The Chainlink

"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!

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on May 3, 2013 at 10:39am

A grand total of ZERO reports to the Chicago Stolen Bike Registry (beginning in January of 2005) of a wheel being cut to steal a bike.

On the other hand, unsecured wheels (no separate u-lock or cable threaded through it and the primary lock) are reported stolen all of the time. 15mm wrenches are cheap and plentiful.

Permalink Reply by Drewbacca on May 3, 2013 at 2:42pm

You've clearly never tried to cut through a wheel...

Sure, it can be done and the rest of the bike stolen minus a rear-wheel. But then, any form of security *can* be defeated with appropriate tools and time. I have and will continue to lock up using Sheldon's method.

If the thief has the means of cutting through a wheel, then they could just as easily cut through a u-lock. Given the choice, why would you destroy the wheel (the second most expensive part on most bikes?). It may be quicker to cut through aluminum than steel, but you'd also have to cut the wheel in two places to get it off. When using a hack-saw or angle-grinder, you attract a lot more attention than a thief with bolt-cutters and/or an allen wrench. 

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on May 3, 2013 at 2:43pm

I use the SB method for my second U-lock on the back wheel.

Permalink Reply by David Barish on May 3, 2013 at 2:56pm

A pro can still get it but there is not much I can do about that.

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Permalink Reply by Jason on May 3, 2013 at 3:03pm

Been doing it for about 8 yrs and never had a bike stolen.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on May 4, 2013 at 2:23am

You know very little about what it takes to defeat a decent lock vs. cut a wheel...

Drewbacca said:

You've clearly never tried to cut through a wheel...

Sure, it can be done and the rest of the bike stolen minus a rear-wheel. But then, any form of security *can* be defeated with appropriate tools and time. I have and will continue to lock up using Sheldon's method.

If the thief has the means of cutting through a wheel, then they could just as easily cut through a u-lock. Given the choice, why would you destroy the wheel (the second most expensive part on most bikes?). It may be quicker to cut through aluminum than steel, but you'd also have to cut the wheel in two places to get it off. When using a hack-saw or angle-grinder, you attract a lot more attention than a thief with bolt-cutters and/or an allen wrench. 

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on May 4, 2013 at 10:37am

Can you elaborate?

I didn't think this post was far off enough to warrant the full Dug-blast.... maybe the part about needing to cut in two places...?

I would guess a portable sawzall would be the instrument of choice for cutting a wheel? Or could you nibble it quickly enough with a decent sized bolt cutter?

notoriousDUG said:

You know very little about what it takes to defeat a decent lock vs. cut a wheel...

Drewbacca said:

You've clearly never tried to cut through a wheel...

Sure, it can be done and the rest of the bike stolen minus a rear-wheel. But then, any form of security *can* be defeated with appropriate tools and time. I have and will continue to lock up using Sheldon's method.

If the thief has the means of cutting through a wheel, then they could just as easily cut through a u-lock. Given the choice, why would you destroy the wheel (the second most expensive part on most bikes?). It may be quicker to cut through aluminum than steel, but you'd also have to cut the wheel in two places to get it off. When using a hack-saw or angle-grinder, you attract a lot more attention than a thief with bolt-cutters and/or an allen wrench. 

Permalink Reply by Drewbacca on May 4, 2013 at 11:07am

DUG, where are you manners? Please elaborate or leave your ignorance somewhere else. If you can't be bothered to explain how my statement is wrong, then you offer nothing more than unfounded opinion. I've cut through a wheel before... have you?

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on May 4, 2013 at 4:19pm

You can cut a wheel, even a steel one, in seconds with just a hacksaw but you need a power tool to cut a u-lock of any decent quality.

I have cut through wheels and a large number of locks; I work in a bike shop and do lock cuts there.

Permalink Reply by Thedutchtouch on May 4, 2013 at 4:35pm
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. I always lock up with a u lock around my rear wheel and part of the rear triangle, with a cable running through my saddle and front wheel. Takes an extra minute or two to lock and unlock but provides a bit more deterrent to theft (or at least makes me think so)
Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on May 4, 2013 at 7:09pm

"In seconds" sounds like 5 or 10 seconds to me. Less than "half a minute" and way less than "under a minute."

Is that accurate?

notoriousDUG said:

You can cut a wheel, even a steel one, in seconds with just a hacksaw but you need a power tool to cut a u-lock of any decent quality.

I have cut through wheels and a large number of locks; I work in a bike shop and do lock cuts there.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on May 5, 2013 at 1:29am

I never timed it but I would guess less than 30 seconds with no power tools.

h' 1.0 said:

"In seconds" sounds like 5 or 10 seconds to me. Less than "half a minute" and way less than "under a minute."

Is that accurate?

notoriousDUG said:

You can cut a wheel, even a steel one, in seconds with just a hacksaw but you need a power tool to cut a u-lock of any decent quality.

I have cut through wheels and a large number of locks; I work in a bike shop and do lock cuts there.

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