Immobi Tag - Help protect your bike!

by JAKE THEMOLE
Feb 20, 2009

After reading about the recent theft of the Marin bikes and reading endless "Stolen" adverts I though I would try and give some ideas on how to help protect your pride and joy!

There are many different ways on how to protect your bike against theft, and nothing is worse than coming out of your house and seeing a ransacked shed and nothing apart from a bent wheel and broken lock on the floor are left. Your beloved bike has gone for a walk even after telling it to sit and stay and some scabby little thief has helped them self to your rig!

While flicking through a recent mountain bike magazine, I read an advert for "IMMOBI TAG". It seems that they have been around for a while but have not been given the type of exposure that they really need. The Immobi Tag is a small tag that fits inside of your bike, this piece of kit is like what newer cars have fitted and like the car tracker it emits radio waves which can be picked up by any UK police force. The device simply is known as a radio frequency identification device. In the event that your bike is stolen, the incident will show up on their National Stolen Property Database as well as the Second Hand Trade Stolen Property Register therefore limiting the ways that the thief can sell the bike. Currently the device retails at £13.99, I see this as a small price to pay compared to paying out thousands again for a new bike. After all, over half a million bikes get stolen each year, could yours be one of them...?


Details:
-Currently the device is for UK residents only, but I'm sure it will be in the US and other countries soon, and I'm sure that if you look around you can find something similar.

-A Radio Frequency Identification tag with a unique ID number that fits inside your bicycles frame.

-Stickers to ensure that anyone eyeing up your bike knows that it will be practically impossible to sell.

-Register your bicycle and activate your tag online at www.immobilise.com

-The website is connected to the Police's National Stolen Property Database and the Second Hand Trade Stolen Property Database.

-The Tag needs to be activated via the website for your property to be safe guarded.

Size:
3 x 3 x 3 cm.

The device can be found by typing its name into Google or can be purchased from WWW.IMMOBITAG.COM

If anyone has suggestions please note them down for all to read, anything is better than nothing at all!
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91 Comments

  • + 8
flag proxx (Feb 20, 2009 at 4:51)
 umm maybe I misunderstand something, but aren't those stickers like 'oh mr thief, there's an anti-thief radio device inside the seat tube, take it out as soon as possible'?
  • + 2
flag greaseball (Feb 20, 2009 at 12:32)
 ya id much rather have the joy of having a gps chip embedded in my seat foam secretly and walking up to the guys house and punching him
  • + 0
flag proxx (Feb 20, 2009 at 14:47)
 yeah greaseball good point.
  • + 0
flag UKmountain (Feb 20, 2009 at 14:51)
 Problem there matey is the cheapest GPS chip cost around £200 and thats not including the compnay fees of tracking your bike per year!
This can cost upto £400!
  • - 1
flag greaseball (Feb 26, 2009 at 19:42)
 it would still be fun to beat up someone who jacked a bike Big Grin something to do if i ever have too much money on my hands.... buy a bunch of bikes and leave them laying around with GPS in them Big Grin
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag crazy-freerider (Feb 20, 2009 at 16:51)
 problem is, In the UK the police arent geared up to handle bike theft. i was mugged of my brand new build whilst taking her out for her very first test ride (litteraly 16 hours befre putting the last parts together) and i was bloody pissed off. i stayed at the skatepark where it happened and as locals came and went, the word spread and in the end, we found out this guys name and the road he lived on.
I'm a country lad and this was the city so I didnt want to risk my chances and go there myself so told the police, the same day, the name of teh guy who took it.
5 weeks later they rung me back asking for my details.

