Muc-Off Secure Tag Holder Review // The Apple AirTag Holder to AVOID!

[@vongdong10]

Great to see independent reviewers with products. Cuts the the bs that larger groups get paid for

[@adaycj]

I think I found the one lone bicycle content creator that hasn't been influenced by Muc-Offs massive marketing, free giveaway, and sponsorship campaigns. I think I'm going to puke if I hear how clean or well lubed my bike will be by another internet source who got a not so subtle benefit from this companies marketing campaigns. Thanks for staying honest and moral Shane, I appreciate it!

[@velokicks312]

Excellent test. As an aside, aren't Air Tags (for this purpose) meant to also be discreet? What better way to advertise to a thief that there could be something additional on the bike they have just nicked than with it being bright pink!

[@gplama]

It comes in a range of colours (that'll also shield the AirTag nicely).

[@kge420]

Is it possible that a would be thief might avoid a bike with an obvious tracker on board?

[@iMadrid11]

@@kge420 Bike thieves prefer easy targets. If you have a nice bike and opportunity to steal it. They will steal that bike and pry the airtag out.

[@1sigmabikes]

@@kge420 I feel this would only be the case of the holder could not be removed without a key or through some sort of damage to the bike

[@kge420]

@@1sigmabikes Truthfully I think my initial question is flawed. If thieves watch these videos they’ll have no fear nicking a bike with a faraday cage holding an AirTag. Maybe a well secured plastic one is the way to go.

[@AirtagAlex]

Thanks for the mention! Perfect use of the script to compare these two holders!

[@hongziyang]

Thanks!

[@aidenworth8186]

So thankful for your in depth testing here. Wild that this passed through engineering at the company.

[@cup_and_cone]

Makes you wonder how many people it went through at Muc-Off and not one person asked a question about RF signals being blocked...

[@gplama]

From email - "We still have our 50+ test riders using these, and many more customers that are using them without any issues."

[@babybirdhome]

@@gplama I mean, my car insurance provider hasn’t given me any issues so far either. But of course I haven’t ever had to make a claim, so context clearly matters. Will it be the same if I ever have to use it? Will these holders still have no issues for their 50+ test riders if they ever have to recover a missing bike? Only time will tell.

[@Gmh6477]

Or how daft it is being all pink and obviously on show for the thief to quickly see and remove !

[@mitchc2531]

Cup & Cone apple literally provides an accessory design guide online and it specifically says which materials will impact rf signal. They didn’t care. Just a money grab on a hot item.

[@stephenhersee]

Can't wait to see what you make of the new Muc-Off 'Stealth Tubeless Tag Holder' which are a glorified tubeless valves with an attached rubber air tag pod holder thingy. I imagine the combination of a metal or carbon rim, a rubber tyre and tubeless sealant sloshing around (or it sat down in the sealant when the valve is at 6 o'clock) isn't going to be any better!

[@thebrowns5337]

It'll give such a wobble due to unbalance

[@HopHeadScott]

You're a boss Shane. Thanks for the rigour. I'm not even an Apple tag user and I appreciate this review.

[@charlesstorey8425]

Another fair and great review that's going to save a lot of us from wasting our money. Keep up the good work.

[@LukeGJPotter]

I still rate Road CC tho. Their review of Magic Beans, that I then went on to purchase, was very accurate.

[@mykweb]

Genius Video. made me chuckle this morning

[@2357kd]

Possible you should only mount the Muc-Off Holder on your bike without an AirTag inside. Every possible thief will think, there is an AirTag inside and don't steal your bike.

[@TEKDAD]

And hide a real AirTag elsewhere.

[@beep_]

love the rigorousness of your reviews

[@jedisdad2265]

As always thank you Shane for an honest, objective review. Currently running a AirTag hold from a KickStarter you featured. Works well but takes real estate on the seat tube.

[@mlegrand]

The Hot Pink will blend in and be hidden perfectly on my own hot pink bike. Also that lack of signal is a feature not a bug. My review: 8.1/10

[@Glebex]

Yep, a great feature for thieves!

