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AirTags on Bikes 🚴‍♂️

scsskid

scsskid

macrumors member
Original poster
Apr 25, 2016
69
33
This is my first idea of attaching it on one of my bikes, while I know its not designed ad an anti theft device primarily.

Air tag wrapped in a cut old tube
attached to a wahoo (bike computer) mount with cable strips

IMG_8495.jpeg
IMG_8496.jpeg
IMG_8494.jpeg

note: pictured is a additional non activated airtag, I guess everyone knows to pull tab to activate

please post other ideas here

happy riding!
 
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These are cool to see.

I don't lose a lot of stuff, but throwing one of these on the kids' bikes, especially while they're in college presumably surrounded by iPhones, is something I'm considering even though that's not an intended purpose. It will be interesting to see how this works, even though ideally it wouldn't ever be needed.
 
Deguello said:
These are cool to see.

I don't lose a lot of stuff, but throwing one of these on the kids' bikes, especially while they're in college presumably surrounded by iPhones, is something I'm considering even though that's not an intended purpose. It will be interesting to see how this works, even though ideally it wouldn't ever be needed.
Click to expand...

I stuck one on my kid’s bike under the seat and I can even see where he is as he goes around the neighborhood (with some gaps) with his friends…there are so many Apple devices in peoples homes, cars, and pockets, that I have a general idea of where he is.
 
I modified my airtag by removing the speaker. Now it’s a better anti-theft device. Not perfect, but better.

I followed the steps here


Attaching picture of removed speaker. Airtag is now placed under the saddle again!
 

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great thanks for sharing, I will look into that

I also ordered black tape :D
 
Ritte said:
I modified my airtag by removing the speaker. Now it’s a better anti-theft device. Not perfect, but better.

I followed the steps here


Attaching picture of removed speaker. Airtag is now placed under the saddle again!
Click to expand...
WHAT?? That’s all kinds of James Bond man! 😄 Nice move… 🤣🤣
 
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Following…I have four expensive bikes and have been thinking about the potential of AirTags for this.
 
I don't understand placing air tags on bikes? They're not anti-theft devices, but rather a product that allows you to find misplaced items. A thief will simply remove the air tags
 
maflynn said:
I don't understand placing air tags on bikes? They're not anti-theft devices, but rather a product that allows you to find misplaced items. A thief will simply remove the air tags
Click to expand...
Maybe. Maybe not. Some thieves are not very bright (maybe why they're thieves).

I've also been thinking about ways to make it more stealthy, less obvious. In any case, $29 is nothing to invest when the least expensive of my bikes is about $3k to replace. If the bike gets stolen and the AirTag doesn't help locate it, the loss of the latter probably won't matter much to me.
 
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RaceTripper said:
Maybe. Maybe not. Some thieves are not very bright (maybe why they're thieves).

I've also been thinking about ways to make it more stealthy, less obvious. In any case, $29 is nothing to invest when the least expensive of my bikes is about $3k to replace. If the bike gets stolen and the AirTag doesnt help locate it, the loss of the latter probably won't matter much to me.
Click to expand...

I had a Tile on one of my bikes. It never seemed to work. When I tried to get it to work, it did nothing. Apparently dead battery.
 
I am hoping that as more products become available with Find My integration that there will be specific bike products. I am thinking that a stem cap would work well (obviously would need some sort of alternative to the star nut to tension the headset, but they exist now).
 
Roadster Lewis said:
I am hoping that as more products become available with Find My integration that there will be specific bike products. I am thinking that a stem cap would work well (obviously would need some sort of alternative to the star nut to tension the headset, but they exist now).
Click to expand...
That's got me thinking. What about adapting the plugs that fit in the ends of the handlebars?
 
maflynn said:
I don't understand placing air tags on bikes? They're not anti-theft devices, but rather a product that allows you to find misplaced items. A thief will simply remove the air tags
Click to expand...
If they find them; it's a hassle if it's hidden inside the frame, especially with the speaker-mod.

If a bike is stolen by someone just to get home then the tracker will eventually lead the owner to where it was then dumped. If the bike is stolen "professionally" by thieves with a van who take expensive bikes at night to resell later, then the tracker may help police find them.

Even if not, at $29 or equivalent, the tracker is a small extra cost to replacing the stolen bike. My front light cost more than the tracker, as did simple things like the handlebar grips.

I once spent half an hour trying to find my bike after I forgot where I'd locked it, as I was in a bar I regularly go to, and always lock my bike in the same place. Apart from that one time :)
 
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Isn’t an Airtag on a bike sort of useless as a theft deterrent since it will notify the thief via an audible beep, or am I wrong on this?
 
maflynn said:
I don't understand placing air tags on bikes? They're not anti-theft devices, but rather a product that allows you to find misplaced items. A thief will simply remove the air tags
Click to expand...
I live in Amsterdam, airtags are extremely useful when finding my bike when parked in a large bike rack like we have at central station.

there are multiple bike parks like this below. An airtag will save me a lot of time remembering where my bike is when parked in one of these
36E1257D-B1BE-4CE1-ABCE-8CB798EDEBE0.jpeg
 
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