quick release wheels and locks

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  • December 10, 2013 at 4:25 pm #914640
    lordofthemark
    Participant

    I have gotten used to being somewhat lazy locking up the beater MTB. I would use a cable lock only, and often only around the frame, or maybe wind it around the front wheel. Not much worth stealing.

    Now not only do I have a newer, better bike, but I notice the Kona has quick release wheels, both front and back.

    I know I need to get a U lock.

    I guess my option is to release the front wheel and put it in back and try to get the u lock through everything, or to carry a cable lock as well.

    Your thoughts?

    Also anyone know the OnGuard Bulldog ulock? Its only $35 at REI, and I might pick that up.

    I’d like to get this figured out in time for Sunday’s Tysons Corner ride. I suppose Tysons at Christmas is not a good place to tempt a thief.

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  • December 10, 2013 at 4:50 pm #988083
    ShawnoftheDread
    Participant

    I believe the bikes will be supervised during shopping time.

    December 10, 2013 at 5:22 pm #988086
    DismalScientist
    Participant

    You can use a cable with the U-lock. Use the cable to lock one wheel and put one end of the cable into the other. Use the U-lock to lock the frame, cable, and other wheel to an immovable object.

    Or, if you are in a safe location, just lock the frame only. I don’t think wheels are stolen much off of bikes that aren’t derelicts.

    December 10, 2013 at 5:23 pm #988087
    KLizotte
    Participant

    Use the Sheldon method for locking the back wheel and frame:

    http://sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html

    [ATTACH=CONFIG]4254[/ATTACH]

    The ‘Sheldon Brown (RIP)’ Lock Technique: By locking your back wheel inside the rear triangle, you protect your wheel and the frame. It’s nearly impossible to cut the rim of a wheel. Just make sure your lock is around the rim and through the triangle. Bonus hint: Front wheels are cheap- back wheels have special gears and cost about twice as much, so if you can only protect one wheel, make it the back one!

    Note: locking your front wheel like this does not protect the frame!

    December 10, 2013 at 8:56 pm #988107
    dasgeh
    Participant

    Another option is 2 U-locks – one for the rear wheel (as KLizotte showed) and a second to lock the front wheel to the frame. I have a light, cheap cable lock that stays in my handlebar bag, so I can always lock up quickly. I also use it with a u-lock if I’m in a sketchier area.

    December 10, 2013 at 9:10 pm #988111
    off2ride
    Participant

    When I worked at the pro shop in DC, the Onguard locking skewers were also popular as part of the ensemble of locks and cables to prevent bicycle theft. Just don’t lose the key or hang it somewhere on the bike.

    December 10, 2013 at 11:15 pm #988135
    TwoWheelsDC
    Participant

    @off2ride 71506 wrote:

    When I worked at the pro shop in DC, the Onguard locking skewers were also popular as part of the ensemble of locks and cables to prevent bicycle theft. Just don’t lose the key or hang it somewhere on the bike.

    Alternatively, you can split the difference and go with non-QR skewers. At the very least, their presence requires that a potential thief be carrying an Allen wrench and be willing to take the extra few seconds to use it, and you don’t have to worry about keeping track of a special key.

    December 11, 2013 at 12:41 am #988140
    Bicyclebug
    Participant

    As the internet has shown again and again, someone who’s set on taking your bike will find away. The only thing we can really do is make it looks more of a pain to take our stuff then the poor SOB who locked his bike next to yours.

    The Allen bolt skewers make sense. They cost considerably less than the keyed ones but probably offer the same protection from the moment-of-opportunity thief. A committed thief will just as likely have Allen wrench has he would the special key – if he really wanted your wheel. For good measure, in addition to the Allen skewers, I also use a cable around my front wheel and attach it to the ulock around the rear wheel (SB (RIP) method).

    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

    December 11, 2013 at 2:38 am #988162
    Raymo853
    Participant

    I do not remember that brand, but a bought a set of quick release levers that were only openable when the bike was upside down. They worked great when new the idea anytime it is locked you do it right side up so no one can take the wheels off.

    However after a short while they stopped working at all. They would often not lock on and also failed to release. It the end I had to break them off and toss them out.

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    December 11, 2013 at 2:00 pm #988178
    off2ride
    Participant

    Non hollow axles AKA Non Quick Release will also be a good measure of preventing bicycle theft. Thieves go for the easy prey. If it’s not an easy “snatch and grab”, they move on.

    December 11, 2013 at 5:26 pm #988217
    DaveK
    Participant

    U-lock around the frame, cable through the wheels. Or if you’re not in DC, just leave it there, it’s not like anyone’s going to steal it.

    December 30, 2013 at 3:00 am #989430
    lordofthemark
    Participant

    How about this on sale at Target for about $12, I think?

    http://www.target.com/p/masterlock-bike-u-lock-with-key/-/A-14025720#prodSlot=dlp_medium_1_3&term=Bike+Lock

    December 30, 2013 at 4:16 pm #989484
    DaveK
    Participant

    Junk. Buy from a good brand like Kryptonite or OnGuard. Locks like that one will be much more flimsy and easy to break.

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