[@Oji1978]

You sir just saved a lot of people from some frustration and headache. 👏🏽👌🏽

[@LakeDistrictcyclist]

Where do I buy the black plastic one from?

[@tonystroudlewis6333]

My AirTag is in a plastic holder, I could even detect it when the bike was in the cargo hold on the plane, and track it on its way though the terminal, super impressive 😉

[@shred3005]

Mine too last week

[@kargi42]

This could be a perfect April's Fool joke for Mucoff, they ruined it.

[@davidcollier6520]

Thanks, that is so useful to know and a huge oversight on their part - not at all a good reflection on their design team and I'll steer clear.

[@kargi42]

It is pretty purple to be something inconspicuous for it's purpose.

[@LeeMcGinley]

1.7m 🤣 So, in short, all I would need to do to lose contact with an AirTag is to attach it in this holder to my shoelaces and hold my phone above my head. Top job Muc-Off.

[@PeakTorque]

I just had to go back and check it wasn't April the 1st! Oh my lord what a clanger.

[@hockysa]

I saw this and initially thought shiny and durable but had my suspicions. thanks for confirming.

[@DallinVanBlerkom]

Had this in a cart ready to buy when this popped up on my feed. THANK YOU!

[@niles_stone2742]

Good review thank you. I think your tests are probably reliable, but could be improved if you swapped the tags between holders to show one tag wasn’t better than the other. Thank you testing I may well have bought and returned it if I had not seen your video.

[@ad9898]

Snake oil for the hard of thinking, this goes along with OSPW's, wider tyres/wheels are more aero, bike specific cleaning products, muc off jet washer, ceramicspeed bearings etc...

[@adaycj]

The snake oil tricks the masses throughout history. What oil do you use in your car? Lol.

[@shawnhunt2332]

Thank you- for performing these simple , yet technical test and results. So I didn't have to do it !

[@NDURcycling]

What designers are there working? I mean everybody knows that Aluminium is blocking signals. Thx for your honest review.

[@davenik1999]

10:47 “Ahhh, get f***ed, that is absolutely HORRIBLE!” 😂😂😂

[@roadcc]

Hi Shane - the person who reviewed the Muc-off holder for us is puzzled as his findings were different from yours. Feel free to message us so we can discuss this further and get to the bottom of it. We're willing to amend the review and change the score if it turns out the tracking performance is worse compared to other airtag holders, but the reviewer didn't find this to be the case. Just to clarify our reviews are completely independent, any 'paid marketing' that we do has to be marked as such. This review and all of our other reviews most certainly are not...

[@gplama]

Thanks for the follow-up on this. I’d simply ask the reviewer to perform similar side-by-side testing as I have done. A simple test on a bench will likely uncover the issues with putting an AirTag in a solid metal casing. As I’ve said, it’s a well made product. Nicely packaged. The secure Torx are a bonus. It’s just made of the wrong material.

[@karimdemirdache2562]

Great review. Always a fan. So which is your favorite or most recommended-the clear winner? Thanks

[@gplama]

Not this. Anything but this. 🤣

[@stevereaburn7626]

No BS product reviews, thanks GP Lama. Would like to see if MucOff do an official reply to your findings after this video.

[@gplama]

I'd be happy if they sent me a plastic one! :)

[@mynock250]

I used superglue under my saddle, can still change the battery when I need to, its out of sight and won’t fall off.

[@bearhuntertv]

Great stuff. The low cost 3D printed ones are a slam dunk. Someone in the marketing department needs to be canned here.

