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The technical and price development of e-bikes means that bike theft is increasingly attracting the attention of real experts, who set off with crude tools and vans to make a haul. But GPS trackers for bicycles, which show where the stolen bike has gone, could cause increasing problems for professional thieves. We wanted to know what the handling and hit rate were like.
GPS tracker for bicycles: localisation with GPS chip and SIM card
Almost all GPS trackers for bicycles work according to the same principleA GPS chip is mounted on or in the bike. This chip calculates its position based on 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 GPSbecause now the stolen bike has to tell the owner 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 armed, the built-in transmitter wakes up and 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.
Monitor the bike with the app
But the devil is in the detail. One of these details is the necessary power supply. Although the position data are extremely small data packets, the devices must use power as sparingly as possible. This limits the frequency of position information. Another unpleasant side effect of the power-hungry data traffic is that a kind of mobile phone fee of between three and six euros per month is payable to use the wireless network.
Alternative: Narrowband radio network
For cost reasons, some manufacturers also use narrowband IOT (Internet of Things), a narrowband network that is used for communication between machines. A fundamental decision with far-reaching consequences: Because while you can track the position of the wheel in real time in the normal mobile phone network, most devices in the IoT update their location once a minute at most. This is okay for a tracked shipping container, but for a stolen bike it at least prevents a direct chase. In addition, wireless data networks are not as well developed everywhere as the mobile phone network. What speaks in favour of energy-saving radio technology, however, is its ability to function deep inside buildings. The market is currently in a state of upheaval: in countries such as Switzerland, the old 2G mobile phone network is already being switched off - by 2025, this should be the case in all European countries. The corresponding trackers will then no longer work. In other countries, the IoT data network is still very thin - so it's not a bad idea to check the network coverage in the countries of personal relevance before making a purchase. And somewhere in the high mountains, without mobile phone reception, no position report will arrive anyway.
Instead of GPS tracker: Apple hunts down bike thieves in the iPhone network
Apple does things very differently. The iPhone brand's "AirTags" are actually designed to find lost keys and similar items at close range. However, the favourable price of 35 euros and the low weight are tempting to use them for bicycle tracking as well. These coin-sized devices do not have a GPS chip and only transmit via the Bluetooth connection developed for close range. The trick (which the Samsung and Tile brands also use in principle) is a kind of network.
Every iPhone helps you find your bike
If the bike with the AirTag fitted is reported stolen via the app, the global hunt is on: Any iPhone with location services switched on that is in Bluetooth proximity to the object being sought is hijacked by Apple, so to speak, and used as a router - without the owners realising it. The wanted chip and the phone briefly say hello to each other, then the phone automatically transmits the location of the rendezvous to the iCloud server, from where it reaches the seeker. Only the seeker is aware of this.
However, the requirements for this search are extensive: in addition to plenty of passers-by with iPhones a few metres away, neither car sheet metal nor concrete or a bicycle frame should shield the radio link. There are now clever hiding places for the AirTags, such as the headset cap from NC-17 that we used. An Apple AirTag reported missing will start beeping loudly after eight to 24 hours of hunting, but until then the device should work unnoticed - unless the thief also has an iPhone, which can alert him after a while that a wanted AirTag is in his vicinity.
GPS trackers from other manufacturers: Inconspicuous, but not all undetectable
The trackers from PowUnity and It's my bike are also very inconspicuous. They can be hidden by the dealer inside the motor cover of various mid-mounted motors. According to the manufacturers, this has no effect on the warranty of the bike drive. Another decisive advantage is that they draw their power from the drive battery on regularly used bikes. This means that they can still send a charge even months later. Several providers consider this chance of recovery to be so high that they offer specially subsidised theft insurance together with the device. The provider then also searches for bikes reported stolen. The fact that a tracker also collects user data should only be mentioned here in passing. All the providers represented here assure us that data protection is guaranteed.
