DIY Bike Chain .... Bolt Cutters vs. Chain

[Teleological]

What grade and thickness of chain would you recommend for making a bike chain that is resistant to bolt cutters? I'm just going to go all out and say assume that the thief has a pair of 48-inch hardened bolt cutters.

So what grade and thickness chain would you trust to defeat a pair of 48-inch bolt cutters?

I checked my local hardware stores and I don't think they stock any grade 70 chain ... only grade 40 at the most, and all are less than half an inch thick. Will those do the trick?

 

[chim]

Bolt cutters may have some difficulty with certain chains, but no chain or cable will last a minute when attacked with a simple battery-powered grinder. I'd think in terms of a chain or cable plus a loud alarm?

 

[oosik]

Welcome to TBN. I agree with chim. You might find chain that is somewhat resistant to bolt cutters but then some other area will become the "weakest link". I would also suggest some kind of alarm or finding a more secure location for the bike. Besides - I doubt a truly HD chain would function well on the bike.

 

[jejeosborne]

My solution in college was buying a $10 ratty looking bike that no one would think of stealing and securing it with a $40 lock and chain.

 

[ruffdog]

Hoist chain is much tougher to cut than plain hardware store chain.

 

[danfromsyr]

take the chain, seat and front wheel with you when you park it ;-)

 

[ruffdog]

Would the wasp nest thing work on a bike?

 

[RPW]

Carzapper- Now can you see somebody using that at the local Walmart? And then a small child touching the car? Instant lawsuit at the least. Jail time most likely.

 

[jaotguy]

aircraft cable and a hardened lock would be better against bolt cutters ... but as stated , a zip rotary tool with blade will make short work of either ....


"all bikes weigh 50 pounds .... a 45 pound bike needs a 5 pound chain and lock , a 5 pound bike needs a 45 pound chain and lock "