"Sheldon Brown" locking technique--personal experiences
Hello,
I've read a lot of opinions about the Sheldon Brown lock strategy (http://sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html). I understand that it can be defeated by cutting through the wheel, and that this is not as difficult to do as Sheldon claimed in that article.
However, I'm really interested to hear whether this actually happens much in Chicago (cutting the wheel), whether people still use this method, and whether they've had any problems with it.
I have an Abus Futura Mini that is too small to lock through both the frame and wheels (they have deep V rims which make them a little too wide (but maybe these are also a little harder to cut through?)). I really love the light weight and size of this lock and I would like to find a way to make it work rather than replacing it with something bigger and heavier. It is the perfect size for the Sheldon Brown method. Alternatively, of course, I could lock it through only the frame (but not the wheel). I'm wondering which is the better course of action.
Potentially-relevant details: I never leave the bike outside overnight. Usually when I'm locking it it's because I'm shopping or at a bar or restaurant, so it's there for a few hours maximum. The bike is a new (but low-end) single-speed hybrid/commuter/utility type bike. Wheels are bolt-on, not quick-release.
Thank you in advance!
Views: 13380
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Josh L. on
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The advantage of that lock you have, I have read, is that it is hard for thieves to get leverage with a break bar.
I would not assume that you are entirely safe in the loop. My bike got stolen in Feb in front of the merchandise mart on what I think was the coldest day of the year. For reasons I won't bore you with I used a cable lock that day (only day of the year!)..what a mistake.
That being said, I think it's highly unlikely that anybody will saw your wheel off in the loop. I don't care what that other guy said that's a messy operation and obviously ruins the wheel. Poor risk reward ratio and your basic wheel grabbing street guy isn't exactly walking around with a hacksaw.
Lock up in your bike room too. Two friends have had their bikes stolen from these in the past year.
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Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on
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I always lock up my bike in the bike room because it's incredibly easy for a thief to tailgate someone into the room without a key. 50 unlocked bikes vs. my locked bike pretty much guarantees they won't bother with my bike.
My concern with the mini-lock is that it might be able to be maneuvered though the chainstays if the real wheel is removed. (Although Sheldon does mention using a mini-lock in his article). Is this true?
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Permalink Reply by Duppie on
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You would have to maneuver either the wheel or the object you lock to thru the rear triangle.
The wheel is usually impossible, unless you have a very small wheel compared to the frame size.
The bike rack, as long as it is fixed to the wall of floor, is impossible as well to move thru the rear triangle.
Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:I always lock up my bike in the bike room because it's incredibly easy for a thief to tailgate someone into the room without a key. 50 unlocked bikes vs. my locked bike pretty much guarantees they won't bother with my bike.
My concern with the mini-lock is that it might be able to be maneuvered though the chainstays if the real wheel is removed. (Although Sheldon does mention using a mini-lock in his article). Is this true?
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glad you answered this..i always had the same question.
Duppie 13.5185km said:You would have to maneuver either the wheel or the object you lock to thru the rear triangle.
The wheel is usually impossible, unless you have a very small wheel compared to the frame size.
The bike rack, as long as it is fixed to the wall of floor, is impossible as well to move thru the rear triangle.
Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:I always lock up my bike in the bike room because it's incredibly easy for a thief to tailgate someone into the room without a key. 50 unlocked bikes vs. my locked bike pretty much guarantees they won't bother with my bike.
My concern with the mini-lock is that it might be able to be maneuvered though the chainstays if the real wheel is removed. (Although Sheldon does mention using a mini-lock in his article). Is this true?
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Permalink Reply by Jason on
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Forgot exactly what they did. But it was early afternoon in a high traffic area.
peter moormann said:Dont you need to get the chain off first...
Thats a lot of work.
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fyi if you get a rear bike rack it's easy to put the standard kryptonite on it and a cable for the front wheel. Those brackets never work well..have tried for years. Of course the rack and lock probably add 8-10 lbs but I find the rack extremely useful for carrying things.
Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:I always lock up my bike in the bike room because it's incredibly easy for a thief to tailgate someone into the room without a key. 50 unlocked bikes vs. my locked bike pretty much guarantees they won't bother with my bike.
My concern with the mini-lock is that it might be able to be maneuvered though the chainstays if the real wheel is removed. (Although Sheldon does mention using a mini-lock in his article). Is this true?
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That's exactly what I use my rack for! :-) It's an extra five pounds off my back, plus I don't need to throw my dirty, grimy lock into my bag.
jolondon30 said:fyi if you get a rear bike rack it's easy to put the standard kryptonite on it and a cable for the front wheel. Those brackets never work well..have tried for years. Of course the rack and lock probably add 8-10 lbs but I find the rack extremely useful for carrying things.
Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:I always lock up my bike in the bike room because it's incredibly easy for a thief to tailgate someone into the room without a key. 50 unlocked bikes vs. my locked bike pretty much guarantees they won't bother with my bike.
My concern with the mini-lock is that it might be able to be maneuvered though the chainstays if the real wheel is removed. (Although Sheldon does mention using a mini-lock in his article). Is this true?
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Then if you have a rack why not carry the larger U lock? From what I have read your lock won't stop anybody with an angle cutter. As bike racks are getting mysteriously larger in Chicago a larger lock would let you thread the chainstay and easily lock up with larger poles.
My assumption was you were using the smaller lock because you carry it your pants or jacket like the cool kids do.
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The smaller lock does fit in my bag better, but I use it because its harder to leverage open a smaller lock.
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Permalink Reply by Eli on
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This is true, but its hard to cut the tire with a hack saw. unfortunately, I walked by a sad sight the other day... U lock that was only holding a tire. I can only assume someone used the Sheldon method and the thief cut the rim and ripped the tire off, leaving only the tire behind.
After reading this I thought I'd keep an eye out for similar locked tires and sure enough, this is what I saw yesterday on North Avenue in front of West Marine:
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seems strange. There is no wheel in there. Lock isn't cut. How could you remove wheel and not the tire? Does not compute.
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