The PR department of an appliance manufacturer couldn't have thought up a better story: "The police were amazed: during a search, they found almost 50 stolen bikes. An IT consultant gave them the crucial tip," announced a Munich tabloid recently - and then reported that the tipster had equipped his bike with a GPS tracker for bicycles, which led directly to the professional thief's warehouse. Since e-bikes and sports bikes can easily cost several thousand euros, bike theft is increasingly the work of organised criminals who set off in vans to transport away the loot.
How does a GPS tracker for bikes work?
Hidden GPS trackers on the bike that show the owner where the stolen bike is can significantly increase the police's detection rate. Almost all of them work on the same principle: a GPS chip is mounted on or in the bike. This chip calculates its position using satellites hovering above it - just like any car sat nav or bicycle GPS. But because the owner of the stolen bike is not sitting in the saddle, the bike has to tell him where it is. This is where mobile phone technology comes into play in addition to GPS, because now the stolen bike has to call its owner and tell him its position. A SIM card is built into trackers for this purpose, just as it is in a mobile phone. If the bike is moved with the GPS tracker activated, the built-in transmitter sends a message to the owner's mobile phone. There, an app from the device provider receives the message and the position of the stolen bike - and the search can begin.
Forced to make compromises with GPS trackers for bikes
But the devil is in the detail. One of these details is the sometimes high monthly fee for this SIM card, another is the necessary power supply. Although the position data are much smaller data packets than any selfie, the devices have to use power as sparingly as possible. Especially on a racing bike, large, heavy batteries would be unacceptable and almost impossible to hide. The lightest devices (Bikefinder and Alterlock) in the test only weigh around 50 grams including the battery. If they were not extremely stingy with data and transmission power, they would be empty in just a few hours. This forces you to make compromises that you wouldn't have to make with an e-bike or car: Alterlock transmits in the energy-saving "Internet of Things" (IoT), and both rarely call up the position. A decision with consequences, as most devices in the IoT transmit their location at most once a minute. This may be okay for a tracked shipping container, but for a stolen bicycle it at least prevents a direct chase.
The best detection performance was delivered by the most bulky device in the test: the 140-gram box from PAJ is about the size of a packet of cigarettes. It transmits continuously on command and travels relatively discreetly in a tool bag until the thief rummages through it at some point. In general, the wireless networks used and their coverage are an issue: in countries such as Switzerland, the old 2G mobile phone network is already being switched off. The corresponding trackers do not work there. In other countries, the IoT data network is still very thin - so it's not a bad idea to check the network coverage for the respective device in the personally relevant countries before buying.
Apple hunts down bike thieves worldwide with GPS tracker
Apple is doing things differently. The iPhone brand's "AirTags", which are the size of a coin, are actually designed to find lost keys and similar items at close range, but their price and weight make them tempting to use (appropriately concealed) for bike tracking as well. They do not have a GPS chip and only transmit via the Bluetooth connection developed for close range. The trick (which the Samsung or Tile brands also use in principle) is a kind of network: if the bike is reported stolen, the global hunt is on. Any iPhone with its location services switched on that is in Bluetooth proximity to the object being sought is hijacked by Apple without being asked and used as a router. The wanted chip and the phone briefly say "hello" to each other, then the phone transmits the location of the rendezvous to the iCloud server, from where it reaches the seeker. After 8 to 24 hours of continuous searching, the device starts to beep loudly to spoil the fun for stalkers. But until then it should work unnoticed. The fact that every tracker also collects user data should only be mentioned here in passing. All the providers represented here assure us that data protection is guaranteed.
GPS tracker on the bike: which is the best?
At the end of our elaborate digital scavenger hunt, we would have liked to publish a list of winners. However, the devices are not directly comparable: The somewhat clunky tracker from PAJ scores points for localisation, the bike finder hidden in the handlebars is smart, but is just as unconvincing as the alarm system tracker from Alterlock for bikes parked indoors. The Bluetooth solution from Apple can work for parked bikes in urban areas, but is very demanding. With prices of up to around 200 euros and paid mobile phone subscriptions, the trackers are currently still an expensive addition to vigilance, a solid lock and - depending on your security needs - theft insurance.
GPS tracker on the bike: the glossary
When buying GPS trackers and the like, you will come across many abbreviated technical terms and brand names. If you understand them, you can make a better judgement of the products.
Bluetooth
A standard for wireless data transmission between devices at close range (approx. 5-10 metres). Bluetooth signals are easily shielded by walls etc.
GPS
Global Positioning System. GPS satellites send their signals to the earth. Using the data from at least three satellites, the position on the earth's surface can be determined relatively accurately.
GPS tracker
While a GPS logger only records the route, a tracker sends the data to a receiver while you are still en route.
GSM
The mobile phone standard (2G), which is outdated in this country, has good coverage worldwide and is therefore also used for GPS trackers. Disadvantage: high power consumption, future switch-off, e.g. in Switzerland.
LPWAN
Low Power Wide Area Network, an umbrella term for wireless standards such as NB-IoT, LoRaWAN, LTE-M or Sigfox, which transmit little data but penetrate walls well and consume little energy. Very common for GPS trackers.
LTE-M
Newer radio standard for data communication with low power consumption. Frequent transmission of position data possible.
NB-IoT
Narrowband Internet of Things. Relatively widespread wireless standard for data communication with low energy consumption, good coverage in Germany and good building penetration.
