Protector 11mm Chain Now Available: Similar to the brand new Protector 13mm, we are pleased to announce our replacement for the popular Protector 10mm chain. The Protector 11mm long link chain is made from high grade boron steel that offers improved resistance to bolt-cropping and sawing attacks and the long link design means that it is lighter than the previous 10mm - Yes, an 11mm chain that is lighter than the 10mm! Very good news for cyclists! Again, we have a wide range of lengths available. Click for more details on the Protector 11mm chain.
BikeSafe 2009: The national BikeSafe Show was on 20th and 21st June at the Metropolitan Police Hendon Training Centre in London, with free police-assessed rides, many manufacturers' displays and demo bikes available, many accessories and fun attractions, including us! We were invited to attend again and were happy to show samples of our products and give advice. BikeSafe is an initiative run by UK police forces to promote better biking and improve the safety of motorcyclists on the roads. Lots more info on the BikeSafe web site.
Torc Ground Anchor Improved Series II Design: We have incorporated a further improvement to the Series II design to make it even harder for a thief to attack - the shackle is now a complete 'D' so it would have to be cut twice in order to defeat it - that would be two cuts through 20mm diameter hardened steel! The appearance from above is unchanged. Pricing is not being changed, yet.
Beef-Up Kit Now Available! We've been busy with new products and the shed door security Beef-Up Kit is probably the simplest thing we've ever done, but it provides a solution to a very common problem: Shed doors being secured with hinges etc that are themselves only fitted with wood screws! Wood screws can be pulled out very easily, so a thief has an easy way into your shed! The Beef-Up Kit provides a selection of fittings and instructions to help you improve your shed security at minimal cost.
Maxi Shackle Now Available! Another new product for 2009, the Maxi Shackle is a new type of security anchor intended for awkward situations, such as blockwork walls, gate posts and several other places where an anchor is needed but a concrete floor anchor is not an option. Lock your bicycle to the blockwork wall in your garage, or prevent your horse or horse tack being stolen! The Maxi Shackle is available with a choice of fitting kits to suit a wide range of situations. More details and example installation photos here.
Torc Gound Anchor Series II Design: The award-winning Torc ground anchor, Series I, has been replaced with the Series II. This is offers Better Security, Better Compatibility with large chains etc, Easier Fitting, and a Lower Price! Production stock is now finished. Sold Secure re-certification has been completed and we are pleased to retain the Sold Secure Gold status in every category. Supplied with your choice of: Concrete Floor, Brick Wall or Van Fitting Kit. More details here. |
