NOTE: All timestamps are in the future because WE are in the future. The care takers of Midnight Ridazz.com reserves the right to remove, edit, move or delete anything for any reason. None of the opinions expressed on these boards represent the Midnight Ridazz nor can anyone purport to speak on behalf of Midnight Ridazz.
And it wasn't even that great looking of a saddle either.. Bf's saddle got removed from his bike along with the seatpost and white blinkie cateye in Korea town (near wilshire and 6th). The post was screwed on, but guess they had a wrench and took it off easily. Saddle itself is a B17, super worn in, scuffed, scratched, deep seat bone groovage. I doubt it'll ever turn up again, but have a post anyway. I told him to watch his shit on the eastside!!
Sad post turning constructive, what are ways to secure a saddle? I've heard of securing the rails to the frame with a bicycle chain (remove a link with a chain tool, put it on), any other suggestions? His frame is an old steel schwinn so no quick release.
Or, to keep your saddle locked all the time, swing by your friendly neighborhood bike co-op (Bikerowave, Bike Kitchen, Bike Oven), and ask one of the folks for a scrap inner tube (free), a scrap bike chain (free), and a chain pin or master link ($1-2).
Measure the chain so it's long enough to make a loop around your saddle rail and frame, and use a chain tool to cut it to the proper length. Cut a slightly longer length of inner tube, and then put the chain through the inner tube, loop in around your frame and seat rail, connect the chain using the master link / pin, then pull the extra length of tube over where you've joined the chain.
It's not perfect, but it's a deterrent, and the inner tube will slow down anyone who might be carrying a chain tool.
JB responding to a comment by Joe Borfo
01.12.10 - 5:16 pm
it seems like almost every bike in new york has this setup. bike thieves there will strip any bike thats not secured, down to a 5-year old's huffy.
my advice: DON'T use the master link. it would make it possible to remove the chain without a chain tool, though im sure it would still be a great deterrent.
When it comes to locking my bike, i use sheldon brown's method. i usually dont lock my front wheel, but if i know im going to be somewhere for more than an hour, i usually take it off and lock it with the back.
While Sheldon's method is good, it's best if you have nice wheels because those may be the most valuable and easy to sell things on your bike, so the thief probably wont try to destroy them to get the rest of your bike.
If you use one of the larger U locks you can get the rim, stays and crank, if you care.
Gav responding to a comment by tortuga_veloce
01.12.10 - 6:09 pm
Damn. I have a new B17 Brooks saddle on my single speed. I always remove the front wheel and lock it up with the frame and back wheel with a Bulldog U lock.
Now I have to worry about the seat post and saddle?
Damn.
Thanks for the suggestion guys! The weird thing is, they didn't take his wheels (he likely only locked one with the frame)- the wheels plus the tires were worth a lot more than the seat.. they didn't take his front light either.. ?
Sorry to hear about that.
I almost had my brooks stolen right in that same area (in front of the HMS bounty).
It was one of the few times I had gone out of my way to bring a long cable lock that can lock both my front wheel and my saddle (u-lock secures the back+frame).
I was only using a hip bag and the whole ride there i was annoyed about carrying the extra weight.
When I came out from the bar my seat-post had been totally loosened.
Fortunately I was carrying a tool to tighen it back up.
A lot of people talk shit on cable locks.
And yes it is foolish to use one to secure you bike, especially in any area where you are even slightly worried about getting your bike stolen.
but the bottom line is
1) any lock can be defeated.
2) something is always better than nothing
I can honestly say, my front wheel is only on my bike because it doesn;t have a quick release. I was parked next to a friend and he had a QR. his wheel got jacked my didn't
the more tool you require and the more inconvenient you can make it for a thief, the better.
Its a long shot but I hope you find your BFs seat.
Yeah.. he'll be a lot more careful about how he locks up his stuff in the future- he always scoffed at my paranoia at locking up my stuff, but guess he had to learn the hard way. He has a replacement coming in the mail, but the annoying part is probably breaking in that stiff leather again.
dusky responding to a comment by trickmilla
01.14.10 - 12:07 pm
what you do is get the largest ball bearing you can fit into the bolt and put it in and then get a candle and poor wax into the bolt. thieves wont know that all you need to remove it is a lighter!
larsenf responding to a comment by tortuga_veloce
01.14.10 - 1:23 pm
-->
Ridazz Roulette!
What Borfo said.