For trackers without a motor connection, the power supply and concealed installation is trickier than with the two chips for mid-mounted motors. The 140-gram box from PAJ travels relatively discreetly in a tool bag until the thief rummages through it. The Bikefinder, which only looks like a handlebar plug, hides rather inconspicuously in almost every type of handlebar. Its clever attachment can only be removed with special tools. The Alterlock travels under the bottle cage. The screws run through the tracker, which also has an alarm siren on board. The alarm may be useful for chasing away spontaneous offenders during a snack, but the device is not really inconspicuous, and even the additionally available special screws will not prevent a thief from destroying it by force. Virtually all trackers notify their owner when the in-built sensor detects vibrations - and then the alarm goes off...
What does that mean? - A short lexicon on the subject of GPS trackers
When buying GPS trackers and the like, you will come across many abbreviations and brand names. Understanding them makes it easier to judge the products.
Bluetooth: 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. Max. one position report per minute.
Buffer battery: Trackers optimised for e-bikes can transmit continuously while riding. If the bike is switched off, the GPS tracker's small power storage units bridge the time until the next start.
We have tested the following GPS trackers:
Note from the editors: We have performed the following test in the May 2022 carried out. Information, prices and availability may therefore have changed for 2023.
Alterlock
- Price / running costs: 135 euros / up to 3.99 euros
- Weight / mounting: 48 grams/ under bottle cage
- Standby / search* runtime: up to 1.5 months / up to 7 days
- Radio technology / coverage*: Bluetooth, GPS via Sigfox / especially Western and Northern Europe
- Motion / position report: yes / only when stationary, max. every minute (in the test: 30 minutes)
- Extras: Acoustic alarm system; bike pass in app; social media plug-ins
Practical test:
Quick app warning signal within Bluetooth distance, but no position report of the moving bike. Only found several minutes after parking, but then precise. No live tracking, no signal in the interior. Sensitivity of the acoustic alarm system can be easily adjusted/switched off.
Conclusion:
Due to the miniaturised design, the transmitter obviously has to save power. In our test, only half-hourly reporting of the parked bike outdoors - that is below average. Can be destroyed or unscrewed if discovered. The app is very smartly designed, and the alarm system itself should have a big impact when you stop for a coffee.
PRO: Simple installation; theft protection thanks to audible alarm; versatile app with optional social media alerts
CONTRA: Moderate detection performance; high probability of detection
Apple AirTag
- Price / running costs: 35 euros (adapter from NC-17: 20 euros) / -
- Weight / assembly: 26 grams complete / control bearing adapter etc.
- Standby / search* runtime: 1 year
- Wireless technology / Coverage*: Bluetooth / worldwide
- Motion / position notification: no / activated 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 owner. 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 work great outdoors when bikes are parked for long periods. In a car or building, they are unreliable or cannot be located at all. Suitable as a lightweight, inexpensive option for everyday bikes in areas with many iPhone owners who allow localisation. The hiding place in the headset cap is well chosen.
PRO: Inexpensive; little effort; long running time
CONTRA: Locally and technically limited function; only for iPhone/iCloud users
Bikefinder Tracker
- Price / running costs: 169 euros / up to 5.49 euros per month.
- Weight / mounting: 52 grams / handlebar end, also racing handlebars, special screws
- Standby / search* runtime: up to 8 weeks / 16 hours
- Radio technology / Coverage*: GPS, GSM (2G), Bluetooth / European countries
- Motion / position report: yes / max. every minute
- Extras: search help from the manufacturer; optional insurance (Scandinavia)
Practical test:
Under the difficult test conditions (car transport, interior), the position report was off by 50 metres. Only when the Bluetooth distance responded did an accurate metre indication appear. Accurate test run outdoors in an open field. No live tracking, as a maximum of one position report per minute.
Conclusion:
The inconspicuous mounting in straight handlebars and racing handlebars, the mechanics and the app are well made. The position reports were not entirely convincing due to weak GPS data and slow response, but were better than the Alterlock, which is similarly light and miniaturised.
PRO: Lightweight; good and unobtrusive mounting; suitable for racing handlebars; flexible; well thought-out search functions of the app
CONTRA: High subscription costs; short battery life; moderate localisation
It's my bike
- Price / running costs: 199 euros / 3 years free, then 3.99 euros per month.
