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So you want to start cycling?

Posted on August 10, 2012 by tarahamilton

The country has become obsessed with cycling and you want to join in the fun too? No clue where to start? Well there are a few pieces of kit that you’ll need to get you started, as well as a bike, essential to keep you safe.

Helmet

A helmet is an essential piece of kit and the only thing that will protect your head if you are unfortunate enough to fall off, or get knocked off your bike. There is always an on-going debate about whether helmets should be mandatory for cyclists, but it is definitely an item worth getting.

Repair kit

A must have item in case of a break down, a puncture or need to make any adjustments. These are available at most bike shops and are great for carrying out any minor repairs and adjustments while out on the road.

Spare tube

It’s always a good idea to have a spare tube as part of your repair kit, as the most likely problem that you will have is a flat tyre.

Bike lock

A good strong bike lock will be needed when you’re out and about. Bike thieves are out in force at the moment, so the stronger the lock the better. When choosing a lock, look for; ease of use, weatherproofing and carrying. Is it easy to use? Is it weatherproof? Is it easy to carry? The answer should be yes to all of these. Take a look at this review to help you find your perfect lock.

Eye wear

Keep your eyes protected while riding, otherwise there’s nothing to stop dust and debris flying into your eyes. They also provide protection from the sun those pesky insects and tree branches.

Reflective vest

A reflective vest will help you to be seen by motorists, the brighter the better.

Lighting

A must for riding in the dark, fog or anytime where there is reduced visibility. You will need a good light for the front of your bike, this should be white with a steady or flashing beam. The rear of your bike should be fitted with a red light. When purchasing lights make sure you check: the battery type, if they are rechargeable or not and how many hours of running time it has. Lights are for your own safety as well as that of the people around you.

Rain gear

Essential for the regular commuter, unless you like getting wet!

Water bottle/ Hydration pack

It’s important to keep hydrated while you ride, especially on those long journeys. You can attach a water bottle onto your bike with a bottle cage, or you can use a hydration pack. A hydration pack is a backpack with a water filled bladder and a drinking tube.

Luggage rack

A luggage rack is a great way for you to carry all of your necessities. Racks are easy to attach to your bike and are great for carrying panniers and other accessories.

Filed under: bicycle locks, security locks, Bicycle Security, cycling | Tagged: Cycle locks, cycling | Leave a Comment »

Getting your first Moped

Posted on August 2, 2012 by nazishs

If you have been dreaming about the freedom a motorcycle can give you since you young, but are not old yet enough to buy your dream Harley Davidson, and an ordinary bicycle doesn’t quite reach the speeds of a motor-powered roadrunner, then you might want to consider getting a Moped. Mopeds provide a cheap, fun and stylish way onto the road. They appeal to both novice users and experienced road users looking to downsize or just have a bit of fun.

Moped for beginners!

If you are thinking of buying a Moped then there are few things you need to be aware of:

1) Licensed to ride

In order to be able to ride a moped in the UK, you must be over the age of 16 and have a Moped License. Before you can start riding a moped on the road, you must first get your provisional moped licence and then complete your compulsory basic training (CBT). You can then start riding a moped on the road as a learner with some restrictions in place e.g. your moped must have L plates.

Click here for more details on applying for your Moped license in the UK.

2) Choosing your first Moped

Now for the exciting part! If you already have a particular scooter in mind, this will make your purchasing decision a lot easier. Alternatively, do your research by visiting garages, websites and scooter comparison and review sites, or discuss your options with other scooter experts on web forums before you make your decision.

Check out http://www.scootercentral.co.uk/ for a range of mopeds and scooters as well as common FAQs for buying your first bike.

3) Before you get on your bike, don’t forget about safety!

Buy a Motorcycle Helmet and Accessories. If you need help deciding on your helmet, compare your options using the new SHARP - The Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme. The SHARP rating system helps you make a more informed choice when choosing a helmet.

Browse through reasonably priced start-up equipment at http://www.shires-motorcycle-accessories.co.uk

4) Register your Moped

Make sure you register your moped or scooter. If it isn’t, the police won’t treat you seriously when it’s stolen. You will need to complete a Moped registration pack and submit it to the DVLA (registration costs approx £55).

