Bike Customization #8: Wheel Security

Most of the posts related to hacks on my bikes are solutions to what I view as problems. In the case of my new Globe, I have a problem and need a solution. Bike security is a huge issue for me as I live in a big city. I run errands on my way to and from work and have to leave my bike locked up for periods of time. I do have an OnGuard Beast chain that I have used for years to secure my frame and front wheel.

Some of you might remember that I also employ a caribiner hack to secure the chain around my waist whilst I ride. The chain is not long enough to secure my front wheel, frame, and back wheel and I have no desire to carry around another lock to employ each time I need to chain up, so on both my Cannondale and Peugeot I came up with a padlock hack.

Basically, the way that the quick release and frame are set up allows me to use a padlock to secure the back wheel. Below is an example of a padlock, combined with a bungee, that keeps someone from being able to undo the quick release: 

With my Globe however, the frame and quick release relationship is not really conducive to employing such a hack. Take a look for yourself:

The disc brake and frame configuration do not really make it possible for me to employ the same hack I have used in the past. Therefore I am putting out a call to hackers out there - what solution might I use to secure my back wheel at all times? I of course could carry around an extra cable lock or something, but it would be a major hassle to have to carry around and chain up each time I want to run an errand. At times I might just ride a few minutes and have to lock up again, and again, and again.  I would appreciate any suggestions you hackers out there might have.

Please comment but be patient if your comment does not show up right away, I approve comments due to SPAM issues and am on the move right now. 

Comments

[purplepeopledesign]

I got one of the QR levers with a hole in them and used a bunch of the big cable ties. I could also use a small padlock, but that'll be overkill until I lose the wheel. The next thing would be to just add a small hose clamp so that multiple tools are needed for removal.

:)ensen.

[Garth]

Drill a small hole through the quick release, then use a tap on the screw that attaches your rear rack to the frame. Run a small (2mm?) allen bolt with a wide washer through the QR and screw it into the tapped bolt. (Figure out the size of the screw first, obvs.) It might require finding a bolt with an extended head, and it might compromise the attachment bolt's integrity, but so long as you're using it more for grocery hauling and less for heavy touring, that should be fine, I would imagine.

[Stefan]

drill a hole in the lever and use the screw which holds the rack (maybe a longer one) to fasten it.

[Oliver standing]

use your lock through real wheel and frame

[Andy]

Pitlock skewers would handle that. Also, most cable locks can actually reach through both wheels, which means it's also through the rear triangle - try it sometime.

[Hugo]

Not a hack, and not a lock, but you could remove the QR with a normal bolt or Allen key one. It's still opportunistically nickable, but only if you have the correct tool.

There's also a few kinds with non-standard bolts. Mine needs a special Allen key that has a hole drilled in the middle.

Also, I tend to D-lock my frame and back wheel to some unmovable bit of street furniture, I'd rather the cheaper front wheel went missing rather than the back one. (It'd also be easier to wheel home...)

[page3of2]

I'm sure you've thought of this, but at this point it might just be easier to ditch the quick-release and just use nuts instead. You could carry a small adjustable wrench with you, if you don't already. Sure, thieves have tools, but even with a locked QR skewer there's nothing stopping someone with a pair of pliers from loosening the nut on the other side.

[Jonathan]

I have a similar problem on two different bikes. On one, I replaced the QR with an Allen-key bolt, some kind of commercial product. On the other, I used the Delta Hublox system, which employs a triangular wrench to unscrew in place of the QR.

The Hublox is pretty easy to use. You just have to be careful about overtightening it because you can break the axle.

[dreamer.redeemer]

You can use a worm gear hose clamp to fasten the qr to a stay. You might be able to use a small padlock through the band (as close as possible to the screw gear) so that it takes more than a screwdriver to defeat.

[Donald Ruppe]

You can lock up the brake lever(s) in the close position to the handlebars with your lock and bungee cord . This will help to keep the bike from being stolen or anyone trying to ride it because the pads are holding the rim or in this case the disc from moving .

[Travis]

Onguard makes lockable skewers taht require a special tool that clips onto your key ring to remove them

[bassfran]

+1 to the hose clamp solution. I use them on both my front wheel and seatpost QRs. Nobody wants my POS-looking bike anyway, but they'll at least help slow down/or discourage theft.

[McAngryPants]

Pinhead Locks! FTW!!
http://www.amazon.com/Pinhead-Bicycle-Locking-Skewer-Pack/dp/B001Y9X328

[purplepeopledesign]

-1 to drilling a classic steel QR lever, which is what is shown here. It's not a question of if you should, but the actual hardness of the steel that makes it very difficult.

[Sean Byfield]

Drill a large enough hole for a small padlock to actually fit through the skewer handle and around the frame. Done. If you do not want to do the drilling then a machine shop will punch through that thing in no time for very little change.

[Sean Byfield]

one other idea is to use a small conduit hanger (the kind I used on my plasti-dipped panniers) around the skewer and whatever bolt will fit in to one of those nice little tapped holes you have on the frame. They are less than $1 for a bag of four.

[J]

could you just rotate the skewer lever 'til it lines up with a 'spoke' on the brake disk, and use your padlock around both?

[Steve]

Get a padlock with a long hasp. Loop the hasp around one chainstay or seatstay and through the disc rotor. Not just hard to steal the wheel, hard to even move the bike as the wheel will not rotate.

[Ron Garvin]

Im with the guy above. Drill a hole (slightly larger then the bolt you intend to use) in the QR lever, and just thred it into the frame. No need to thred it or anything, just make it so the bolt goes through the lever, and frame. That should deter any grab and go's and itll look clean and be easy to work with.