Living Car Free - Saddle Thieves: Don't Read This Thread

Now I know there's no full-proof theft-free system for bikes or saddles. While most shops have mentioned one way to avoid saddle theft, though, is to carry a chain (or cable) to loop through your saddle.

But I would assume that would make one no more susceptible to saddle theft than a cable lock for a bike (ie. 20 seconds to cut through). And after all, how does a saddle thief steal a saddle? Don't they just carry a hex-key with them and remove/loosen the bolts (after cutting the cable-lock if there actually is one)?

So wouldn't security bolts be the best solution? I mean, a bike thief or saddle thief is looking for a quick easy theft. They're statistically less likely to steal the bike with two locks then the bike with one. More hassle. More chance of getting caught.

In the same way, wouldn't they be less likely to steal the saddle if they don't have the tool to remove the bolts?

Check out these bolts as an example:

http://www.brycefastener.com/
(http://www.brycefastener.com/products.htm)

Yes.
Good link, thanks.

There are also these bicycle specific items:

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/pitlock.asp

A superglue BBs in the hex bolts thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=272820). That would slow down a thief.

There are also these bicycle specific items:

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/pitlock.asp

I use these. However they only lock your seat post in place, also they are not compatible with Salsa seat post clamps.

All in all though, I think pitlocks are fantastic.

When securing your saddle, most people think about pitlocks/security bolts for the seatpost binder, or looping chain/cable over the rails and around the stays (still susceptible to cutters), but fail to secure the retaining bolt at the seat clamp.

It doesn't matter if you've got the post locked to the bike with a pitlock type retainer if a thief can just go up under the saddle and remove it from the post.

Replacing it with one of those Bryce bolts, super-gluing a BB in it, or filling it with solder are all ways to slow a thief. (Seriously, short of a 2 x 4 to the face, nothing is going to stop someone from stealing parts from your bike if they're determined.)

Now I know there's no full-proof theft-free system for bikes or saddles. ...
In the same way, wouldn't they be less likely to steal the saddle if they don't have the tool to remove the bolts?

Check out these bolts as an example:

http://www.brycefastener.com/
(http://www.brycefastener.com/products.htm)
Even cheaper is you can also go to your local hardware store, find whatever bolts & nuts you need for the skewer and seat clamp, tighten them in and then grind the corners of the accessible ends off and taper what's left with a dremel-style motor tool and grinding wheel.
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To remove them you have to re-grind flats in them, or (often) you end up just cutting the nuts off entirely. They only cost a quarter or whatever to replace.

You could even do the wheel nuts like this if you were really confident in the flat-resistance of your tires.

Certainly a mini-grinder is a tool most casual bike thieves won't be carrying, and the common battery-powered ones don't have enough power to do the job anyway.
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