Four GPS trackers for bikes in a practical test
Alterlock
- Price: 135 Euro
- Ongoing costsup to 3.99 euros per month
- Weight: 48 grammes
- Assemblyunder bottle cage
- Standby time: up to 1.5 months
- Searchn/a
- Radio technologyGPS, Bluetooth, WiFi/LPWAN Sigfox,
- Cover: Western and Northern Europe
- Motion detection: yes
- Position reportadjustable up to max. 1 x per minute, at standstill
- ExtrasAlarm system, bike pass in app, routing via Google Maps, social media plug-ins
Practical test
After an alarm from the GPS tracker for the bike in the app, no position report of the moving bike. Only found several minutes after parking outside, but then precisely. No live tracking possible, no signal in the interior. Sensitivity of the acoustic alarm system can be easily adjusted or switched off.
Conclusion
Due to the miniaturised design, the transmitter has to save power and transmits at most every minute, even in search mode. The wheel is only localised when stationary. Very weak indoors. Similar localisation performance to Bikefinder. Can be destroyed without tools if discovered. The app is very smart, the alarm system should do a lot in the event of a coffee stop.
+ lightweight, alarm system, additional app functions
- Network coverage, moderate GPS performance, high probability of detection
Apple Airtag
- Price: 35 euros (adapter from NC-17: 20 euros)
- Running costs: none
- Weight: 26 grams complete
- Assembly: Control bearing adapter etc.
- Stand-by time: 1 year
- Radio technology: Bluetooth
- Cover: Worldwide
- Motion detection: no
- Position report: by other iPhones in the vicinity
- Extras: App also available for Android
Practical test
In the first pass (car transport and interior) no localisation beyond the Bluetooth distance to the GPS tracker. The location in the building was missed by two kilometres. The position could only be found outdoors with a delay of 20 minutes. No live tracking.
Conclusion
The tiny AirTags GPS trackers work great outdoors when the bike is parked for long periods. In a car or building, they are almost impossible to locate beyond Bluetooth distance. Suitable as a lightweight, free option, especially for everyday bikes in areas with many iPhone owners. The hiding place in the NC-17 headset cap is well chosen.
+ inexpensive, little effort, long service life
- Locally and technically limited function
Bikefinder Tracker
- Price: 169 Euro
- Running costs: up to 5.49 euros per month
- Weight: 52 grammes
- Assembly: Handlebar ends, also racing handlebars (inside 15-23 mm), special screws
- Stand-by time: up to 8 weeks
- Search: 16 hours
- Radio technology: GPS, Bluetooth, 2G
- Cover: European countries
- Motion detection: Yes
- Position report: max. every minute
- Extras: Search assistance by manufacturer, optional theft insurance
Practical test
Under the difficult test conditions (car transport, interior), the position report from this GPS tracker for bicycles was off by 50 metres. It was only when the Bluetooth distance was activated that an accurate metre reading was provided. Accurate test run outdoors in an open field. No live tracking, as the position is only updated when stationary and at most once a minute.
Conclusion
The mounting on the handlebars, the mechanics and the app are very well made. The position reports were not convincing due to weak GPS data. This could be due to the power-saving, miniaturised design. However, the manufacturer is constantly developing this relatively new product.
+ lightweight, good and unobtrusive mounting in the racing handlebars, sophisticated app
- High subscription costs, short battery life, moderate precision in the test
PAJ Allround Finder
- Price: 49,99 Euro
- Running costs: up to 6.99 euros per month.
- Weight: 141 grammes
- Assembly: z. e.g. in tool bag
- Stand-by time: up to 60 days
- Searchup to 20 hours
- Radio technology: GPS, 2G
- Cover: 40+ countries (EU, Northern and Eastern Europe)
- Motion detection: Yes
- Position report: continuous
- Extras: Route memory, emergency call button, geofencing
Practical test
The finder could also be located precisely in the basement of an old building. The continuous data track in the 2G network makes tracking easier. Very good tracking result in our test. Impractical: Tracker must be activated for every journey.
Conclusion
The Allround Finder is not a bike-specific device, but a small box. We think that it should be carried inconspicuously in a tool bag. Many additional functions such as route recording are unnecessary for theft protection.
+ good value, very good position information
- Installation options, very high subscription costs
GPS tracker for bikes: How TOUR tests
Systematic theft: For the practical test, the four GPS trackers for bicycles were mounted on suitable bikes in order to take into account any shielding of the signals by the frame/handlebars. The prepared bikes were hidden in various hidden interior spaces (which corresponds to the approach of professional thieves) and searched for using the respective manufacturer app. Findability during transport in a closed van was also part of the practical test. A second round of testing of all devices took place on a moving and parked bike in an urban environment. We evaluated the precision of the localisation and the handling of the app. However, in view of the very different orientations of the products, it is not possible to make a direct comparison.
Bicycle found with GPS tracker - what then?
An interview with Michael Marienwald, Munich Police Headquarters
TOUR: Suppose I'm standing in front of a block of flats and my GPS tracker locates the bike somewhere inside: Will the police help me, or do I just have to ring the doorbell and keep looking for it myself?
Michael Marienwald: We advise against ringing the doorbell yourself for various reasons. One of these is of course the danger you expose yourself to, another is the disruption to our work: you just want your bike back, but we also want to identify the thief.
TOUR: So I call the police and they search the house?
Marienwald: We'll never get a search warrant with such a generalised suspicion. That would make all residents suspects and a search of the flats would be quite disproportionate. However, if you can give us precise details and the property management allows us access to general areas such as the bicycle cellar or courtyard, our colleagues can of course take a look. Or you can locate the bike in a detached barn, for example. A search should be no problem there.