[@leerussell9269]

Great review and saved me some money before I purchased 👍 thanks mate

[@Bearded.Wonder]

I love how you break into a blue streak of cursing when the 2nd test failed at only a few meters. 🤣

[@alves81]

Dude keep doing what you do

[@englishcyclist]

It's like you can read my mind, just bought an AirTag and was on amazon for a tag holder just like this but for about £10-15 but all plastic so will not work like a faraday cage :)

[@RatluBoogerbag]

It’s hardly their first offence. They’ve been taking bikers for fools for years. To name a few: A pressure washer originally marketed as “portable” that required mains electricity and a water source. They also told people it was specifically designed for bikes, but it’s no different to any other static pressure washer, other than the silly price. Their cleaning products which are much like automotive products except for being double or triple the price. Their disk brake wash cover, and this one really gets me. Bikers have been cleaning bikes for years without covering the brakes. Zero issues. They’ve invented an unnecessary product simply to take money from idiots.

[@gplama]

🤣 They have a few things I like. Their tubeless valves are nice.

[@RatluBoogerbag]

@@gplama Actually you have me there, I could only get muc off valves that match Bianchi Celeste. I would concede on the chain cleaner tool, which is definitely best in market. Other than that though….

[@pe3117]

Just don’t cry…you don’t have to buy anything from them.

[@mikeprytherch8875]

I buy the 5 litre motorbike cleaner which costs less than the 1 litre bike cleaner and it's the same stuff

[@RidgwayBrandon]

They also run competitions, announce the winners publicly, and then never award the prizes! (I'm definitely not still salty about that)

[@ianrob4760]

I have got mine attached to the bottle cage with a 2 quid one from amazon and it's great !!

[@acwna1]

Check tag transmitting wavelength, drill appropriately sized holes in tag or electrically isolate top from bottom half of holder or replace top of tag with RF transparent material and hope base become a ground plane...? Or just buy something better in the first place.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Muc-Off will probably claim you used a faulty AirTag. May have been worth swapping the tags between the 3D printed holder and the Muc-Off holder. Great review though, and thank you for both doing it, and sharing 👍

[@gplama]

The AirTag works fine outside of their secure mount.

[@thebrowns5337]

@@gplama we all know that but I agree, they're marketing people will claim any negative test used a dodgy air tag. It's how 'wrong uns'...blame everyone else

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

@@gplama I'm sure it did, but as @The Browns says, the Muc-Off people will have to find a way to prove you wrong. This is what they'll say..... if anything at all.

[@jeffrysusanto78]

This just makes u wonder if the other Muc-off’s products are actually as “potent” as they claim to be…. Doesn’t it ?

[@MJarthur95]

Well all I can say is that their tubeless sealant is 💩

[@ankjaers]

They have no info about what is actually in their producs. So for me it’s useless. Not going to pay premium price to put unknown cemicals on my bike. Their degrease claimed to be good for squirt waxx. Sure it got it off.. But it contains oils which ended up being two hours of work to get it off with proper cleaner liquids

[@thebrowns5337]

They always bang on about how safe their cleaner is - their first product I believe? I stopped using it years ago due to flash rusting (mainly on bolt heads etc). Shimano, Fenwicks and a couple of others I have tried all do at least as good a job shifting mud but don't cause flash rusting. Granted MucOff may well have changed the formula since then but I'm not going back to find out. I did like their hand gel during the pandemic, and the service in terms of postage is always great. You just need to apply some common sense when looking at their stuff. This case grabbed my attention due to looks but I soon thought the signal would be blocked (nice to see that confirmed here). The air tag in tyre holder just blows my mind - who gave that approval. Just feels desperate.

[@theinstigatorr]

Have you tested the ninja mount that goes under the bike saddle? That’s what I have

[@gplama]

That’s what I have on the gravel bike.

[@therealdelboy]

Thanks for this. I literally received one today but will be returning it immediately.

[@t.t.1232]

Can you test the other one from muc off for the rims?

[@carlosalejandro8259]

Glad i saw this. I was about to get one.

[@gplama]

They’ve redesigned this entirely. Seen last week at Eurobike was a new version of their AirTag holder. I’ll cover it in-depth here soon.

[@Barryens]

Great video, when I saw these I thought WTF are they doing. Don't disagree with your findings, but have a couple of comments. For future testing it is best not to put the airbags near metalwork. The chainlink fence and the metal in the bus shelter will cause multipathing which will affect the results. Moving the airtag by even a few cm could affect your range. Also did you try swapping the airtags over incase you had a duff airtag?

