Battery security - in-frame designs?

[PaulM]

Considering a first e-Bike purchase. Thinking of one with a rear hub motor but having the battery mid-ships somewhere to improve weight distribution. Quite a few bikes have battery semi-integrated into the downtube (eg. Juicy Roller, Kudos Sprint and Stealth). How secure are these from theft? Is it still advisable to remove the battery when leaving the bike locked up for any length of time? Came across the Westhill Classic where the battery inserts wholly into the bottom of the downtube, but not the largest capacity.

 

[Gubbins]

On the bikes I have owned the batteries are securly locked in with a key, but I came unstuck once when the bike cut out and I needed to remove the battery to clear the fault. Always carry the key with me now...

 

[sjpt]

I suspect they all use similar locks whether or not semi-integrated.

Another interesting design is Batribike Perdu with the (fairly low capacity 10.4Ah) battery in the chainguard. Seems expensive for what it is though. Again, I suspect same battery security as others if somebody tries, but maybe a little safer as less obvious.
https://batribike.com/see-the-bikes/perdu#spec

One on ebay
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Batribike-Perdu-step-through-electric-bike-with-Mini-LCD-Battery-3-weeks-old/312258206507?hash=item48b40a1b2b:g:Ml0AAOSwGsJbuza4:rk:1:pf:0

 

[Woosh]

the most secure in-frame battery is this one:

It is locked and easily removable but the lock is inside the frame, you have to fold the frame before you can access the lock and remove the battery.
Capacity: 36V 12AH with Samsung 29E, 14AH with Samsung 35E.
You find them on folding bikes like the Woosh Zephyr:

http://wooshbikes.co.uk/?zephyr-2018

 

[Eagle]

The Oxygen S-Cross bikes (CB,ST & MTB) all have key-operated, lockable in-frame batteries:
http://www.oxygenbicycles.com/e-bikes/s-cross-cb
http://www.oxygenbicycles.com/e-bikes/s-cross-st
http://www.oxygenbicycles.com/e-bikes/s-cross-mtb

You had better ask Oxygen if anybody has managed to steal a battery without using a key.

It is probably not a bad idea to remove the battery if the bike is being left for any length of time.

 

[Oxygen Electric Bikes]

Hi all
We have never lost a battery which was locked to a bike yet fingers crossed we do 13amp semi-integrated battery with our S-Cross CB Priced @ £1399 this is very competative considering the great spec

 

[mike killay]

I prefer to remove the battery and take it with me.
Just because the battery is locked to the bike does not prevent the thief taking the bike and attacking the lock somewhere else.

 

[gray198]

I suppose these type of batteries are limited to use with the bikes they are designed for, so maybe not very tempting steal.

 

[mike killay]

I am not too sure that a stolen battery is easy to sell on.
A bike on the other hand is.