‘Shark Tank’ video: Will Linka’s lock prevent stolen bicycles?
You spend a lot of money to go out and buy a nice bicycle, but the reality is that almost any time that you take it out and park it in a public place, you’re running a risk of someone breaking your lock and stealing it. This happens all the time, and often cyclists just don’t have the money to spend on some sort of super-advanced solution to ensure that this doesn’t happen to them.
Therefore, is Linka the perfect solution to the problem? Based on the “Shark Tank” video below, it certainly seems like it is trying to make some sort of high-level bike security possible to the average consumer. There are a number of things the product does for you.
1. It locks in the wheel for you using a solid steel bar, and an optional chain will help you to secure it something.
2. Its app can be programmed so that when you are getting near your bike, it will automatically unlock so you can take your bike without any hassle.
3. The app will also tell you about frequent bike thefts, that way you can find the right spot to park that will not be putting you in nearly as much risk. It is created for the consumer in mind to have the best possible experience keeping your bike.
We like the product and the functionality a lot, especially when there are so many people looking to live without a car these days and value their bikes dearly. The only issue we see for now is that you’re still spending $160+ for the technology including the chain, which means that you’re probably not getting as many casual bikers as you would want given that so many other options are cheaper, even if they lack some of the effectiveness and the technology. We would ideally want to see the brand be under $120 for both the Linka and the chain. (Right now, just the Linka itself runs you $129 for a pre-order.)
We’ll have the results of this pitch later tonight when we write about the episode! For now, tell us what you think about Linka in the comments, and head over here to see some other highlights! Also, sign up over here for more scoop on everything we cover via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: ABC.)
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