[@gplama]

I didn't try another AirTag in it, but it does work as I'd expect outside of the case. If only it was plastic... they'd have a 'stronger' offering here. :)

[@davebaxter9025]

Great review as are all your reviews, but just one thing I would like to bring up. I noticed in the video that when you were connecting to the air tags that the plastic holder one was showing full battery, see video time stamp 8:19. But when you connected to the mucoff one it was only at about a third battery level, see time stamp 10:32. I am no way an expert on AirTags or affiliated with mucoff but would imagine a difference in battery level would create a difference in signal strength. It would only be fair to repeat the test with 2 AirTags at the same battery level for it to be totally conclusive.

[@gplama]

I’m done testing this for now. Wasted way too much time on this as it is. But out of interest I checked the Muc Off held tag battery right now and it’s reporting 80%. Plastic one looks to be around 100%. The Gravel Bike tag is around 35%. The bike is in the garage and much colder. I suspect there is a temperature variable at play for battery capacity reporting with the CR2032. Just a guess though.

[@yousufkazmi7842]

Media Outlet gives glowing review to prominent advertisers product shock. In Other News multiple Cycling Media Outlets shuttered in the last week. (Sad news, but if you errode trust in the content...)

[@better.better]

there's only so many places you can hide the thing on a bike, and you really wouldn't want to hide it on something that could be removed, for example in a saddlebag. a better spot might be a wrap it in the bar tape, up under the hoods of the brake/shifter. I've never really looked at one so I don't know what size they are but a couple of conveniently round locations stand out: steerer tube cap, bar-end cap, Front, rear, and wheel reflectors. Wheels can be removed to sell separately, same for an expensive saddle... in fact I've seen lots and lots of bikes chained up to something sturdy, but missing a saddle because the owner didn't lock through the saddle as well as the frame and wheels, so I guess it couldn't hurt to air tag ALL of the parts

[@ralph3384]

Great review! Just bought a plastic one instead.

[@galenkehler]

Since "apple" and "airtag" aren't mentioned on the package, what lead to to believe this was intended to be used with an airtag? Maybe it's really for storing an electrolyte tablet?

[@gplama]

This is a good point. 🤣

[@ccapp3389]

Thanks for the test mate. Unfortunately I did buy some of these and am now looking to replace them. Is there a best retail air tag mount in your opinion? I don't have easy access to 3d printing.

[@gplama]

See the link in the video description to where you can buy the plastic ones online. 🚲👌🏼

[@ccapp3389]

@@gplama thanks very much!

[@ConstantRider]

Great test. Wow, bit of a noob mistake on the part of MucOff. You sometimes wonder about these Product Managers. Clearly no engineers were involved.

[@adaycj]

I'm pretty sure Muc-Off is about 99% marketing.

[@marshallfarthingproject4ag282]

They just copied my design (the plastic one featured in this video) that I made over a year ago lmao

[@MrHotrod77dave]

Work better in the New tubeless tire holder from muc off. Time to update youre video.😜

[@ansley1675]

Is this still an issue on the newer model of the Secure Tag Holder (2.0)?

[@gplama]

I suspect it will be. That is still a solid alloy casing (with a small cut-out)

[@ariffau]

Muc-Off is planning to steal your bikes 😆

[@driventomadness117]

I wonder if MucOff and absolute black are owned by the same guy. I have several mucoff products and I haven't been happy with anything they produce.

[@pmb0001]

The F*coff air tag from Mucoff - looks like an own goal right there!

[@Rotoped64]

When form overtakes the function! :D LOL Who the hell would close a device working with radio frequency waves into a Faraday cage???!

[@paulgriscti9076]

Do you have the link to the 3D printed holder you used?

[@gplama]

www.etsy.com/listing/1015753561/the-original-apple-airtag-bike-mount

[@prwrp]

What about the new version they just released?

