Any sources for tamper resistant bolts, or security bolts?
 

Hello all,

It seems like I spent all day calling searching for tamper resistant bolts. After getting two seats, plus posts, plus one seat collar stolen, I figured it's time to bump up my game. I called alot of 800 numbers today and all I had to do was mention that I wanted stainless steel metric security bolts. I was shot down without even getting to the size and head I was looking for!

I've seen suggestions on putting in wax, solder, and gluing ball bearings into the head of the different allen bolts on the bike, but I'm hoping I could get something that looks a little cleaner without getting ridiculous. I'm thinking replacement bolts on the seat collar, maybe the seatpost bolts, the handlebars, the water bottle cages, and possibly other bolts for other parts.

I understand companies wanting to deal with quantities, I'm open to that and paying a higher price for smaller quantities. That's all a given to how things are run. I'd just like to start finding the crap! The closest I got was metric security bolts with button heads. I'm looking at mostly M4, stainless steel, socket head in various lengths. Some M5s too.

Any sources for these bolts?

Thanks for reading this and I'm open to any and all suggestions on curbing this problem.

Source for theft resistant bolts
 

Urban Bike Tech - Pitlock Locking Skewers for your bike! USA and Canada

These are expensive and shipping was a bit slow to the US, but for a commuter bike they are nice and I don't spend much on gasoline. I am happy with the hardware and I've had no stolen parts to date.

A quick (and not comprehensive) search yields:

Torx with "security peg".
Torx Security Seatpost Binder Bolt | Bicycle Bolts
https://www.missionbicycle.com/store...security-bolts

Automic22 Seatpost Bolt
Seatpost Lock - Binder - from Atomic22

You could also run a 1/4" cable from the seat rails to the seat stays. Crimpers are available to make it look like it was meant to be there, then you would decide if you wish to lock it in place, or make it permanent.

Mcmaster Carr is an industrial supplier, have most everything. Check them out online

Yeah I'm sure I stopped at their site before. I tried again and even called, 17 miles away! They said they have nothing. The closest they had was flat head metric torx. I'm beginning to believe it's not out there. I'm starting to look at "ghettoizing" my current bolts with glues and ball bearings.

Do you know any machinists? Wouldn't really be that hard to make them and make a custom spanner wrench for them (cap screw style with 2 holes for a spanner instead of a hex key)

Pinhead makes locking skewers for wheel, seats, headsets, etc. They're pricey, but would accomplish what you're looking for.

https://www.pinheadlocks.com/store/en/

http://www.amazon.com/Pinhead-Bicycl.../dp/B001Y9X328

Try a real hardware store, not big box "home centers". Several of our local hardware stores sell security fasteners. Try Ace or Best, they're better than average.

http://www.doitbest.com/store_locations

Hardware store would not sell anything close to metric tamper resistant bolts. They have very few standard security bolts.

Yeah I do have a budget constrain I have to work with. I'm thinking springing for these security bolts is going to stretch this limit!

A piece of bike chain around the seat rail and a frame and some automotive putty/bodyfiller inside a bolt head .

Industrial Hardware , though they said 'not for Your kind' , in a Bike stealing Town.. Eugene, Oregon, Fastener company.

My solution was Move..

+1

Do like this option on the bolts. Takes a little time to pick this clean to work on, but still offers some protection out there. I've seen the chain setup before, but it just isn't what I'm looking for.

These guys may have what you're looking for. At least they had snake eye bolts in stainless metric sizes. Looks like the minimum order is 50, and you have to call for pricing.

Tamper Proof Fasteners and Security Screws - LPF ? Tamper Proof Nuts, Bolts, Screws & More

Yeah those guys had some metric fasteners, but nothing with a socket head. I'll call them tomorrow to be sure.

I looked everywhere to find some tamper proof bolts locally, then I found out that Specialized sells them.
You can go to any Specialized dealer and they can order you these Specialized Bicycle Components

Holly F BOMB! There is life! Thanks man!

Otherwise OP, talk to your facilities department at work. Anyone who's ever had to maintain a bathroom in a public or semi-public building has had to source security fasteners for toilet partitions.

Yeah, and I'm betting that just about everyone of them has their sources in standard sizes. Furthermore I'm doubting that they use socket heads for the stuff they're using. It kinda mirrors what I am finding with suppliers.

Thanks for the response though.

These locks are priced almost as high as some of the parts I've lost. Sorry but I have to consider cost of stuff. I'll have to go the ghetto route if this is my only option.

Some years ago I was in Peru and I saw anti theft bolts sold there (apparently there were many accessories stolen). The bolts had an shallow hourglass shaped head, the top part was hexagonal and the bottom was round. You tightened the bolt and then cut off the hex part. Worked OK, but you had to drill them to take them out.