Locking a Big Dummy or Xtracycle
 

I love my Big Dummy, but I find it awkward to lock. I can't get a U-lock around the rear wheel without doing contortions that I'd rather not. My lock isn't big enough to around the front wheel and the frame, so I end up putting it on the front wheel only with a cable around the lock, frame, and whatever immovable thing I can find.

If the bike will remain in sight, I'll often park "motorcycle style" in a car parking spot and not lock it, but I'm not going to do that in a grocery store.

Should I give up the U-lock on the BD? Use a cable lock? Do they make a ring lock that will fit over the fat tires on a Dummy (I'm running 26x2.1).

What do you guys do?

Use both. Lock the frame with the U-lock, and then a cable lock to lock the wheels. You might need two to get both wheels (or an extra long one), though you could possibly just ignore the rear wheel -- being buried in the bags (if you have any) do make them less obvious and therefore fewer people will try to steal them.

Do not rely on just a cable lock to protect the frame (i.e. the whole bike) -- people can cut them in seconds. But they will usually prevent people from stealing wheels.

Redundant locking. U lock around pole and top tube, 12 ft. cable with second locking mechanism.

Why not - you can carry it easily.

Ha! Yep, certainly not worried about weight on a BD.

I'm using Pinhead skewers and a Krypto NY Noose chain/lock. I leave the wheels alone and use the chain to go to a fixed object for grocery stops or just a wheel to the frame if it's a short stop (too big and heavy to just run off with the thing).

Plus 1 on Dougmc - U-lock the frame to whatever, then cable everything else together

I love my ring lock. It's maybe not the best if you're leaving it all day, but for short stops it's the best. A couple posts down on this thread.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...terrents/page2

My next purchase will probably be a delta recumbent (but a BD and a bakfiets are both on my short list). For all three, I've been pondering this same question and a chain seem to be a really good solution since it's flexible, can likely get through the wheels and around fixed objects, etc.

(By chain, I mean something thick and hardened like these...)

Oh, I've also though of multiple small U-locks, even for my current diamond frame bike. One between the frame and front wheel, one between the seatstays and rear wheel, one between the frame or wheel and a fixed object. It would hold the pieces together without severely limiting which fixed objects I can work with.

Security chain with Integrated lock is made up to 140cm by Abus,
[J&B imports for US shops]

I recently purchased an Abus Link lock , it folds fits in a pouch,
I fit to the frame, via water bottle bosses.

Abus also makes Ring locks , those would lock around your rear wheel ,
so wont be taken by rolling off. they attach to the frame, so always there..

Armored Cable locks ar a good thing too, loop one of those over my Handlebars.

It's pretty impossible to reach the rear wheel often. I've got pinhead skewers and a long U Kryptonite Evolution lock and it suits pretty well. If I had to leave it locked up for longer periods I'd probably use a NY Fuggeddaboutit.

I do most grocery shopping and errands on the Big Dummy and I use a six foot, keyed cable lock. It's versatile and is easy enough to carry but it's not supa' high security. It fits in the zipper/mesh pockets of my slightly older style Freeloader bags.

I locked my BD outside a pub last night after hauling the GF there across town [she hurt her knee so no biking for a week]. I use two thick cables one around each wheel and then use a kryptonite chain with padlock to secure the main frame and cables to the metal post of the bike rack. I pulled my lights, but leave my Brooks B17, Porcelain Rocket bags and the Xtracycle stuff at the back unlocked.

I've never had a problem and my biggest worry isn't theft - it's vandalism since the BD is an odd ball it tends to attract lots of attention.