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This week saw the launch of the new Specialize Levo (Gen 3) with the S-Works version selling at an eye watering £13k, with many high end FS bikes retailing at £3-6k and bike theft probably at an all time high, why aren't manufacturers/dealers offering more in the way of bike security options at the point of purchase?
On acoustic bikes I am thinking trackers built into the frame or microchips (like dogs have), proper etching of serial numbers/post codes/phone numbers.
On e-bikes how about a charger that's paired with the bike, steal both or the bike won't charge. Or like a car key you have to carry a fob paired with the bike which won't work unless the fob is within a certain range.
I am not an expert and I am sure that there are many options out there that don't involve a ships anchor chain. Would insurers not be interested if a bike stood some chance of being recovered?
It would appear to me that it's left entirely up to the owner to do something about the security of their bike and I guess that's true of most of our possessions, however most of our possessions don't leave home on a regular/frequent basis and seem to be so easily stolen and moved on to new owners.
Thoughts?
WTF is an acoustic bike?
On acoustic bikes I am thinking trackers built into the frame or microchips (like dogs have), proper etching of serial numbers/post codes/phone numbers.
God I hate the term "acoustic bikes". And I like eBikes, it's just a rubbish term.
Anyway, what you suggest is close to what happens with UK built Cotic frames. They're data-tagged and etched.
As for including/offering built in hardware for security, wheel locks and the like, a lot of manufacturers tried this a long time ago, and it didn't really sell. You're right that with eBikes it could well be time to "try again"... not just because they are higher value, but because people are perhaps less weight and cost conscious. Not sure about digital security, it could just all be either hackable, or could be a pain in the arse for riders.
I have thought the exact same thing. I asked in the shop when i bought mine and they said it was coming. Why can't they only let you turn the thing on once it's paired with your phone or have a key? I have seen some ebikes that come with a key.
Seems crazy to me they don't think about the security aspect.
Oh and specialized call them 'analog bikes'
A more innovative approach to security from the manufacturers especially on the more expensive models would be welcomed from most parties. However do the bike manufacturers want to stop theft? If your bike gets stolen it means they can sell you another one.
Motorbikes are still stolen regularly and there are a lot more options for security for those, as well as them being a bit more difficult to just sling in the back of a van.
Manufacturer security might introduce some liability issues they don't want.
I think fundamentally it comes down to cost, in the same way very few offer bikes with a Invisframe type coating from factory, or mud guards etc and performance, MTBs are, by the standards of most consumer goods, insanely focused, it might not seem it to us, but can you imagine applying the same amount of maintenance requirements to any other consumer good in the name of performance? Adding a few kgs of integrated lock or even 500g for something to lock to, unthinkable.
There has been loads of efforts over the years to create a central database of 'expensive things' like we do with Cars and HPI. Caravans, Computers, Plant and Machinery, databases do exists, but they're so limited few bother, but it relies on owners updating it, passing it over to new owners etc.
Sadly, like so many other things in regards to crime in the UK, you pay your insurance and if/when someone decides they want to to sell for drug money or whatever, the Police peel off a crime number for you and you get a new one. It's really sad, but it's probably efficient.
Doesn't actually sound a terrible idea for eBikes. There are some difficult barriers and limitations though. Tracking devices generally require a subscription that I'm aware of, plus would be thieves are generally quite clued up on where to find these things once there are standard practices established in production. Wheel locks are standard on most bikes in the Netherlands, and the weight wouldn't be noticed on an eBike, but it doesn't stop anybody picking the bike up and walking away with it, so you're main security still comes from a traditional d-lock or chain...
For E-bikes it perhaps makes sense, you could in principle I assume even immobilize them the same way you can lock any electrical motor?
I wouldn't want it linked to my phone though, not in isolation anyway. What if your phone goes flat? Some sort of simple transponder chip could work though. And then a phone app for if you've lost the dongle, or just showing off.
But then none of that stops motorbikes from being nicked. I presume the thieves just sell everything but the ECU?
And on an actual bike, no thanks. If I want a lock I'll take a lock. Save the kilo of weight the rest of the time.
