Preventing seat theft
Posted by jeisensei@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 15 comments
I’m going to be getting my first e-bike early next week. I am looking forward to it, but I have a quick question. It seems my bike will come with a quick release for the seat so that it can be easily adjusted. I can’t see myself adjusting the seat that often, and I live in the middle of LA, which means if something can be stolen, it will be stolen. With that being the case, is there anything I can do to switch out the seat quick release? I heard there are special bolts where you need a special tool to unscrew them, but I can’t find them anywhere. Any tips from anyone?
No-Negotiation-6929@reddit
You can also just run a cable with looped ends (such as kryptoflex) through a seat rail and lock that cable in your u-lock.
My preferred locking technique is frame locked to locking object with a quality u-lock with one looped cable running to front wheel and a second looped cable running through a seat rail, helmet straps, and rear wheel—with both looped cables secured in the u-lock for convenience.
GSDer_RIP_Good_Girl@reddit
I use something like this.
Human-Acadia-5109@reddit
Second the pin-head stuff.
I've got stem, front tire skewer, and seat post security from them. Super happy with them over the past couple years.
Any good bike security suite will utilize a combination of overlapping security measures, and pin-head locks are an additional layer of protection in a niche with little peer competition.
jeisensei@reddit (OP)
I just called a couple of bike shops about this and a fitting and they were all super nice and ready to help. Are all bike shops like that?
cheesepage@reddit
I had a couple of bikes that were parked outside in NYC in the 2000's.
A drive chain looped around the seat rails, and anchored around the frames seat stays seemed to do the trick. If won't stop someone with a chain tool, but it will stop the casual thief.
The seat stays adjustable if you have enough slack in the chain. You can put the chain inside an old inner tube to protect the paint on the frame.
The only thing I disliked about it was the weight, that's less of a problem on an e bike.
HerrFerret@reddit
I once ran a small steel cable attached to the rails. You can pop it out the dropper hole and attach it to the frame.
You can still adjust the seat, but not take it.
kevinguitarmstrong@reddit
Take the seat with you. At least the seat won’t get stolen.
Ohm_Slaw_@reddit
I have heard of people using a bolt that takes an allen key. Then you drop a ball bearing into the hole and superglue it in place. Nail polish remover dissolves the glue if you ever need to take the seat off.
JuJuMcJu@reddit
This is cool idea. I’m definitely doing this. Thanks for sharing.
Kevintj07@reddit
Get a good lock FFS,steal my seat Meh not my bike.
sissypinkjasper@reddit
First off make sure you have the height on the seat post spot on before you do anything.
After that you can just CA (crazy) glue it in place (make sure the contact surfaces are free of oil) Acetone can dissolve the glue (it can also remove the paint from the frame so be careful), heating up the seat post with a heat gun can soften the glue enough to allow you to remove it too.
If you plan on keeping the bike forever, just drill a hole thru the frame and seat post and bolt it in place. You can even strip the bolt head and nut so it hard to remove with tools.
godzillabobber@reddit
I bought some 3mm coated steel cable and cramps and made my own seat leash. Protects the seat and my suspension seatpost. Not a lot, but they will need tools.
Papa-Somniferum@reddit
Pretty sure they sell locking seat post clamps. They are similar to locking car wheel lugs that come with a special keyed bit to remove them.
Papa-Somniferum@reddit
Inciteful_Analysis@reddit
You should be able to replace a quick release lever with a bolt and screw. You can use a security hex bolt to make it even less likely to be remove. Security hex bits are easily obtained online by are substantially less common.