i bring a mini u lock on tours and use it even for a ten minute shopping excursion in any store I can't see the bike in any sized town. I mount them to the seat tube angled towards the rear brake and they are out of the way. adding a little weight to a loaded touring bike is little penalty and peace of mind well worth the burden in my opinion.

the scourge of methcathinone has hit every county in this country. sad but true.

here's where i mount them, taken to carrying a slightly longer one because it is sometimes difficult to find a suitable locking place with the minis on a loaded touring bike. i carry a cable too.