Security on a bicycle against theft has long since gone beyond a conventional bicycle lock. Satellite positioning can be used to locate devices installed on the bicycle and thus recover the stolen bike. Solutions for this come from specialists like Powunity, motor manufacturers like Bosch or mobile phone providers like Vodafone. A few weeks ago, at this year’s VeloBerlin, we came across Bikefinder, another company that produces its own GPS tracker. Here is a summary of the most important information about Fahrradfinden, how Bikefinder is called in Germany.
1. Who is behind Bikefinder?
2. How did the idea for the GPS tracker come about?
3. Where is the tracker mounted on the bicycle?
4. How does the device work?
5. What modes are there besides safety mode and tracking mode?
6. What happens if my bike, which is secured with Bikefinder, gets stolen?
7. How effective is this system?
8. Can people tell from the outside that a bike is equipped with Bikefinder?
9. Can strangers easily remove Bikefinder from the handlebars?
10. How does the power supply for the tracker work?
11. How often does the tracker need to be charged?
12. Does the tracker built into the handlebars change the feel of the bike?
13. Can the device withstand crashes?
14. Is the device sufficient on its own to secure the bike?
15. What subscriptions does Bikefinder offer?
16. Which insurance companies does Bikefinder work with?
17. Does Bikefinder also sell the tracker as a stand-alone solution?
18. What is included in the Tracker?
1. Who is behind Bikefinder?
Bikefinder is produced by a Norwegian company called Bikefinder. In Germany, the company, which was founded in 2015, sells its solution under the name Fahrradfinden. Internationally, however, the product is always called Bikefinder.
2. How did the idea for the GPS tracker come about?
From Bikefinder’s point of view, bicycle theft is constantly on the rise. At the same time, the prices for bicycles are continuously increasing. Securing them with a classic lock has certain limits. More and more people want a better chance to get their stolen bike back. This is where Bikefinder came in.
3. Where is the tracker mounted on the bicycle?
The flexible device can be mounted in almost any conventional handlebar. After removing the handlebar end cap, it is pushed into the inside of the handlebar. Bikefinder says its tracker fits 96 percent of all handlebars, whether drop bars or flat handlebars.
4. How does the device work?
Bikefinder combines GPS, GSM and Bluetooth. This ensures the widest possible connectivity around the world. In addition, the product has a motion sensor. If the safety mode is activated and someone moves the bike while it is locked, you will receive a notification on your smartphone that a movement of the bike has been detected. In tracking mode, you can then locate the bike at any time.
5. What modes are there besides safety mode and tracking mode?
Bikefinder offers a total of four modes. A passive mode for when you are not using the bike. The standard mode is recommended for everyday use. You activate this mode when you ride your bike. In this mode, the device is connected and transmits data to the app. Once you have reached your destination and locked your bike, it is best to switch to safety mode.
6. What happens if my bike, which is secured with Bikefinder, gets stolen?
As mentioned above, you will receive a message via the app if your bike is in safety mode and is being moved without authorisation. You can report a possible theft to Bikefinder via the app. By entering the phone number, a corresponding report will be sent. This report will immediately reach Bikefinder’s support team in Norway. They will contact you and guide you step-by-step through all the necessary processes, including how to involve the police in the search.
7. How effective is this system?
According to Bikefinder, the recovery rate of stolen bicycles in Europe is 80 per cent.
8. Can people tell from the outside that a bike is equipped with Bikefinder?
Basically not. The tracker disappears completely into the handlebars. However, on a drop bar, the beginning of the drops must not be wrapped with handlebar tape. Otherwise, the tracking would be disturbed later on.
9. Can strangers easily remove Bikefinder from the handlebars?
A expanding locking mechanism firmly anchors Bikefinder in the handlebar. It can only be tightened and loosened with a special tool. Bikefinder changes this special tool for each production batch. So there is only one matching tool for each unit.
10. How does the power supply for the tracker work?
As soon as Bikefinder is mounted in the bike, you can charge it. A USB port integrated into the tracker is used for this purpose. You can access it by sliding a protective flap to the side. The USB-C cable included in the accessories can be connected with a suitable charger either to a power socket or a power bank.
11. How often does the tracker need to be charged?
That depends on the selected operating mode. Once fully charged, the battery will last for a maximum of eight weeks. However, you will also receive reminders on your mobile phone to recharge. The first notification comes when 40 per cent capacity is left. The next one comes as soon as the 20 per cent mark is reached. At the same time, the current charge level is constantly displayed in the app.
12. Does the tracker built into the handlebars change the feel of the bike?
Given the low weight of only 52 grams, Bikefinder has no effect on either the riding experience or the steering behaviour.
13. Can the device withstand crashes?
Bikefinder invested four years in the research and development of the product. During this time, bikes with the tracker have been thrown on the ground, deliberately bounced into trees, which can happen when mountain biking as well as been ridden in extreme weather conditions in Norway. The current version is effectively protected against water and other weather conditions thanks to its IP67 protection degree. In addition, it excellently withstands shocks, impacts and crashes.
14. Is the device sufficient on its own to secure the bike?
No, you need the app for that. There is an e-SIM card in the tracker. To actually receive live data and use all the functions, you need to take out a subscription. Bikefinder offers various subscriptions. They either include just the tracking or combine it with bike insurance.
15. What subscriptions does Bikefinder offer?
You can choose packages for a single month or for several months. As usual, it is cheapest if the protection covers a longer period – for example, in advance for twelve or 24 months. If you decide to take out additional insurance, you can choose from different levels based on the value of the bicycle. The maximum here is 13,000 euros. Tracking without insurance currently costs 2.29 euros per month at best. Including the insurance costs 5.49 euros per month.
16. Which insurance companies does Bikefinder work with?
Bikefinder cooperates with three partners in Europe. In Scandinavia it is a company called Tryg. In Germany it is Hepster and in the UK Sundays Insurance.
17. Does Bikefinder also sell the tracker as a stand-alone solution?
Yes. The price in Germany is currently 180 euros.
18. What is included in the Tracker?
In addition to the tracker, Bikefinder supplies the special tool mentioned above and the USB-C cable. The accessories also include a few adapters to adapt the product to handlebars with a larger inner diameter. And an instruction manual is included as well.
Pictures: Elektrofahrrad24