How to secure saddle

Mohap said:

FOr quick-release saddle, what's the best way to secure it
besides removing it and carrying it? I'm looking for a
solid way to secure it, by that I mean as secure as U-
locking the bike frame. If this isn't possible, then I
guess I'll just have to carry it...

I love my saddle, and I know many people envy it because
it's so ergonomic and has cool flashy tail lights.

Well, you could u-lock it to the frame as long as the seat
post isn't too far up...

Get rid of the quick release. Best to replace it with an English-
sized allen bolt- most bike thieves carry metric. Small
cables will deter the pleasure thief but is easily cut with
the proper tool.

My thinking is that if it's out of sight I had better be
prepared to lose it. If I can't stand losing it, I don't
lock it up on streets, etc.

Dan Daniel said:

Get rid of the quick release. Best to replace it with an
English-sized allen bolt- most bike thieves carry metric.

Yeah, but are they really worried about mangling the nut
using a slightly too-small key?
--
David Damerell <[email hidden]> flcl?

David Damerell said:

Dan Daniel said:

Get rid of the quick release. Best to replace it with an
English-sized allen bolt- most bike thieves carry metric.

Yeah, but are they really worried about mangling the nut
using a slightly too-small key?

Just hope that either the wrench or the opening rounds out
before they get it loose? There aren't many nut and bolt
combos that can't be jacked open with a couple of basic
tools. Maybe a button head bolt and nylock nut would be
the best to slow down someone with an adjustable wrench
and pliers.

And if they really want the saddle, little will stop them
from undoing it from the seatpost.

Most saddle thefts are impulse or low-level junkie jobs,
I bet. Real bike thieves with real tools will take the
whole bike.

There is no perfect solution except never letting it out of
your sight.

Several years ago my new Bridgestone came with a "theft
resistant" seatpost clamp bolt. After setting it, you
removed the lever and put it in your pocket. I found it a
PIA, and got rid of it, but in this context, it might be
worthwhile. Anyone know if they are still available?

If you are good with tools, you could make a special
nut/wrench combination that noone else has. For
example, fireplug stems are five-sided, to keep the
public from turning them. Maybe someone should start
manufacturing special keyed nuts like those used to
protect fancy car wheels.

In article
<[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

FOr quick-release saddle, what's the best way to secure it
besides removing it and carrying it? I'm looking for a
solid way to secure it, by that I mean as secure as U-
locking the bike frame. If this isn't possible, then I
guess I'll just have to carry it...

I love my saddle, and I know many people envy it because
it's so ergonomic and has cool flashy tail lights.

replace the quick release with a regular collar with allen
head bolt. Then take an old tube and and old chain measure
the chain so that you can wrap it through the seat races
and through the seat stays. Cut the old inner tube about 2
inches longer than the chain. Put the chain in the older
inner tube and then thread it through the seat rails and
the seat stays. Peel back the inner tube and join the chain
using your handy chain tool. Roll the tube back down. Then
wrap the chain in the center section with electrical tape.
This will keep the chain from rattling. Now if a thief
wants your seat he will need both an allen wrench and a
chain tool.
-------------
Alex

RE/

Quoted message said:

FOr quick-release saddle, what's the best way to secure it
besides removing it and carrying it? I'm looking for a
solid way to secure it, by that I mean as secure as U-
locking the bike frame. If this isn't possible, then I
guess I'll just have to carry it...

First thing I think of (because I have the tool...about
$14.00 at West Marine) is getting a couple feet of steel
cable and NicroPressing a loop that goes through the rails
on the saddle and the chainstays.
--
PeteCresswell

"Mohap" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

FOr quick-release saddle, what's the best way to secure it
besides removing it and carrying it? I'm looking for a
solid way to secure it, by that I mean as secure as U-
locking the bike frame. If this isn't possible, then I
guess I'll just have to carry it...

I love my saddle, and I know many people envy it because
it's so ergonomic and has cool flashy tail lights.

In NYC, most messengers use the method Alex Rodriguez
mentions (a piece of drivetrain chain inside a length of
inner tube). But there are other ways. Kryptonite and
Pitlock both make seatpost skewers that require a special
key. Master Lock has its own design on its website, but I
haven't seen it in the flesh yet. Pitlock doesn't have a US
distributor right now, but you can order from Germany
(www.pitlock.com). Also, Kool Stop makes a tamper-resistent
cylinder that you can put into some types of quick release
skewers: koolstop.comaccessories.htmlOpen ↗ (scroll
down to Quik Lox).

The special skewers won't prevent a determined thief from
removing the saddle from the seatpost (which has happened to
me). To deter that, I use two-bolt seatposts, put wax in the
socket of the bolts, and put nuts (with a little lock-tite)
on the part of the bolt that extends above the clamp. (In
most cases, the bolt is a few threads longer than
necessary).