Bicycle alarm with remote control. Bicycle alarms

The bicycle does not stand still, two wheels dashingly roll it in step with the times. Models are being improved, the range of products for every color and taste is replenished, devices and devices appear to improve the quality of “cycling life”. These include an alarm system that is ready to protect the bike from the evil intentions of the ubiquitous car thieves.

An alarm with a feedback function is not just a “shout”, but a functional device for communicating the owner with a bicycle left in the parking lot. Has a complete analogy with car system anti-theft - the owner will be notified in time about the theft or its attempt. What is good about this device, what disadvantages it has, and about enhanced protection for the bicycle, we will find out later in the article.

Anti-theft system functions

Alarm kit with feedback Includes electronic unit, key fob, mounts and batteries. Actually, nothing complicated, the device is very simple, the settings are transparent, but instructions for adjustment and operation are included to help.

The operating principle of the alarm is to give a loud signal and notify the owner of the theft via a key fob or control panel. The alarm is turned on and off using special buttons on the key fob.

True, at first the owner himself may forget about the need to turn off the device and be deafened by the piercing scream of the alarm. Some models have integration with a smartphone: a special application is installed, through which the owner will be promptly notified via Bluetooth about attempted thefts, as well as the location of the bicycle via GPS.

Standard bike alarm options include:

• loud, attractive signal with volume up to 120 dB;
• sensitivity settings by distance and time;
• call via app or remote control;
• additional power supply (for long-term parking);
• notification of low batteries and alarm deactivation.

The system is usually attached to the seat tube, less often to other parts of the frame.

Remote signaling: yes or no?

It’s worth noting right away that an alarm system is not a cheap thing, so it makes sense to install it on the appropriate bicycle models. Advantages of the anti-theft system:

• loud signal: on city streets this will immediately attract the attention of passers-by and the owner himself;
• remote warning system, you can leave the bike in the parking lot without a lock;
• Although the device is expensive, you can buy it without any problems - on the counter or by ordering it on the Internet;
• sensitivity setting.

Minuses:

• The sensitivity of the alarm is also a drawback - the device can be triggered by small vibrations, causing inconvenience to the owner;
• on budget models weak fastenings;
• the application on the smartphone may suddenly freeze, which is why the owner may not receive an alarm signal;
• high energy consumption of the battery in passive mode.

Whether to buy an alarm for a bicycle or not is up to everyone to decide. Here it is worth considering the price of the device, the class of the bicycle, the frequency and duration of parking, and the place of the most frequent stop.

Anti-theft bike alarm with lock

Combined option - bicycle alarm with a lock. When disabled, the device works as a simple anti-theft alarm with keys. An active alarm sends signals and notifications via Bluetooth.

Signal cable lock

The advantage of a signal lock:

• the bike is fastened;
• the signal is always given, even when a thief tries to bite the cable;
• The device is less noticeable.

Of course, no matter how ultra-modern and reliable methods there are, there is no 100% guarantee of protection - there are no fewer thieves, if not vice versa. Therefore it is worth mentioning a few more valuable advice How to protect your bike as much as possible when parked.

Additional protection won't hurt

Since stopping a bicycle on the street is risky even with an advanced signal, it is not recommended to leave a bicycle unattended for a long time. Although the alarm is silent, you need to periodically check whether your two-wheeled friend is in place.

A wireless warning system plus a cable or U-lock lock is a more reliable option when compared with installing only an alarm system. The classic rule of “fastening both the frame and the wheels” is not canceled: when only the wheels are fastened, there is a risk of losing the most important thing in the bicycle – the frame and fork.

Another good recommendation for protecting a high-speed bike from theft is to install a low gear. A thief, carried away by the process of theft, will not be able to immediately drive far from the parking lot, and the alarm will attract more attention at low speeds.

Conclusion

A bike alarm is a great addition to protecting your bike when parked. However, you should be vigilant: the device may fail, and the thief may remove it from the bicycle. It is preferable to install maximum protection and choose proven parking places.

Smart LED back light FAST for bicycle

A smart rear light will help warn others about an accident or unauthorized movement of a bicycle (or simply theft). The flashlight is photosensitive and can change the color and brightness of its glow depending on the light level. It is made on the basis RGB LEDs. The light can be mounted on the back of the bike, performing some smart functions. Control is carried out through a smartphone application, which we simply called “FAST”. We hope this light will improve your cycling safety while adding an unforgettable experience to your cycling experience.

