On our campus we have two bike racks- one out front by a very busy highway with a security guard and another out back closer to the shower.

The one near the highway is undesirable because any opportunist can see my bike out there and get to messing with it. Although there is a security guard in the adjacent building, sometimes the windows fog up and I doubt if he even looks out towards the bike rack anyway.

The one out back is far away from any street but is not monitored by a security guard. It's right in front of a fairly busy building, though, I don't know if any of the other students would have the sand to stop someone messing with my bike. I wouldn't expect them to.

What do you guys say?

Get a Kryptonite NY3000 ULock, and use whichever rack you like. Don't rely on either visibility or obscurity to protect your bike. Neither work. The security guard is paid peanuts and doesn't care about your bike. He's mainly paid to protect school property. Your bike is way down on his priority list. The other students care even less about your bike and would probably hold the bike for a thief if asked. That leave you as the only person who cares about your bike. If you're serious about your bike, get a serious lock.

I'll second that kryptonite lock. As for bike security my personal tips?

No quick releases. Either locking skewers or just plain old hex bolts everywhere. Idealy in such a manner to be a real pain in the ass to remove quickly.

If it's a commuter bike that's going to be locked up make it UGLY. Make sure to keep that frame paint pristine under your cable runs. . . by wrapping it in duct tape. . if you do get a major scratch by all means patch it . . with the wrong color paint and poorly. Any fancy looking equipment should have the logos removed. Add a few walmart smile face stickers for color. Be sure that nothing about the bike says "sane people would ride me or pay money for me".

If you're going to be away for a LONG period of time get a second lock of a different kind (if one is chain the other should be cable or a U lock, etc). Basically make it really awkward to steal.

Oh and it always helps to park it on the same rack as a really nice looking bike with a crappy lock.

If you are going to ride a trashed out bike, just go get one from a thrift store. They come pre-abused for much less than a new bike.

Seriously, messing up your bike is like giving half of it to the thieves. If your bike is too valuable to lock up, then get a used beater. Save your nice bike for weekends. Besides, Thieves steal Walmart specials too so being ugly is no guarantee.

I've got a fine lock, and I've already taken the extra precautions like replacing quick-releases with hex bolts. I was just wondering, you know, on top of all of that jazz, which would be the better rack.

I'd go for the one by the showers. At a uni there's really going to be no "difference" secuirty wise between the two and you might as well go for the location that's more convenient. My local uni has actual police at it and the bike rack in front of their substation is an awfully good place to park but if all youv'e got is security guards I wouldn't bother with the rack there.