Okay, it's my girlfriend's bike really so I have to be *extra* careful here.

Someone told me that if I U-lock (mini) the rear wheel to a post and the lock is inside the "triangle" that both frame and wheel are safe. Source is reliable, but it seems too good to be true.

So, is the Soho S (relatively) safe if locked like this? (the front wheel I lock to the frame with a second Kryptonite Evolution Mini.)

Cheers!

For example...

Sarcasm right?

Yes, it's safe. Unless someone folds up the back wheel small enough to fit between your chain and seatstays...

yeah someone could steal your hub and frame if they were really tenacious, and they'd look like an ******* cutting your rim and all your spokes.

if they cut up the wheel, they could leave the frame and hub (as mentioned above) intact. its hard, but possible. you would need to first cut spokes to relieve the tension, then cut through the rim and the tire.

why don't you try it for yourself?

Sheldon's Lock Strategy

If someone wants your locked up bike in NYC it is gone; FAGIDABOUTIT!

Someone have a link to that YouTube video where the maker shows how easy it is to take a bike in the middle of the day in NYC?

this one? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7zb8YXrmIA

Thanks that is the video!

Actually, I plan to. Just wanted to poll folks first to make sure he wasn't...yanking my chain!

I think it would be easier to cut the lock.

If possible, lock up the seat tube as well (or down tube + front wheel). If you fill up as much space as possible within the lock, the chances of someone using a leverage attack via a particularly easily obtained power tool that I'd rather not name on a public forum (if you dont know already, I am not going to tell you) is highly reduced.

If you have to be very careful, put an additional u-lock on there or use a cable + your evo mini to secure the front wheel (or rear) and saddle. The hassle of doing this would be alot better than having your girl mad at you and being responsible for buying her a new bike.

Thanks for all the tips, in addition to the votes. I just did the experiment and proved to myself that this method of locking works!

I have another mini U-lock that I'll use to secure the front wheel to frame for now and there's a hex screw on the seat, which I'll likely replace with a Torx. I'm also seriously considering getting some Pitlock locking skewers for wheels and seat (just a bit $$$).

It should be fine but I'm skeptical, if only because a potential thief might not get the logic and try messing with it anyway and might damage something before realizing they can't get the wheel through.

Will the lock fit around the non-drive side seat stay and rim just below the rear brake bridge and still reach around the bike rack?

Is there any chance she wants it to get stolen (by someone she knows perhaps) so she can then get a bike that doesn't have the sloping top tube?
Just a thought.

I've had a frame dented and kinked in two seperate attempted leverage attacks. Each time the thief failed to break my lock, but put some nasty gouges the seat and top tubes. Since the second time I alway lock Sheldon's way, without going around the seat tube as well. Better the dummies mess up my wheel than my frame.

cant they just take the back wheel off, and pull the frame forward?

never mind.
im an idiot

that's pretty good, actually. i do something similar, except i lock through the spokes and seat stay. this looks like an interesting strategy as it resembles a logic puzzle/optical illusion.

i usually do the chain stay, and wheel technique

No one is going to cut through a rear tire, rim, and break all your spokes.
Especially if you have any decent rear wheel.
Next to the frame/fork (and in some cases above) the wheels are the most expensive part of a bike.
A thief would be stupid to do this. It would be quicker to take an angle grinder to the u-lock, than to cut through all that ****.

I's just as easy to get at least one seatstay along with the rim.