I've "locked" my bike on couple of occasions by attaching my bike helmet to the bike through front wheel and inside the frame triangle. I still have to keep eye on it all the time, but the "lock" will prevent anyone from simply riding my bike away.

--J

What size is the bike, and where is this convenience store?

(Oh, wait... a Paramount, you said? Never mind... )

I guess one can say "I'm chained to my hobby"!

I used the "Knowledge Gap" method to "lock" my Miyata in front of a convienence store:

• I shifted both shifters out of gear
• I looped the helmet strap through the front wheel
• I checked the area in all directions, didn't see anyone hanging around and went inside.

Bike and helmet disappeared without a trace in under 9 seconds.

^^If the bear sees you, you won't see the bear.

Bubba + Pick up truck = no knowledge needed. Beware......

J, you sir, are setting yourself up for a fall, your no doubt lovely bike will be in Phoenix's Craig's List.

To all the concerned persons: I assure you, this is not routine by any stretch. It was 6:45 on a Sunday morning with the bike visible while I was inside. Many stores around here have "due to liability concerns bikes must be left outside" signs, so that wasn't an option.

The idea was more along the lines of "extend a two second theft to thirty seconds or more," thus allowing for prevention by direct means.

My normal security is constructed by Abus... two or three pounds of hardened steel in a very compact package. Always my first choice.

Bike thieves have access to all the same knowledge we do. Assuming that bike thieves will be stupid is... well... stupid.

There are a lot of bikes in British bikes racks with bent wheels. You often see the odd one or two outside railway stations and shopping centres.

If they can't easily nick it, they'll stamp on it in frustration.!

The only defence is to use a decent lock and lock it up with other bikes. There is safety in herds...

Dammit. Now I've gotta tow a hardshell case behind me and lock it in that.

Big picture: Yes, I get it. Clever is no substitute for hardened steel, and I'm clearly insane (been called worse...) for suggesting the Knowledge Gap as an option. But hey! That's why we BF. (And truth be told, in the same situation I'd do it again.)

I have used similar means when in a pinch. One of my favorites is to use a nicely coiled cable lock that is left locked on a rack(seemingly permanently) and just wrap the coils around the frame/wheel. Looks like it's locked and if done correctly will actually hold up to a decent yank.

Obviously, this is only in a pinch as J.Oxley was in, but it's better than nothing.

And I hope you use it in a more intelligent manner than they show on their website where a thief could remove the bike's fork and then extract the bike from the lock.

Didn't actually check their technique... just linked to the page. But yeah, I go ahead and make sure the frame is involved.