Ducharme bike alarm?

[caimg]

So I'm thinking of getting a bike alarm, but have no idea if they're usually frowned upon within the community and if not, what some good brands would be.

I came across an old thread on here which had someone mention the Ducharme bike alarm http://www.ducharmealarmsystems.com/ but there are no other posts on this alarm on the forum it seems. It seems like it may be waterproof, difficult to remove (8 mini screws), loud and with a loud alarm that sounds after a certain amount of sustained movement time. Surely along with 2 good locks an alarm has got to be a fab deterrent for opportunists for a short shopping / cafe trip? Any thoughts or alternatives?

 

[Manonabike]

I have two of those devices.... I wanted to buy one for my friend but all the places that sell it have sold out, including the one on the link above.

I think they are very good, terribly loud. Battery does not last too long though, I guess about 15 days.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I've looked at that before, I've also looked at these

http://www.alarm-padlocks.co.uk/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=3

I recon if I was leaving my bike somewhere high risk regularly one of those through the rear triangle and rear wheel, plus my normal lock might persuade a thief to look for an easier target.

 

[caimg]

Yeah it seems the ducharme is unavailable to buy from anywhere so now I'm looking into an alarmed D lock or padlock. The only thing with those is that despite the alarm going off, if a thief removes the padlock or D lock fast enough they can just hurl it away and ride off...at least a mounted alarm isn't likely to be removed in a hurry!

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Yeah it seems the ducharme is unavailable to buy from anywhere so now I'm looking into an alarmed D lock or padlock. The only thing with those is that despite the alarm going off, if a thief removes the padlock or D lock fast enough they can just hurl it away and ride off...at least a mounted alarm isn't likely to be removed in a hurry!

Yes but is it going to be quick and easy to remove an alarmed d lock/padlock? I've only looked at them on the internet, I haven't had one in my hand yet to examine, if they take a bit of breaking the thief is likely to go elsewhere rather than have his hearing ruined trying to break a lock.

 

[caimg]

Good point...I suppose a noise is a noise is a noise! I'm surprised to see the lack of depth in the bike alarm market...I would have thought that if you're locking your bike somewhere the best deterrent would be a shrill alarm scaring the crap out of a thief. If they have the tools to bust through whatever locks you have then that horse has already bolted - may as well have a last ditch deafen-attempt in your arsenal

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Good point...I suppose a noise is a noise is a noise! I'm surprised to see the lack of depth in the bike alarm market...I would have thought that if you're locking your bike somewhere the best deterrent would be a shrill alarm scaring the crap out of a thief. If they have the tools to bust through whatever locks you have then that horse has already bolted - may as well have a last ditch deafen-attempt in your arsenal

In reality all you are doing is making life as difficult as possible for the thief, if the thief is determined you wont stop him, the best you can hope for is the thief decides its not worth the effort and goes elsewhere.

 

[caimg]

Just spotted a two-way alarm system on eBay (can't get link via eBay mobile), search for Girafus two way radio on eBay. It has a slave alarm system that docks on the bike and you retain a master system that tells you when the alarm is sounding (albeit only within 300m). Does anyone have any experience with something like this? Sounds like a pretty damn good idea (if pricey)...

 

[MacB]

If you search on the CTC forum there's a controbutor there, Mick I think, that tested some padlock alarms extensively.

I've seen them used in conjunction with regular locks, so lock the bike up then put the padlock alarm through the chainring. I think they can be prone to being a little sensitive and going off too easy.

 

[jefmcg]

Many of our neighbours leave their bikes chained in the front garden, and bike theft is a problem locally. One uses an alarmed lock, and that has saved her bike several times. But despite it being late on a quiet suburban street (where the owners are likely to be home and the neighbours are likely to investigate) it wasn't the alarm, but them running outside in response to it that saved their bikes - the thieves did not flee on the sound of the alarm.

On that regard, the 300m range is sufficient. Any further, and you are unlikely to be able to respond effectively anyway.

Oh, and these are just banger bikes to get to the allotment or the shops, which is why they leave them out front of their terrace house.

 

[Red Light]

Be aware that one way thieves look at an alarm is as an "owner proximity" tester. Set the alarm off. Wait and observe. If nobody comes running you can be fairly sure the owner is not around and you can get on with nicking it without the risk of being accosted. You only need to look at how people ignore car and shop burglar alarms to realise nobody else is going to bother with a bike alarm and if they did they would probably be reassured by the person assuring them the alarm had gone off by accident and they were trying to switch it off. The only use is if you are nearby at the time to respond.

 

[caimg]

Yeah I'm a bit wary about spending £40+ on a two way master/slave device that has a range of 300 metres...granted, not sure I'd ever be further than my locked up bike but if an alarm doesn't deter a thief then you're screwed whether or not you have the ability to suddenly chase him down.

I plumped for an alarmed padlock in the end - I'll be combining that with my kryptonite cable lock + padlock and NY fahgeddaboudit for outings for now...

 

[fossyant]

Well if you have a Fagh....

The alarmed locks are useful for secondary protection where you are near a bike, but should not replace something like a Fagh. Good idea for the cafe stop though.

 

[caimg]

Yeah I meant carrying the lot! It's a pain but there's no way I wouldn't carry it all round if I know i have to lock it up somewhere. The cable/padlock/fagh comes with me and I'll add the alarm padlock with all that too. From what I see when I pop to the shops / cafe up in N London I seem to be the only one who's overkill about it, which stuns me tbh!

 

[caimg]

Okay so I ended up going for the SecureSight AP08 alarmed padlock. Haven't used it out and about in anger yet as it only arrived today but I tested it at home and it was pretty painful...will feel better knowing it will give a possible thief a fright and hopefully a burst eardrum!