Hi! This is my first post here, although I've been reading for years

I was doing some work on my bike today and took the seat off and put it aside. After I was all done, I went to put the seat back and the quick release lever fell off into my hand. Whatever once attached the lever to the bolt's eyelet is now missing, and I have no idea where it went or what it was.

From what I can tell, it was just a small metal pin that held the lever on (there aren't any threads). So, should I go to my hardware store and find something of the same diameter, cut it to size, and wedge it in? Or just call my bike shop and pay for a new quick release? I've no idea what they cost. Are they proprietary? (It's a Specialized Hardrock MTB)

I'm not completely new to bicycle maintenence, but learning. I never would have dreamed one of these things would completely fall apart like that! It's only a year old, and it's not like I take my seat off every ride.

Thanks for any advice

edit: pic

Get a new one, any brand will do, just get a similar lenght thats all.

Pick up a Salsa. Last seatpost collar you'll ever have to buy.

Some sort of rivet. It's just a pin or some sort. See if u can find a similar size at your local hardware store. A pin with a slot of appropriate length and locking washer.

I removed all the QR stuff on my bikes and went to nutted for theft resistance,
Stop by your NAPA store and get a 6MM bolt, nut & appropriate washers.

+1 for switching to a nut or nutted collar. In my own experience I set the seatpost height and, once it's dialed in, don't adjust it until I am required to remove it for maintenance. The quick release seatpost collar seems to have been a trend that has run it's course. The only real advantage it provides is to a thief.

Thanks for the replies.

My parents actually went out to the bike shop when they were doing errands and picked up a replacement quick release. When I put it on the bike and tightened it, a piece of plastic snapped and shot off of the thing. No idea what it was or what it was supposed to do.

The QR seems to be holding the seat fine for now, but it seems like a really cheaply made, flimsy part. I'm definitely contemplating replacing it with a nut.

Also going to check out the hardware store to see if I can repair the old one.