#HTE

A Convertible Bike Seat To Scare Off Thieves

The Ta+Too bike seat is Selle Royal’s new commuter-friendly release, designed to keep your butt unbothered by thieves. The Ta+Too is built around the sad fact that unattended urban bikes are often cherry-picked of even crappy parts. Lights, seats and other bits that take a simple tool to remove will walk off at the worst times. But what if you could take your seat with you without tools?

This seat's Red Dot awarded design takes the route of protection via lowered attraction. Once installed on a standard seat post, these squishy commuter seats can go convertible, shedding their top half with the twist of a dial and leaving just the uncomfortable plastic shell behind.

The attachment system seems to be as simple as a formed ABS mating system between upper and lower halves, pinned in place by a large plastic dial. Turn the dial when you park and slide the comfy part out, then slide it back in and turn the dial until it clicks. The dial can be additionally “locked” into place for added security. 

The newly released line comes in an array of trim and center colors, and you can add a loop handle onto the base, though I don’t know why you would since it doesn’t look like it will aid with seat removal or carrying your bike. The upper is filled with 3D skingel and is designed for good shock absorption while in an upright riding position. The different configurations retail for €70.00 - €79.9, and as far as user-friendliness goes, they seem corny but well-executed. 

The product and press info is scant, and this video seems more interested in demonstrating the models’ graphic design skills than flaunting their lifestyle products, but the premise is still an interesting one. 

As a bike wonk, I’m morally required to note that saddles are best chosen for personal ergonomics over their security rating, but comfort clearly isn’t every commuter’s first concern. In thief-dense cities even ugly and odd bike parts get stolen, so would this prickly looking plastic thing act as a deterrent when the seat post could still be removed?