GPS Tracking for Stolen Bikes

Seems to answer the description. I know its e*ans, but...

You can't track it.

D'oh. Misread the description. I saw 'transponder' and thought that was that...;-)

Any type of dynamo off the BB will increase friction, even a couple of magnets stuck to the axle that rotate in a coil. A current induced in a coil, will oppose the magnetic force that created it...or something similar. Aswel as 'Energy is never created or destroyed, only transfered' and all that bollocks.
Yes the resistance would be small, but never the less, it would piss me off knowing it was there.

it would piss me off knowing it was there.

Me too !

Brilliant! I would love something like this.

Power seems to be the biggest problem. System weight and any dynamo resistance is another. How many people will want to glue magnets etc. to their vintage campag BB...

Any systems would need some serious testing before cyclists would pay the money etc.

Also, how long would it be before the pros got wise to it an started shaking out frames in their vans.

The units would need to be secure/fixed into the frame in a position where they couldn't be removed or disabled easily. Shaken out or bashed with a steel pipe down the seat tube.

They would also need to be secure against somebody running a strong magnet over or running high voltage through the frame.

Obviously, I'm being paranoid.

Best option would be to produce a self-contained security BB.

Me too !

earlier today you were talking about putting an analogue speedo on your bike! and now a couple of magnets on a coil is too much friction?

hypocritenger!!

earlier today you were talking about putting an analogue speedo on your bike! and now a couple of magnets on a coil is too much friction?

hypocritenger!!

I did make a note in that thread to the effect that this was an issue - as minor as it is.

Thing is about the speedo is that you can simply pull it away from the wheel when you want - no friction. With a tracking device powered off the BB you would not have a choice (short of taking the drivechain apart).

Ya' get me ?

yeah i get ya. just sayin'!

i don't reckon you'd notice the drag from a couple of magnets, though.

I think this is the best way to go. Do this to a cheap, small mobile. Take it apart, wrap it in a condom, stuff it down the seat tube (I'm sure you can get reception inside a seat tube). Without the backlit screen and the speaker, the battery might last for weeks. When it does need to be recharged, take it out and plug it in, just like you would a normally. Especially if you can get it on a 'standby' mode.

Hmm, wouldn't the tube act as a Faraday cage?

Guys, I found somthing which may be useful?

http://www.mtrackonline.co.uk/overview.html

http://www.custodia-systems.co.uk/faq2.shtml

they are too big/ odd shaped, couldn't fit it down the seat tube.

I have been trying to work out a good way to do this for a while, will probably mess around with it a bit during the summer.
The main problem is putting it somewhere that is hard to remove, but that still has near "line-of-sight" from the antenna to the sky, graphite/steel/alloy tubing is all going to act as an excellent shield and the GPS is not going to get reception.
I recently found a new, very small antenna that I think is suitable, and could be hidden in the base of a saddle/top of seatpost or headset top-cap, the rest of the electronics could be housed elsewhere.

I looked into this myself when my 1FG got nicked- I exchanged emails with the MD of the company that made the dog tracking collar.

He said that the bike product (size of a matchbox) would be out in roughly September.

The issue is that it would have to go under the saddle, else the GPS woud not be able to lock on.

Essentially the thief woud have to know to look for it to remove it.

Battery life is meant to be excellent- the unit only wakes up when you text it to ask it where it is.

I'd happily pay the £200 for it, if only to "reducate" anyone who steals my bike with a cheese grater and some tabasco....

Someone has done this! Using the mologogo service (only US currently), a PAYG mobile, and a stun-gun... bzzzzz.... Please excuse nudity in video!!
YouTube - The HoneyBike Project
.
Instructables Link
We are not far off from being able to do this just as easily / cheaply in th UK ... I can't wait.

I'll start a new thread in a few days giving details of the GPS cylce tracker which evolved as an offshoot of my dog tracking collars at www.pawtrax.co.uk

It is smaller than a matchbox, hidden under saddle, 4 days battery life. GPS can be switched off remotely to increase this. Its waterproof and vibration proof. You can easily set up a 'geo-fence' around the cycle and if it is moved outside this area you will receive an sms on your mobile alerting you and presenting you with a map and location and more.

Cost will be under £200 with NO ONGOING MONTHLY CHARGES

I would welcome you emails/PM expressing an interest. info@pawtrax.co.uk

that's a jolly little tune on the website...

that's a jolly little tune on the website...

i thought it was dog-awful

OK - miss the funny tune and go to www.pawtrax.co.uk/find/collars.htm

As it happens, I have been working on a gps based tracking security device which will fit down the inside of the tube of a bicycle. I am trialling prototypes in the next few months, so if anyone would like to take part in the demo, track me here. I have had three bikes nicked so now I keep them indoors. If there is a device inside the bike it can provide a whole load of data - maps, stats, links to phones making riding even more fun. The plan is also to create verified carbon emissions credits for the carbon emissions saved per km by cyclists. How many million tonnes of CO2 could that be?

Good Luck - We don't have a problem with bike theft on the IoM. Hope you get some takers.

hi this is a good idea my friend and i have been working on such a device, not finished yet but it works... we would love to hear from more people regarding such devices and to get feedback would be great. our web site is www.chipntrace.com.
please let us know if you think this sort of thing is a good idea or not.Please let us know, this is not just a shameful plug of our website or products we really care about this sort of thing due to the fact i have had over £4 grand of bikes nicked and the police say they can do nothing about it.....

the mtrack unit you talk about is the same one that powers our chip and trace unit that is used on boats but we then give you two security rfid chips to put anywhere you want so that the system can be registered to you, we are looking at a smaller unit just for the bike market. www.chipntrace.com

[FONT=Trebuchet MS]si0161, is a good product but not really a tracker will only work if someone with a scanner is lucky enough to find the stolen item.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Trebuchet MS] To everyone that has put BB in there message can I please confirm what that means, is it Ball Bearing?[/FONT]
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[FONT=Trebuchet MS] Another way to sort the power problem could be to use the thing that goes on the wheel to power lights etc, cant think what it is called, dyno possible. I know obviously that can be removed, but my thought would be that if you have the light set up to and maybe a rechargeable battery system in the tube also even if it does get removed you should still have a few days/ weeks to power the gps tracker depending on batteries. Also if you have the light set up would not seam so obvious and also would the dyno be removed? My theory would be if the bike is stolen all someone would want to do is ride around on it themselves or sell it so are they really going to bother removing lights? I know you people out there with your ultra fast road bikes may worry about the resistance coursed but like I say if there are rechargeable batteries in there may only need to use it for a couple of hours or so.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS] [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS] Would be happy to hear what you think![/FONT]
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[FONT=Trebuchet MS] Cheers all.[/FONT]

si0161, is a good product but not really a tracker will only work if someone with a scanner is lucky enough to find the stolen item.

To everyone that has put BB in there message can I please confirm what that means, is it Ball Bearing?

Another way to sort the power problem could be to use the thing that goes on the wheel to power lights etc, cant think what it is called, dyno possible. I know obviously that can be removed, but my thought would be that if you have the light set up to and maybe a rechargeable battery system in the tube also even if it does get removed you should still have a few days/ weeks to power the gps tracker depending on batteries. Also if you have the light set up would not seam so obvious and also would the dyno be removed? My theory would be if the bike is stolen all someone would want to do is ride around on it themselves or sell it so are they really going to bother removing lights? I know you people out there with your ultra fast road bikes may worry about the resistance coursed but like I say if there are rechargeable batteries in there may only need to use it for a couple of hours or so.

Would be happy to hear what you think!

Cheers all.

BB stands for bottom bracket.