Bike Mount for AirTag
Apple said AirTag could help you find your bike, but there was no way to attach one. So I made the bike mount Apple didn't make.
- Year
- 2021
- Role
- Founder, design & engineering
- Client
- New Things Lab
- Outcome
- Launched two weeks after the AirTag keynote
- 2 weeks
- from Apple's keynote to launch
- 4
- versions before the final design
- 10
- countries in the first pre-orders
Featured in
In April 2021 Apple introduced AirTag, and said it could help you find your bike. There was just no way to attach one to it. So I designed a mount, and launched it two weeks after the keynote.
Measuring the neighbourhood
I downloaded Apple’s model of the AirTag and measured a few dozen seat posts around my street. They vary a lot. The mount had to be inconspicuous, fit many diameters, last outdoors and be easy to fit yourself. It clamps under the saddle on posts from 25 to 32 mm: the AirTag clicks in from behind, and two hex screws close the clamp.
Four versions in two weeks
The first prototypes came off my own 3D printer. From the third version I ordered parts from Xometry, printed with HP Multi Jet Fusion in nylon PA12: the quality of injection moulding, without a mould. While the parts were on their way I made the renders, and I filmed the launch video the day they arrived.
Sent out with the family
The video spread on LinkedIn, and pre-orders came in from ten countries, from the UK to Australia: many more than I expected. We sent them out with the family, and my grandfather Rients helped with the first batch.
