On uglifying, Lifehacker has a post about this today:
http://lifehacker.com/396527/ugly-yo...-deter-thieves
Originally Posted by
Dottywine
wow, thanks! About the ext. chain... if he has a tool to break the U lock, he can then also undo the chain so that logic makes no sense to me.
You don't need a special tool to bust open (many) U-locks - you just need a pole, the longer the better, and a space to jam it in and use as a lever. You don't put an extension chain/cable on to secure a wheel in case the frame gets stolen, you do it to stop the wheel being stolen on its own.
It's like putting window locks on a bank: if the thief can blow crack the safe, the window locks aren't going to stop them. But at least it's going to stop the casual burglars.
There are two types of thieves, more or less: casual/opportunistic thieves that go after whatever is lying around and poorly secured who don't really have a clear idea of costs or brands and just want a cheap buck, and there are professional bike thieves who know what everything costs, see through camouflage, and know how to get around expensive locks. You can "outlock" or inconvenience the first type, but not the second. Luckily, there are many of the first but few of the second.