George Kahn, who blogs about style for men on a budget, makes an appearance in Hal Ruzal’s 2014 edition of “Hal Grades Your Bike Locking.”

George secured his rear wheel and frame, but gets a “B” because he didn’t lock his nut-attached front wheel.

Hal examines several other random bikes. Any bikes locked to scaffolds get an “F”, because scaffolds are temporary and can be quickly dismantled by whatever contractor put it there.

Rear wheels not locked up get a “C-” from Hal. “The reason it’s called quick release is because it’s QUICK!” he explains. I demonstrate how quickly you can remove the rear wheel in this video.

Hal loves the security of Bixi bike share bikes and stations used by Citi Bike. Seatposts and seats are not removable, rear wheels are not easily removed, and the docking stations securely lock the frame and front wheel.

Hal gives very good advice, with one minor caveat: he gives e an “A” to bikes with front wheels and saddles secured with cables. Even heavy duty cables have been vulnerable to daytime theft in portions of the San Francisco Bay Area for a few years now. Heavy cables are significantly better than nothing, but in high theft areas I recommend a pair of U-locks or a heavy chain to secure the frame and both wheels, and something like Pinhead locking seatpost clamps for your seatpost. Of course if you have the locking skewers, the U-lock is necessary only for your frame. I will never lock a bike overnight outside in any part of the Bay Area or Santa Cruz, even with U locks.

H/T to Philadelphia Bicycle Journal.