the idea of the immobitag is great. but even if the bike came up on a radio frequency detector thing, the police will turn a blind eye to it!
  • - 1
flag smeckma (Feb 20, 2009 at 17:14)
 I am really sorry to hear about that. I have been stolen my bike too and I kind of sympathise with you. Sad though it is, you are speaking trhurth.
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag deadpool2e (Feb 20, 2009 at 0:23)
 I spoke to a Police man at the London Bike show and he said they are not worth it because the eqipment needed to read the signal is only in a small ammount of police stations and most police dont understand how this unit works.
  • + 2
flag cyberhawk Plus (Feb 20, 2009 at 1:54)
 just like data tag and all the other ways the police is the weak link in this all! ! ! also in holland.. we have 2 different databases.. and no-one who checks them,, also the device to check the data number is never EVER anywhere to be found,..
they are an overpayed under equipped under educated not interested buch of..#$%^@#$&...ahhh wat ever..
in other words..> go buy a car they tell you.. and when that gets stolen ..> same story lol Frown
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag dmrgarry (Feb 20, 2009 at 12:08)
 I used to have a thing on my old bike in the seat tube so if the bike got turned into the police they can scan it and read the address and name etc embedded in it or whatever but there not so good because as someone mentioned in a comment further up not many police stations have the scanning device or dont know how to use them:/ but one idea i thought was just to make a sticker saying this bike is electronically tagged and will be found by the police as soon as its displaced or something i dunno, but i might get one of these products...
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag mudd (Feb 20, 2009 at 7:33)
 "The tag gives off a unique Radio
Frequency Identification (RFID) signal
that is registered on your account
online."

Ok, How does it emit a signal when it is located physically inside a "Faraday Cage"; (i.e. aluminum seattube)?
  • + 4
flag cowieuk (Feb 20, 2009 at 10:40)
 How do you use a cellphone in a car?
  • + 1
flag Fat-Matt (Feb 20, 2009 at 12:50)
 Possibly because it emits a radio frequency not an electrical current so a faraday cage wouldn't really have any effect on it.
  • - 1
flag mudd (Feb 20, 2009 at 14:11)
 How do you use a cell phone in an elevator?
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag qosd (Feb 24, 2009 at 7:33)
 How about this.
You put RFID readers at every bike park trail centre and bike shops. YOu pay a bit more each year for registration and the then any bike stolen will show up if ridden at any centre or taken in for repair. The average hipower reader is good for 2 meters.
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag tommyeflight89 (Feb 20, 2009 at 16:43)
 It is just an RFID tag embedded in the frame tube. That is it.
Only way it helps is if police scan the tag after recovering a bike they think/know is stolen. Unless they read the tag of every bike they see!
I think this just one ups registering your serial numbers/info.
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag llessurretneprac (Feb 20, 2009 at 0:04)
 Looks like an awesome idea! I wonder if they will be available for use in the US?
  • + 20
flag sup3rc0w (Feb 20, 2009 at 0:20)
 Great in principal, but call me a pessimist - I think it's as about as useful as an arse flavoured lollipop.

It only "works" IF a bike is recovered and the police ctually bother to check their database.

I recently had 2 bikes stolen and the Police couldnt look more disinterested if they tried.

