We have tested several accessories, combining trackers, connected objects, connected alarms, which will allow you to secure a bike with the best anti-theft device possible. If you’ve purchased an expensive e-bike, you’ll appreciate these options for protecting it.
Is the city the enemy of the bicycle? Less and less in France, as evidenced by the various developments deployed at high speed, in many metropolises and that French men and women are discovering the savings allowed by a bicycle. However, the fact remains that bike theft is one of the scourges that undermine the practice. It is not uncommon for a salesperson to issue a ” you won’t let him outside, will you? worried to a customer, before the purchase. And the problem of theft affects all ranges: it’s not because you have a second-hand €100 bike that you are less likely to have it stolen – at best you have limited the damage by not spending not a fortune in your cycle.
Our general recommendations are as follows:
- Buy a voucher anti-theft and a second less expensive lock. Thieves are opportunistic and the more they have to saw or blow up, the less interested they are in a bike. We recommend several at the end of this article.
- Double the attachment points : with two locks, you can hang on two parts of adapted equipment and make maneuvers more difficult (you need space to pry with a crowbar or saw a U).
- Return your bike night : car park, shared or private bike garage, bike rack in an apartment… in short, bikes are stolen the most at night.
- Insure your bike : if you have invested in an expensive cycle, appropriate insurance is strongly recommended. Their price changes with the purchase price of the bike. We have written a complete guide at this address.
Once these precautions are taken, you can further enhance the safety of your bike. The three objects that we present to you and that we have tested at length have this objective.
Good locks for your bike
- Abuse Bordo : a classic, available in several sizes and with or without storage clip. Despite its appearances, the Bordo is solid and its folding allows you to transport it without problems on your bike or in a bag. We do not recommend the Lite range as a primary lock, but it can make a good secondary lock
- Abus Granit X-Plus : the all-purpose U, super solid, easy to use, plus a very clever luggage rack attachment that will allow you to forget about it once on the road. We love.
- New York Kryptonite : the small U reference for bikes that do not have too thick a frame (its handle is shorter than the Abus model). Compact, rather light but without compromising on security, the Kryptonite U is an excellent choice.
- Elops U920 + cable : for €32, Decathlon offers a lock + cable duo to protect an unbeatable wheel. The security level is displayed as 8 out of 10, which will protect your mount against most attacks.
Abus SmartX, the best connected padlock with alarm for electric bikes
We don’t really like bikes too connected on Numerama. The obligation to have a smartphone to start a bike is never a very good idea. But it must be recognized that the security functions linked to the connected bike are interesting. The Abus SmartX lock does just that.
This U rated at the highest security level at the manufacturer does not have a key. It unlocks via Bluetooth, either in the application by pressing a button, or by detecting your smartphone from a proximity threshold. The initial pairing is not done in the menu, but by means of an encrypted key. Locking is done automatically and all you have to do is push a button to trigger the alarm mode. If your bike moves or moves, the alarm will sound and a notification will be sent to you.
We have been using it for over 3 months and it has never let us down. We were afraid of impossible unlocking or that its battery would be discharged too quickly, but it is not so. The model we use is a little too big for our taste: the smaller one is perhaps more practical to use, because it is less heavy. The larger one might be more suitable for the big frames of e-bikes.
Invoxia GPS tracker for electric bike
Invoxia is a French company that had a clever idea: hide a GPS module in a reflector. The accessory looks like any entry-level reflector strapped to a seatpost and won’t arouse anyone’s suspicion: a thief wouldn’t bother breaking it thinking it’s the tool guiding the constabulary to its landmark.
In this reflector is therefore housed a rechargeable GPS module, which will both allow you to locate your stolen bike (by GPS then, the closer you get to it, by Bluetooth), but also to inform you of a theft attempt. . As soon as you start moving your bike, the sensors in the box panic and send you a notification on your smartphone. You can also define safety zones which will act as “virtual barriers”: the bike leaves the zone, it warns you.
The application is basic, but well done and everything works exactly as you imagine: efficiently. The tracker works with an annual subscription which only kicks in after 3 years of use and then only costs €10 per year. Wondering if Apple AirTags can do the trick for securing a bike for less? We talk about it in this article.
Abus Nutfix, wheel lock for electric bikes
No Bluetooth, no beep-beep, no alarm, no app, just an interesting invention: Abus Nutfixes are wheel locks that allow you to seal the wheels of your bike without being completely helpless. if necessary to dismantle them. To access the fixing nut, the bike simply needs to be horizontal, which you cannot do with a bike attached to a fixed point in theory. Otherwise, the system, which is entirely mechanical, does not allow access to the fixing nut.
We recommend this solution, because it’s right between the quick-release lever systems found on many bikes and those that make access difficult for thieves… but also for you. In short, an essential tool to avoid having to tighten your wheels with an additional flexible lock. Also exists to protect a saddle.
What to do if your electric bike is stolen?
If, unfortunately, your bike has been stolen, you will have to go through a classic vehicle theft circuit. Notify your insurance company, take photos of the location of the theft and of your cut-out padlocks if necessary, report your stolen bike to the police, check with the agents if your tracker detects a GPS signal, report your stolen bike to the Paravol network if you marked it. If you can track your bike, don’t take excessive risks to recover it: bike theft networks are well organized.
How to properly attach your electric bike?
To properly secure your e-bike and prevent it from being stolen, you can follow a few simple rules. Since the perfect padlock does not exist, you want to make it as difficult as possible for thieves.
- Always tie your bike to a thick fixed point. A fence does not fall into this category. If no urban equipment is available, prefer posts (check that they do not dislodge), metal barriers or sturdy chains. Never tie your bike on itself only: it will be loaded and sawed off in a safe place.
- Attach your bike by the strongest point. Usually this is the frame. If you have a wheel lock and in case nothing else is possible, you can attach it by the wheel (but not by the spokes). Never attach your bike to a detachable point (salt rod, handlebars, etc.).
- Attach your bike with two locks. The more time you waste a thief, the less interested he will be in your bike. Destroy two locks takes time, even if the second is smaller (or a simple frame lock, type Axa Defender).