UKC

I am persuaded that a gps tracker is a good idea for a valuable bike. I would like to get one to secrete in the bar ends. Does anyone have experience of this and/or can recommend one which would be suitable? It would have to be able to work with an iphone.

In reply to Rog Wilko:

Possibly not quite answering your question, but if you have an e-bike then the best option is a PowUnity GPS tracker. It is hidden in amongst the workings of the motor, and the battery is recharged every time you use the bike. Unlike a lot of trackers (such as AirTags or Tile), it is not dependent on proximity to any other devices. It is a genuine GPS tracker. You use a phone app to activate the alarm. I know two people who have rapidly retrieved their stolen bikes (one with police assistance, one without) due to having one of these.

In reply to Becky E:

That sounds very interesting as I do have an ebike. Thanks.

In reply to Rog Wilko:

You're welcome. There's a subscription for accessing the GPS tracking thing (included for the first year with the installation fee, and then renewable after that). It provides a good deal of reassurance about knowing the whereabouts.

Decent insurance is also a good idea if you haven't already got it. I use Laka, and can provide a discount code if you're interested

In reply to Rog Wilko:

There’s a difference between a GPS tracker and an AirTag. The former establishes its own position via satellite and needs a subscription to pass that position on usefully. An AirTag relies on contact with passing iPhones to establish and communicate its position.  They are free once bought   Batteries last about a year for AirTags.  
 

GPS units are larger than AirTags. My bikes have AirTags in little black silicon holders (ex Etsy) stuck to the bottom of the computer mount

In reply to nniff:

Thanks for the explanation. I was a bit  hazy about that.

In reply to Rog Wilko:

In thinking about where to place a GPS tag, remember that the GPS antenna will not get a signal if it's hidden far inside a metal tube.  The signal strength will diminish rapidly, the further it propagates from the opening into the tube.  So put the antenna close to the open end of the tube.  Oh and don't seal the tube with a metal bar-end.  That'll stop the signal altogether!

In reply to Rog Wilko: Don’t AirTags and the like have a safety feature to prevent stalking / illicit tracking of people? I thought that they alerted phones of their presence in the area of the tag? Whilst I can see the benefits how does this help in tracking stolen bikes? Surely the perp will find the tag and destroy it? 

In reply to obi-wan nick b:

Yes, the anti-stalking feature does mean that AirTags are less useful for tracking stolen items.

That's another reason why a standalone GPS system is worthwhile for e-bikes.

In reply to Dave Cundy:

The whole GPS tracker device of the PowUnity tracker is installed in with the motor.

I believe AirTags and Tiles can be popped into seat tubes etc and work okay.

In reply to Becky E:

Sorry to hijack mildly, But how suitable would a PowUnity be for fitting to a motorbike? Last time i did some google around Motorbike trackers the subscriptions seemed a little high. But this looks very easy to hide and keep subscribed to. 

In reply to John:

Well, it appears that they do make a version for motorcycles https://powunity.com/en/product/gps-tracker-motorcycle-biketrax-motorcycle-...

In reply to Dave Cundy:

Handelbars are thin, they will, in reality, work more like a passive antenna for GNSS signal than as a blocker. 

In reply to ianstevens:

Didn't know that.  Isn't electromagnetics complicated 🙂

In reply to Dave Cundy:

 Not so much in this case - a GNSS receiver essentially works like an old analogue radio, in that in just receives signals. So you can make a bigger antenna out of pretty much any metal as long as you get contact in the right place! The best way to think of it is that if a radio would only get static, the GNSS won’t get signal either. So it’s bad in a basement/canyon/indoors, but fine outdoors partially enclosed in some thin aluminium