A real solution would be a propper sat-nav tracking device embedded in your top tube, much like the stolen vehicle tracking systems. Unfortunately it's rather heavy Frown
  • - 9
flag the-freerider (Feb 20, 2009 at 2:53) (Below Threshold) show comment
 is it water proof lol cause if ur washing ur bike and it gets wet as water tends to go everywere and it shuts off and ur bike ghets niked u have no way of using the device as it wouldnt work :-P gr8 idea tho i shall buy 1 and call it jezza!
  • + 0
flag Myfianceemademedoit (Feb 20, 2009 at 5:56)
 This makes me wonder if the new stimulus package covered Second Hand Trade Stolen Property Database.......lol. It's a great idea, just like any idea that is actually implemented.
  • + 5
flag brandyn16 (Feb 20, 2009 at 7:30)
 i got a better idea, put a car batery in your backpack and leave it with your bike , and wire it up to you bike frame.... they will think twice about stealing a bike again , because they will touch the frame sooner or latter . if you put that radio frequncy thingy's stickers on your bike, thats ot gona stop no one , they will just rip it out of the seat tube (im assuming thats weere it goes) and stick on some random guys bike.... lol
  • + 5
flag nigeltheblack (Feb 20, 2009 at 9:27)
 i dsaw a report the other week that this was a load of cock. breakfast television got it fitted, then reported the bike as stolen and left it abandoned - the only way they got it back was by buying it back from the car boot sale the police gave it too!
  • + 5
flag almostwise Mod Plus (Feb 20, 2009 at 10:47)
 @brandyn16....don't think a rucksack with wires coming out of it would go down to well here...you get shot in the head for running for a train!
The device itself is great, we just need the police to start taking bike theft more seriously...I'm not bothered about my car officer, that was worth £300, my bike was worth £3,000!
  • - 8
flag cools320 (Feb 20, 2009 at 11:00) (Below Threshold) show comment
 THIS IS KIND OF POINTLESS IF U HAVE A FULLY, U CANT STICK IT WHERE THE SEAT POST IS LIKE IT SAYS ON THEIR SITE TO BECAUSE MOST OR ALL FULLYS SEAT POST DO NOT GO ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE BB, AND I DONT THINK THE HANDLE BARS WOULD WORK EITHER BECAUSE IF IT IS STOLEN THEY COULD PART THE BIKE OUT, OR JUST REMOVE THEM .

IF IM WRONG IM SORRY, HELP ME UNDERSTAND HOW U COULD PUT IT ON A FULLY ?????
  • + 2
flag elcripple (Feb 20, 2009 at 11:39)
 bit of a generalisation you made there, the orange 224 comes to mind right away, it is a full sus with a seat tube that goes all the way. im sure there are plenty others out there but still a good point about not being able to fit them to some bikes.
  • + 2
flag jakal44444 (Feb 20, 2009 at 13:41)
 that would be sweet if those comne to canada id definetly get one
  • - 3
flag ChateLife (Feb 20, 2009 at 17:32)
 that would weigh too much. not worth it if its gonna ad 10+ g to your bike
  • - 4
flag junkface (Feb 20, 2009 at 20:23) (Below Threshold) show comment
 what happened to u-locks?
  • - 30
flag ChateLife (Feb 20, 2009 at 20:32) (Below Threshold) show comment
 They're like helmets... they're for losers.
  • - 2
flag chochocho (Feb 20, 2009 at 21:19)
 to cools..just suggesting..under the steerer tube? i dunno..
  • + 13
flag bike4boy (Feb 20, 2009 at 23:39)
 chatelife i hope you you crash hard. you dumb ass
  • + 7
flag aconquergood (Feb 21, 2009 at 8:37)
 10 grams are u kidding me? are u worried about 10 grams yea your right id rather have -10 grams and get my bike stolen ur so SMART!
  • - 2
flag itrybutstilldontwin (Feb 21, 2009 at 20:34)
 you got to be kidding me

10 grams. what the f*ck happened to you. thats nothing. you wouldnt even notice it


And chtelife, i totally agree with you
  • + 4
flag ChateLife (Feb 21, 2009 at 20:37)
 it was a JOKE GUYS!!!! come on
  • + 3
flag almostwise Mod Plus (Feb 22, 2009 at 3:35)
 You need to remember that irony and basic humour are lost on many PB users Wink
  • + 5
flag dbox123 (Feb 22, 2009 at 7:05)
 Guys, the best thing todo if your worried about bike theft is pay £100 for insurance. You covered for damage, personal liability if you smash into a rambler, and get the bike replaced if it gets stolen. If someone wants to steel a bike theres not much that you can do to protect it.
  • + 3
flag elcripple (Feb 22, 2009 at 7:26)
 just replying to the above comment. if someone wants to steal your bike there you could always lock it up! im pretty sure if someone wanted to steal my bikes they wouldnt have much luck seeing how there kept locked to the wall in a locked garage! ive got insurence too though.
  • + 1
flag spongosauraus (Feb 24, 2009 at 5:54)
 replying to this so as many people as possible know

it says we evcen give u a sticker to put on your frame so people know that it is protected by immbitag

well if you put this sticker on your bike it basically tells the thief to makes sure that they take the immbitag out of your bike before they sell it on
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag UKmountain (Feb 20, 2009 at 5:58)
 proxx to put your mind at rest, put the stickers somewhere inconspicuos or dont put them on, if you register your bike and the police look it up it will indicate that it has device on it.

