The Chainlink

The BikeSpike - GPS/Tracker for your bicycle

It's on kickstarter. It's from Chicago. It looks like a small and great idea, and I'm backing it. It fits in a custom water bottle cage that they give you.


Just thought I would share.

BikeSpike

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Permalink Reply by Joza 7 miles on March 14, 2013 at 7:16pm
Looks interesting. Thanks for the link.
Permalink Reply by Juan Primo on March 14, 2013 at 7:34pm

I think i's security is overstated.  They say that it would take a long time to remove the unit, and if so, the owner will be notified.  In real world circumstances, a thief can cut a Kryptonite lock in less than a minute under security cameras without being disturbed.  The owner isn't even at the elevator by the time that the unit is gone.

"Think of the BikeSpike in the same way you think of a guard dog in your home. Knowing that there is a defender ready to bark is something that gives intruders a reason to leave your house alone."

I know you can make a unit like this only so small.  If it were small enough to somehow fit in a seat tube, then it would be really worthwhile.

Permalink Reply by Jaik S. on March 14, 2013 at 8:09pm

The reason they are this size is without developing technologies, we cannot improve technologies. Five years ago, they were double the size. Eventually they will be small enough to fit in a seat tube, but the reception that may be terrible or great, depending on the frequency of each bicycle frame. 

Permalink Reply by Three Man Rocket on March 14, 2013 at 8:50pm

Actually Juan, it fits in the frame quite nicely, but due to the pesky laws of physics, getting a GPS lock through a metal tube is basically impossible.  Plus, the open API is great and price point is spot on.  If you want to broadcast your ride, what else could you use? 

Permalink Reply by Kevin K on March 14, 2013 at 9:02pm

That's pretty cool.  Can it transmit through carbon fiber?

Something like that could be hidden in carbon handlebars, or a carbon seat post, if you didn't have a carbon frame.  You could also make a model to hide under a saddle.

But as is, that thing would be easy to smash off in two seconds.  Does it have a special key, or does it just go on with a regular allen wrench?  That would be uber easy to defeat.

Now, if it was rigged with explosives...might be on to something.

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on March 15, 2013 at 8:27am

If it's not obvious from his response, this is Three Man Rocket's product.  

Three Man - Good luck with the campaign and thanks for answering Juan's question so quickly.   Your kickstarter page is looks very very professional.   Good design work. 


Three Man Rocket said:

Actually Juan, it fits in the frame quite nicely, but due to the pesky laws of physics, getting a GPS lock through a metal tube is basically impossible.  Plus, the open API is great and price point is spot on.  If you want to broadcast your ride, what else could you use? 

Permalink Reply by Tim on March 15, 2013 at 10:12am

Oh, I just tried to post this, but looks like you beat me too it. Cool idea.

Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on March 15, 2013 at 11:27am

Three Man Rocket: is there any way of hiding a GPS device inside a frame and then using the entire bike frame as one gigantic GPS antenna?  This may be a stupid question, I don't know.

Permalink Reply by Jaik S. on March 15, 2013 at 1:56pm

Thunder Snow: Antennae all operate @ different frequencies, unless they're identical. Cellular in the US is commonly broadcast on 700MHz, 800MHz, 850MHz, 1900MHz, 2100MHz & 2500MHz.

Think of your bicycle frame as a Faraday Cage. A microwave uses the same concept to contain microwaves. Your frame will block signal from transmission. You may be able to attach an external antenna.

Then again...I may be wrong about all of this. I'm just a backer for the this.

Permalink Reply by Three Man Rocket on March 15, 2013 at 2:25pm

Yes indeed.  Sorry if that wasn't clear.  If you've seen our Kickstarter video, we do mention ourselves by name in collaboration with ColorJar.  We are a small group of Chicago based inventors and cyclist trying to make something really special that can be used for much more than just bike recovery with the help of our open API (ride share programs, meet-ups, and follow racers on a map).  We've pieced together our team and we are the definition of a small start-up.  The BikeSpike silly sketch video

Julie Hochstadter said:

If it's not obvious from his response, this is Three Man Rocket's product.  

Three Man - Good luck with the campaign and thanks for answering Juan's question so quickly.   Your kickstarter page is looks very very professional.   Good design work. 


Three Man Rocket said:

Actually Juan, it fits in the frame quite nicely, but due to the pesky laws of physics, getting a GPS lock through a metal tube is basically impossible.  Plus, the open API is great and price point is spot on.  If you want to broadcast your ride, what else could you use? 

Permalink Reply by Legacy Frameworks on March 15, 2013 at 3:14pm

This is great guys - I hope you do well. I can see the API going in some very cool directions.

If you want to explore anything with a builder, let me know.

Levi 

Permalink Reply by S on March 15, 2013 at 4:04pm

I think it'd be tough. Carbon fiber is conductive so it could potentially block the gps signals.  It'll depend on the weave, resins, thickness of the frame, and geometry.  Under the saddle would also potentially block the gps signals.  As it is, gps signals are pretty weak since they're being transmitted by satellites and a device needs to get 3 satellites locked in before it can get a fix so you really don't want to compromise it's reception by covering it or anything.  The spike could potentially use the same tricks smartphones use and help speed up locating the device by using signal strengths of nearby cell towers but that requires a bit more work and the cooperation of cell phone companies.

Kevin K said:

That's pretty cool.  Can it transmit through carbon fiber?

Something like that could be hidden in carbon handlebars, or a carbon seat post, if you didn't have a carbon frame.  You could also make a model to hide under a saddle.

But as is, that thing would be easy to smash off in two seconds.  Does it have a special key, or does it just go on with a regular allen wrench?  That would be uber easy to defeat.

Now, if it was rigged with explosives...might be on to something.

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