Stolen Bike Tracking

Burnsy2023 · 24 Mar 2014 at 15:19

So I'm looking to get a new bike and spend a reasonable amount doing so. I'm acutely aware of the number of bikes that are stolen and sold on pretty quickly. I've got a tracking app (cerberus) on my phone and it's awesome. What would be equally awesome is to have a tracker on my bike so if the worst were to happen I could recover it.

Has anyone done this? What products are best? I ideally don't want to charge the tracker too often.

Richdog · 24 Mar 2014 at 15:21

I don't know how good this is, but may be worth looking into http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/world-s-smallest-anti-bike-theft-gps-tracker-launches/015551

Burnsy2023 · 24 Mar 2014 at 15:27

Richdog said:
I don't know how good this is, but may be worth looking into http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/world-s-smallest-anti-bike-theft-gps-tracker-launches/015551

I've had a bit of a google, but that one hasn't been released yet.

Spybike looks like the best option so far, but I'd ideally like some personal recommendations.

http://www.integratedtrackers.com/GPSTrack/Spybike.jsp

[DOD]Asprilla · 24 Mar 2014 at 16:32

My issue with these trackers is that as they become more popular they are fairly easy to check for and disable.

So far the easiest way of protecting my bikes is to lock them up at home with ground anchors and motorbike security chains and only park them in secure facilities when not at home.

If that's not an option I take the Brompton so I can keep it with me.

If that's still not an option I have a £50 hybrid with one working gear that I leave at the station or outside the shops (although careful examination will show the chain is pristine and the brake blocks cost more than the frame).

Vonhelmet · 24 Mar 2014 at 17:00

[DOD]Asprilla;26055338 said:
If that's still not an option I have a £50 hybrid with one working gear that I leave at the station or outside the shops (although careful examination will show the chain is pristine and the brake blocks cost more than the frame).

Sheldon Brown had a piece about a bike he used for riding to the shops, which was a bit of an instrument of torture, and woe betide anyone foolish enough to nick it.

godinman · 24 Mar 2014 at 18:48

TBH, you can make it a bit harder for them but if they really want it they'll get it and probably disable the tracker anyway. Insurance is probably the way to go unfortunately imo.