Originally Posted by alanbikehouston
There is no need to remove the front wheel from the fork to fully secure it. Some folks remove the front wheel, put it next to the rear wheel, and then put a extra-long, wide U-lock around both wheels, plus the frame, and a locking post. Such U-locks are so large that they are easily broken by a ten dollar tool. Some U-locks last under ten seconds against that tool.
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. No need to remove the front wheel from the fork. A pair of two pound OnGuard mini U-locks, correctly installed on 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, mini U-locks are MUCH easier to lug around.
If you read my post, you would have noticed I wrote "mini" u-lock. Even the standard mini will get both wheels on a road bike. Filling in as much of the lock (large or small) with as many bike parts increases the difficulty for thieves. We're trying to make our bikes as inconvenient to steal as possible. If using a twisting leverage attack, a thief may destroy BOTH wheels trying to defeat the lock when both wheels are secured. And possibly the frame in the process. Most thieves will walk away - not much left worth stealing! So, saying "there is no need to remove the front wheel" is misleading. If you feel the benefit of doing so is not worth the trouble, fine. But you're doing people a disservice by not informing them about the advantages of wheel removal.
Even easier than replacing QR skewers with allens is to buy a $.50 hose clamp at the hardware store and bind the skewer against the fork leg to prevent removal by hand. And although using these methods to secure front wheels is moderately effective, it's still only about ten seconds to remove with the proper allen wrench or tools. It's actually easier to remove the wheel secured with allen bolts than cutting a cable, which thieves have no trouble doing.
If I'm leaving my bike for a while in an urban area, I'm locking it all together. No temptation to thieves to steal front wheels, and the locks are harder to break. Plus, any avid bike commuter will have no difficulty removing the front wheel after doing it a few times. Additionally, people probably shouldn't be riding bikes with quick releases if they're not fully comfortable operating them. (And I've seen plenty of bikes go by with the QR in the "open" position, as it was closed like a wing nut. Bad!)
But, that said... two mini u-locks aint a bad idea either! Most thieves won't go to the trouble to break two locks for one bike.
And here's a free tip for those worried about component theft....
Squirt a little grease in the allen bolt on your stem (either standard stem or aheadset). Then drop the appropriate-sized ball bearing in the bolt. Ta-da! Now a thief can't quickly clip your cables, twist an allen wrench and steal your bars & controls. This method can be used on other parts of the bike as well. It also prevents water from pooling in the bolt head and rusting. To get the bearing out, just use a needle to "flip" it out. And although you could use adhesive on the bearing, I wouldn't! The grease is sufficient in keeping the bearing in place.