5) Get the right locks for your moped

Always make sure you lock up your vehicle when you are out and about. Double up on security by using a Disc Lock and Chain locks when you park up. Look out for Sold Secure and Thatcham approved locks.

Disc locks secure onto the front or rear brake disc making it impossible to ride the moped. Chain locks come in different strengths and sizes. They can be used around a wheel to secure your moped to an immovable object and prevent it being lifted.

6) Storing your Moped Securely

And finally, once you are all kitted out and ready to go, where are you going to store your little beauty when you are not riding it? Unless you store it out of sight, either in a garage or a storage unit, your bike may be at risk from theft. With thousands of motorbikes, scooters and mopeds being stolen every year, always take maximum precautions for your bike to keep it safe at all times.

Consider investing a secure Moped Storage Unit from Asgard, an all-metal outdoor storage unit for your motor scooters, mopeds and accessories.

Secure Storage for your Moped

This Moped Storage Unit uses a unique 5 point locking system, and provides easy double door access with a fold down ramp to wheel your vehicle in. It also has an electrical mounting plate for adding power to the unit, a hook rail and shelf for storing your helmet and accessories and a side vent system, which allows exhaust fumes to escape.

For more information and to view the full security products for your moped and motor scooters, visit http://www.asgardsss.co.uk

And finally – plan a road trip and enjoy your new Moped!

Filed under: Bike locks/security, Bike storage, Moped Storage, motorbike security, Motorcycle Storage Unit, scooter storage unit, secure storage for your moped, security locks | Tagged: keep your new moped safe, moped locks, secure moped storage, secure scooter storage, storing your moped outdoors | Leave a Comment »

Cycle theft. How to protect your bike at home.

Posted on July 20, 2012 by tarahamilton

Cycle theft is a continuously growing crime, in all parts of the country. An ‘it won’t happen to me’ attitude won’t protect your bike from theft. In the UK a bike is stolen every minute and less than 5% of those are returned to their owners. Bike owners are more likely to have their cycles stolen than car owners their car. Westminster is the worst affected place in London for cycle theft with over 3,000 bikes stolen over the course of one year, followed closely by over 1,500 in Hackney. Over a two year period 45,000 bikes were stolen in London alone. In Oxford bike theft rates have soared to almost 3,000 in a one year period. The majority of bike theft goes unreported, in 2010 an estimated 533,000 bikes were stolen but only 115,147 were actually reported to the police, meaning that only 1 in 5 victims report bike theft to the police.

The top 10 police forces for bike theft in 2010:

Metropolitan police: 21,315

Thames Valley: 6,060

Greater Manchester: 5,185

Cambridgeshire: 4,477

Avon and Somerset: 3,895

West Midlands: 3,222

Leicestershire: 3,057

Lancashire: 2,727

Sussex: 2,668

Humberside: 2,440

With such high figures of theft, it should not be taken lightly. It is important to report your bike crime to the police if your bike has been stolen, to enable them to crack down on bike theft and gather representative figures.

Bikes aren’t just stolen when you are out and about away from home. They are increasingly being targeted when left outside the home or attached to cars in driveways. There are a variety of different methods that you can use to help protect your bike from thieves.

Bicycle Insurance

Insurance is always good to have, to keep you protected in case your bike does get stolen. Bike insurance is available from many insurance companies with premiums starting from around £50. Bicycle insurance does require that you: Lock your bike securely at all time, use an approved lock and secure the bike to an immovable object. Bike insurance policies vary greatly, see more bike insurance details here>

Bike Locker

At home it can sometimes be difficult to store your bike out of public view. If you do not have a secure garage or leave your bike out on display, your bike will become an easy target for thieves. There are a range of bike sheds available on the market. For maximum security Asgard has a range of secure metal storage units, designed specifically to secure a bike. Asgard is the home of the UK’s bestselling bike storage unit. Asgard pushbike storage can hold from 1 to 4 bikes, dependant on the size. With recommendations from industry specialists there is no better way to keep your bike safe outside your home.

