Best way to secure a bike seat / front wheel?

Hi,

I just bought a new bike, and was reading the discussion about bike seat thefts recently. Not wanting to have the same thing happen to me, do any of you have recommendations for how best to secure both the bike seat and the front wheel to make it harder for a thief to steal? I have quick-release on both of those parts right now, and that means someone could make off with them in under 5 seconds. I'm willing to spend around $30 for both items, if possible.

Happy cycling,
Garrett

Tags: bike, front, seat, theft, wheel

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Permalink Reply by Cameron 7.5 mi on September 27, 2010 at 10:48am

I took a bit of old chain and treaded it through a bit of old inner tube and fastened it around my seat rails and seat stays to make stealing my seat require a chain tool. When ever I lock up I put my u-lock around my rear rim and through the rear triangle to secure the rear wheel and frame. I then put a cable lock through both wheels and the frame to secure the front wheel and add an extra layer of protection to the rear wheel and frame.

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Permalink Reply by Chucko on September 27, 2010 at 11:34am

Garrett,

In terms of the saddle, I'd personally just replace the quick release with a regular seatpost binder bolt. You can get them in just about any bike shop for $5 or so, generally they use an allen key to open. Unless you have a really nice saddle, or actually need to use the quick release to adjust regularly, that will be okay. If you want more, the chain suggestion is a good one.

In terms of the wheels, you could get a locking skewer, but that might be over your price limit. I'd just get another ulock and put it around the frame and front wheel. Or just get a cable (less secure, though) and lasso it around the front wheel and put the other end onto your ulock.

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Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on September 27, 2010 at 12:07pm

I usually pop off my front wheel and U-Lock through my front wheel, back wheel and seat post. I don't have a QR on my seat post.

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Permalink Reply by Lugo on September 27, 2010 at 1:11pm

On Guard Skewer Sets have worked great for me!

http://www.onguardlock.com/?page_id=329

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Permalink Reply by spacemodular on September 27, 2010 at 1:35pm

Cyclists Choice makes a hex skewer/seat post binder bolt set for under $20.

This will stop casual thieves.

Velo Orange makes a similar skewer only set with a hollow hex key with a pin (hard to find) which is more secure. These are under $20 as well.

Using a nontransparent plastic bag to cover your seat also is a deterrent. People don't like looking under dirty looking plastic bags and will leave your seat alone. The bag stuffs under your seat when your bike isn't parked.

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Permalink Reply by Joe Willis on September 27, 2010 at 1:46pm

For your seat post change it from a QR to a standard binder bolt. Once you change it find a BB (from a BB gun) and super glue/epoxy it in the head of the bolt. Makes it hard as hell to undo even with the proper tools. Make SURE your seat is adjusted BEFORE you do this.

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Permalink Reply by Rick norris on September 27, 2010 at 2:44pm

I think this and a cable through the front wheel, along with ulock through frame and rear wheel...Never understood the QR seatpost thing

Joe Willis said:

For your seat post change it from a QR to a standard binder bolt. Once you change it find a BB (from a BB gun) and super glue/epoxy it in the head of the bolt. Makes it hard as hell to undo even with the proper tools. Make SURE your seat is adjusted BEFORE you do this.

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Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on September 27, 2010 at 3:38pm

Errr, seat tube

Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:

I usually pop off my front wheel and U-Lock through my front wheel, back wheel and seat post. I don't have a QR on my seat post.

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Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on September 27, 2010 at 3:40pm

Or if you have a soldering iron, you can drip solder into the binder bolt. Removal is done by just heating up the solder again and blowing it out with canned air or an air hose.

Joe Willis said:

For your seat post change it from a QR to a standard binder bolt. Once you change it find a BB (from a BB gun) and super glue/epoxy it in the head of the bolt. Makes it hard as hell to undo even with the proper tools. Make SURE your seat is adjusted BEFORE you do this.