I just recently got into using a bike for commuting and I was wondering if this is a good way to secure my bike? I know, previously, people would recommend only needing to lock the back tire to a solid object, but I’ve seen videos of people easily cutting the back tire, breaking it and taking the frame/front tire. My method of locking is sort of similar, except I do lock around the splash guard. If this isn’t very secure, I’d have to get a longer ulock or chain, because there doesn’t appear to be an easy way for me to lock around the back tire, frame and solid object with my current ulock. Any suggestions are appreciated.
You are seriously arguing that getting the wheel through the frame without seriously damaging the frame is easier than taking an angle grinder to a lock? The discussion isn’t about what is theoretically possible, it’s about what will actually be done by a thief and whether it’s worthwhile to them.
saying they’d only end up with a partial bike shows you don’t understand bike theft at all.
Are you sure it’s not you who doesn’t understand? I’ve spoken to local cops on the topic, and most bike theft is opportunistic, and the key requirement is making quick money. Expensive bikes are a particular sort of specialist target that are in some ways more difficult to sell on, and are more likely to be actively pursued and traced by the former owner and law enforcement. Basic inexpensive complete bikes are a high theft target because they sell almost immediately, no questions asked, for enough money to get some drugs right now.
The chop shops taking partial bikes and parting them out are the exception, not the rule. Most thefts are an easy-to get whole bike that is ridden away. All bike security is partial and aims to just make your bike harder to steal than other options. This is a basic bike with cheap parts that would not be very appealing to part-out.
You seem to be a bit confused. You say most bike theft is opportunistic. Securing through the wheel only decreases the tools and effort needed to get something of value. Increasing the chance of opportunistic theft.
Never said it was easier than an angle grinder to the lock. That requires tools and a lot more noise. If they are going to do that they will, but put the thieves in the situation where they have to make as much noise and do as much work as possible.
If they can just trash a wheel and make off with most of a bike quickly and with little noise that suits the opportunistic thief more than anyone else.
If they have an angle grinder and are going to attack the D lock with it. Then it almost doesn’t matter what you do. They will get the bike. All you can do is make it a harder and less appealing target than the next bike they see.