Bike Padlock

A good bike lock is great in deterring thieves from steeling your bike. Don’t go cheap, invest in something heavy duty that will stop a potential thief from coming anywhere near your bike and secure your bike. There are a variety of tough bike locks on the market. Asgard have a range of bike locks on offer, and other security locks such as the alarmed cycle disc lock, which activates when someone attempts to move your bike. See it in action>

Register Your Bike

Register your bike on Immobilise, which is the national property register. You can register many items on here from computers to phones. If a registered item is stolen, immobilise makes it easier to recover your property, it helps police to identify stolen goods and simplifies insurance claims.

Statistics from The Guardian, UK Crime Stats, Oxford Mail, Eastlondonlines

Filed under: asgard, bicycle alarm, bicycle locks, Bicycle Security, bike alarm system, bike locks, Bike locks/security, Bike storage, bike theft, cycle locks, cycle storage, cycle theft, cycling, Secure storage, security locks, Storing your bike, Uncategorized | Tagged: Bike locks, Bike Security, Bike storage, bike theft, bikes, Cycle locks, cycle storage, cycle theft, Secure storage | Leave a Comment »

Your bike has been stolen, what do you do?

Posted on June 14, 2012 by tarahamilton

With bike theft a continuing threat, what would you do if you suddenly discovered your bike had been stolen? Should you leave it to the police, head round with some heavies or jump on the black-market merry-go-round and buy it back?At a loss? … the police warn against attempting to take a stolen bike back by force.

Your beloved bike has been stolen, and as per the advice all over the internet you’ve been scouring eBay and Gumtree for it. But if you do spot it, what next?

The obvious first answer is to contact the police; either your local station or, if you’re in London, the Metropolitan Police Service’s Cycle Task Force (cycletaskforce@met.police.uk). They urge bike owners to follow the 3 Rs – record, register (including a photo) and report (if stolen) – to maximise the chances of getting your bike back.

Reporting a sighting to the police does work out very well for some people. Charlotte Barnes and Julian Norman had eight of their bikes stolen from their garage, saw a couple of them for sale on eBay and got in touch with the Met Cycle Task Force. After a nailbiting week or so, all eight bikes were returned to them. Two people have since been arrested in connection with the case.

“I was initially concerned that they were taking quite a while before starting work on our case,” Charlottesays. “It just reflects how thin they’re stretched fighting cycle crime inLondon.” The statistics bear that out: only 2% ofLondon cycle crime was “detected” last year (ie with a suspect charged), although the number of returned bikes is probably a little higher than that. Nationwide, it’s estimated that around 5-8% of stolen bikes are returned to their owners.

According to Vicky Barnes of the Met, “each case is dealt with individually, and the length of time to act will vary”. Inevitably, given the numbers, there’s a risk that a bike will be sold on before the police are able to tackle the case. If you don’t think the police will act fast enough, what are your other options?

It might be tempting to round up a couple of hefty mates to have a “chat” with the thief. That advice certainly shows up a lot on bike forums – largely, it seems, from people who’ve never actually tried it. WhileCharlottedid know of a couple of people who’d successfully applied “overwhelming strength of numbers”, she and Julian never seriously considered that option. It’s certainly far from safe – remember, you’re dealing with people who are already on the wrong side of the law – and the police strongly recommend against it.

If you’re really desperate to get your bike back and you’re worried that the police won’t get there in time, it may seem safer (if infuriating) just to show up and buy it back.Charlotteadmits that winning the eBay auctions was their backup plan, “which gave us the option of turning up to collect them with local officers in tow”. Paying a thief for your own bike is going to be painful – but is it more or less painful than losing it?

Even then, it’s not that straightforward. There’s the known scam in which the seller mugs you for the cash when you turn up to buy the bike. Worse, if you’ve already contacted the police, by getting in touch with the seller you might screw up their operation.

Jon C saw his stolen bike being offered at a “seriously cheap” price online, with the police unable to investigate for a couple of days. Nervous that it would go, he phoned the seller, thinking he might just buy it back. When the arrangements began to increasingly seem like a setup for a mugging, and no local police officer was free to go along with him, he reluctantly backed out. Afterwards, the seller stopped answering the phone, the police were unable to go further and the bike is still sadly missing.

