Posted at: Apr 19, 2023
Accessories that turn Apple AirTag into a bike security tool—here’s a guide to their pros, cons, how to choose one, and top recommended products.
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These are accessories that allow you to use Apple’s lost item tracker, the Apple AirTag, as a theft deterrent for your bicycle.
The concept is simple: the Apple AirTag is mounted on the frame of a road bike or hybrid bike in a hidden location, out of plain sight.
The AirTag can be tracked not only by the paired iPhone, but also by leveraging the global network of hundreds of millions of Apple devices—iPhones, iPads, and Macs—which can anonymously detect a nearby AirTag and report its location to the owner’s iCloud account. This makes it possible to pinpoint the bike’s location in the event of theft.
Using this system, even if your bike is stolen, you may be able to track its location and retrieve it with the help of law enforcement.
Yes. The Apple AirTag relies on the presence of nearby Apple devices to transmit its location. So if:
…then the AirTag will not be able to relay its location.
One major advantage of these accessories is their lightweight nature.
An AirTag itself weighs only 11g, and even when stored inside a holder accessory, the total weight typically stays under 50g. In contrast, high-security bike locks can weigh close to 1kg.
Although security generally increases with weight, AirTag-compatible anti-theft accessories offer a way to enhance theft deterrence without significantly increasing the bike’s overall weight.
Conventional bike locks are useless once the bike is stolen—once it’s gone, you’re left hoping the police or friends can help spot it.
But with an Apple AirTag-compatible accessory, you can track the bike’s current location, which means there’s a realistic chance of recovering it, even after it’s been taken.
These are accessories that allow you to use Apple’s lost item tracker, the Apple AirTag, as a theft deterrent for your bicycle.
The concept is simple: the Apple AirTag is mounted on the frame of a road bike or hybrid bike in a hidden location, out of plain sight.
The AirTag can be tracked not only by the paired iPhone, but also by leveraging the global network of hundreds of millions of Apple devices—iPhones, iPads, and Macs—which can anonymously detect a nearby AirTag and report its location to the owner’s iCloud account. This makes it possible to pinpoint the bike’s location in the event of theft.
Using this system, even if your bike is stolen, you may be able to track its location and retrieve it with the help of law enforcement.
Yes. The Apple AirTag relies on the presence of nearby Apple devices to transmit its location. So if:
…then the AirTag will not be able to relay its location.
One major advantage of these accessories is their lightweight nature.
An AirTag itself weighs only 11g, and even when stored inside a holder accessory, the total weight typically stays under 50g. In contrast, high-security bike locks can weigh close to 1kg.
Although security generally increases with weight, AirTag-compatible anti-theft accessories offer a way to enhance theft deterrence without significantly increasing the bike’s overall weight.
Conventional bike locks are useless once the bike is stolen—once it’s gone, you’re left hoping the police or friends can help spot it.
But with an Apple AirTag-compatible accessory, you can track the bike’s current location, which means there’s a realistic chance of recovering it, even after it’s been taken.
One major downside is that it operates on the assumption that the bike will be taken—and it’s useless if removed.
Traditional bike security involves locks or indoor storage, both aimed at preventing the bike from being taken in the first place. In contrast, AirTag-based accessories are designed to help locate the bike after it has been taken. That means they only work once a theft has already occurred.
This also means there are inherent risks: tracking the bike could lead you into potentially dangerous situations, such as confronting the thief or retrieving the bike with the police. There’s also the risk that only parts of the bike are stolen or the frame is damaged in the process.
Additionally, if the thief discovers and removes the AirTag, tracking becomes impossible.
For these reasons, it’s best to think of AirTag-compatible accessories as a supplement to standard security measures—not a replacement.
Naturally, to use these accessories, you’ll need an Apple AirTag. However, AirTags themselves aren’t particularly cheap—they cost around ¥5,000 (~$30–35 USD). Adding the cost of a compatible holder brings the total to about ¥7,000 (~$45–50 USD).
If you also purchase a traditional bike lock, the total cost can approach ¥10,000 (~$70 USD). In such cases, some might argue it’s better to invest in a higher-quality lock from the start.
No matter how well the AirTag can track your bike, it’s meaningless if a thief can easily remove it.
Some brands address this by designing holders that require special tools to detach, reducing the likelihood of discovery and removal.
Be cautious with models that simply attach to a bottle cage—if noticed, they can be easily removed with a common Allen key.
While making the AirTag hard to remove is one strategy, making its presence undetectable is even better. If the thief doesn’t realize they’re being tracked, they won’t attempt to remove the device.
Most accessories are visibly attached to the frame, but there are stealthier options—such as holders hidden inside reflectors or stem top caps. These are ideal for remaining unnoticed.
On the other hand, if your AirTag is housed in a case that requires special tools for removal, you might instead intentionally make it visible to deter theft, effectively using it as a warning.
The Knog Scout comes equipped with a sensor equivalent to Apple’s AirTag. Since the Scout itself includes a built-in AirTag-compatible sensor, there’s no need to purchase an Apple AirTag separately.
It mounts to the bike using the bottle cage mounts, but features special security bolts that cannot be removed with regular tools, enhancing its anti-theft capabilities.
This is an AirTag holder that mounts to the bottle cage. It uses security bolts that require special tools, providing a high level of security while maintaining a sleek, minimal appearance.
Its affordable price makes it an ideal choice for those wanting to try out AirTag-based bike security for the first time.
Another bottle cage-mount AirTag holder, the LEZYNE MATRIX BIKE TAGGER also uses special security bolts to prevent easy removal. Thanks to its compact size, it’s less likely to be noticed by thieves.
As with most LEZYNE products, the downside is the slightly higher price.
From the well-known bicycle chemical brand Muc-Off, this AirTag holder offers strong protection with special mounting bolts, while also adding style with its colorful design options.
The main drawback is its relatively high price.
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