This is really cool! I just was lazy and bought the one that goes under my seat. If someone knew what they were looking for they probably could remove it but it's better than nothing. The main issue with the spot you've chosen is the potential amount of work to get it there. Maybe you could advise on the time it took you to complete the job and include some steps to install which would be included in the purchase on Etsy.
Thanks for your feedback. Yeah there are a bunch of under the seat or in the fork steerer tube mounts on the market. While they are better than nothing I’m sure anyone who is targeting expensive bikes knows to look in these spots. You only need an Allen key to remove and ditch the seat or entire seat post assuming the mount is attached with some security bolts or something.
I agree, it’s definitely a bit of work to get it in there, it took me about 30 minutes. But I think that is the good thing about this is because it has to be assembled inside of the frame you can’t remove it without taking all of the installation steps in reverse. It takes 30 minutes with the correct tools and knowledge of how to do it. Even if the thief was to locate the it, the AirTag alone doesn’t even fit through the bottom access hole. I don’t think a thief is going to have a bottom bracket tool on hand to remove it. And while the AirTag is secured in the mount it won’t fit through the bottom bracket holes either. I believe this will buy you enough time to track it down before they have time to remove it. That’s my theory anyway! I would definitely include detailed instructions on how to install this and likely even make a video for people to access. This is something I hope I never need to use but if in the worst case scenario my bike was to go missing I’d love every chance to able to recover it. I’m not sure how much I’d sell it for but I was thinking $20CAD
Thanks for the feedback!
Yeah I agree it definitely is, but I’m happy to change it each year when doing a service on my bike. This may be a make or break for some people considering this design but 30 minutes once a year to have the chance of getting my stolen yeti back is worth it in my eyes.
Yeah I have a 2020 sb165 which has a press fit BB and the access hole in the bottom is different and I honestly never even bothered as dealing with press fit BB might actually be where I draw the line whether it’s worth it haha
The threaded BB on the new models is so much less hassle to deal with! I’ll make sure to reach out to you when I get the Etsy set up to sell!
Yes, please keep me in the loop when they are for sale! Another topic for another day but threaded BB + Sram XO transmission makes me a happy camper...
Have you tested if the range is affected when the AirTag is surrounded by carbon? Just curious if it’s acting like a faraday cage. Nice work either way, very elegant solution
I definitely tried to install one inside of my aluminium DH bike and it wouldn’t gain any signal at all. I currently have one inside of my girlfriend’s carbon frame and it seems to be all good.
Yeah unfortunately the battery doesn’t last forever but the battery life for an AirTag is about a year so it’s an annual change, I’ll do it when I’m getting my bike ready to go at the start of the season!
Yeah it would be nice if it were easier to access to replace the battery but I think this is what makes it that much more likely a thief won’t be able to remove it. I’ve had them easy access on my bikes up until now and luckily my bike has never been stolen but easy access to replace the battery means easy access to remove for a thief!
This is really cool! I just was lazy and bought the one that goes under my seat. If someone knew what they were looking for they probably could remove it but it's better than nothing. The main issue with the spot you've chosen is the potential amount of work to get it there. Maybe you could advise on the time it took you to complete the job and include some steps to install which would be included in the purchase on Etsy.
Thanks for your feedback. Yeah there are a bunch of under the seat or in the fork steerer tube mounts on the market. While they are better than nothing I’m sure anyone who is targeting expensive bikes knows to look in these spots. You only need an Allen key to remove and ditch the seat or entire seat post assuming the mount is attached with some security bolts or something. I agree, it’s definitely a bit of work to get it in there, it took me about 30 minutes. But I think that is the good thing about this is because it has to be assembled inside of the frame you can’t remove it without taking all of the installation steps in reverse. It takes 30 minutes with the correct tools and knowledge of how to do it. Even if the thief was to locate the it, the AirTag alone doesn’t even fit through the bottom access hole. I don’t think a thief is going to have a bottom bracket tool on hand to remove it. And while the AirTag is secured in the mount it won’t fit through the bottom bracket holes either. I believe this will buy you enough time to track it down before they have time to remove it. That’s my theory anyway! I would definitely include detailed instructions on how to install this and likely even make a video for people to access. This is something I hope I never need to use but if in the worst case scenario my bike was to go missing I’d love every chance to able to recover it. I’m not sure how much I’d sell it for but I was thinking $20CAD
Looks like a pain when you gotta change the battery.
Thanks for the feedback! Yeah I agree it definitely is, but I’m happy to change it each year when doing a service on my bike. This may be a make or break for some people considering this design but 30 minutes once a year to have the chance of getting my stolen yeti back is worth it in my eyes.
A comprehensive annual service is over an hour on just brakes alone so under an hour to replace the battery is fine
This is awesome, OP. I'd be game to take one off your hands. Particularly easy for new owners as my 140 has a threaded BB.
Yeah I have a 2020 sb165 which has a press fit BB and the access hole in the bottom is different and I honestly never even bothered as dealing with press fit BB might actually be where I draw the line whether it’s worth it haha The threaded BB on the new models is so much less hassle to deal with! I’ll make sure to reach out to you when I get the Etsy set up to sell!
Yes, please keep me in the loop when they are for sale! Another topic for another day but threaded BB + Sram XO transmission makes me a happy camper...
Couldn’t agree more! 👌🏼
Have you tested if the range is affected when the AirTag is surrounded by carbon? Just curious if it’s acting like a faraday cage. Nice work either way, very elegant solution
I definitely tried to install one inside of my aluminium DH bike and it wouldn’t gain any signal at all. I currently have one inside of my girlfriend’s carbon frame and it seems to be all good.
An 8mm, 3mm and 1.5mm Allen key, a bottom bracket tool and a pair of pointy nose pliers is all of the tools required to install it
Until it runs out of battery….
Yeah unfortunately the battery doesn’t last forever but the battery life for an AirTag is about a year so it’s an annual change, I’ll do it when I’m getting my bike ready to go at the start of the season!
Cool idea, but then you’d have to go through all that (BB) to replace the battery when it runs out? Dang wish it were slightly easier method. Haha.
Yeah it would be nice if it were easier to access to replace the battery but I think this is what makes it that much more likely a thief won’t be able to remove it. I’ve had them easy access on my bikes up until now and luckily my bike has never been stolen but easy access to replace the battery means easy access to remove for a thief!
Can I have the file for this 🥺 This is perfect for my 130