Possible smart functions:

Emergency contact

Cycling is a fairly dangerous activity and accidents can happen at any time. Acceleration sensor and simultaneous motion tracking help you get immediate help when an emergency occurs. Firstly, a strong collision or a sharp turn will cause the flashlight to change mode, signaling an SOS signal, so you can be easily seen at night. Secondly, the smart flashlight will begin transmitting information about you to your friends on their smartphones (this is the so-called emergency communication channel), allowing them to know that you are in an emergency situation and need help. Your friends will receive a notification on their screen that they urgently need to go to the FAST application in the “SOS” section to receive emergency information about you.

Automatic brightness change

If the ISO-Auto function is activated, the flashlight will be photosensitive to light environment. For example, when you enter a dark tunnel or dark place, the light will automatically light up with a bright light.

Anti-theft function

Anti-theft devices for bicycles are a big nuisance to use, especially when you need to leave your bike for just a couple of minutes to buy a cup of coffee or do some small shopping. Thanks to our development, you won't have to worry about tying up your bike for a long time. Simply by pressing the “Lock” button in our special FAST application on your smartphone, you can safely leave your bike unguarded. If someone tries to steal your bike, thanks to the acceleration sensor connected to the application on your smartphone via Bluetooth, you will immediately receive an alarm. Simultaneously with the alarm, the rear light will flash brightly in different colors.

Full color LED customization

Regular taillights are boring! But with the use of a variety of individually customizable full-color LEDs, this becomes more interesting. The rear light has eight RGB LEDs. You can customize your favorite color and pattern directly through the FAST app on your smartphone! We have added an interesting feature to the flashlight: displaying small words in the form of Morse code. For example, you can transmit your name or the name of your favorite pet through a lantern. In addition, if you live in countries where the law requires only a red tail light, then you can easily adjust it within the limits of the law.

Here are some possible operating modes for the rear lights:

Double flash

Roundabout Circulation

Random colors

Lights passing by

Breathing lamp

Red glow (for countries where required by law)

A little about the FAST application

Using the application, you can both view and change the LED flashing mode, check the motion status and much more by simply pressing the desired function with your finger.

Available features in the FAST app

· Check the battery charge in the flashlight, as well as information about color and brightness

· Enable/disable Auto ISO, Alarm sound, low battery notification, and use of emergency communication channel

Activation of anti-theft mode

· Setting the flashlight operating mode, color and brightness of light

· Customize certain scenarios, such as using the flashlight as a night light

· Flashlight firmware update

Application operation in “Community” mode

The FAST app allows you to share locations between friends in real time. You can join a group of your friends using a two-dimensional QR code, which can be sent to you, for example, by email. Once you've joined a group, you can check the location of your friends, and if someone gets into an accident, the app will immediately notify you by switching their friend's color to red.

With the FAST app, you can keep a log that will record your movements in real time, and also allow you to calculate your riding time, average speed, calories, etc. This data can be saved or shared on in social networks Facebook, Twitter, wechat, etc.

Modern production design

How can you quickly and securely attach a light to the rear of your bike? Using a special adjustable mount with a strap, the light can be easily installed on any type of frame of various bicycles.

Thanks to a special optical coating and a special geometric shape, the FAST tail light continues to reflect light even when it is turned off. In order to protect internal electronic components, we have rubber sealed the body, thus making the flashlight waterproof and dustproof.

Using the button on the back of the flashlight, you can quickly change the LED flashing mode and also turn it off. The battery is charged from charger with connector Micro USB.

Specifications

The FAST tail light includes 8 RGB LEDs that can display up to 16 million colors. Controlled via Bluetooth Low Energy technology, with OTA (Over The Air) support. Power is provided by a lithium polymer battery with charging from Micro USB port. It's all very environmentally friendly and convenient.

In addition, the FAST tail light can be used as a small night light, or a small portable lamp!

The bicycle alarm appeared again. If it were not for the large number of hijackers, it would not be needed. Until now, cases of bicycle thefts in villages are the work of “tourists”.

The problem of theft of any vehicle is very acute in our country, where you can sell stolen property in Kaliningrad, and find a car, for example, in Vladivostok.

With bicycles it’s quite simple: you don’t need to change the numbers, you repaint the frame and that’s it. As a last resort, I threw out the previous owner’s “baubles” that made the bike too recognizable.

