Originally Posted by LV2TNDM
...See Sheldon Brown's website for a more thorough description...I take issue with him saying removing the front wheel is a waste of time. A long mini lock through both wheels and frame provides excellent theft protection. And a New York chain or lock even more. I have nice enough front wheels that make it worth the effort to cut a cable to steal just a wheel...
It is a serious error, not to mention inconvenient and time consuming, to remove the front wheel from the fork and lock it to the rear wheel. Those U-locks that are "extra" long so you can lock both wheels and the frame with a single lock are the WEAKEST type of U-lock. Crooks know that sooner or later, you will be in a hurry, and have no time to pull your front wheel off your bike and lock it against the rear wheel. And, the extra long lock will give them the space needed to insert the leverage tool that breaks extra-long U-locks in mere seconds.
Compact mini-locks provide the strongest level of security because using effective breaking tools is difficult or impossible. A compact U-lock, such as the OnGuard Mini, will fit around the rear wheel (right behind the seat tube) plus around a locking post of up to three inches in width.
The front wheel can be secured by permanantly replacing the quick release with an allen bolt, and then securing the front wheel to the frame with a cable lock or a second mini-U-lock. Do NOT remove the front wheel from the fork.
A pair of two pound OnGuard mini U-locks, correctly installed on both the rear and front wheels will protect both of the wheels and the frame against "breaking" attacks just as effectively as the eight pound Fahgettaboudit chain lock. And, two mini U-locks, or one mini-lock and a short, thick cable lock are MUCH easier to lug around than an eight pound chain.
How To CORRECTLY Lock a Bike: by Sheldon Brown
www.sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html