Originally Posted by
nice_marmot
As with most things bike-related,
Sheldon Brown has the answer.
This is how I lock. It's almost always easier than finding the proper angle to get a U-lock around the pole, frame and front wheel. If I'm somewhere a bit sketchy and I think my (cheap commuter) front wheel might be in danger, I'll take it off and lock it as well.
I've essentially adopted this for my U-lock, with the slight "tweak" of positioniong the crank along the chainstay, then rotating the lock about 30 degrees so one 'leg' goes beneath the chainstay, one above, and the lock barrel crosses the crank. All in all it is more of a visual fortification - the crank and the frame are inside the lock so hacksaws would be nearly im[opssible to use, plus there is the visual aspect of seeing the crankarm locked within the arrangement.
This specific style evolved from the occasional need to lock the bike where no convenient posts or racks were available.