Here, for example, is the Novosibirsk car of one good man. Not only is it equipped with a two-stroke Comet engine, but the whole car also bears the imprint of a design in a mixture of “rockabilly and steampunk”. The thief needs to strip everything, depersonalize it, and then sell it. Therefore, such cars are looked at in advance.

There is a heartbreaking site for finding stolen bicycles: lostbike.ru.

Since every fifth, if not tenth, bicycle ends up on its pages, the statistics are more than depressing. Here are typical situations: “The bike is almost new. They took me out of the stairwell after cutting the cable.” “Two guys cut the cable and drove off towards the outskirts.” “They stole it along with the chain. There was a piece of chain left near the porch at work. The police failed to do anything. It’s been poisoning my soul for three months now.”

The situation is aggravated by imperfect legislation. Even car thieves during the investigation stated that they had no thoughts of stealing, that is, forcibly appropriating other people’s property. Like, let's take it for a ride and put it in place. And it is almost impossible to prove that theft was intended. With bicycles it’s even easier: I could bite the chain, ride it and put it in place. Only when theft is legally equivalent to theft will bicycle thieves think about whether or not to take someone else’s property.

Simple rules that make life difficult for a hijacker

• The simplest and most effective rule is not to leave your bike unattended;
• In the event that there is combination lock, chain and padlock and so on, you can take your eyes off the bike, about 40-60 seconds. Then it is advisable to get out of line at the pharmacy and take a look at the porch and the bike.
• Before driving up and dismounting and leaving the bike, you should place the shifters on the largest driven sprocket and the smallest driving sprocket. In this case, the attacker will be forced to drive very slowly until he figures out how to switch. And these are seconds, the opportunity to attract attention, the threat of falling. Anything is better than the quiet disappearance of a thief with a bike.
• Remove everything “beautiful and expensive” from the bicycle - a rare brass horn, audio speakers, a beautiful rear-view mirror. If you return, you won’t find it.
• Never fasten the bike by the wheel. Remember that the frame and front fork are the most expensive parts, just like the car body.
• Advice from the “experienced” - repaint the bike in a poisonous luminescent color or “zebra” in the most tear-inducing shades. Most likely, they will not mess with this.

What can a bicycle alarm do?

• The bicycle alarm can sound a sound signal when the vibration sensor is triggered at the pain threshold level, up to 120 dB.
• The setting allows you to ignore vibrations that last less than a certain time, for example, 2 seconds. This time is enough not to disturb the owner while the tram is passing near the parking area.
• A bicycle alarm with feedback not only beeps very loudly, but also sends an alarm signal to the remote control remote control.

Therefore, if you see a feedback alarm on sale, it means that you, like a car owner, will have a device with a remote control or a key fob.

The alarm and anti-theft bicycle lock were combined. This is how locks with alarms appeared.

The advantage of this device is that a loud and unpleasant sound signal is emitted not only when an attacker opens the lock, but also when trying to get around “ little blood", i.e. when the cable is bitten or at the slightest vibration. This significantly increases the owner's chances of reacting.

The device runs on 3 batteries. In addition, if desired, the alarm can be turned off and the device can be used as a simple lock.

The second option with alarm is a rigid frame type made of hardened steel. At a price of about 2.5 - 3 thousand rubles, hardened steel perfectly resists both hacksaw blades and double-lever bolt cutters.

What a smart bike lock can do

Due to the development of cellular telephone communications and GPS navigation, it would be surprising if sooner or later these innovations did not begin to help not only car enthusiasts, but also bicycle owners.

One such example of the use of connectivity in bicycle alarms is the Lock 8 smart lock, which came to market about a year ago, in May 2014.

Its distinctive properties are:

• Electronic locking is controlled through a special application on a smartphone.
• Data exchange is carried out via a wireless Bluetooth connection.
• It is possible to send a copy electronic key those people whom the owner of the bike trusts.
• The lock is equipped with a module mobile communications and a GPS receiver in case of theft.
• It is important that the blocker does not have batteries, but is recharged while driving. This means the device is energy independent.

Read more about this wonderful castle here:

By the way, this lock also has a “miracle price”: about 8,500 rubles without delivery throughout Russia.

The second option for a pure GPS tracking device is Spy Bike – GPS Tracker.