Theifs arent always the brightest people and a sticker on a bike can mean anything sponsership or decoration e.t.c.
  • + 0
flag UKmountain (Feb 20, 2009 at 6:05)
 There are also other ID tags some are used on cars as small sticker that has adesive and corrodes a small amount of the metal or paint leaving a digit code (like chassis or frame number) that can not be removed this can also be used on bikes to identify that it is YOURS police dont take "oh yeah its red with black wheels".
  • + 0
flag UKmountain (Feb 20, 2009 at 6:10)
 And another one...

You can buy anchor points for motorbikes that you bolt to the ground and chain the wheel to the DONT! make sure you anchor the FRAME feed the chain throught bike parts e.g wheels e.t.c
always rember this if your outside a shop i've read storys of people going in buyin a drink comeing out to find the front wheel and/ or forks left there!

You can also buy Eletronic wires, like a chain but when the chain is broken an alarm sounds flashing lights the lot if you really want.
There commonly found in mobile phone shops and gun stores if theifs see them they run a mile because there practicly completely fool proof!
  • + 0
flag proxx (Feb 20, 2009 at 6:15)
 yea but those stickers don't look like they're very easy to hide, especially with this yellow WARNING on them. they don't seem to be this corroding thing either. maybe some thieves aren't very bright (but only some of them, because most ARE, unfortunately), but they surely understand that bright yellow WARNING isn't for sponsorship or decoration, lol. they would just steal bike like any other, read the description (lol) and throw this radio thing away. they aren't THAT dumb.
  • + 2
flag proxx (Feb 20, 2009 at 6:20)
 and about this electronic wires... ok ok, but you're starting to talk about completely different things, huh? I KNOW that there are ways to protect your bike, but here we're discussing this particular radio thing.
  • - 1
flag lukepallot (Feb 20, 2009 at 13:28)
 this tag thing could be fun Big Grin wat bout buying 1, registring it ect, and then catapult it onto the top of a police building, then reprot that its missing like 2 days later, or if u no where a police guy lives, plant it next to his house Big Grin this could be really good fun Big Grin Razz
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag kloochator (Feb 20, 2009 at 0:17)
 one question : how I pull this thing out of my frame when to change the batery? and how ofen?
  • + 2
flag mister-H (Feb 20, 2009 at 0:42)
 RFID does not use batteries. Instead it more or less reflects a radio signal with a signature attached.
  • + 4
flag almostwise Mod Plus (Feb 20, 2009 at 10:46)
 It's designed so it will never come out. Use it in conjunction with microtags, ground anchors, the best quality locks available, and most importantly, common sense...only today I saw four very nice jump bikes unlocked outside a shop with one scared looking 14yr old kid "guarding" them...we hung around till they got back as pikeys were already circling.
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag bluepanik (Feb 20, 2009 at 6:33)
 amazing.. it should be available worldwide...
I´ve been stolen for three miserables with guns that came out a car when i was going uphill.. my bike gone.... never seen again.. that device could be a lot of help....
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag UKmountain (Feb 24, 2009 at 10:43)
 To all those that will read this and are interested.
I have contacted the company and they are reashearching and working towards the IMMOBITAG going international. They are contacting me with further information and depending on what that is if any one is interested PM me and ill send you any updates.

