I think I've found the best place to hide a tracker on my Brompton: in its front carrier block!

Axel Leroy · edit-2 13 days ago

I think I've found the best place to hide a tracker on my Brompton: in its front carrier block!

@[email protected] · 13 days ago

Pebblebee Tag

Looks nice, but I hate that it uses a non-replaceable battery.

I’ve got quite a few Tile and Chipolo trackers, and they all use standard CR2032 or 1632, and they last about a year (?).

But I’ll never have to worry about replacing the tracker because of the battery. My first Tile trackers are going strong 7 to 8 years at this point! LOL

Axel Leroy · 13 days ago

@Showroom7561 I share your opinion, replaceable batteroes are better, I even went for the Chipolo first but unfortunately it didn’t fit.

Alan · 13 days ago

@axeleroy @brompton I fitted an AirTag in mine without any problems.

Axel Leroy · 13 days ago

@ReCyclist @brompton Oh, they must be smaller than I thought.

Andreas Neustifter · 13 days ago

@axeleroy @brompton Looks (to me with no foldabe bike experience) like its a metal part. Does the tracker work properly with all that shielding?

Axel Leroy · 13 days ago

@astifter @brompton The carrier block itself is made of plastic, this thin metal plate is only used to secure the block to the bike, so I does not shield the tracker. (you can see the metal plate more clearly here https://www.brompton.com/p/736/front-carrier-block)

I originally thought of putting the tracker inside the frame, but then the tracker’s signal would have been shielded.

Sanji, aka Jean-Daniel · 13 days ago

@axeleroy @brompton Smart move to show this on a public place…

Axel Leroy · 13 days ago

@sanji @brompton I don’t believe common thieves would stumble upon this or even be knowledgeable about Bromptons

@[email protected] · 13 days ago

I don’t have a Brompton so the only use I have for this information is burglary.

Axel ⌨🐧🐪🚴😷 | R.I.P Natenom · 13 days ago

@sanji @brompton: And what the picture does not show: There is usually a locking mechanism in that hole which will hide the tag probably quite well.

@axeleroy: Can you charge the Pebble Tag without disassembling the front block’s locking mechanism? How long does one charge last?

Axel Leroy · 13 days ago

@xtaran @sanji @brompton Yes, thanks for adding that bit of info I left out, I probably should edit with a picture of the assembled block.

I did not try, but the charging cable being as big as the tag should allow to charge it in place. It should last a year according to the constructor.

@Blue_Morpho · 13 days ago

I’m unfamiliar with the brand but I assume the part you are showing is solid metal?

If so, the tag isn’t going to be able to broadcast very far. You better hope the person that steals it has their tag tracking settings enabled on their phone.

Axel Leroy · 13 days ago

@Blue_Morpho I don’t think it would interfere with the signal as the carrier block is mostly made of plastic. I haven’t tried the range yet, but I’m not too worried.