Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > General Cycling Discussion
Reload this Page >

Spurcycle Compact Bell?

Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

Spurcycle Compact Bell?

Old 01-17-21, 01:14 PM
  #1  
MrWasabi
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
MrWasabi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Lutz, FL
Posts: 416

Bikes: 2014 Fuji Traverse 1.3, 2020 Electra Cruiser 1, 1995 Giant CFM-4

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 124 Post(s)
Liked 51 Times in 36 Posts
Spurcycle Compact Bell?

Anyone try it? I'm thinking about one on my flat bar hybrid bike as I ride on a lot of paved trails that can get busy at times. I know the original gets good reviews but it may be too much for my bars.

Thanks.
MrWasabi is offline  
Old 01-17-21, 02:37 PM
  #2  
hsuBM
jj
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 331
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 140 Post(s)
Liked 110 Times in 78 Posts
They’re beautiful to look at, especially as compared to cheaper bells.

the few that I’ve tested were somewhat musical...

one cheapo I have is perfectly harmonized with itself and seems to make people smile when I ring it, another cheapo I have is horrendously out of tune with itself and garners sneers.

All of the Spurs sound refined but less loud than either of my cheapos and almost monophonic compared to my nice cheapo.
hsuBM is offline  
Old 01-17-21, 09:14 PM
  #3  
woodcraft
Senior Member
 
woodcraft's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 6,016
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1814 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 923 Times in 569 Posts
The bell is the same, so should be good.
woodcraft is offline  
Old 01-17-21, 09:20 PM
  #4  
MrWasabi
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
MrWasabi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Lutz, FL
Posts: 416

Bikes: 2014 Fuji Traverse 1.3, 2020 Electra Cruiser 1, 1995 Giant CFM-4

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 124 Post(s)
Liked 51 Times in 36 Posts
Thanks for the replies. I don't mind spending extra for quality over playing roulette and probably spending more trying to get a good cheap one. I just don't want some huge bell on my bars but something I can still alert folks with when needed.
MrWasabi is offline  
Old 01-18-21, 12:10 AM
  #5  
woodcraft
Senior Member
 
woodcraft's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 6,016
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1814 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 923 Times in 569 Posts
The original Spurcycle bell and the compact one are the same size

so it's unlikely that one would be too much for your bars, and the other wouldn't.

The mount is simpler and will only fit on modern flat bars near the grips.

I mount mine on the stem, hanging down, so it is unobtrusive.
woodcraft is offline  
Likes For woodcraft:
Old 01-18-21, 06:53 AM
  #6  
bwilli88 
Not lost wanderer.
 
bwilli88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Lititz, Pa
Posts: 3,361

Bikes: In USA; 73 Raleigh Super Course dingle speed, 72 Raleigh Gran Sport SS, 72 Geoffry Butler, 81 Centurion Pro-Tour, 74 Gugie Grandier Sportier

Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 885 Post(s)
Liked 979 Times in 514 Posts
I do not like them, They do not have the sound that carries,
Give me a Crane.

It can be seen on the left handlebar on my Pro-Tour.
bwilli88 is online now  
Likes For bwilli88:
Old 01-18-21, 07:26 AM
  #7  
MrWasabi
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
MrWasabi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Lutz, FL
Posts: 416

Bikes: 2014 Fuji Traverse 1.3, 2020 Electra Cruiser 1, 1995 Giant CFM-4

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 124 Post(s)
Liked 51 Times in 36 Posts
Thanks again everyone,

Yeah, I don't even know if I want a bell but think it could be useful especially coming around corners. I understand it is the same size as the original, just a different mount which I need to help save handlebar room. I have a Quad Lock already on my stem which usually has my phone so squeezing a bell in there won't work. I'll checkout the Crane too. I like the look/design of that Knog Oi bell but the reviews say it doesn't get that loud.
MrWasabi is offline  
Old 01-18-21, 07:30 AM
  #8  
Reflector Guy
Senior Member
 