Agonising though the wait is, it probably is best to pass it on to the police and hope for the best. You can always fill in the waiting time by getting over those nagging feelings of disloyalty to your old steed early and planning the replacement bike you’ll get if it all goes to pot.

Planning permission for Asgard garden sheds in a grade 2 listed area – not needed!

Posted on April 25, 2012 by andyheath

A recent Asgard customer has found that his Asgard Shed does not require planning permission.

“Hello, i chose your product as it was one of the only secure insurance approved small garages i could find that could fit my Triumph Rocket 3 inside with enough room to spare.

My house is grade 2 listed and a conventional garage would have cost 20k to have built to match my house which is a lot to just park a bike in! Took two of us with a cordless drill each 2 hours to build with no dramas. Ample fixings provided so no worries about losing the occassional screw.

Doors close and align perfectly and it keeps the rain out but due to its air vents it breathes inside so no condensation issues. I would recomend your product where a conventional build garage is not an option or if you want a garage you can take with you if you rent or move house regularly”.

Asgard Motorcycle Storage

Filed under: Best sheds, Bicycle Security, bike locks, bike shed, Bike storage, bike theft, Bulding a shed, cycle locks, motorcycle lock, Quad bike security, security locks | Tagged: Motorbike storage, Motorbikes, planning permission, Secure storage, shed security | Leave a Comment »

Oxford Bike Chain Locks and Ground Anchors.

Posted on September 26, 2011 by nazishs

Cycling is all about being free and riding in the wind but unfortunately there is a serious element to bikes – and that is the risk of bike theft.

According to a study by the insurance company Direct Line, there are ’1,200 bikes are stolen every day’ (Source: The Independent News Online). Most of those cycles are stolen because they are either left unlocked for a short period of time or are not correctly secured. And even when bicycle locks have been used, some locks will be picked or broken by thieves who can spot cheap, poor-quality locks. By purchasing a suitable, robust lock and using it correctly, most cycle theft can be prevented.

Are you using your bicycle lock correctly?

Choosing the right bike lock

When purchasing a lock, the best rule-of-thumb is to spend at least 10% of the cost of your cycle on the lock and never to spend less than £20 on the lock. We also recommend choosing a keylock – combination locks are very easy to break into and offer little security to the professional bike thief.

Once you have a suitable heavy duty lock, make sure you are using it correctly. To properly lock your bicycle – simply loop the chain through the frame, and round an immovable object.

“Through the frame” means through a closed section of the bicycle frame, such as the front triangle. Additionally, if the lock can also pass through a wheel, it provides additional security.

“Round an immovable object” means anything which is bolted down, such as a cycle rack or an iron railing.

If your immovable object is a signpost, be sure that the cycle and lock cannot be lifted over the top of the post. Additionally, a cable (with loops at each end) and a tough padlock is useful when locking a cycle to a larger object such as a lamppost or road sign.

Oxford Bike Lock Sale!

If you are looking for the best in bike security, choose a ‘Sold Secure’ product – which has been independently tested to a high standard.

Asgard offer a range of high quality bike security locks to suit your needs, ranging from Sold Secure approved Ground Anchors for Motorbikes and Bicycles, to portable bike locks such as the Nemesis bike lock, the Oxford Loop Lock, and the Hardcore Bike Chain.

Buy a new Chain Lock and Ground Anchor at SPECIAL WAREHOUSE CLEARANCE PRICES from the Asgard Bike Locks website.

Filed under: Bike locks/security, bike locks, motorbike locks, cycle locks, bicycle locks, motorcycle lock, security locks, bike chain lock, bike D lock, bike cable lock, bicycle cable lock, bicycle combination lock, Quad bike security, Bicycle Security, bicycle alarm, bike alarm system | Tagged: Bike locks, Cycle locks, Bike Security, bicycle alarm, the Oxford Brute Force Ground Anchor, oxford bike locks, oxford bike chain, oxford ground anchor, bicycle chain lock | Leave a Comment »

How to fit a Ground Anchor

Posted on August 8, 2011 by nazishs

If you have considered increasing the amount of security for your mototbike or bicycle, you may have considered installing a ground anchor to use with a bike chain. However, if you are not sure about how to go about installing a ground anchor, this article will explain how to fit a Ground Anchor to the floor for your Motorbike. And don’t worry – it’s easier then you think!