- Weight / mounting: 25 grams / in motor housing, rear light port/cable
- Standby / search* runtime: up to 5 months / up to 8 hours (backup battery only)
- Radio technology / Coverage*: GPS, Bluetooth, NB-IoT / Central, Northern and Eastern Europe
- Motion / position report: yes / every 60 seconds
- Extras: Emergency assistant (for a fee); contact with the police; assistance with recovery
Practical test:
Even in the deep basement of an old building, the prepared bike was able to determine its position and send it reliably to the mobile phone via the NB-IoT data network. No continuous route recording, but updates every minute. Practical route guidance in Google Maps. Ready for use when the drive battery is charged.
Conclusion:
The two e-bike devices stand out with the best standby time and good positioning despite the antenna being hidden in the motor housing. The choice between the Powunity BikeTrax and this device is probably also based on compatibility with the respective motor.
PRO: Invisible in the motor housing; long standby time; good position localisation even indoors
CONTRA: Only for e-bikes
PAJ Allround Finder
- Price / running costs: 49.99 euros / up to 6.99 euros per month
- Weight / assembly: 141 grams / e.g. in tool bag
- Standby / search* runtime: up to 60 days / up to 20 h
- Radio technology / coverage*: GPS, 2G / 40+ countries (EU, Northern and Eastern Europe)
- Motion / position detection: yes / continuous
- Extras: route memory; emergency call button; geofencing (definition of a "permitted" movement area)
Practical test:
The finder could also be located precisely in the deep basement of the old building. The continuous data track in the 2G network made tracking easier. Very good tracking result in our test. Impractical: Tracker has to be activated in the app every time it is switched off.
Conclusion:
The Allround Finder is not a bike-specific device, but a small box. We think that it would fit rather inconspicuously in a small tool bag. Its frequent and precise position reports are impressive, but additional functions such as route recording are unnecessary for theft protection.
PRO: Inexpensive purchase; very good position information
CONTRA: Installation options; very high subscription costs
PowUnity BikeTrax
- Price / running costs: 199.90 euros / 1 year free, then 39.50 euros per year.
- Weight / mounting: approx. 30 grams / in motor housing
- Standby / search* runtime: up to three weeks / 14 h (backup battery only)
- Radio technology / Coverage*: GPS, 2G (4G) / almost worldwide
- Motion / position detection: yes / continuous
- Extras: Route recording; bike profile saved for reporting to the police
Practical test:
Outdoors, the BikeTrax records a precisely trackable trail. Indoors, tracking was a little more difficult (also due to the lack of additional Bluetooth), but still very good. Thanks to the constant recharging while riding using the drive battery, this is a fairly carefree product.
Conclusion:
Recommended in terms of technology and ease of assembly (workshop). For most applications at a similar level to the device from It's my bike. Not future-proof due to future switch-off of the 2G network in some countries. There will then be a successor.
PRO: Invisible in the motor housing; live tracking; continuous charging; good position localisation
CONTRA: Only for e-bike
* Manufacturer information
How the practical test of the GPS tracker went
In our extensive practical test, we gave the devices a hard time. The bikes were distributed in closed vans at several points in the city - in basements or windowless back rooms. The bike finders had never been there before, and only the respective app was supposed to guide them to the bikes. A digital scavenger hunt through half of Munich, so to speak. To cut a long story short: The usability of the apps was not the problem. But not every bike would have found its way back to its owner under these hardcore conditions. If you concentrate solely on the search function, the two pure e-bike trackers from PowUnity and It's my bike as well as the universal tracker from PAJ in the saddlebag really shone. In the second row: the clever design of the bike finder hidden in the handlebars. It should be sufficient to locate a stolen bike within a few days, but is not convincing for bikes parked indoors. The slim Alterlock delivered the weakest GPS performance. For some use on the road, its alarm system may compensate for the mediocre GPS performance. The battery life limits both devices. The simple Bluetooth solution from Apple can also work for parked bikes, but is very demanding and more at home in everyday urban use. The trackers are still an expensive addition to a solid lock, but the technology is developing and spreading: several bike manufacturers are already installing or planning to install integrated trackers as standard, which can be activated for a fee.