Reflector Guy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,340

Bikes: Bianchi Infinito XE, Via Nirone 7, GT Aggressor Pro

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 599 Post(s)
Liked 1,270 Times in 588 Posts
Originally Posted by bwilli88
I do not like them, They do not have the sound that carries,
I agree. I bought one (the regular one, not compact) and returned it for a refund after a couple weeks of trying to pretend that high pitched tone was going to be recognizable to pedestrians as a bike bell. It was a nice bell to look at however and only took up minimal space on my handlebar.
Reflector Guy is offline  
Likes For Reflector Guy:
Old 01-18-21, 09:51 AM
  #9  
mstateglfr 
Sunshine
 
mstateglfr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,538

Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo

Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10902 Post(s)
Liked 7,393 Times in 4,148 Posts
Originally Posted by Reflector Guy
I agree. I bought one (the regular one, not compact) and returned it for a refund after a couple weeks of trying to pretend that high pitched tone was going to be recognizable to pedestrians as a bike bell. It was a nice bell to look at however and only took up minimal space on my handlebar.
What would the bell sound otherwise be recognized as? Its a bell and that sound doesnt naturally exist. If you hear it as a pedestrian, it is clearly not just background noise from woodland creatures so it makes you aware someone is approaching from behind.
Maybe I have been gone from the burbs for too long and there are now sounds that are the same as a high pitched bell so pedestrians there no longer recognize the sound?


The best answer to all this is- ride roads as much as possible and leave MUPs to runners, walkers, and families when possible. That reduces the odds of even needing to use a bell of any kind.
mstateglfr is online now  
Likes For mstateglfr:
Old 01-18-21, 10:14 AM
  #10  
blakcloud
Senior Member
 
blakcloud's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,595
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 608 Post(s)
Liked 352 Times in 225 Posts
I have six of the original bells and love them. The minimalist design is what sold me, then when I received them I liked the sound. Can't comment on the compact.

The difference between the original and the compact besides the obvious is that one the original is made in USA and the compact is made in Taiwan. Some people care about this, as a Canadian I don't. If it matters to you then you might have your decision.

In my province it is law that every bicycle has a bell, rarely enforced but if you do get pulled over you can get a ticket if you don't have one. Even if I never use it, I at least need it to be compliant with the law. Of course every jurisdiction has it's own laws. If have to buy a bell, then Spur Cycle is a good choice and not the Rock Brothers who ripped off the design and sold it cheaper.
blakcloud is offline  
Likes For blakcloud:
Old 01-18-21, 10:42 AM
  #11  
njkayaker
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Far beyond the pale horizon.
Posts: 14,241
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4222 Post(s)
Liked 1,322 Times in 916 Posts
I use this. It mounts on the stem using a special headset spacer. So, it's out of the way. It comes with a silver spacer. I used a black spacer I had for another bell, which was fine but the spring for the clapper broke.

https://www.amazon.com/Crane-Bicycle...0&sr=8-20&th=1
njkayaker is offline  
Old 01-18-21, 10:50 AM
  #12  
Reflector Guy
Senior Member
 
Reflector Guy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,340

Bikes: Bianchi Infinito XE, Via Nirone 7, GT Aggressor Pro

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 599 Post(s)
Liked 1,270 Times in 588 Posts
Originally Posted by mstateglfr
What would the bell sound otherwise be recognized as? Its a bell and that sound doesnt naturally exist.
To me it is much too high-pitched and has an unnecessarily long sustain even though it isn't particularly loud. Obviously I am in the wrong here, but to me they missed on all three points. Four, if you include the dull thwack sound the clapper makes when it strikes the bell. Granted it does have a clever mounting system, customizable to any size handlebar and the box it comes in is nice too but as a functioning bell, the bell on the counter at Subway is better.
Reflector Guy is offline  
Old 01-18-21, 10:53 AM
  #13  
woodcraft
Senior Member
 
woodcraft's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 6,016
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1814 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 923 Times in 569 Posts
Originally Posted by MrWasabi
Thanks again everyone,

Yeah, I don't even know if I want a bell but think it could be useful especially coming around corners. I understand it is the same size as the original, just a different mount which I need to help save handlebar room. I have a Quad Lock already on my stem which usually has my phone so squeezing a bell in there won't work. I'll checkout the Crane too. I like the look/design of that Knog Oi bell but the reviews say it doesn't get that loud.


Probably still work with your phone mount.

