6 Best Places to Hide an AirTag on Your Bicycle

Finding the best place to hide an Apple AirTag in your bike is not as simple as you might think.

You want to avoid any rattle and be able to change the battery in 12 months or so. Ideally, you will want to put it somewhere that’s not too obvious to a thief but lets a good signal out the world – i.e. not surrounded by metal. Even then, once we all arrive at the best possible place to hide an Airtag, everyone might do it, and that will then become the first place a savvy thief would look.

Apple’s AirTag is good for locating misplaced stuff, such as when an airline loses your luggage. Sadly, it’s also good at stalking people but far less at being a live tracker. But for those concerned about damaging phones on group rides, an AirTag is a decent compromise for loved ones at home who can periodically track your Sunday morning adventures via the iPhones your riding buddies are kind enough to take along. Even if your fellow cyclists are all as risk-averse as you and don’t carry iPhones, your AirTag will reveal your location at that halfway coffee stop, and there will be someone there whose iPhone will forward your location.

hiding AirTag Inside The Frame

My plan quickly failed.

I’d envisaged wrapping the AirTag in something breathable, plus some bubble wrap to avoid rattling. Then, shove it through the cable access/drain port on the bottom bracket underside. The AirTag was too big, grrr.

You may have had more luck if you have a larger hole in your frame’s down tube, such as a Di2 charging port. The frame is probably the best hiding spot if you can easily access it in a year to remove the AirTag and change its battery.

hiding AirTag Under the Bottle Cage

One of the most popular locations is under a water bottle cage. Using a standard two-bolt attachment found on most bike frames, you can secure an AirTag to the frame by mounting it underneath a custom cage. The AirTag is hidden in plain sight, allowing it to effectively transmit signals.

• Example 1: Topeak (cheaper) £12
• Example 2: Lezyne

hiding AirTag Inside A Stemp Cap

This solution requires you to remove the bolt from your stem cap – an easy job for anyone. The end solution almost hides the AirTag in plain sight and is probably a good one for cheaper bikes. On more expensive bikes, it may be relatively obvious that a cheap stem cap is not an original part and may hide the AirTag.

hiding AirTag Inside the Saddle or Saddle Bag

Consider placing the AirTag under a saddle for a straightforward hiding spot, especially if you have a Specialized saddle designed with discreet compartments. You could use some insulation tape to fashion a holder that ties your AirTag to the saddle rails if you don’t have a special compartment or bag. Taping an AirTag to the underside of the saddle is NOT a good idea, as it will detach.

These will be an immediate target for removal in the event of a theft by a half-competent thief.

How about a special Airtag compartment on a 3D-printed saddle! that would be a neat idea, but I haven’t seen one.

hiding AirTag  In the Steerer Tube

If your bike has a suspension fork, the steerer tube can be a great place to stash an AirTag. By hiding it inside the tube, you make it nearly invisible and protected from tampering. This spot requires a bit more effort to install and retrieve the AirTag, but the high level of concealment can make it worthwhile. It’s probably the best spot for an MTB but consider the risk of the plug coming out. On a positive note, you should be able to find it! It’s an AirTag after all.

hiding AirTag  In a Reflector or Bell

Consider placing an AirTag inside a seatpost-mounted reflector or your bike’s bell for a hidden spot. Potential thieves usually overlook these items, yet they provide enough space to house an AirTag safely. This option is accessible and easy to check for maintenance, making it a practical solution for many cyclists.

Sadly, these cheap bells may only last briefly before breaking and will look out of place on more expensive bikes.

Easy Option

For the most straightforward option so that someone at home can track our vague location, put the AirTag in your saddlebag. With a bit of luck, if your bike is stolen, you’ll receive the attention of a less-than-averagely intelligent thief who won’t look in your saddlebag.

The fork plug in the steerer tube is the best option for MTB.

The best overall option is the customised bottle cage. It is a great location, easy to change, and doesn’t look like an AirTag holder to a casual observer in many cases.