Cheers UKM
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag fruity (Feb 20, 2009 at 6:31)
 Not sure how effective they are, as I am lucky enough not to have had a bike stolen. If you live in Guildford, Surrey, UK the local police fit this system to bikes for free. Which is better then a smack in the mouth I guess Wink
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag Unhallowed (Feb 20, 2009 at 11:42)
 you can also get similiar devices that emit a high pitched alarm noise when moved... much like a car alarm.
they weight a bit more and require a small battery... but they are cool.
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag LIPS-LIKE-MORPHINE (Feb 20, 2009 at 6:57)
 ye one problem....im across teh sea from the uk but the irish police dont have the device for tracking so if i buy one it would be useless : it shud be made world wide as some bikes can cost up to 6 grand....
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag Giant-Rider-Sam (Feb 20, 2009 at 2:50)
 all you need are the gubbins in your phone that allow that to be tracked by police if needs be...extremely light and you can catch the skally wags who stole your pride and joy red handed...BSTRDS !
[Reply]
  • + 2
flag motormonkeyr6 (Feb 20, 2009 at 11:51)
 What about the same thing they embed in dogs skin. Its tiny. GPS tracked. Cheap too...
  • + 0
flag UKmountain (Feb 20, 2009 at 13:26)
 Unsure that it GPS tracked, but cheap and effective this would be a key solution and the device that reads them cant be super expensive!

Best idea yet mate, better than moaning about the point of where do i put it e.t.c or that police dont look.

Anythings better than nothing!
  • + 1
flag aniyn (Feb 20, 2009 at 15:04)
 Do a little research, this is exactly the same as the "rice" trackers vet's use. And no, they're not GPS tracked. How would you change the batteries on a sub-dermal implant?
[Reply]
  • + 3
flag mudd (Feb 20, 2009 at 7:24)
 I want the "Tesla coil" deterrent option.
  • + 0
flag lukepallot (Feb 20, 2009 at 13:29)
 haha, certain DEATH!
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag mb-rider (Feb 20, 2009 at 15:01)
 its as good as the frame numba i no i loooked into it afta seeing it in mbuk about 3 weeks a go
[Reply]
  • - 1
flag burned (Feb 21, 2009 at 14:02)
 This is about as good as engraving your drivers licensee # on your bike.
It is a way of identifying your bike IF the police find it. Its not a theft deterrent and it will not work like GPS, like some of you think.
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag fruity (Feb 20, 2009 at 10:53)
 You can get the transistor seperate which is teh size of a grain of rice and can be superglued somewhere out of the way such as upper shock mount. Amazingly it seems to work.
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag freeridereddie (Feb 20, 2009 at 10:32)
 its well thought out to a certain point but wot happens if u got a frame with a interupted seat tube, ur screwed
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag l-lellraiser (Feb 20, 2009 at 15:07)
 f*ck this, go out and buy a gun
  • - 1
flag UKmountain (Feb 20, 2009 at 16:00)
 Your an idiot trying to be funny!
  • + 1
flag l-lellraiser (Feb 21, 2009 at 11:26)
 how is a gun funny, looking down a barrel of a .45 wouldn't make me laugh.
  • - 1
flag UKmountain (Feb 22, 2009 at 4:44)
 Not all of us can afford to buy a gun and a licence and some off us carnt!
OH like in the UK and many other countrys that have made hand guns illegal, and personally i dont think you would have time to launch into action with a 12 bore unless your steven stegal!

and it gives them a bigger reason to carry a gun and be the first to shoot!
  • + 0
flag l-lellraiser (Feb 22, 2009 at 17:39)
 guns arnt to expesnive rifles yes maybe, but handguns can start at like 500$? im not saying go buy a gun but i sure as hell wouldent fuk with a guy if i was a theif, with a gun pointed at me. i knife is a diffrent story unless they're throwing knifes, unless the guy being jack is a ninja then he could deflect the knifes and rip the theifs heart out.

