do you think an alarm may make a lock more effective?

[Reid]

I've got this non-remote control alarm (currently Amazon priced at $15) installed permanently tucked up inside the inexpensive saddle.

The bracket it comes with is nearly useless, so I have glued the unit in place with a favorite type of silicone adhesive.

I've also installed an Abus 5850 frame lock, a security seat post clamp, and more to make the locking up of my bike pretty secure.

But no matter the locks, think the alarm is going to be the salvation of this bike. Bike alarms are...I can only find 3 on the market...are low cost and inadequately engineered. It must be a market issue: no market; none that will pay, anyway, for the design and development of a carriage trade device.

Interestingly, because bike alarms are almost unheard of, I suppose a bike wailing away will be noticed, especially if an angle grinder or bolt cutter is present. What could a thief say to passersby? "I lost my keys to all the locks and I guess I've forgotten the alarm code."

 

[JRA]

I have always thought that a motion sensing alarm would be a good feature for a bike. About 180db of screech might be enough deterrent for the casual thief. I doubt that cheap a unit will send an update to your phone but that is another option that I have seen with these sort of lights. Personally I like the one with the wireless turn signals, decelerator activating brake light and laser lane on Amazon and there is even one with an alarm. Laser lane is a really cool feature and really gets noticed in the dark.

 

[Reid]

The alarm is suprisingly sensitive, yet does not (so far yet) go off by itself, and the unit also offers a brake light for 2 seconds if you brake hard. Perfect for my wants. No remote, no turn signal. That's OK by me. There is one that does turn signals, etc.

It is very stealthy, the way it can be placed up in the saddle cavity, and very simple to arm and disarm, although it is full-volume noisy when you do arm and disarm. It beeps super loud.

The automatic turn on of its flashing red tail light upon movement of the bike is a safety factor and a convenience that works perfectly. The automatic brake light upon hard braking is useful to bikes behind you.

At less than $20 it can't offer phone connectivity or GPS, but that's all right. Most bike thieves around here are unsophisticated drug addicts scurrying for a quick and easy job. I want to make this bright red CrossCurrent S bike come off as unappealing...to a common thief and challenging to a sophisticated thief...who probably would not be interested in an ebike anyway (?)

Here is a few second demo of the automatic tail light flash:

Here, I just this minute found the same alarm that I paid $20 for, for only $10. A steal it is.

 

[J.R.]

We have to do what we can and whatever we need to do for the area we live and ride. For good or bad, we need to rely on people and hope someone cares enough about a cut lock or a wailing alarm.

Great insurance may be the only assurance for many locations.

 

[E-Wheels]

I've got this one installed permanently tucked up inside the inexpensive saddle.

The bracket it comes with is nearly useless, so I have glued the unit in place with a favorite type of silicone adhesive.

Would like to share the idea for your critical inputs, and post more images of the installation and describe the device's practical operation.

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipMiAcnZqR2S5ZEnt0dXV-ExpqUZtfY5QOAi7Tsi

I will take some pictures tomorrow, by which time my image posting skill had better improve!

I've also installed an Abus 5850 frame lock, a security seat post clamp, and more to make the locking up of my bike pretty secure.

But no matter the locks, I am of the opinion that the alarm is going to be the salvation of this bike. Bike alarms are...I can only find 3 on the market...are low cost and inadequately engineered. It must be a market issue: no market; none that will pay, anyway, for the design and development of a carriage trade device.

Interestingly, because bike alarms are almost unheard of, I suppose a bike wailing away will be noticed, especially if an angle grinder or bolt cutter is present. What could a thief say to passersby? "I lost my keys to all the locks and I guess I've forgotten the alarm code."

https://www.abus.com/eng/Mobile-Security/Bike-Safety-and-Security/Locks/BORDO-Alarm

 

[Reid]

J. R.'s second of the posted videos is really difficult, distressing to watch.

https://www.abus.com/eng/Mobile-Security/Bike-Safety-and-Security/Locks/BORDO-Alarm

I would like to criticize the "BORDO™ Alarm – ABUS’ first folding lock with alarm."

It looks like an alarm on a lock and tips off a thief he will have to deal with an alarm.

That's great in one sense because it will deter the usual thief on two counts because it is an alarm and big name tough lock.

However, I see slots, apparently for the sound to come out.

