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Almax chains, are they worth the £££'s?

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Az
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PostPosted: 19:45 - 20 Nov 2013    Post subject: Almax chains, are they worth the £££'s? Reply with quote
My padlock for my chain has decided to stop working (luckily while the bike wasn't attached to it) and i figured i need a new chain and lock anyway as my chain is no where near the best chain (cheap £30 chain and padlock from eBay) and was only meant to be temp' but ended up keeping it for a year.

Been looking at Almax chains, more specifically the 0.75m Almax 4 & squire lock for £150

Is it really worth the £150 or is their a matching or better alternative for less, or even the same money? Almax seem to state alot of facts about their product, but how true is it? Are they really "Impervious to hand bolt cropper attacks! and Hacksaws useless!" and the "worlds toughest security chain" ?

Anyone own one and had any good or bad experiences?

Thanks in advance, Az Smile

Last edited by Az on 19:53 - 20 Nov 2013; edited 1 time in total
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Slacker24seve...
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PostPosted: 19:51 - 20 Nov 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
Watch their video on YouTube, then decide.
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sabian92
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PostPosted: 19:55 - 20 Nov 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
Yes.
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Az
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PostPosted: 20:02 - 20 Nov 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
Slacker24seven wrote:
Watch their video on YouTube, then decide.


Video's impressive man, he really went at it...
and in the comments below he also mentioned the padlock was just as hard to get through.

Im convinced i'll get an Almax chain unless someone can show me something better for the same value.
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Nick 50
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PostPosted: 20:03 - 20 Nov 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
Had one and they do the business and make other chains (Oxford etc etc) look pants.

That being said, I would suggest getting a 1.5m length at the least if you want to tie the bike to something solid.

Yes they are expensive, but:

1: They are much cheaper than claiming on your insurance for your bike wandering...

2: Hold their value really well. I sold mine earlier in the year and the ad was up 20 mins before it went and I got about 60% back of what I paid new.

So yep, they are worth it Thumbs Up

Edit**

Pragmasis do very similar security chains too, but they are around the same price.

https://securityforbikes.com/products.php?cat=High+Security+Chain+and+Lock+deals
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27cows
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PostPosted: 20:07 - 20 Nov 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
Having seen CCTV footage of some pikey scum making all manner of increasingly desperate attempts to break one and failing miserably, would have to say that yes, they are.

You can't put a price on peace of mind. Unfortunately there are shitstains out there who will do the max possible damage to the bike if they're not able to nick it Evil or Very Mad
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sabian92
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PostPosted: 20:08 - 20 Nov 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
Nick 50 wrote:
Pragmasis do very similar security chains too, but they are around the same price.

https://securityforbikes.com/products.php?cat=High+Security+Chain+and+Lock+deals


I've got a pragmasis something or other and it's about 10kg. It's so bloody heavy you can do bicep curls with it Laughing They are solid locks though. About par with Almax for safety.

To be honest if some scote nicked anything with an almax or a pragmasis chain locking it then they deserve the thing they nicked.
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Az
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PostPosted: 20:09 - 20 Nov 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
Nick 50 wrote:
Had one and they do the business and make other chains (Oxford etc etc) look pants.

That being said, I would suggest getting a 1.5m length at the least if you want to tie the bike to something solid.

Yes they are expensive, but:

1: They are much cheaper than claiming on your insurance for your bike wandering...

2: Hold their value really well. I sold mine earlier in the year and the ad was up 20 mins before it went and I got about 60% back of what I paid new.

So yep, they are worth it Thumbs Up

Edit**

Pragmasis do very similar security chains too, but they are around the same price.

https://securityforbikes.com/products.php?cat=High+Security+Chain+and+Lock+deals


That's a good point about the length, will probably just pay the extra few quid and get a 1.5m
And how heavy is it? Could u put it in a rucksack or top box and be okay riding or is it too heavy to carry around?

Last edited by Az on 20:11 - 20 Nov 2013; edited 1 time in total
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Nick 50
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PostPosted: 20:10 - 20 Nov 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
I'm presently trying to pursuade my Uni to allow me to do a project around these security chains and how much abuse they will take. Fingers crossed they let me as it would be good to get an independent test of all the chains out there.
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Nick 50
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PostPosted: 20:13 - 20 Nov 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
HondaAz wrote:


That's a good point about the length, will probably just pay the extra few quid and get a 1.5m
And how heavy is it? Could u put it in a rucksack or top box and be okay riding or is it too heavy to carry around?


It can, but you need a very strong bag and I wouldn't do it regularly though.

I done it once with a 2m chain when i went to a gig. It felt like I was carry Vanessa Feltz in my bag, they are seriously heavy.
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Rigga
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PostPosted: 20:14 - 20 Nov 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
I've got an almax S4 1.5m with squires lock . It's a beast, takes the piss out of my previous one which at the time I thought was heavy duty.
It's a hefty thing though and takes a bit of manoeuvring to get through swing arm and chain etc.
But yeah I real quality piece of kit and that lock is awesome too!
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Az
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PostPosted: 20:15 - 20 Nov 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
Nick 50 wrote:
I'm presently trying to pursuade my Uni to allow me to do a project around these security chains and how much abuse they will take. Fingers crossed they let me as it would be good to get an independent test of all the chains out there.


