Originally Posted by
djordan
or even remove the quick release hubs and take them with me (i.e., do thieves keep spare hubs with them?)
That would be ambitious to take the hubs with you
Most people would just settle for the skewers.
As far as thieves bringing their own parts... probably not, but a skewer isn't needed to pack off a wheel.
If you're going for the beater, then just get bolt on wheels and carry a 15mm wrench or adjustable wrench for you for flats. Still protecting the seat might be good, or you could use a torn up seat so it isn't a high risk target, and chain it down. It doesn't take long for an improperly locked beater MTB to get stripped. So, I wouldn't keep my hopes up too high. Maybe a $20 bike plus $200 worth of locks?