Premium bike components under attack
Rohloff, the renowned German manufacturer of high-end bicycle components, has fortified its security by integrating BikeFinder’s tracking and fleet management system to their demo bikes. This decision came in the wake of a significant theft that saw 14 of their most valuable bikes, equipped with high-end prototype components, stolen.
A valuable heist
In a shocking weekend robbery, thieves broke into Rohloff’s highly secure facility and targeted only the most expensive bikes, worth between €6,000 and €8,000 each. Beyond their market value, these bikes contained priceless prototypes from Rohloff’s next-generation research and development efforts. These models were used as exhibition bikes to showcase their top-tier components to potential customers.
The robbers bypassed layers of security, meticulously selecting the most expensive bikes and bypassing lesser models. They escaped through a large window with the bikes and crossed a large field to a waiting transporter near the property’s gate. The incident is still under police investigation, raising questions about how such a high-security facility could be breached so effectively.
“They knew exactly what they were after. They left the budget bikes and went straight for our top-end e-bikes. Our building is heavily protected, both manually and digitally.”
– Marco Rauch, Product Manager at Rohloff
Challenges of recovery
With unique serial numbers registered in Rohloff’s database, there is hope that the stolen components may resurface. Bike repair shops working with premium bikes are equipped with Rohloff’s system, and if any stolen parts are brought in for repairs, they will be flagged. However, the chances of recovering the bikes are slim if they’re dismantled and sold in pieces on the black market.
A state-of-the-art solution: BikeFinder trackers & fleet management
In response to the theft, Rohloff is rebuilding both their fleet of demo bikes and the integrated prototype hardware. To ensure future security, they are now equipping their fleet with BikeFinder’s GPS trackers, integrated with a fleet management system. This business solution allows them to monitor all their bike’s location at any time, providing full visibility over the entire fleet. Additionally, the fleet manager can effortlessly assign selected bikes to for example employees attending trade shows or meeting with customers, providing full control over the bike’s location in the event of theft. This also connects them to BikeFinder’s instant notification feature, which alerts them immediately if the bike is moved while they are not nearby.
A wake-up call for bike security
This incident illustrates how bike theft is becoming increasingly organized and targeted, with thieves going after high-value bikes and components even in highly secure facilities. Rohloff’s experience serves as a reminder that advanced security measures, such as BikeFinder’s tracking system, are essential to staying ahead of professional thieves.
Rohloff is taking a proactive stance against theft, ensuring that their future prototypes remain safeguarded against further attacks.
About Rohloff:
Founded in 1986 as a family business, Rohloff has been dedicated to developing high-quality bicycle components that go beyond passing trends. With a commitment to durability and performance, every product undergoes rigorous quality control, ensuring cyclists enjoy thousands of kilometers with minimal maintenance. Rohloff’s innovative designs, like the renowned 14-speed SPEEDHUB 500/14, cater to all types of bikes, from e-bikes to trekking and cargo bikes.
About BikeFinder:
Founded in 2015, BikeFinder’s roots began in the heart of Stavanger, Norway’s entrepreneurial and innovative tech community. After the founding team had their bikes stolen, a vision for bike security was born. The BikeFinder team quickly began developing a state-of-the-art tracking device that provides accurate bike position through a unique triangulation technology based on GPS, GSM, and Bluetooth. With a bike-optimized hardware design, it fits all bikes. The tracker is hidden and locked inside the handlebars with an expansion mechanism that makes it impossible to remove without the special tool included. Today, as the team expands and diversifies, the BikeFinder tracker is used in 35 different countries worldwide and maintains its position as a technology forerunner in bike IoT.
Want to learn more about safeguarding your bike? Explore our website on how BikeFinder can be your ultimate line of defense against theft.
