I've heard if the lock is still going through the inside of the front triangle, it's possible to use it to twist and break the frame free. Would this method be any safer in that regard? I know it's pretty securely locked up anyways, but I'm just curious if I'm missing something.
by BigSlav667
24 Comments
This would work. Bike theft deterrence is about making it inconvenient, so in this case it’s six and half a dozen. Depends on how fresh their angle grinder discs are.
Honestly with this lock and this bike I wouldn’t worry about it for a second, no organised thief is going to bother with an old 26″ schwinn, and that lock will be enough to discourage any impromptu thieves
Why lock it this way instead of through the frame would be the question?
The U lock through the rear is more usefully placed than the chain although neither is through the frame. It’s not ideal but it’s pretty solid security for a $25 Walmart Schwinn. It feels like your question is bait because it’s blatantly obviously better to lock the frame.
Only your front wheel is secured. Anyone can work that chain over your handlebars, undo your quick release, and walk away with your frame, fork and rear wheel. Just lock through the frame.
I would suggest that locking through the frame might be more secure… Looking at this current photo, a thief could potentially steal this bike with an allen wrench and not having to cut the lock. Looks like you could loosen the stem and slip it off the steerer tube of the front fork, then slip the loop of the lock off the front of the frame, and walk away.
FWIW, in this situation the u-lock should go around the seat tube, rear tire, and bike rack. Putting the u-lock around just the rear tire inside the rear triangle is a [locking strategy endorsed by Sheldon Brown](https://www.sheldonbrown.com/lock-strategy.html). The most important thing about the pictured locking strategy is that Schwinn is parked next to a nicer Trek using a weaker cable lock.
[Outrunning the bear ](https://www.businessinsider.com/outrunning-the-bear-2011-10)
No, undo the neck and the wheel, take everything and leave the wheel without ever cutting the chain.
Looks like Sheldon Brown method on the back so unfortunately yes, nobody is gonna steal your Schwinn.
Yes it is secure, the chain is locked through the wheel and around the frame, so even if the stem would be taken off, there wouldn’t be enough give to take the fork out. This is actually preferable than locking through the middle of the triangle because chain is more stretched out, therefore there is less wiggle room to insert something to break the chain. And rear wheel is locked through the inside rear triangle, which is perfect.
Fairly easy to steal like this. Remove stem and front wheel and you can slide the whole thing out. Takes one allen key and a spanner.
Edit: didnt see the lock at the back, that makes ot more difficult.
The components of bike theft are:
Bike value
Ease to steal/how it’s locked up
Length of time left alone
How public the bike is located
Luck
Left alone long enough or enough times, every bike will be stolen. I’m convinced a lot of thieves are doing it for the fun of ruining someone’s day as much as they are to make money selling it.
My bikes are expensive and are only left inside or outside directly supervised by me drinking a coffee next to it.
You wouldn’t get that bike stolen even if it was left in skid row 🤣
If it wasn’t for the U-lock i could steal this bike in 2mins. Undo the front quick release. Drop the front wheel out. Undo the stem and pull it off. Drop out the fork. Slide off the chain lock reattach the for and free bike minus a front wheel but if im lucky i can pull one off another bike at the same bike rack.
Just go through the frame with the chain lock and you should still be good to lock your front wheel up. I don’t think you need to worry a whole lot about someone trying to steal your frame but wheels are something an opertunistic scrapper might run off with if you let them.
If you didn’t u-lock the rear triangle, anyone with an allen key and an understanding of how bikes are put together could be riding your bike into the sunset in 5 minutes.
The person that knows how to do that *probably* isn’t the person looking to steal *this bike*, though.
That black trek looks more expensive and only has one lock on it. Save weight and leave the chain at home if you can park next to that guy.
That bike had ample lock relative to the desirability to a thief of the bike. No reason to *not* lock the frame though, it’s not saving any effort bypassing it.
I’d be very interested to actually see someone try to steal it “in 2 minutes” with an allen key (pretending the rear wheel is unlocked). On paper it’s simple enough, but I expect the task would be more flummoxing than it looks. All it takes is a little bit of rust on the steerer tube and those parts don’t just slide apart.
I have my 6” ‘D’ Lock with the ’D’ through the lower part of rear wheel Disc and up between 3 pairs of spokes. Then the Locking Bridge is installed through the rear triangle and spokes, which sits on top of the rear fork then locked. It’s a tight fit with very little wriggling room.
Locks only deter thieves by making it more inconvenient to steal it. If they want it badly enough they’ll find away. Can’t stop thieving scum bastards from being thieving scum bastards.
1. Unscrew four bolts on the wall, take everything “home” (or wherever you keep the stash), take your time, break both locks clean.
2. Return the stand for the next one.
3. Profit.
The second lock is well placed, I would not mind
You already went through, in the rear triangle you are through the frame.
Without tools I could take the frame. Unlock front wheel and move the lock over the handlebars. Not a good lock setup.
The chain and locks are worth more than the bike, youre fine
This is literally 3 screws, a pull, slide in and front fork is dismantled and installed back for normal ride. It will deter as much as there are unlocked, poor chain, next to the bike. But if someone wants this bike, is 5 minute job max. Would not leave overnight.