haha (im not a little kid) just throwing ideas out there
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag joefraser (Feb 20, 2009 at 8:18)
 I bought one for my SX Trail but the seat tube has no bottom to it, so it would just fall out.. :l
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag hockeynut (Feb 20, 2009 at 5:00)
 I'd buy one if they weorked in Canada
Im so nervous for the few times a year that i leavemy bike in my garage
  • + 1
flag jaque-17 (Feb 20, 2009 at 6:03)
 what i do when i leave for a long trip(not a bike related) i leave my bike in my room inside the house. and if anything ever happens my house is insured and so are the items in it. and plus i have a house security system. if it goes off cops are there in 3 min.
  • + 1
flag brandyn16 (Feb 20, 2009 at 7:33)
 3 minutes???? where the hell do you live?
  • + 22
flag almostwise Mod Plus (Feb 20, 2009 at 10:48)
 About 3 mins from Dunkin' Donuts Wink
  • + 1
flag pirateforlife21 (Feb 20, 2009 at 13:26)
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
hahahaha
  • + 0
flag hockeynut (Feb 20, 2009 at 14:21)
 lol nice I ussually do that too but th eodd time I leave it in my shed over night...lo9l only upside is I cant sleep when I do that so its safe as long as Im up hahah
[Reply]
  • + 1
flag benjamin1723 (Dec 15, 2011 at 10:04)
 Great info!
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag p2fever (Feb 20, 2009 at 9:26)
 should have a little GPS locater on it
  • + 0
flag eganix (Feb 20, 2009 at 10:50)
 Completely agree, only solid solution.
[Reply]
  • - 1
flag tommyeflight89 (Feb 21, 2009 at 13:38)
 It is funny that there are people here that think this RFID tag emits some signal that shows where your bike is.
[Reply]
  • - 1
flag darkelement (Feb 21, 2009 at 14:14)
 Lo-jack any body?...the police GIVE f*ck ALL IF THE BIKE WORTH LESS THAN 3000 DOLLARS!!!
  • - 1
flag cyberhawk Plus (Feb 23, 2009 at 0:18)
 even if it is worth 10K .. unless youre lance.. youre f@cked either way..
more chance the police gives the thief on the bike a ticket running a red light than thinking could this bike be stolen !? cause the ticket is more easy to do..and still counts for his yearly ticket/fine quotum.. Frown
keep them in house as said before.. or ride them fast carrying a big hart.. or a weapon in the city.. I do..most of you will ride with a backpack..to stash it in..? with all those foking immigrants round here..unless youre ripped off by more than 2 guys.. just stab 'em gently tup
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag craigmclennaghan (Feb 20, 2009 at 10:03)
 finally ! already ordering one haha
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag Crispy3 (Feb 20, 2009 at 13:31)
 Once this comes to Canada I'm getting this!
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag sharkyboy (Feb 20, 2009 at 13:59)
 how do you shove that insede the frame?
  • + 0
flag aniyn (Feb 20, 2009 at 15:05)
 You really can't think of a way?
  • + 0
flag sharkyboy (Feb 20, 2009 at 19:36)
 as surprized as I was, no
  • + 0
flag timidfreerider (Feb 21, 2009 at 0:30)
 bend over i'll show you... just kidding... looks like a piece of plastic similar to a star nut, just think seat tube instead of a fork, and quite a bit deeper.
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag joshfisherx1 (Feb 20, 2009 at 10:04)
 how do you get it inside your frame???
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag bikerboy232 (Feb 20, 2009 at 9:45)
 we need this for the US!!!
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag Trekbiker2 (Feb 20, 2009 at 16:14)
 isnt there a cellphone tracker that you can use for that
[Reply]
  • + 0
flag kinkos9090 (Feb 20, 2009 at 14:41)
 good idea
[Reply]
  • - 3
flag afro-99 (Feb 20, 2009 at 20:20)
 this thing is as usless against bike theft as engraving your name on the frame
[Reply]

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