Core77

Theft-proof bicycles: impossible to design?

By Rain Noe - December 13, 2007

in Object Culture

Biomega is trying to solve the urban problem of stolen bicycles with their Boston model, which turns the entire frame of the bike into the lock; break the lock and the bike becomes unrideable. But while we applaud their efforts, we don't think they're addressing the entire problem: a quick walk around Manhattan will reveal any number of bicycle frames securely shackled to scaffolding--but missing their seats, handlebars, wheels, and/or pedals, meaning the thief got the pieces they needed and now the bike is unrideable to you.

The problem of protecting all the parts of an object that must be a) mass-manufactured, b) able to be disassembled, and c) light enough to carry is a tricky one for sure. So...any of you got ideas?

via red ferret

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EC

16 years ago

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Yes, I'm glad you asked, cause I do have an idea. I agree, a successful design has to protect the seat post. So why not just turn the seat post into a lock: Snap it to the handle bars. And while you're at it, slap a gasket on the seat post socket and your seat post also tipples as an emergency bike pump. Please check out some sketches here. I just started this thing, so please email me with comments -
http://ecsketchportfolio.blogspot.com/2007/11/simplifying-bicycle-experience.html
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Albert

16 years ago

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a few of these designs involved electronics. Stop it. One of the best things about a bike is that it's a hunk of metal that does without its rider. I wouldn't want an E-bike. It might become super intelligent and try to take over the world.
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Gnatthew

16 years ago

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Regarding Torx wrenches, no-one carries them around now, but if they become on bicycles thieves would surely get wise. Allen keys weren't always a common tool in the bike-thief's arsenal as they are now.
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JS

16 years ago

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Get a Razor scooter or a skateboard...
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Ed Carey Sr

16 years ago

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You don't need a better lock!
Just take it with you.

"The Rider" is a GREAT example of a Folding-Electric-Trike that can be used as a wheeled-luggage-carrier and pulled behind you on its wheels. It weighs only 30 pounds. When its folded its not much bigger than an umbrella, for placing in a car, cab, bus, train, boat, plane, elevator or closet. Perfect for School, Office or Shopping.

http://www.evworld.com/article.cfm?storyid=876

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Hoptoit

16 years ago

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"Or just use Torx nuts, as I doubt anyone is walking around with a set of Torx wrenches, looking for free bike components."

You'd be surprised. Or if they can't get parts off, sometimes they'll just stomp your wheels.
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matt

16 years ago

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I smell a one hour design challenge
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AN

16 years ago

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This bike is only theft-proof as a whole, individual parts can still be picked off, as you mention. The only true solution to bike theft is a portable bike small enough to take with you anywhere - that's a real design challenge. The Biomega is proof so many designers fail to grasp the problem context but design for it anyway. An overpriced non-solution is what it is.
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square

16 years ago

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Make the frame and handle bars, etc. one piece (stamp/mold) and individually lock the wheels to the frame...
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akatsuki

16 years ago

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Well I wouldn't buy an expensive Biomega to begin with...

But why has nobody made a seat tube integrated clamp that would lock the rear wheel? Not an add-on, but something worked into the tube itself?

A reel-out front cable lock for the front wheel would probably be sufficient if it is not that expensive a bike. Or just get rid of the quick release skewer.

Seatpost/Saddle, same thing, just latch it on permanently.
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Kyle

16 years ago

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Well, I made something similar a number of years ago, essentially turning the top tube into a caribiner clasp with a locking mechanism on the end. Problems I had were frame sag and after a number of hard drops, the alignment of the latch was a bit off.

As far as solving the problem of securing other parts of the bike to the frame, how about the same thing that keeps us from taking out own bikes apart: stripped nuts. I rounded all the nuts on my urban bike, meaning the only way to get them off is with a vice-grip. Field repairs are essentially impossible, and it isn't the classiest solution, but it has worked so far (or my parts just aren't good enough to steal).
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Jim

16 years ago

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Perhaps, if the manufacuter was to create some modified hardware that locks the components in place. For a bike that you ride in the city, you don't need to have a quick release on your seat, or wheels either. Imagine something similar to the lock nuts that are on some cars wheels. Or just use Torx nuts, as I doubt anyone is walking around with a set of Torx wrenches, looking for free bike components.
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slippyfish

16 years ago

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Systems integration, and limiting the range of adjustability, could help by eliminating the common 3/4/5/6 hex screws that hold most bikes together. Cannondale's SI techniques are able to be disassembled, sometimes with special tools. Reducing parts, somehow customizing the bike size to the rider, and integrating parts into larger Lowest Common Denominators... I rented a bike in Amsterdam that had three separate locks. Problem is, all the bikes there are very similar, and the locks are too. So its never more than a deterrent.
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JR

16 years ago

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I've often thought electrifying the bike might be good. Only the owner's key would disable the current. Any tampering would be met with a jolt. Sort of a Kryptonite meets Taser kind of thing.
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