Locking up wheels
 

I'm thinking about making a major (for a college student) investment in some wheels that will be pretty obvious (in the please-steal-me way) for my commuter, a bike that I have strong feelings for. Right now it's got crappy wheels, and a crappy drivetrain that lets people know it's not worth stealing, but that would change.

Facts:

I'm using a pretty beefy 2' masterlock cable lock (about an inch thick, wrapped in rubber, twisted strand core) right now, I'm not confident in it being able to stop someone who really wanted my bike, but it's impressive looking, so I don't think anyone would try, and nobody has yet to my knowledge.

The bike is locked up only for about 8 hours at a time during the day, never at night, in a safe neighborhood (but a college campus), on a busy corner, next to lots of other bikes.

My main concern is the wheels. I love the frame, it fits me oh-so-well, and I did my own custom paintjob that I'm really proud of, but it was free, and I've spent about $20 on it for paint, so no biggie.

SO:

I want to lock up both wheels. Is it perfectly reasonable to buy myself a Krypto Evolution, use that to chain up the frame and front wheel, and use the cable lock I have to chain the back wheel to the frame?

Also, is it a faux pas to mount the cable lock on the top tube, and stuff the u-lock in my pants?

The system that I use is:

- daytime and safe area: a Kryptonite or OnGuard U-lock around the rear wheel, directly behind the seat tube (that protects both the wheel and the frame). Bolt-on skewers and cable lock for the front wheel.

- night and rougher areas: same deal for the rear wheel. An Kryptonite or OnGuard "mini" u-lock attaching the front wheel to the frame.

Taking off the front wheel and locking it to the rear wheel too much work (off and on...off and on). And, the "lock the two wheels to each other" technique requires using a larger, longer, heavier U-lock. I'd rather just use two mini U-locks, and leave the wheels mounted.

I use a 6'6" long chain from the hardware store that I have slid into an old road inner tube. Yeah it's heavy but I feel more secure with it than most locks out there and I can wrap it around the front and back tire with no problem.

1st - with a chain, you just need a pair of snips big enough to eat up a 1/4" metal to undo the whole thing.

2nd - how do you carry around 6 1/2 feet of chain? panniers? necklace-style?

I dropped >$1000 on my bike, and I use the Kryptonite NY Lock Fahgettaboudit (3'3"). It's the highest rated (12/12) lock+chain they sell, but also the heaviest (8.4 lb). Removing the front wheel for locking would be the cheapest way to go. I keep it in my Xtracycle's Freeloader when in transit.
Tip: Any college campus is a bicycle high-theft area.
Tip: Put the lock portion around your bike frame so a thief can't smash it against the ground.

Use your old wheels for commuting to school and the nice new wheels for rides where you don't have to leave the bike unattended.

You'll have to get a second cassette, but you won't worry through every class.

I would, but the reason I'm getting nice new wheels is that I keep going through old ones. I tear through reasonably-priced hubs like...an abusive 220lb guy on a bike.

I could take the front wheel off, I hadn't thought about it. I get plenty of questions just carrying around my helmet, I bet even more people would ask if I was rolling around a wheel!

I usa a Kryptonite cable in conjunction with my NY3K u-lock. It's pretty secure and quite portable. If I needed to up the ante, the only reasonable step left is the Fuhgettaboutit (sp?) chain combo.

It's sucha shame that we even have to worry over such things.

Two different types of locks, cable & U, provide added security because they require different tools to break. Park close to nicer bikes.