zoltani

I use a Bulldog mini U-lock and a set of these wheel locks https://www.oredon.com/content/en/produits.php?id=24
Works for me so far. My bike was around $500, but i have since bought new wheels, rack, fenders, saddle, and i would hate to leave a place only to find my bike (or wheel) missing. Your bike is only worth the lock you use to secure it IMO.

Cychologist

I take my bike on into my office when I commute.

When I ride somewhere where it will be outside for any length of time, I park it where it is in clear view, if not by me at least by-passers. I then use a cheap and light cable lock, to discourage the amateur thief. A pro can defeat any lock in seconds, IMO.

relyt

I use an Kryptonite Evolution LS u-lock for the frame + 1 wheel, and a cable lock for the other wheel. I haven't had the bike stolen so far, but someone tried at least once.

If I had a bike worth more than $1000, I would not ever leave it locked up outside for more than an hour, and I would get one of the really heavy Kryptonite chains for it.

spokenword

I have a multi-thousand dollar bike that I use for commuting and city riding. I lock it up with both U-lock and cable lock -- always on busy streets, and often in a public place. I never leave it locked up overnight, but do leave it locked up for a few hours while at a movie or dinner or bar.

I've never had anything stolen from it. However, it doesn't have bling and it looks fairly old, so it seems to escape the attention of most thieves ... though I had a valet at a nice restaurant once recognize the headbadge on my bike and utter amazement that I'd leave it locked up out on the street like that. To which, I replied, "yeah, well that's because there's guys like you watching out for it."

but, yeah, +1 on the best defense being blending into a crowd and escaping the attention of crooks. Also, never leave anything quick-release on there. Pump, computer, lights, etc. All of that travels with me in my bag.

aaronspoker

You didn't mention what sort of environment you're parking in, but it seems you've set your 'pro' threshhold a little low.

Any cable lock can be cut fairly easily with large bolt cutters. They can be cut with small bolt cutters too, but it takes longer; and thin and cheap cables, possibly the kind you're using, can be cut with ordinary wire cutters, by using a special but fairly obvious technique. I see the remains of thin cable locks that have been cut in this way around bike racks all the time; I can only hope it was the owners, and not theives, who cut them.

Some sort of bolt cutter is standard equipment for a bike thief in urban and semi-urban areas. These sorts of petty thieves generally do not have the tools to break midrange or high-end U-locks, or thick chains.

A cable lock only stops "opportunity theft," someone who happens upon an unlocked bicycle. It does not stop a premeditated bike theft, amateur, pro, or otherwise. If you have any amount of bicycle theft in your area, I recommend you upgrade.