This alarm does its job quietly and unnoticed. It hides in the steering bushing and is activated via SMS. The vibration sensor sends an SMS to the owner’s phone about the theft. The work of this sleeve is to send coordinates from the processor, which can be sent to cellular telephone the owner in the form of terrain coordinates with a certain time interval, which can be represented as a trajectory.

Naturally, this requires a SIM card. The device runs on batteries for several months. SMS messages received from the device show the battery charge level.

A wonderful thriller with a happy ending about the use of this device is shown below.

What are the “disadvantages” of an anti-theft alarm?

High current consumed by devices in “standby mode”, which is explained by powering motion sensors, gyro position sensor and other devices. Typically this current is 0.7 milliamps per hour. Considering the battery capacity of 0.5 A/hour, you can understand that the average service life is about 1 month.

And therefore the following situation is possible: having forgotten to change the power source a month later, you are horrified to see that the bicycle is gone, and the device “didn’t work.” The need to frequently replace batteries dictates certain restrictions on the ease of use of an alarm system with an autonomous power source.

In addition, the alarm itself sounds for 15 seconds to save energy. Sometimes she falls silent at the most inopportune moment, for example, when she “shouted out” in deserted garages and the thief drives out into a crowded place in silence. A lot can happen while the next 15 seconds pass.

In order to make a bicycle alarm with your own hands, it is not at all necessary to have knowledge of radio engineering.

To do this, it is enough to purchase a wireless bell for the front door and slightly rearrange the contact so that it works to “open”.

After this, you can mount it in the end of the steering grip and, changing the bell to “howler”, use it calmly. To do this, you need to press the button and, while pressed, lean the steering wheel against a tree, for example. Now, when you try to move the steering wheel away from the support, a sound signal will be heard.

Of course, a DIY alarm system is more vulnerable than an industrial one. What if it doesn’t work, or the water gets wet. Trust the professionals!

Of course, it is best to combine GPS control, a lock with sound alarm and a powerful chain.

And in conclusion, you can watch a good excerpt from Galileo about bike locks.

A bike is a more than convenient means of transportation, both within the city and in rural areas. In the first case, the advantages include the absence of the need to stand in traffic jams for hours, and in the second, the ability to quickly cover long distances in the warm season. For bicycle lovers, in addition to the issue of caring for their two-wheeled friend, the problem of a place or method of storing it has always been relevant. Some cyclists fiddle with inconvenient chains and padlocks, which, due to their massiveness, constantly have to be carried in a backpack. Others trust completely unreliable cables with primitive codes, although they can easily be disabled and your vehicle stolen.

IN Lately, as a solution, I often suggest that cyclists install an alarm on their bike, which would allow them to hear at a certain distance that a cable or chain connected to it is subject to physical influence.

Such devices have a number of significant disadvantages:

• The battery can be easily removed from the device
• The device itself is quite noticeable
• The battery charge of such an alarm can run out quite quickly
• Not sensitive to non-theft actions, such as frame damage
• Bicycle alarm with remote control

The modern market offers to secure your bike with another device. This type of alarm also produces a powerful sound that can attract the attention of passers-by and, most importantly, notify you, the owner. You can hear the corresponding sound signal in your pocket from the control panel. For example, now leaving a bicycle at the entrance to a store you will not need to worry about its safety.

There are two buttons on the control panel of such a device, one of which activates the alarm, and the second turns it off.

Principle of operation

The block is equipped with a rather sensitive element that reacts to vibrations occurring in the frame area, similar to those that occur when using a bicycle. After detecting the changes, the device begins to emit a sound with a volume of 110 dB. In some modifications of the alarm system, a short warning signal may be emitted. In parallel with these actions, the owner is also notified of the manipulation of his vehicle. The battery of this type of alarm holds a charge for quite a long period of time. When the charge does begin to deplete, the alarm will simply periodically emit sound vibrations that will warn the bike owner that it is time to charge the battery. Vibration sensitivity modes can be changed, there are three: low sensitivity, medium and high.

Installation method

It is best to install the alarm unit on a pin under the saddle, making sure that the base is not subject to significant vibration. To do this, you need to mount the device above the shock-absorbing parts. Manufacturers recommend tightening the fixing bolts completely.