Sounds good mate, good luck with doing that and keep us updated if u do get round to doing it Smile

Will be an expensive project though, with chains at around £80-100+ each! (Almax one's anyway)
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Nick 50
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PostPosted: 20:18 - 20 Nov 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
HondaAz wrote:
Nick 50 wrote:
I'm presently trying to pursuade my Uni to allow me to do a project around these security chains and how much abuse they will take. Fingers crossed they let me as it would be good to get an independent test of all the chains out there.


Sounds good mate, good luck with doing that and keep us updated if u do get round to doing it Smile

Will be an expensive project though, with chains at around £80-100+ each! (Almax one's anyway)


I am hoping Almax and Pragmasis would donate some links for low cost for testing as they should come out top. Plus Almax is about 3 miles down the road from Uni so it would be beneficial for them to have links with the Uni with the metallurgy expertise it has.
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sabian92
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PostPosted: 20:18 - 20 Nov 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
HondaAz wrote:


That's a good point about the length, will probably just pay the extra few quid and get a 1.5m
And how heavy is it? Could u put it in a rucksack or top box and be okay riding or is it too heavy to carry around?


I'd avoid a backpack. If you crash you can do your back some properly serious damage with it. Also don't wrap it around you either as if you crash you may as well just get up in a morning and get some big bruiser to hit you with a metal bat. Honestly, they're proper heavy duty and they will smash your ribs/organs/back if you land on it during a crash. I'd get either a top box (but if you have a little bike it's a lot of weight behind the rear wheel) or get a seatpack thing.

Mines the 1.5m one and it's about 10kg. It's also bright orange Very Happy

Last edited by sabian92 on 20:29 - 20 Nov 2013; edited 2 times in total
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J.M.
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PostPosted: 20:20 - 20 Nov 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
I carry my 1.5m 19mm Series IV in a tail pack. It's lighter than a pillion.
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Ste
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PostPosted: 20:21 - 20 Nov 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
HondaAz wrote:
Could u put it in a rucksack or top box and be okay riding or is it too heavy to carry around?

A rucksack might not be the best plan but a top box or soft luggage would be fine.
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Az
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PostPosted: 20:22 - 20 Nov 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
sabian92 wrote:
I'd avoid a backpack. If you crash you can do your back some properly serious damage with it. Also don't wrap it around you either as if you crash you may as well just get up in a morning and get some big bruiser to hit you with a metal bat. Honestly, they're proper heavy duty and they will smash your ribs/organs/back if you land on it during a crash. I'd get either a top box (but if you have a little bike it's a lot of weight behind the rear wheel) or get a seatpack thing.

Mines the 1.5m one and it's about 10kg. It's also bright orange Very Happy


Yeah... i don't like the idea of smashing my ribs, back and organs lol

Think i may keep the chain at home or invest in a top box when i do get it Smile
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sabian92
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PostPosted: 20:30 - 20 Nov 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
HondaAz wrote:
sabian92 wrote:
I'd avoid a backpack. If you crash you can do your back some properly serious damage with it. Also don't wrap it around you either as if you crash you may as well just get up in a morning and get some big bruiser to hit you with a metal bat. Honestly, they're proper heavy duty and they will smash your ribs/organs/back if you land on it during a crash. I'd get either a top box (but if you have a little bike it's a lot of weight behind the rear wheel) or get a seatpack thing.

Mines the 1.5m one and it's about 10kg. It's also bright orange Very Happy


Yeah... i don't like the idea of smashing my ribs, back and organs lol

Think i may keep the chain at home or invest in a top box when i do get it Smile


Here's mine: https://imgur.com/a/kniSO

Yeah, definitely. You can get cheapo Chinese top boxes for under £30 on eBay. I got my 45 litre one for a YBR125 for about £35 because my helmet wouldn't fit in a smaller one Laughing
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Rogerborg
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PostPosted: 20:33 - 20 Nov 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
HondaAz wrote:
And how heavy is it? Could u put it in a rucksack or top box and be okay riding or is it too heavy to carry around?

Tank bag, or tail pack on the pillion seat. You'll scoop either one used on eBay for £10-£15 delivered if you're patient and not fussy.
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Ste
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PostPosted: 20:38 - 20 Nov 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
Rogerborg wrote:
You'll scoop either one used on eBay for £10-£15 delivered if you're patient and not fussy.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350919262152

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Az
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PostPosted: 20:48 - 20 Nov 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
Ste wrote:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350919262152

Carries 28 lites of Red Bull. Thumbs Up


does it just strap to your rear seat? Looks very good for £15. Didn't even know you could get rear seat luggage Thumbs Up
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Turkish
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PostPosted: 20:54 - 20 Nov 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
The 4 is pointless. No one in their right mind would try to crop even the 3 by hand and a grinder/hydraulic croppers will make light work of either.

I recently bought a 2m Almax 3. It weighs about 10kg and it is seriously chunky. I think the 4 would be more tricky to get through certain parts of the bike.

Go for a longer chain if you can, too.
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Im-a-Ridah
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PostPosted: 21:26 - 20 Nov 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
They're not really meant to be taken with you.

The main problem with them isnt the strength of the chain, but that the chain is only as strong as what is on each end. Ground anchors would also be a weak point or the concrete they sit in.
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Yamaha Jim
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PostPosted: 22:22 - 20 Nov 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
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Ichy
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PostPosted: 22:47 - 20 Nov 2013    Post subject: Reply with quote
27cows wrote:


You can't put a price on peace of mind. Unfortunately there are shitstains out there who will do the max possible damage to the bike if they're not able to nick it Evil or Very Mad


I've seem footage of them take an angle grinder to the bike then literally throw it in a van.
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