My bicycle saddle was stolen with attached saddle bag. What a way to end the year . My Brooks Flyer Pre-aged and Minnehaha saddle bag were stolen while I was at my campus (Binghamton University).

So far, this is my action plan. I contacted the campus police and they took a report. I also just posted an ad on my local craigslist detailing what happened and posted pictures of saddle, bag, and bike it was taken from.

Next step will be visiting local pawn shops and bike shops letting them know what was taken and be on the lookout for them.

Basically if I can't enjoy having my items I don't want anyone else to either.

Ive actually seen the best luck by *not* posting the theft on CL and waiting for it to appear for sale. YMMV obviously, because the alternative is that someone mat see it and tip you off as to the guy next door that just got a new saddle and bag.

Sucks any way you look at it though, frickin thieves.

I see organized thievery on my job almost daily, and I'm to the point where I'm ready for finger-smashing with a hammer as punishment for it. (Example: today I was sorting through the random parts of a returned piece of 'ready-to-assemble' boxed furniture. So many pieces were missing, and were so specific as to WHERE on the finished piece, that I can easily CSI what happened: idiot damaged an existing unit, and bought another, pillaged it for parts, and returned what was left for a refund. Pigs.....)

Hope your stuff turns up.

Sorry, man.

That sucks. Your loss is greater than the thief's gain, so we have a negative sum game, the worst kind. A few years ago some scum bag stole my 25-year-old seat bag. The bag was replaceable, as were most of the tools in it. However, I had a nice 90-degree 10/13 cone wrench that was damned handy for brake adjustments in it. I haven't found a replacement I like and I'm sure the thief found no use for it. I lost and nobody gained anything.

I actually saw a bike the other day that was only locked through the saddle.
I suppose not many people walk around with a set of allen wrenches in their pocket,
but apparently some do!

Thanks for the replies everyone. I was so frustrated going to bed (Happy New Years everyone) that I woke up (too) early this morning.

I took a quick ride around campus on my other bike and even stopped some people to ask if they saw anything. I'm even checking trash bins.

My ad for whatever reason didn't post to craigslist yesterday so I'm trying it again today. Monday I am going to LBS and may print a flyer.

I know there's a slim chance it will show up, but I gotta give it the "ol college try". Like I said before, if I can't benefit from it, I don't want anybody else to either.

Basically I want the thief to constantly look over their shoulder and frustrate them as much as possible. I want to make it difficult to sell, and difficult to ride without being noticed.

I used a section of bike chain to secure my son's saddle to the frame. A small added deterrent - who carries chain tools?

I definitely learned my lesson and will look into different ways to keep it secure in the future. I will purchase a new seat post on Monday and use another saddle for the time being.

Right now N+1 is paying off since I have some extra things laying around. Unfortunately I don't have a seat post in my arsenal that fits.

Man, sorry to hear about your loss. I hope you find the worm that took it.

There are skewers for seat post clamps that use a proprietary key... Pitlock comes to mind. Of course, that wouldn't stop someone from detaching the saddle (and/or the attached bag) from the seat post. A ball bearing and some hot glue in the bolt hole is usually enough to deter most would-be thieves; they may be armed with an Allen key, but it's doubtful they'd have the tools or the time to dig out the glue. There are also security bolts if you know the size and pitch of the bolts you're replacing; I like these ones. As for saddle bags I use a QR one that I take with me when I lock my bike. Of course, it's nowhere near as classy as yours.

It sucks to have stuff stolen, but I am a little surprised that you would park a brooks saddle at a University. Once a dirt bag catches onto it being around, it seems just a matter of time before it disappears.

I hope you get it back though.

Lots of people who ride bikes carry chain tools.

I'm not arguing that it is not a deterrent, just answering your question.

Thanks irclean for the suggestion and the links. I will keep those things in mind. The saddlebag was worn, but I did like it. I just want my saddle back.

Thanks scorca. I really don't think it was anything more than a crime of opportunity because not all campuses are a hotbed for thieves (atleast I didn't think mine was). Since my constricter bolt broke I had a quick release that I was using. Whoever did it looked like they were undoing others before they got mine.

So far I have searched around campus, stopped a few people, and followed a few others.

I'm probably looking like a pervert because I am looking at other cyclist butts when I pass them. I just made up a flyer using the cragislist ad I posted.

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent and happy new years.

Not many will carry a chain tool. Your goal is to make your bike and any parts harder to take than the bike next to yours. Chaining your seat is a great idea.
Joe

If you use Phillips screws you can drill out the cross so a screwdriver won't have anything to grip. May not be much help for saddle security but I've used this method for securing license plates on my car.

Haha, like tripping the hiker next to you when you see a bear in the woods

may be advantageous to use lesser stuff on the bike you lock up on College campus,
Given Bike racks on College campuses are a notorious place for bike theft and obviously stripping ...

Ride something Ugly that secretly works good..

I really like the idea of using a bike chain to secure the saddle. I have to replace the chain on my commuter, and now I know what to do with the old chain. I've been using the On Gaurd Akita seat leash ever since my saddle got stolen and that has seemed to work pretty well. However the bike chain has the added benefit of being reasonably stylish.

I still want to create some sort of attachment for my saddle like the handle of the sword in Blade. Don't hit the switch in the prescribed amount of time and things shoot out that take off your bits.

I know what you are saying fietsbob, but not all college campuses are the same. In the future I will definitely be more aware. Lesson learned.

So far no leads but I did make up a flyer to put up at local bike shops and some of the Dorms on campus. Since the school is on break and it was a holiday not to many people were around.

Since I know that International students, Student Athletes, and Graduate students were the most likely on campus I did some reconnaissance last night to see what dorms are open. I also checked trash bins and looked at the other bikes on campus.

I know I am unlikely to get my stuff back but like the rest of you guys I hate getting my stuff stolen (regardless of the dumb decision on my part).

The good thing is that the campus police officer that took my report seems very interested in finding the perpetrator. I talked to him yesterday and found out that he had to take a bike class up in Ithaca and is now trained to give the course to other officers.

We talked for a little bit about my bike that I am riding now (Jamis exile) and seemed interested in recovering my property. I checked with him first about making flyers and putting the police departments email and phone number as well as my email address.

I know there is a slim chance for recovery, but I want the make the person who took it as miserable as possible.

Goodness! I feel for you Exile and wish this on no one. I have a cable lock that extends from the saddle to the frame so that no one without tools can take it. I hope that whoever stole your goods will get in the face and up the butt. Did you consider posting a Want To Buy ad on Craigslist? There are people selling worn in Brooks that someone may respond without knowing it is a set up. Good luck in getting your stuff back.

Thanks travelmama!

I posted that it was stolen on craigslist so hopefully no one tries to buy it, sell it, or ride it. I also made some flyers with pictures I am putting up around campus and to local bike shops.

I just stopped some kids and showed them the flyer as well as talked to someone who rides so at least they become aware.

In the meantime I gave a copy of the flyer to the officer handling my case so he can have a visual representation of it and circulate it to other officers around campus.

Basically I am making everyone aware so hopefully others will be more careful.