Why use a Ground Anchor?

The Bike Site recommends locking your bike using a ground Anchor as it ‘will greatly improve the overall security and drastically reduce the chances of getting your Motorcycle stolen’.

Brute Force Ground Anchor

Chaining your bike to something solid and secure such as Ground anchor makes it much less likely it will be stolen. And remember – a ground anchor is not just suitable for motorcycles – it can be used for bicycles, cars, caravans, quad bikes, ATVs. So how do you fit a ground anchor?

If you purchase the ground anchor pack from Asgard , the kit contains everything you need to install the ground anchor. Follow these simple instructions to fix a Brute Force Ground Anchor to a concrete floor.

Before you begin – Important points to note for fitting the Ground Anchor to the Floor:

- The ground anchor must be secured into a good solid concrete.

- Before fixing the anchor, plan where it will go before bolting it down.

- We recommend the use of safety goggles when fitting the anchor.

5 Easy steps:

1) Using the anchor as a template, drill through the holes with a 12mm masonry drill to a depth of 10mm.

2) Remove the unit and then re-drill the holes with a 16mm masonry drill to a depth of 75mm.

3) Vacuum the dust from the drilled holes.

4) Place the 2 security bolts evenly to a torque of 25>30lbs or as tight as possible by hand with the hex shaped Allen Key provided.

5) Hammer the 2 steel balls into the top of the socket heads which will prevent the bolts from being undone.

Congratulations! You have successfully fitted and installed your Brute Force Ground Anchor!

Click to browse through a range of security approved ground anchors and bike chains available from Asgard – the security specialists.

Filed under: Bike locks/security, bike locks, motorbike locks, cycle locks, bicycle locks, motorcycle lock, security locks, bike chain lock, bike D lock, bike cable lock, bicycle cable lock, bicycle combination lock, Quad bike security, Bicycle Security, bicycle alarm, bike alarm system | Tagged: Cycle locks, ground anchor, how to fit a ground anchor, the Oxford Brute Force Ground Anchor, how to fit the brute force anchor to the floor, installing a ground anchor on the floor | Leave a Comment »

Customer Bike Shed Review – The Twin Bike Locker

Posted on July 18, 2011 by nazishs

The Twin Bike Locker was recently launched by Asgard to tackle the issue of bike theft in the city coupled with the lack of storage space available in urban areas. Although commuting by bicycle is a fun low cost mode of transport – the feedback form cyclists has always been regarding the lack of secure and small bike storage for up to 2 bikes.

Which is why the Twin Bike Locker has become an instant hit with city dwellers across the UK due to its compact size and convenient side door access. We’ve been speaking to a cyclist who has just finished installing their new Twin Bike Locker with possibly the most attractive garden we’ve seen so far! We love how the Asgard Twin Bike Locker fits in neatly with their garden and surroundings.

“We’re really pleased with the shed. It is a very tight fit for two bikes but it’s manageable with a bit of practice. If it was about 3 inches wider it would be perfect. That aside it seems really well-built. We have surrounded it with a sedum roof and fence – see the attached photo…”

“Thanks!”

The Twin Bike Locker in a garden.

Do you have an Asgard Shed?
Let us know how you rate the Twin Bike Locker – simply browse our bike sheds available on the website.

Like the Twin Bike Locker?

If you need more information about Twin Bike Locker see the Asgard main bike security product page or call Tel: 08456 580 730.

Filed under: Garden sheds, Case studies, cycle storage, Bike locks/security, bike locks, cycle locks, bicycle locks, security locks, bike chain lock, Bicycle Security, bike shed, bike shelter | Tagged: Bike storage, cycle storage, Bike locks, Cycle locks, Bike Security, customer review, twin bike locker, double bike storage, storing 2 bikes | Leave a Comment »

The Staffordshire Bike Show 2011

Posted on July 12, 2011 by nazishs

Like Bikes? Then you may be interested in a great motorcycling day coming up this July in Staffordshire. The Staffordshire Bike Show is a major event for bikers on Sunday 24^th July 2011, featuring leading manufacturers, attractions, accessories, rider development opportunities and much more.