Tracking devices generally require a subscription that I’m aware of
Depends on the device, I use one (not on a bike) that just needs a sim card, it then transmits the location and the car's battery voltage every few seconds. That's enough for 99.99% of users. The next step up would be the ones that use a satellite phone link to do the same, which gets expensive for the marginal benefit of still working in the remote highlands or outside of wherever roaming networks your sim will work on.
TBH I'm surprised they're not common features, both on cheaper bikes aimed at the delivery riders and on £13k S-works. All it needs is a little transceiver, blip it against the display to turn it on, or on a magnetic dongle, put it on a wrist lanyard so the bike 'locks' as soon as you get off and remove it.
Van moof already do this...
https://www.vanmoof.com/blog/en/ride-the-future-theft-defense
It would make sense for all ebikes to be paired with a phone or similar BT device that would prevent the motor from operating if it wasn't in range.
All my (non-e) bikes are data-tagged, with an etching thingie on the frame & forks and microdots on the components.
This might have been an interesting discussion, but everything after 'acoustic bikes' was lost in the noise.
Acoustic bike? Seriously?
I mean my old 224 was pretty loud, but having never seen an amplified bike I really don't think that this distinction needs to be made.
The BETA review of that new E stumpjumper hints at an update to the firmware that has something to do with security .
Many euro bikes have built in locks - tend to be rather flimsy
Back in the 50s raleigh had bikes with steering locks - again only of use with a casual thief
Acoustic bike?
I don't mind the term as long as I can call ebikes 'motability bikes'
The acoustic bikes debate has been had several times already and is pretty dull
Volt ebikes will only turn on if the transponder chip paired with the bike is touched to the display unit.
If I was a into stealing high end bikes I'd just bin the frame, there's enough money in parts to make it worthwhile and they are far harder to track and identify.
As for aftermarket stuff, this seems to work well... https://twitter.com/DrGirishPsych/status/1372582417492496385?s=19
All my (non-e) bikes are data-tagged, with an etching thingie on the frame & forks and microdots on the components.
Please could you tell me more about these options?
Sounds like a plan.
Datatag has been a thing for decades, used to sell it in Halfords back in the 90's! Of course being young we all had to try and destroy the dots and etchings didn't we. Very hard to do without leaving a visible clue it had been done, especially on bare metal. I thought they'd give bust though as they were selling it as a lifetime sub per bottle of fluid, which lasted years so not much repeat business.
WTF is an acoustic bike?
I think we’ve covered this. It’s an orange five.
A GPS tracker built into ebikes shouldn't be that hard to achieve, the battery would keep it charged up, the fact that you can track down your phone if its nicked and even remotely disable and wipe your personal data from it but a £10K bike can be stolen and untraceable seems daft to me.
Naturally aspirated bikes?
Offline bikes?
Legsclusive bikes?
35mm bikes?
Inert bikes?
Non self-raising bikes?
Manpowered bikes?
Not sure about digital security, it could just all be either hackable, or could be a pain in the arse for riders.
This, the second point.
A fair few years ago a pal bought a s/h Honda motorbike and it only came with one key. I suggested he needed to get a second key made up - the keys pair with the ECU. He didn't and lost the key. Spent in excess of £500 for a new ECU and 2 keys...
Why don’t manufactures add bike security as an option?
Just guessing here, but they probably don't see it as profitable and it would be a massive pain-in-the-arse to do. They are profit driven companies.
You can’t stop theft and bikes are easy to steal.
So if you start selling your bikes with ‘security’ features people will soon get cheesed off when their £13k bike disappears and they never see it again.
A bike is a lot easier to hide than a car etc. To over come security on a bike is going to be quicker and easier than a car.
And how many bikes are stollen to order, or is it more your local junkies wanting their next hit and selling your £13k on for £25 because they need their next hit!
And how many bikes are stollen to order, or is it more your local junkies wanting their next hit and selling your £13k on for £25 because they need their next hit!
IMO both
the pros will get it pretty much no matter the security. A decent lock will stop the junkies.
The best way to prevent theft is a proper lock to something solid - but that adds kilos to the bike
I had a 100cc scooter that had pretty good built in security - not only an key with a chip in it but also it had a armoured cable lock that pulled out of a frame tube and was long enough to go round a lampost. You could fit something like that to a bicycle but would you put up with the extra couple of kilos?