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-   -   Why Sheldon's U-locking technique is the best (https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/609232-why-sheldons-u-locking-technique-best.html)

genec 12-16-09 07:12 AM


Originally Posted by Jay D (Post 10151893)
Yeah, but you're still destroying the wheel which is one of the most expensive components to the bike. But I still agree with your logic to a point. Regardless of that, putting a U-lock around the rear wheel like that causes it to rest on the chain which means you get grease on your lock and most likely all over your hands when you're messing around with it. Personally I don't like having to wash my hands frequently when I'm using my bike as a form of transportation. That's why I prefer to lock aroud the frame and away from the chain. But hey, that's just me.

Despite where you put the lock, I would hardly think Sheldon Brown would recommend locking your bike anywhere near the path of a bus. But again,I can see how an effed up wheel is a pretty good deterrent towards theft.

Of course when just "locking around the frame," you are leaving that "one of the most expensive components to the bike" out there and open to quick theft... as easy as loosening the quick release.

Chris_in_Miami 12-16-09 07:14 AM


Originally Posted by mechBgon (Post 10152001)
If I were the thief, and couldn't get my hands on a city bus ;) then I'd use a cordless recip saw. Having used recip saws to cut computer hard drives in half using Wood & Nails blades (!), I have no doubt they would handle this task easily too. It might require a longer-shackle lock, but I'll stick with locking the rear wheel and frame.

Sounds like fun, but DBAN is much less messy and quieter.

mechBgon 12-16-09 10:03 AM


Originally Posted by Chris_in_Miami (Post 10152548)
Sounds like fun, but DBAN is much less messy and quieter.

Agreed, but I had a pile of about 50 drives to get rid of securely, and some no longer were recognized by the motherboard, yet sensitive data was still on the platters. HIPAA compliance, here I come :D

mikeybikes 12-16-09 10:12 AM

If you're walking around with a recip saw, wouldn't it be easier to cut the lock instead of the wheel? That wheel is still under tremendous amounts of force. A recip saw's blade would still bind in it.

Sixty Fiver 12-16-09 10:43 AM

Cutting through a rim and a tire while it is under tension is not a fun job with any kind of tool... a thief would have to be pretty motivated to go through that kind of trouble.

And they'd have an un-rideable bike that was missing one of it's key components.

degnaw 12-16-09 10:54 AM

1 Attachment(s)

Originally Posted by hairnet (Post 10152042)
I used to lock next to a Specialized [Allez?] that was secured with a cable lock while I locked both wheels together with a mini U lock. I don't see that bike around anymore though.

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...9&d=1260982386
Surprisingly, this one is still around.

hairnet 12-16-09 10:56 AM

I did say it was stolen, it's just not there any more to be the hot bike to lock next to. What surprised me was that the owner never locked the front wheel and, as far as I know, it hasn't been stolen. This is all on a college campus.

Sixty Fiver 12-16-09 11:00 AM

A pocket Doberman is also a handy theft deterrent...

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/yukiandmags.jpg

fuzz2050 12-16-09 11:11 AM

1 Attachment(s)

Originally Posted by Sixty Fiver (Post 10153313)
A pocket Doberman is also a handy theft deterrent...

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/yukiandmags.jpg

a savage attack cat also works

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=129030

silver_ghost 12-16-09 11:41 AM

On two different occasions, I've had theives dent or crumple frame tubes in an attempt to bust open my u-lock. They were never succesfull, but now I lock through the rear wheel only wherever possible.

slcbob 12-16-09 12:07 PM


Originally Posted by mikeshoup (Post 10153113)
If you're walking around with a recip saw, wouldn't it be easier to cut the lock instead of the wheel? That wheel is still under tremendous amounts of force. A recip saw's blade would still bind in it.

As long as we're talking about some serious cutting, hacking through the pole, street sign, rack, whatever it is locked up to works too.

hairnet 12-16-09 12:10 PM


Originally Posted by slcbob (Post 10153594)
As long as we're talking about some serious cutting, hacking through the pole, street sign, rack, whatever it is locked up to works too.

watch out for poles/racks with stickers on them. There have been instances around LA where racks were cut and covered.

rcschafer 12-16-09 11:08 PM

Found an interesting overview of bike theft (methods, prevention, motivations, environment, etc...) from the Center For Problem-Oriented Policing: http://www.popcenter.org/problems/bicycle_theft/

weavers 12-17-09 12:55 AM

i like this guys locking techique:
http://www.mechbgon.com/lock/index.html

what i like most is that he admit weakness. he know he doesn't have the best setup, and doesn't always lock his bike up the best way possible.

for me i use an old krypto ulok 2 series and an unguard bulldog lock. i lock up back wheel to object and front wheel+frame, if possible to an object too. recently i bought a saddle leash on bikeregiestery, locked up my rear rack+chain stay+saddle. a little bit of peice of mind(it was only 3bucks). i know i should upgrade my pirmary lock, and i have a krypto chain(just hard to carry even with a rack and basket). still i lock up my bike accepting it can get stolen, or parts can get ripped off. but i am happy for each day i can ride my bike.

i want to put a ball bearing in the headset axle nut and on the crankset with some locktight or something. lower the chances of those getting stolen.

unterhausen 12-17-09 01:17 AM


Originally Posted by RaleighComp (Post 10151445)
What does this have to do with locking your rear bike wheel through the rear triangle but not around a frame tube or stay? I was simply amazed at how few hacksaw strokes it took to get through the rim. So a thief with a common hacksaw could easily walk off with your whole bike in proabably a minute, albeit with a ruined rim, tire, and tube, but still a nice piece of pilfering.

As a framebuilder, you'd be amazed how fast I can cut through a frame tube. I could replace the tube and have it ready for paint that afternoon. Just have to buy a new battery for my portable sawzall.

But on a serious note, I've always worried that Sheldon's technique would attract a stupid destructive kind of thief that would only figure out it isn't any easier to steal a bike locked with it after he had done a lot of damage.

slcbob 12-17-09 05:46 AM

weavers & rschafer, those are good links I hadn't seen before. Thanks.


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