I've tried a whole bunch of bells including Crane, etc., & find it odd that someone would find pretty much any other to be better.



woodcraft is offline  
Likes For woodcraft:
Old 01-18-21, 11:11 AM
  #14  
mstateglfr 
Sunshine
 
mstateglfr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,538

Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo

Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10902 Post(s)
Liked 7,393 Times in 4,148 Posts
Originally Posted by Reflector Guy
To me it is much too high-pitched and has an unnecessarily long sustain even though it isn't particularly loud. Obviously I am in the wrong here...
Oh, the ring is comically long. I totally agree. I will touch mine sometimes after ringing it to stop the sound since I dont need it to continue for 15 seconds.
You definitely arent in the wrong- its an opinion. I like hearing people's views that are based on use/experience.
mstateglfr is online now  
Old 01-18-21, 01:19 PM
  #15  
veganbikes
Clark W. Griswold
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,280

Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26

Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4253 Post(s)
Liked 3,866 Times in 2,579 Posts
I love the original and was sad when the new came out and it is made not in America. It is still a fine bell but the original is my favorite flavor (I have like 6 of them at least). I have always found it sounds really good and cuts through a bit more. The Crane bells are also good and you can get some that are handprinted by Japanese ladies and they are awesome.
veganbikes is offline  
Old 01-18-21, 01:24 PM
  #16  
hsuBM
jj
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 331
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 140 Post(s)
Liked 110 Times in 78 Posts
Originally Posted by mstateglfr
What would the bell sound otherwise be recognized as?
Cell phone.
hsuBM is offline  
Old 01-18-21, 01:43 PM
  #17  
mstateglfr 
Sunshine
 
mstateglfr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,538

Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo

Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10902 Post(s)
Liked 7,393 Times in 4,148 Posts
Originally Posted by hsuBM
Cell phone.
Interesting. I can confidently say I've never heard a cell phone ring that sounds like a spurcycle bell.
Certainly new info there.
mstateglfr is online now  
Likes For mstateglfr:
Old 01-18-21, 01:57 PM
  #18  
BNSF
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 78
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 35 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 47 Times in 23 Posts
Originally Posted by hsuBM
Cell phone.
I've seen similar comments on Youtube videos about this bell. I don't know - if it does, it's an app I don't have.

It reminds me of the kind of ringing one hears when they have tinnitus.
BNSF is offline  
Old 07-22-21, 06:39 AM
  #19  
tvdc
Newbie
 
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by MrWasabi
Anyone try it? I'm thinking about one on my flat bar hybrid bike as I ride on a lot of paved trails that can get busy at times. I know the original gets good reviews but it may be too much for my bars.

Thanks.
What did you do in the end? I find myself with the same conundrum regarding an already busy bar. And the compact bell's 9mm fastening seems preferable to the originals 20mm. The original does look way nicer in my opinion but it does require more space.
tvdc is offline  
Old 07-22-21, 06:49 AM
  #20  
MrWasabi
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
MrWasabi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Lutz, FL
Posts: 416

Bikes: 2014 Fuji Traverse 1.3, 2020 Electra Cruiser 1, 1995 Giant CFM-4

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 124 Post(s)
Liked 51 Times in 36 Posts
Originally Posted by tvdc
What did you do in the end? I find myself with the same conundrum regarding an already busy bar. And the compact bell's 9mm fastening seems preferable to the originals 20mm. The original does look way nicer in my opinion but it does require more space.
I haven't tried it yet.
MrWasabi is offline  
Old 07-24-21, 01:49 PM
  #21  
fredlord
Full Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 226
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 144 Post(s)
Liked 119 Times in 70 Posts
I believe I have solved my bells/oblivious pedestrians problem.

#1 I'm avoiding mixed-use bike paths as much as possible.

# I have installed two Knog Oi bells; a left-hand bell and a right-hand, on the downward curves of my drop-bars, where they are easily reached while on the hoods.

These bells are not loud at all, but they take up less room than any other bells I've seen. Because I have two of them, I can beat out any kind of pattern I want (musician and cyclist here). The novelty and continuity of the sounds more than makes up for the lack of volume. The bells' notes are only a quarter-tone apart. I would have preferred a minor 3rd for that nursery-rhyme vibe.

I like to imitate the sound of an ambulance from the 1880s. So far this system has not failed to get the walking dead out of my way. Not once.
fredlord is offline  
Likes For fredlord:
Old 07-25-21, 08:14 PM
  #22  
monkeytusmc 
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Oceanside, California
Posts: 27

Bikes: Gunnar Roadie SS, Colnago C40 B-Stay Mapei, 2013 Greg Lemond Commemorative TDF 90 (#55 of 100), 1992 Greg Lemond Team Z, Dario Pegoretti Marcelo "Why Not?", (2) x Zunow Road Bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times in 5 Posts
I use one for my commuter, works great. No complaints mounted on the down portion of my quill stem.
__________________
"The best rides are the ones where you bite off much more than you can chew, and live through it."
monkeytusmc is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.