[@gplama]

They've released a new one? I wasn't aware.

[@TheKMov]

can you share the design of the plastic one?

[@gplama]

www.etsy.com/listing/1015753561/the-original-apple-airtag-bike-mount

[@RabidMortal1]

Since Apple recently made Airtags deactivate-able by ANYone who thinks they may be being tracked by one, are Airtags even a viable anti theft strategy anymore? Serious question. Would value hearing your perspective on Apple's new change.

[@gplama]

See my video linked in the description for the 2022 updates. In short - The changes Apple made are minimal and don’t invalidate them as a really good way to find your lost/stolen bike.

[@nicbrownable]

I think there is a place for a visible and robust tag holder. A holder with security screws is one more thing a thief has to deal with when stealing a bike. It may also help with opportune snatch and grabs. Plus it pays to have more than one tag. A metal holder with a decent reinforced plastic signal pass through that can withstand a few minutes of screwdriver attack please. The vast majority of ‘hidden’ tag holders are completely obvious. Fastened under saddles with zip ties, or curious little 3D printed reflectors about the size of an AirTag. Most can be torn off by hand in literally a second. The first saddle manufacturer with a discrete tag holder built into the shell will get my purchase. See also plastic pedals, actual blinky lights, pannier rack and mudguard reflectors or mounts.

[@chasethetrail1773]

I suppose you would get the same issue if you hid the tag (without a case) within the (alloy) bike frame.

[@gplama]

Yes

[@samslichter3566]

Another thing you didn’t mention: isn’t the colour a downside as well in terms of concealment??

[@gplama]

It comes in a range of colours. I wold have covered that and the weight…. But it didn’t even pass my initial ‘does it do what’s on the box’ test.

[@augustomet]

Do you have the file to create the 3D printed case?

[@gplama]

www.etsy.com/listing/1015753561/the-original-apple-airtag-bike-mount

[@aberdeenal3234]

I have one of those Muc-Off Air Tag holders and have had no issue with at it all - picks up every time and very long distances too

[@andrewsteavpack9079]

But it’s machined aluminum so is therefore better and it’s bright pink and easy to notice on my bike

[@AussiePeter]

Thx.

[@chbrosz]

pretty damning... thanks Lama!

[@drsus0]

here I was worried a plastic holder would be too much interferance... never mind and metal casing!! c'mon Moc-off.

[@stevefraser7501]

The vibrant colour screaming "Ï'm an airtag. Remove and dispose of me if you don't want to get caught with this stolen bike"" doesn''t help either! Classic case of form over function.

[@thebrowns5337]

Maybe it does... fit this MO holder with no air tag in it and use a better air tag holder elsewhere out of site. The thief may see the MO one and walk on or may remove it and think they are good to go but you'll be tracking them

[@stevefraser7501]

@@thebrowns5337 Maybe your right. But a $50 decoy is a bit too much. I could buy a cheap plastic one and paint it brightly and achieve the same thing. Still a "No" from me.

[@bjmaston]

The sounds being muffled is a good thing.

[@gplama]

Under some scenarios, yes.

[@huges84]

If that’s your concern, then you can physically disable the speaker. Many YT videos on that.

[@5teve85]

just confirms those sites like road cc are just paid marketing

[@gplama]

I’m ok with them being paid marketing… as long as they’re at least honest. Even Muc-Off admitted the signal was impacted.

[@5teve85]

@@gplama good point. They really sought to minimise the issues though. Please can you test their inside tyre version with lots of sealant

[@pdlngsqrs9547]

1.7 M you say "pathetic"? Sub-Optimal? You were being kind. BTW Excellent in-depth review.

[@7keith]

I would expect the same tin hat effect with the tubeless tag if it was used in a alu wheel.

[@armadillito]

I expect it wouldn't help but would be much less bad, because it's not enclosed in a conductive shell.

[@gooders9093]

Another damming indictment of RoadCC and their poor and inaccurate reviews.

