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Raceware Apple Airtag Holder

9
£15.00

VERDICT:

9
10
A bespoke, stealthy AirTag Holder that fits seamlessly with Specialized Swat-compatible saddles
Well priced
Lightweight
Stealth integration
Weatherproof
Specialized Swat-compatible only – though RaceWare can make them for any saddle
Weight: 
8g
road.cc Recommends

This product has been selected to feature in road.cc recommends. That means it's not just scored well, but we think it stands out as special. Go to road.cc recommends

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The RaceWare Apple AirTag Holder is a tidy solution if you use a Specialized Swat-compatible saddle. It's 3D-printed so it fits seamlessly with the saddle's undercarriage and doesn't compromise the aesthetics or functionality.

> Buy now: RaceWare Apple AirTag Holder for Specialized saddles for £15 from RaceWare

As Apple Airtags have become increasingly popular among cyclists – both from a travel and potential bike theft perspective – we're seeing more companies creating ways to hide or integrate them on the bike. Enter the 3D printing maestros from RaceWare.

RaceWare Components has produced 3D-printed mounting hardware for cycling enthusiasts since 2012, giving users a made-to-measure solution manufactured to precise tolerances. Many of its products have even been utilised at WorldTour level, such is the quality and sophistication of the brand's offerings.

2024 Raceware Apple Airtag Holder close up.JPG

The custom nature means this particular AirTag Holder layout can be created for any style or make, not just the Specialized S-Works saddle pictured here.

2024 Raceware Apple Airtag Holder installed on bike.JPG

As the AirTag Holder is created from 3D-printed nylon material, this ensures no interference with the AirTag signal, which remained good in both my short- and long-range tests. The signal was as strong as it was without the holder which goes to show the benefit of this sort of material and integration.

2024 Raceware Apple Airtag Holder.JPG

The AirTag holder has been designed to play nicely with all Swat-compatible Specialized saddles – the ones that have the two threaded bosses on the undercarriage – these include the Phenom, Power and Bridge saddles. Pictured here is the Specialized S-Works Power saddle.

It's easy to fit. Simply locate the two screws, slot the Airtag into the small recess on the holder and slot it into place remembering to screw the supplied bolts tightly. It's an impressively sleek fit. It weighs just 8g, 18g when coupled with an AirTag. The holder comprehensively covers the Airtag, meaning it's as close to a watertight fit as you can get. There is the slightest of gaps on the forward-facing side but rain, water and mud shouldn't pose much of an issue.

2024 Raceware Apple Airtag Holder on Specialized S-Works Power saddle with Swat.JPG

Having sprayed the saddle with a high-pressure hose – I was surprised to see no water ingress. Of course, just how well it keeps water out will depend on your riding and whether or not you ride your mountain bike, gravel or road ride through the winter months but I'd go as far as to say that the holder should protect it from the elements. It's also worth noting that an Apple AirTag itself has an IP67 rating, which certifies that it can withstand rain and full submersion of up to one metre.

To further test the RaceWare AirTag Holder's mettle, I used it on both my road and my gravel bike in a multitude of weather conditions that spanned wet gravel, mud, road crud and generally damp roads. Like my pressure washer tests, water ingress was non-existent. It's very impressive.

2024 Raceware Apple Airtag Holder installed on bike 2.JPG

We've tested a fair amount of these over the years and feel we have a good idea of what makes an Airtag holder good or not. At £15, the RaceWare AirTag Holder seems bang on the money for what you get.

Value

Its rivals come in the form of the £29.99 Muc-Off Secure Tag Holder, which is an aluminium-based option. George liked its security and simplicity but felt the aluminium impacted the signal quality from the AirTag.

For £35, you could look at the Muc-Off Stealth Tubeless Tag Holder and 44mm Valve Kit that fits inside your tyre. Suvi thought it was a stealthy option but felt it didn't provide the same sense of security and peace of mind as externally mounted options.

George also reviewed the Topeak Cage Mount For AirTag, which mounts on your bike's down tube. At £9.99, it's an affordable system but doesn't comprehensively seal the AirTag like the RaceWare holder.

Conclusion

At £15, the RaceWare Apple AirTag Holder is an affordable and quality option with a stealthy mounting interface that can withstand everything from mud and crud to water. While it's compatible with Specialized Swat saddles only, RaceWare Components can make something up for you regardless of your saddle – and it's this sense of bespoke manufacturing that puts RaceWare in the upper echelons of aftermarket kit integration.

Verdict

A bespoke, stealthy AirTag Holder that fits seamlessly with Specialized Swat-compatible saddles

road.cc test report

Make and model: RaceWare Apple AirTag Holder

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

An AirTag holder designed for users of Specialized Swat-compatible saddles.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

The Raceware Apple AirTag holder has been 3D printed to play nicely with all Specialized Swat-compatible saddles.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Easy to fit and simple to use. It's made from a nylon material, so there's no interference with the Airtag signal.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Easy to fit, and stealthy position under the saddle.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

At £15, it's on the cheaper side but the quality is still very impressive and in line with its rivals.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

The RaceWare Apple AirTag holder is a smart and simple solution for stealthy integration with or big. While this particular model has been manufactured for use with Specialized's Swat-compatible saddles, RaceWare can 3D print an AirTag holder for your particular saddle.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 0  Height: 175cm  Weight: 62kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 5-10 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Novice

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, mtb, Gravel and Elite Cycling eSports

Aaron is the editor of off-road.cc. He completed his BA honours at the University of Cape Town before embarking on a career in journalism. As the former tech editor of Cyclingnews and Bike Perfect, digital editor of Bicycling magazine and associate editor of TopCar, he's travelled the world writing about bikes and anything with wheels for the past 17 years. A competitive racer and Stravaholic, he’s twice ridden the Cape Epic, raced nearly every mountain bike stage race in South Africa and completed the Haute Route Alps. He's also a national-level time triallist and eSports racer, too - having captained South Africa at both the 2022 and 2023 UCI Cycling eSports World Championships. 

Add new comment

7 comments

Avatar
Grub | 10 months ago
0 likes

Neat design overall. Just wondered if it was test (e.g. re. range or general functionality) with a saddle bag in place?

Avatar
check12 | 10 months ago
0 likes

Make the screws - black, sunk in to the holder and security head - I'll waive my consultancy fee

Avatar
thax1 replied to check12 | 10 months ago
0 likes

Batteries last 12 months typically, maybe less in cold conditions, so serviceable access is still required. Had to swap on 3 of our bikes so far.

Avatar
jaymack | 10 months ago
2 likes

And you can have one that also holds a Cycliq camera/light, top product.

Avatar
Secret_squirrel replied to jaymack | 10 months ago
2 likes

Worth a gander at the whole range... lots of options including Bonty and Use/Exposure

https://www.racewaredirect.co/?s=airtag&post_type=product&type_aws=true

Avatar
kil0ran replied to Secret_squirrel | 10 months ago
1 like

Cool. This is the genius of 3D printing. Bit of rapid product development and then print on demand, almost zero cost.

Avatar
thax1 replied to jaymack | 10 months ago
0 likes

Responsive customer service too IME. Good for "I've got one of these to mount on one of those" type enquiries.

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