Commuting - your not taking by brooks!!!

Sorry, I meant to say "You're Not Taking MY Brooks!!!!!

I just started my new job... for the first time ever I am working in the heart of downtown jacksonville... beautiful bridges, tall buildings, and plenty of CRIME!!!! (and a perfect distance 27 miles round trip) I have to park the bike on a side street next to my tower where there is not much foot traffic even though it is across for the greyhound bus station. Luckily I already have top quality locks (a kryptonite u lock with the new style key, and a kryptonite NY forgetaboutit.

Anyway, just like any other downtown city, even a crappy saddle is likely to be stolen. Well, I REFUSE to let anyone walk off with my new Brooks B17N Laced saddle!!! Not without a fight anyway! The saddle leashes bike shops sell suck. they can easily be snipped by just about anything... even a sharp pair of scisors will slice through them... so, being an ex welder, I had an idea... :)

The wire ties and it's perfect length hold the chain tensioned tight against the seat post... even hopping off a curb won't make it rattle. I pained it white for high visability.... Sure it probably weighs a pound, but i am not exactly a weight weeny!!!!!!

Obviously a decent pair of bold cutters and it is all over... but this will definately stop the average joe (or in this case bum who wants to sell it for $2 bucks)

If you don't yet own a brooks, I can understand you thinking I'm nuts... For your sake, hopefully one day you will have the opportunity to understand. :)

Note: The pic does not show it very well, but i only welded the chain to itself. I did NOT weld on saddle frame or frame of bike at all!!! (I am not THAT stupid!!!)
Mike

amen....i have a brooks and it's just starting to dimple where my sit bones hit it....500 miles of hard work and it's just starting to dent....i'd be PO'd if i had to start all over with a new one :)

You meant to say: "You're Not Taking My Brooks." Just a minor point.

Seriously though, very cool. You're fortunate to have a talent like that!

That's cool. I can't weld so I just used an old bike chain. If I could stand the extra weight, I'd lock it down w/ a U-lock.

Try to make friends with the building maintenance people. They might be able to sneak you (and your Brooks) in a back way. I love commuting on my Brooks (and the Surly underneath it), but I'm lucky that I have a closet to put it in. I just go in through the front door and up the passenger elevator. Your story reminds me how lucky I am.

http://www.kryptonitelock.com/articles/2718/830306-l.gif

This will be lighter, can be looper to the seat, other end through a u-lock or whatever else. Not too heavy to carry.

They do make locking seat post clamps you know......they are much lighter, work just fine, and are removable.

You can also replace all of the allen screws with those special head screws that are very uncommon, and need a special wrench that is hard to find. You can order them online from industrial screw companies. That way, you would have the proper wrench, but it is highly doubtful the average bike thief would.

A loop of bike chain can also be used between the seat and frame. A little lighter than real chain.