<p>So instead of taking my bike, which is a 21-speed mountain bike and has a higher price tag, I’m taking my father’s 10 year old bike to Davis this fall. What is the most effective way of locking a bike to prevent theft and damage? I plan on using a U-lock through the frame and back tire, and attaching it to a stationary object (like a pole or bike rack).</p>
<p>Does anyone recommend something different? 2 locks? Locking the front wheel? Nothing is quick release or snap off.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>On bike locks: [The</a> best lock to protect your bike. - By Scott Elder - Slate Magazine](<a href=“http://www.slate.com/id/2140083]The”>The best lock to protect your bike.)</p>
<p>A little bit of everything (including how to lock it): [HOW</a> TO LOCK YOUR BIKE](<a href=“http://www.missinglink.org/Pages/bike_locking.html]HOW”>http://www.missinglink.org/Pages/bike_locking.html)</p>
<p>And of course don’t leave any parts that are easily removed. It’s like leaving money on the ground and expecting it to be there when you get back. You can buy a separate lock for things like that if you don’t want to take them with you. If your front wheel is a bolt through (not quick release), locking it with the same lock as the rear wheel can be inconvenient. If your bike is cheap though, someone going through the trouble of unbolting your front wheel is unlikely, and if it does happen, it will be cheap to replace. You can also get a separate lock for the front wheel.</p>
<p>The U-lock is a good idea. And always lock it to a bike rack, through the wheel and frame. If you do that, you should be okay (especially if the bicycle isn’t too expensive). There are literally thousands of bicycles on campus. Some aren’t locked up very well (including some fairly nice bicycles). Here’s how I see it: as long as your bike is locked up more securely than the ones surrounding it, and it isn’t worth considerably more than the ones around it, nobody is going to mess with it.</p>
<p>I lock mine through the frame and back wheel as well. I’ve recently had my front wheel stolen, but that is much cheaper to replace (and easier) than the back wheel. Plus, my front wheel was already bent from freshman year sooo… I didn’t really care too much. Haha.</p>
<p>Remember: If a thief wants your bike, no matter how many locks you put on it, they’ll find a way to take it. One lock should be good enough.</p>
<p>Do what I do and get a u-lock with a chain. Loop the chains through the wheels and frame then lock that up with the u-lock to something sturdy.</p>