Nuances of use

Before installing the alarm, install the battery. After fastening, use the remote control to activate the operation, wait for the characteristic sound, hear it after about 5 seconds. The alarm for your bike is ready for use. Using the same actions, only with a different button, the system turns off. Many people advise using the device in tandem with a classic cable or chain along with a padlock. You can count not only on the fact that the sound will notify you and scare the thief, but also on the fact that when you try to break into a mechanical device, corresponding vibrations will occur and the alarm sensor will go off.

This device can protect not only your bike. For example, you can simply install the block on the handle of your bag and take a quiet nap in the waiting room or go to the toilet.

Young parents are often justifiably afraid to leave their children's strollers in the hallway. In this case, you should install the device on an inconspicuous area of ​​the base of the structure; if someone tries to take possession of your property, you will certainly hear it. The same goes for your garden tools or even utility room doors.

How else can you prevent theft?

Experienced cyclists advise simply not to leave your bike unattended, even for short periods of time. Even the latest alarm system or powerful circuit is not a panacea for swindlers who are ready to steal your vehicle, but the presence of such devices will allow the owner to leave for a few minutes and not worry.

If you need to step away for a longer period of time, try to find an opportunity to look at the bike from time to time.

Before stopping, while still moving, change gear on both rows of sprockets. The front row should be switched to the largest chainring, and the rear row to the smallest. All these actions can prevent the thief from starting quickly. Not only will it be difficult to ride, but there is also the possibility of the chain coming off. This will give you a few seconds, in such a situation they are never superfluous. Try not to add expensive accessories to your vehicle, as this will attract too much unnecessary attention.

Types

Electronic anti-theft protection systems for two-wheeled vehicles are conventionally divided into several categories:

1. Sirens - scare away intruders with a loud sound. When you try to dismantle, the “squeak” of the alarm intensifies, which has an extremely unpleasant effect on the hearing of the thief and passers-by.
2. Sirens with remote control - function in the same way as the previous solution. The only difference is the ability to turn off and activate from a distance.
3. Bicycle alarm with code lock - locks the lock until the bike owner enters the correct combination of symbols.

What possibilities does a bicycle alarm with remote control offer?

Bicycle anti-theft:

1. It emits a noise signal, the power of which is on the verge of the pain threshold and is about 120 dB.
2. Special settings allow you to delay the response time for a certain time, which becomes useful, for example, if the system receives vibrations that come from nearby city traffic. This functionality does not force the bicycle owner to respond to a false signal every time.
3. The bike alarm not only makes a loud sound, but also sends alarm alerts to the remote control, which is always at hand for the bike owner.

Disadvantages of anti-theft alarms

Like any other electronic device, a bicycle alarm has several disadvantages. First of all, it is worth noting the high energy consumption in standby mode. The reason for this is the need to power special position and motion sensors. Therefore, owners of such systems often have to burden themselves with replacing batteries.

Devices that have an energy saving function sound for 15-30 seconds. Often the system goes silent at the most inopportune moment.

Bicycle alarms are quite vulnerable to aggressive environmental factors, in particular high humidity and temperature.

How to make a bicycle alarm with your own hands?

To make a means to prevent the theft of a two-wheeled vehicle, it is not at all necessary to have a good understanding of the basics of radio engineering. To do this, it is enough to find a high-quality one by rearranging the electrical contacts so that the device functions as an “opening”.

A homemade alarm can be placed in the end part of the steering grip. The system can be improved by replacing the standard sound signal to a more powerful “howler”. To activate such an alarm, it is enough to rest the steering wheel on a hard surface. At the first attempt to move the bike, a sound alert will sound, which will force the attacker to experience not the most pleasant moments.

Naturally, a self-made alarm system is not as perfect as factory samples. Therefore, it is better to trust professional developments, combining protection in the form of a sound device with a powerful lock and chain.

Finally

If speak about the best way protecting your bike from theft, it is worth considering the available options according to the degree of reliability, functionality and potential hacking speed.

How much does a bicycle alarm cost? The price of the simplest devices in the budget category starts from 300 rubles. However, bicycle owners who are really concerned about the safety of their property should pay attention to systems costing 1,000 rubles and more.

As for capabilities, this implies the degree of functionality of the alarm, the presence of truly practical qualities. Thus, the main advantage of systems with a control panel is the ability to communicate with the bicycle at a distance. Programming the device to respond to certain influences makes it possible not only to attract everyone's attention to an attempted theft, but also to cause physical discomfort to the thief. After all, the volume and frequency of sound waves in high-quality alarm systems often reaches values ​​that are dangerous for the safety of hearing.