[@adaycj]

Yes, they are trying to follow the GCN path to fame thru not very subtle sponsorships.

[@silvercyclist3744]

So true

[@galenkehler]

Muc-off claims there is a "reduction in signal strength" but that it still works "perfectly" for "long range tracking" (all from their own statement) They clearly don't know how RF signals work, as if the material choice of aluminium didn't make that clear.

[@teddgram]

I'm not even an Apple user and as soon as you said it was made out of Aluminum I had figured out where this was going. Wholly lack of common sense.

[@rasmuswi]

I was actually a bit surprised the other day when the Muc.Off tubeless sealant actually performed well , in a test that appeared to be relevant for the product. Most Muc-Off products I've come across have been crappy, or even borderline scammy. Like this one, or their horrendous chain lubricants that Zero Friction Cycling has done such a good job roasting. Their pink sponge that continuously disintegrate and leave tiny pink bits of sponge everywhere when I clean my bike. Oh, their tubeless valve seems OK. Can't wait to see someone take that stealth tubeless tag holder on a bumpy gravel ride, maybe including some singletrack with roots everywhere, with low tire pressure, and see what remains of the whole thing after the ride. I think I can come up with one or two one or two reasons why this cold be a terrific idea, and a lot of reasons why it could be a terrible idea.

[@bobdobalina1419]

Seems like a good place for cheaply made carbon fiber. Recycled frames and wheels chipped up and pressed into flat plates to machine.

[@hzunasdfgbciw]

Guess 1: You're the only bike related channel not sponsored by Muc-Off. Guess 2: They would have better products if they invested in engineering instead of marketing.

[@markusmencke8059]

When physics bites you in the posterior…

[@silvercyclist3744]

Just goes to show, cycling media reviews are just copy and paste marketing. No one tested this clearly before writing that review. It’s endemic within cycling ‘reviews’ these days.

[@wojciechbiaek9725]

One more thing - such metal holder would be much more "efficient". (I mean it would shield radio more) if attached to metal bike in a way AirTag is fully enclosed in metal. This bike look like carbon fiber.

[@gplama]

There's nothing efficient about putting a radio in a solid block of metal.

[@crossroads4762]

Yes yes but! If the AirTag gets hit by a bolt of lightning it will survive.

[@gplama]

⚡️🤣

[@TheCaniwisteve]

You dont want sound do you? If its stolen sound, if heard may alert thief to presence of the tracker...remove it and move the bike

[@ExciterXX]

The air tag should not be hidden? If I were thieve i would remove it first

[@bradleyjones5932]

Try this in a built-up area, probably have to be standing on the bike for it to get recognised 🤣🤣🤣,

[@FNQ_BEES]

Damn, I’m a brand loyal guy and had always thought highly of muck-off as a brand. I’d even forgive them for having a dud product and then being honest about it being a dud. Now i cant see myself overpaying for a bike specific product, that isn’t any better than cheaper auto equivalents just for it’s nice bike branding, any longer.

[@gplama]

Prices aside, they make some good stuff. Some. I like their tubeless valves.

[@FNQ_BEES]

Yeah, it was the tubeless valves that led to me buying some dry lube. And then i fell into their flashy marketing and somehow wound up buying overpriced bike shine.

[@matteo.ceriotti]

How can they claim there's a weaker signal at closer range, but signal is not impacted at longer range?? What's the physics of that??

[@gplama]

Aliens. Just aliens. 🛸

[@cejay67]

Probably the difference between the UWB used for the precise location and the BTLE for the iPhone ping.

[@stejayrado]

next up, one from carbon fiber

[@kurnaikent]

Could you at least use it to safely secure an AU dollar coin on your bike?

[@andypitts2007]

id buy that and not put an airtag in it cause i like the look and it would be a good detterent

[@1sigmabikes]

Sealed in a small section of old inner tube, and sandwiched in the cavity between the cavity between the seat clamp halves. Sound test is irrelevant as I’ve removed the speaker via non-destructive means. Why would I want to advertise to a thief that they are being tracked?