Originally Posted by
ahsposo
I've always used the airplane cable locks. I like to be able to run it through my wheels which are pretty easy to remove due to the quick release. Plus if there is nothing to attach the bike to I'll run it through the wheels so the bike would have to be carried away. That would at least slow them down.
These come in various lengths and styles. Generally available for $15 to $20. This certainly works against your thief of opportunity.
Against a pro thief out to steal a bike there's not much you can do.
That would slow me down for less time than it takes you to unlock it.
Studies have shown that a shackle of any kind serves as strong theft deterrent no matter what the brand or quality level is... thieves (and experienced bike mechanics) know a shackle will take a lot more work to get through and you don't need much in the way of tools to cut cable..
I have removed shackles off of bikes here with the cutoff wheel... a medium grade Krptonite lasts about as long as it takes me to write this last paragraph.