Don’t miss a fun day at the Staffordshire Bike Show!

But it’s not only a show for bikers; it’s for everyone, with lots to do for families. The line-up includes:

Meet special guest James Toseland, two times World Superbike Champion, and top UK and former European Champion Stunt Rider Craig Jones at his Craig Jones Bike Skills Academy.
Biker Beginner? Take your first steps to being a biker at the ‘Get On’ stand and experience riding a bike for the first time!
Signal Radio Roadshow and ‘Extreme Mountain Bike Show’, including current British Champion Danny Butler.
Kiddy Quads (6-12yrs of age) and Mini Funfair with adults and kids rides.
Have a ‘BikeSafe’ assessed ride with a Staffordshire Police Motorcyclist.
Get Shopping! Pick out your next bike; there’s plenty on show with Demonstration rides available from some manufacturers (bring your licence!) as well as a wide selection motorcycle accessories available.
Sign up for a rider development course; lots of opportunities available.

So head down to Britannia Stadium, Stoke-on-Trenton Sunday 24th July to see what it’s all about and have a great Free day out! For more information and show details, visit the Staffordshire Bike Show 2011 website.

Filed under: Best sheds, bike alarm system, bike cable lock, bike chain lock, bike D lock, bike locks, Bike locks/security, bike shed, bike shelter, Bike storage, motorbike security, motorbike storage shed, Motorbike storage Unit, motorcycle security, Motorcycle storage shed, Motorcycle Storage Unit, security locks | Tagged: Bike Security, Events, motorbike security, Motorbike storage, Motorbikes, Motorcycle security | Leave a Comment »

How does the Locking mechanism work on the Asgard Addition Bike Shed?

Posted on July 11, 2011 by nazishs

How does the Locking mechanism work on the Asgard Addition Bike Shed?

When you buy a bike shed or cycle storage unit, the first thing you should look at is how does the locking mechanism works to see how secure the bike shed really is.

The locking mechanism of a bike shed is the most important element.

The bike shed lock will determine how secure your bicycle(s), accessories and cycling gear will be when stored inside the unit. Surprisingly many wooden bike sheds have a simple padlock or bolts system which can easily be broken into, providing very little security to your bikes. These can be simply unscrewed or broken into with a little force by a determined thief.

So before you buy a new bike storage shed, make sure you are getting value for money and decent security for your bikes.

Did you know? “Some insurance policies may stipulate the use of certain kinds/ brands/ models of lock to qualify for insurance so if you have your bike insured, make sure that the lock you buy won’t invalidate your insurance policy.”
(Source: http://www.whycycle.co.uk/.)

Locking up your cycles in the Addition Bike Shed

We recommend the Addition Bike Shed from Asgard – a high quality all metal cycle storage shed with a unique 3-Point locking mechanism with twin external locking system and an internal steel drop bar for extra security.

Check out this short video demonstration link of the locking mechanism for the Addition Bike Shed.

Want to order your Addition Cycle Storage Unit? Click to go to the Addition Bike Shed here.

Filed under: Bike storage, cycle storage, Bike locks/security, bike locks, cycle locks, bicycle locks, security locks, bike chain lock, bike D lock, bike cable lock, bicycle cable lock, bicycle combination lock, Bicycle Security, bicycle alarm, bike alarm system, bike shed, bike shelter | Tagged: Secure storage, cycle storage, Bike locks, Cycle locks, bike shed lock | Leave a Comment »

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So you want to start cycling?

Getting your first Moped

Cycle theft. How to protect your bike at home.

Your bike has been stolen, what do you do?

Planning permission for Asgard garden sheds in a grade 2 listed area – not needed!

Oxford Bike Chain Locks and Ground Anchors.

How to fit a Ground Anchor

Customer Bike Shed Review – The Twin Bike Locker

The Staffordshire Bike Show 2011

How does the Locking mechanism work on the Asgard Addition Bike Shed?

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