A handful of putty will silence it to a whisper. Say a big wad of chewing gum.

Then out comes the angle grinder.

The Bordo, sure to be a good product, is only now coming to the market.

It IS going to be good and I doubt a thief would know how to silence the thing because he probably has never seen a bike alarm and he has not thought about how to silence a bike alarm. Experience will teach them --in time-- if a bike alarms become common.

 

[J.R.]

J. R.'s second of the posted videos is really difficult, distressing to watch.

Yes! First time I saw it was today, I found it disturbing. The first video I've seen around for years and it has an entertaining lesson.

We've had many discussions here about security, it can't be discussed too much as the tech is ever evolving. I live in a safe area, but I'm still concerned. I'm currently using an Abus Bordo Granit X Plus 6500 with an accessory cable and sometimes a second lock.

 

[Bob Wardrop]

I had that lock. It lasted about a month. Seemed great at first but the remote went bad. Had to wave it repeatedly close to the alarm to make it accept any input. Finally had to tear it off after it would not turn off while activated. Just an FYI all it took was a five second grab and smash with my bare hands to destroy it and make it shut up. I picked up different alarm off amazon about a week ago and it is leagues better. The remote works from 30-40 feet away and responds every time. A little different mounting arrangement, but nothing you won't be able to manage. Get as much use out of the one you have. It was great while it lasted, but I'm glad it failed. It led me to a much better product. Link

 

[Reid]

I had that lock. It lasted about a month. Seemed great at first but the remote went bad. Had to wave it repeatedly close to the alarm to make it accept any input. Finally had to tear it off after it would not turn off while activated. Just an FYI all it took was a five second grab and smash with my bare hands to destroy it and make it shut up. I picked up different alarm off amazon about a week ago and it is leagues better. The remote works from 30-40 feet away and responds every time. A little different mounting arrangement, but nothing you won't be able to manage. Get as much use out of the one you have. It was great while it lasted, but I'm glad it failed. It led me to a much better product. Link

(I have edited my previous posts to make it clear that Bob and I have different versions of the identical looking device.)

Hi Bob, the version I use does not have a remote. Its features are different than the remote version you had. The units do look identical, however.

I push a button to arm it and push the button again in a particular way to disarm.

Mine is permanently mounted up under the saddle shell. It is glued. And besides the glue, it cannot be removed unless the saddle is taken off the seat post first. And that cannot happen because the allen socket holes are going to be blocked

I positively did not want a remote control alarm, fearing the instability yours had. But also I don't want to worry about a remote.

Will post a short video demonstrating the alarm later today.

No thief is liable to know my bike even has an alarm until he sets it off its first warning.

If the alarm gets set off again within 12 seconds, it will shriek for 30 seconds and then reset.

 

[Reid]

Demo just made

 

[Deacon Blues]

The problem with your bike alarm is no one will stop the guy from stealing your bike. They'll just think, "Not my problem".
He'll just ride away with a beeping bike and be free and clear, unless he rides by a cop car. Even then, it's doubtful the cops will be bothered to do anything.

If you're close enough to hear the alarm and get to your bike before the thief rides away it might save your bike.

 

[michael mitchell]

The problem with your bike alarm is no one will stop the guy from stealing your bike. They'll just think, "Not my problem".
He'll just ride away with a beeping bike and be free and clear, unless he rides by a cop car. Even then, it's doubtful the cops will be bothered to do anything.

If you're close enough to hear the alarm and get to your bike before the thief rides away it might save your bike.

I disagree. He has the alarm, plus the folding lock and a rear wheel lock. That's way more trouble than most bike thieves would want to deal with. Sure, any bike can be stolen if someone really wants it, but this setup is pretty good. It seems to me that removing the battery could also serve as a deterrent for more knowledgeable thieves. Thoughts?

 

[Barry S]

I disagree. He has the alarm, plus the folding lock and a rear wheel lock. That's way more trouble than most bike thieves would want to deal with. Sure, any bike can be stolen if someone really wants it, but this setup is pretty good. It seems to me that removing the battery could also serve as a deterrent for more knowledgeable thieves. Thoughts?

I agree on all points. The only way to completely secure your bike is to bring it inside with you. If you can't do that, then do whatever it takes to slow the thief down and/or consider an easier target.