Originally Posted by
Wilfred Laurier
as for the seatpost
i can think of three possible solutions
1
take the seat off and bring it with you
although this is not very convenient
2
run a thin cable around the seat rails and around a frame tube and lock it with a small lock or lock the cable with the u lock used on the wheels and frame although having to feed a cable through your seat every time will take a while
3
get seat height and angle and fore aft perfectly adjusted... then use a drill with a bit slightly larger than the allen key size on the bolts of the seat binder and seatpost clamp
so thieves cannot loosen the bolts with their allen keys
4
some companies make locking seat bolts that have a keyed or unique wrench pattern
Good morning, WL !
5
Replace the expensive new saddle with an old cheap saddle that also feels better. This option fits with disguising the bike generally.
The seat's a problem.
Thieves can be expected to carry bolt cutters, so wire is useless. Then you've got weak points at the tube clamp and the post clamp underneath. The Quick 6 has an aluminum frame that is no help at all; carbon would be worse.
Yes, this takes a welder...... Replace the tube clamp with a solid steel nut-and-bolt item. Then measure very carefully with the seat in fixed position. Use power tools to cut a length of hardened steel and weld it to the seat and the top of the clamp bolt.
As I get older and need to lower the seat, cut an inch out of this security rod and reweld it.
What I really don't like -- just for this New York / New Jersey "urban" environment -- the quick-release nuts on the skewers that attach the Quick's wheels. Nobody is racing the Quick 6 bike and you have to put an extra 5 pounds on it with The Hulk's u-lock.
What do you think of using simple
nuts, acorn nuts on the ends, and maybe a drop of #1 or #2 Locktite liquid? This rig comes off with a regular socket wrench quickly enough, but maybe it can discourage using a hand held nut driver?
Is there a standard approach to removing this vulnerability?
BY THE WAY: yes, WL, the 64cm Panasonic is way too big for me. Mounting it goes best putting one foot on a pedal, pushing off to a standing position, then stepping over to get fully on-saddle. Now that I can smell a "70" coming round the corner, that's a damn foolish approach to getting on a bicycle. Shrinking her down to 60cm is iffy; a safer choice is more like 58cm. (I'm tall but it's mainly in my torso. 32" inseam for pants.)
One suggestion is to go to a police auction to find me an old lugged 1020 frame with 27x1.25 at the 58cm-60cm size, compatible to the Panasonic. The bikes there go for $10 instead of paying $125 for a reportedly solid frame off eBay or CL.
Bikes take time. I'd hate to lose the Quick 6. Gotta do what I can.