Bicycle Security

Now that the weather is much nicer, I would like to go out and take a bike ride & perhaps lock my bicycle up while out on my adventures.

Does anybody have any suggestions in how to lock up a quick release seat?

I have seen a lot of bike frames in the neighborhood, there are scavengers out there who seem to steal anything that is not locked down!

Thank you.

you can get a thin wire chain with a small lock if you need to be able to take the seat off. If you never need to take the seat off, go to a bike store and they will use a bicycle chain (the type that is used for the gears) to chain it to the frame. It will cost about $10.

Or just get rid of the quick release. Or just remember to take the seat with you.

Quick release? Get a cable and thread it through the bottom, lock it to your regular lock. I had a friend who lightly welded his on lightly, but I'd only do that if you plan to be the last owner of this bike and if it's not too expensive.

just remember that the cable through the seat method uses a super slim cable that in nyc is basically useless --- however, if the seat isn't too fancy, the cable should be enough hold off people just trying to take anything. then again.... you never know.

use a piece of bike chain wrapped in a spare tube. wrap it through your seat rails then through the seat stays.

evan wrote: use a piece of bike chain wrapped in a spare tube. wrap it through your seat rails then through the seat stays.

you'll need a chain-braker to do this correctly.

vanilla wrote: [quote=evan]use a piece of bike chain wrapped in a spare tube. wrap it through your seat rails then through the seat stays.

you'll need a chain-braker to do this correctly.

indeeeeed

or you could get a locking skewer set which would replace the quick release levers on your wheels and seatpost and then you have to have a special key to release any of this stuff, which is the most secure way to go.

evan wrote: [quote=vanilla][quote=evan]use a piece of bike chain wrapped in a spare tube. wrap it through your seat rails then through the seat stays.

you'll need a chain-braker to do this correctly.

indeeeeed

or you could get a locking skewer set which would replace the quick release levers on your wheels and seatpost and then you have to have a special key to release any of this stuff, which is the most secure way to go.

evan is correct, plus this way is lighter and doesn't look all busted. (thanks, nerd.)

The only thing is--if you lose the key to the skewer you're fucked and have to take it to a bike shop, where it'll take a half hour to get your wheels off.

I don't know you can replace a quick release bike seat--the release is on the frame, right? Why would they even make those anymore?

erikka wrote: The only thing is--if you lose the key to the skewer you're fucked and have to take it to a bike shop, where it'll take a half hour to get your wheels off.

I don't know you can replace a quick release bike seat--the release is on the frame, right? Why would they even make those anymore?

usually the bike seat piece comes with the wheel ones. it's smart if you get a set like this, to right away order a 2nd key for $10 from the company.

I've had really stupid things stolen off my bike, like the seat. Every time the thefts happen late at night, so I would try to never leave your bike on the street over night. I don't think I've ever had a theft during the day.

I use 3 locks and take the seat with me. The only thing I've ever had stolen in NY was a brake cable. I guess it was the only thing not locked down.

Subject: get a junker

from my 6 years of riding a bicycle in this city, the one piece of advice i can give is to adopt the mentality "If youre not holding it, dont expect to still have it."

such as... if your not locking your quick release wheels... when they are gone- thats the way it is. People will take stuff just because its not locked. If you truly care and want them to still be there when you get back... locking them is the very least you can do. I use a cable and a u lock on my bicycle... even without quick release wheels. I luckily (*knocking on wood*) havnt had anything stolen. I also keep my bike inside at night (which is absolutely key!)

Its took 5 years to own a nice bicycle simply because i did not want to be a victim to city living. I didnt want anything that i cared about being vulnerable to being stolen. So you could avoid all the worry and extra heavy locks by getting a total junker.

But there does reach a point when you do deserve better. Especially if you are a bicycle commuter.....

an apartment with basement storage is very valuable.