So I've been locking up with a standard U-lock, which makes everything easy, but downsizing means I have to think a little harder. For people who use mini-U's, how easy is it to fit your lock around just the seat stays and between the spokes? I'm pretty sure my rear hub spacing is like 110 mm.

I have deep V wheels, so I imagine just going through the seat stays would expand my lock-up options a lot, but would my wheel be less secure?

just lock the rear rim through the rear triangle, you dont have to directly lock part of the frame (depending on how safe you feel your area is).

Don't forget about your front wheel

Sheldon-style seems like it's inviting trouble. I'm asking about the seat stays because it seems like it indirectly protects the wheel in the same way Sheldon-style indirectly protects the frame, but at least it would discourage junkies from trying to break my wheel. I haven't seen anyone else locking their bike like this, so I thought I'd ask here if I'm missing something big/also if the mini-U will fit with that setup.

You can do it, but it may be troublesome with a small lock

Friend has one of the looooong U-locks. Like riding with him because I don't have to carry. He can lock three bikes securely together.

Flying solo, I've been known to lock the seat stays if the locking situation is less than optimal.

Generally, it's all about filling up space in the U to minimize a thief's leverage tools.

I use the Sheldon method, but I always worry that some idiot will get my rack, fender, and brake taken off before he realizes he cannot get the wheel or the frame.

I use the sheldon method and tend to carry another mini ulock in my bag for those just in case moments that need a little extra security
4' cables work for securing the front wheel as do big chains

I own and have used all three combinations but I keep going back to the twin mini u's

sheldon is bad. sheldon plus stay is good.

[citation needed]

My personal opinion with Sheldon's method is that it's safe, but it looks as though the bike can be stolen... I would hate to lock it up like that and have someone try and force the wheel off. I prefer to lock through with the frame with a very visible lock.

Sheldon's method works, but it looks like it doesn't work, and people will probably try to mess with your bike just because it looks like it's an easy job. I try to lock a piece of frame or something in with my wheel. Sometimes I can't get around whatever I'm locking to, so I use a cable. I've also carried multiple u-locks on occasion.

Edit: Just saw Alex's post. Agreed. I also think naterod had an encounter with someone trying to force his rear wheel off once.

I think Im interpretting this ques. wrong but I lock rearwheel & seatstays & just take the front wheel w/ or if thers enough space Ill toss it inbetween the frame & whatever im locking it to...I get that the seat stays are thin & all but if someones gonna cut anypart of the frame its essentially useless.

I use the Sheldon method as well (plus a cable for the front wheel), and have the same concerns as everyone else. Not to mention it can be a tremendous pain in the ass when locking up to a crowded bike rack. To make matters worse, a lot of Penn State's bike racks are too low to fit a 700c wheel through, so I often have to A) lock to the side of the rack, B) use an inferior lock strategy, or C) lock to a friend's bike.

As an aside, about an hour ago I locked up to a rack with three other bikes on it, and they were ALL locked through the front wheel (only) by a cable lock. I nearly wrote an exasperated note in triplicate to educate they sorry azzes.

My back wheel is worthless, so I usually just lock my mini u through the front wheel and frame.

sheldon without stay is not safe.

Can you explain?

Um, anyone can just run off with your fixed gear bicycle. They're not that heavy you know

That's why I lock to racks that are too fat to be cut by bolt cutters. I intentionally park my bike at a different building for my daily commute because the building all my classes are in has those dinky 1/2" circle tube rack things that are 75% rusted out anyways. You wouldn't lock your bike to a skinny tree, so why would you lock your bike to something made of rebar?

Not the "nicest" way to defeat the Sheldon Brown method, but if you are a thief that's probably the least of your worries.

^ It would probably take longer to go through a double-walled rim.

Very true. And note I'm not saying don't lock that way. Just pointing out that there are faults to about any locking method.

lol ^ thats true. I see his bike everyday haha. he locks it up to those fatties. but i lock my bike across the street to those dinky circle thingys and I still have it

now to be helpful: i use a mini bulldog also, I usually lock my bike via the seat tube and through the wheel, but if there isnt enough room i just lock it through the wheel

bolt cutters will tear through a rim like butter.

My locking method is pretty poor at the moment. I only lock with 1 u-lock while on campus all day. I would not advise this, but I have been low on money to buy a new lock setup.

There are two locking methods that seem to be pretty good. Front wheel and frame locked with the same u-lock to location, Rear wheel locked to frame. Another is Heavy Duty chain lock to location (with rear wheel) and u lock just front wheel