Bike alarms - thoughts, experiences

[Dogtrousers]

I entirely agree! That sounds like something a marketing exec would think up to tack on a selling point!

You can't blame them for trying. They're thinking: Right we've sold these bits of hardware that have these sensors, this data and this connectivity. What else can we do with them, using just software. Can we dream up a killer app? Sometimes it's actually useful (live track) sometimes it's iffy (incident detection, hazard reporting) and sometimes it's just stupid (bike alarm)

 

[Happy_Days]

I banged up villains for near on 30 years, so I know where of I speak.

An opportunist will be put off by the padlock in the first place. Theyre after insecure bikes left in public - opportunists do not take locked bikes - and will stroll up and push it away is if they were entitled and nothing was amiss. An alarm would make zero difference to that scenario as the lack of padlock is their only concern.

A run of the mill thief wont give a sheet about anything except the lock. Not cctv, not alarms, not property marking. There is even evidence (there was a study where many thieves were interviewed) that the presence or the police wont deter them provided the bobby isnt actually right next to the bike. All theyll care about is whether theyre able to defeat the lock in smart time so they can be on their way before people get suspicious. An alarm makes zero odds if they can crack the lock and be on their way in 10 or 15 seconds max before people really twig whats going on, and will happily ride the bike (or indeed motorbike) away with the alarm still audibly wailing.

And then theres the small but significant class of thieves prepared to use disproportionate levels of violence against anyone who interferes in order to achieve their goal. Theyll be tooled up, mob handed, and will often use battery grinders and the like because they have sufficient muscle on their side they don't care about stealth. An alarm to them is as much deterrent as a feather duster.

Those are the 3 main groups, and none will care about any alarm.

Many thanks—that’s super helpful insight. Would you say similar applies to house and garage alarms and CCTV? Is physical security the only deterrent that matters?

 

[Alex321]

You can't blame them for trying. They're thinking: Right we've sold these bits of hardware that have these sensors, this data and this connectivity. What else can we do with them, using just software. Can we dream up a killer app? Sometimes it's actually useful (live track) sometimes it's iffy (incident detection, hazard reporting) and sometimes it's just stupid (bike alarm)

There is nothing stupid about the bike alarm in itself, it just may not be as useful as people might hope.

Yes, it involves leaving the Garmin on the bike, but if you are just popping in to a cafe or shop, how often are you going to take your computer off the bike anyhow? I know I rarely do.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Yes, it involves leaving the Garmin on the bike, but if you are just popping in to a cafe or shop, how often are you going to take your computer off the bike anyhow? I know I rarely do.

Absolutely every single time for me!

YMMV natch.

 

[PaulSB]

There is nothing stupid about the bike alarm in itself, it just may not be as useful as people might hope.

Yes, it involves leaving the Garmin on the bike, but if you are just popping in to a cafe or shop, how often are you going to take your computer off the bike anyhow? I know I rarely do.

Everyone I know removes their Garmin, Wahoo etc and takes it into the cafe. If someone forgets we take it off and give it to them.

 

[kingrollo]

Your asking about new tech on cyclechat ????
Brooks saddles, steel frames, toe clips and straps are where it's at. !!!!

Imo the determined theif will probably get around and alarm and probably most locks. But an alarm may deter the opportunistic thief so well worth looking into.

 

[PaulSB]

I thought an update would be useful. Recently I had reason to move my bikes overnight from one storage location to another. Without thinking I leaned them against the internal wall of the new spot.

This morning I went to move them back. I had a broom with me and stood this against the exterior wall about six feet from the bike. The handle hit the wall. My alarm gives two bleeps; the first a single loud beep, the second an earsplitting repeated alarm.

The broom handle set off the first bleep. As a I began to unlock the padlock this set off the earsplitter. I hadn't even got inside.

I appreciate all the remarks about determined thieves etc and understand why ex professionals hold their views. I would never entirely rely on an alarm but this event definitely increases my confidence in using an alarm.

It may stop no-one but on the other hand.......

 

[Binky]

I thought an update would be useful. Recently I had reason to move my bikes overnight from one storage location to another. Without thinking I leaned them against the internal wall of the new spot.

This morning I went to move them back. I had a broom with me and stood this against the exterior wall about six feet from the bike. The handle hit the wall. My alarm gives two bleeps; the first a single loud beep, the second an earsplitting repeated alarm.

The broom handle set off the first bleep. As a I began to unlock the padlock this set off the earsplitter. I hadn't even got inside.

I appreciate all the remarks about determined thieves etc and understand why ex professionals hold their views. I would never entirely rely on an alarm but this event definitely increases my confidence in using an alarm.

It may stop no-one but on the other hand.......

@PaulSB, you still happy with this alarm? I might get one as although majority of time probably won't be needed as if I ride solo which is most of time I don't do a cafe stop that often and if I do my bike will be within sight but I'm thinking I could attach when parked in garage and on the occasions I do venture further afield. How heavy are these and easily mounted/dismounted? (Which might be a negative as thief could do but anyway).

 

[PaulSB]

@Binky yes, I'm still happy with the alarm for it's function but not the aesthetics. The mounting is very secure, it couldn't be removed without triggering the alarm. The noise is earsplitting.

I've mounted it on my Kinesis ATR-V3 where it lives permanently. This works well on two levels; when I'm out the bike can be alarmed and in the garage all three bikes are alarmed. I have a method of interlocking them so that touching one will certainly cause the alarm to trigger.

However, it is VERY ugly and too big to fit my saddlebag. Some will laugh but I wouldn't sully my new Cervelo by mounting the alarm on it!!! 🤣 I'm investigating luggage alarms which should be slim enough to fit in my saddlebag. So far I've only found alarms which work with iOS and Apple air tag - i use Android. From the alarm perspective that shouldn't matter.

I'm ordering a couple this week, I'll update when I receive them.

 

[Binky]

Brilliant thanks. As I've now got new expensive bike I really should be more careful as in past I didn't bother.

I agree about not sullying a nice bike!

 

[Oldhippy]

I've always wondered why bikes aren't sold with the small lock on the frame like many Dutch bikes. I know it would spoil the lines on a high end racing bike but everything else why not? I do have a bike alarm I got on amazon. It is a rear light and an alarm that makes a very loud irritating noise if the bike is moved once the remote is pressed. Its never been triggered as I like to keep the bike in sight or take it in a shop with me if they don't provide decent parking facilities. I don't think for one moment it would stop someone if determined it would hopefully make them think twice though. I also got a Dutch lock but have yet to get it spot welded to my frame.