How to determine if accessories fit a particular bicycle?
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How to determine if accessories fit a particular bicycle?
I have the following bicycle: https://www.focus-bikes.com/int/42816-arriba-ltd
How would I go about figuring out whether or not certain accessories fit the bicycle?
E.g. I would like to buy a bell that can be mounted in the middle of the handlebar somewhere, however, the bar isn't uniformly thick -- it is more thick in the center and then gets somewhat thinner towards the ends where the rider actually holds onto the handlebars. Wouldn't this be a problem for even something as simple as mounting a bell? How can I know what to buy as a novice?
Similarly I'd like a kickstand, but I foresee similar issues here. The frames on bicycles have widely variable thickness and even geometry. What should I get, and why?
How would I go about figuring out whether or not certain accessories fit the bicycle?
E.g. I would like to buy a bell that can be mounted in the middle of the handlebar somewhere, however, the bar isn't uniformly thick -- it is more thick in the center and then gets somewhat thinner towards the ends where the rider actually holds onto the handlebars. Wouldn't this be a problem for even something as simple as mounting a bell? How can I know what to buy as a novice?
Similarly I'd like a kickstand, but I foresee similar issues here. The frames on bicycles have widely variable thickness and even geometry. What should I get, and why?
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I don't want to come of sounding like a jerk but under the circumstances why not take your bike to a bike shop and have them sell you the exact correct item?
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The most important reason however is simply cost. I don't have a big budget.
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Solution for tapered bars: Old tube cut into a couple of rings with an open side. One ring is 3/4ths inch wide, the other is 1/4th. Rubber cement one ring atop the other aligned with one side. Now you have a cheap tapered no-Slip spacer. I use one to hold my headlight on a tapered bar.
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I have the following bicycle: https://www.focus-bikes.com/int/42816-arriba-ltd
How would I go about figuring out whether or not certain accessories fit the bicycle?
E.g. I would like to buy a bell that can be mounted in the middle of the handlebar somewhere, however, the bar isn't uniformly thick -- it is more thick in the center and then gets somewhat thinner towards the ends where the rider actually holds onto the handlebars. Wouldn't this be a problem for even something as simple as mounting a bell? How can I know what to buy as a novice?
Similarly I'd like a kickstand, but I foresee similar issues here. The frames on bicycles have widely variable thickness and even geometry. What should I get, and why?
How would I go about figuring out whether or not certain accessories fit the bicycle?
E.g. I would like to buy a bell that can be mounted in the middle of the handlebar somewhere, however, the bar isn't uniformly thick -- it is more thick in the center and then gets somewhat thinner towards the ends where the rider actually holds onto the handlebars. Wouldn't this be a problem for even something as simple as mounting a bell? How can I know what to buy as a novice?
Similarly I'd like a kickstand, but I foresee similar issues here. The frames on bicycles have widely variable thickness and even geometry. What should I get, and why?
This tells you that the bar is 31.8 mm in the middle. Now you can go shopping for a bell that says it'll fit a 31.8 mm bar.
Also pick up a vernier caliper. They're great for measuring things like diameters and will make issues like these a lot easier to resolve in the future.
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#8
Cycleway town
Check the size and fitment of the part, then check the spec of your bike.
The mount for a bell is usually 22.2mm, which is the thickness of your handlebar where the grip, brake lever etc are. The centre of your bar will swell to either 25.4mm or 31.8mm where it mounts to the stem (i suspect the latter). And rake to join the 22.2. So you will need to find where there is a size for it, or find a bell that mounts elsewhere.
If you find a 25.4mm bell then it'll probably mount halfway along the cone section, between 31.8 at the stem and 22.2 at the brake lever.
My bell/horn button is by the brake lever, because i like to keep both hands on the bars at such a time i need to sound it!
The mount for a bell is usually 22.2mm, which is the thickness of your handlebar where the grip, brake lever etc are. The centre of your bar will swell to either 25.4mm or 31.8mm where it mounts to the stem (i suspect the latter). And rake to join the 22.2. So you will need to find where there is a size for it, or find a bell that mounts elsewhere.
If you find a 25.4mm bell then it'll probably mount halfway along the cone section, between 31.8 at the stem and 22.2 at the brake lever.
My bell/horn button is by the brake lever, because i like to keep both hands on the bars at such a time i need to sound it!
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Mudguards/fenders are often a pain to fit up properly. A bell should be less of a problem. Like mentioned earlier, making shims from old tires or something similar should do the trick.
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Honestly, avoiding the bike shop as a money-saving tactic is what they call "penny wise and pound foolish." You're inevitably going to spend the savings on postage for the return of the parts that don't fit.
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Most half way decent quality handlebar mounted accessories like a bell will come with different rubber shims to fit the most common size handlebars.
You can see it inside this one.
https://www.rei.com/product/116735/p...g-ii-bike-bell
You can see it inside this one.
https://www.rei.com/product/116735/p...g-ii-bike-bell
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This bell definitely fits 31.8mm bars and doesn't use a ginormous clamp:
https://www.amazon.com/Crane-ne-Bicy.../dp/B01A95L9W8
https://www.amazon.com/Crane-ne-Bicy.../dp/B01A95L9W8
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One size fits all, and you can mount it without removing other parts from the handlebar.
https://www.amazon.com/accmor-Bicycl...2Q6A1VJMNMRRPV
https://www.amazon.com/accmor-Bicycl...2Q6A1VJMNMRRPV
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You might also check with your bike manufacturer and see at least with fenders what they recommend if anything? Sometimes companies make their own fenders that are easy to install on their bikes and sometimes they might have recommendations or the shop that sells those bikes might also have recommendations because they have probably run into the issue before.
Spurcycle is my favorite bell because it is loud, tuned and will fit on most bars with a very minimal clamp. Most other bells suck out loud because the ding is just flat or sharp and is unpleasing to my ear but the Spurcycle just sounds right and has some serious sustain and it doesn't hurt that it looks good. Yes it does cost some money but it has more than paid for itself in quality and ease of use and sound. There are some copies out there but buy the original genuine article www.spurcycle.com
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I just put a lovely bell on one of my bikes. It came with a Tee mount and a set of "O"rings that fit every handlebar. Went on easy and stayed put. I'll look for the brand tomorrow ...
Your bike link does not open for me, and I'm not modding my cookies settings so it will ...
Need a clear picture of the frame just behind the seatpost at the chain stays to see what will fit? IF iit won't go there, there are rear triangle side stands that will fit nearly every bike but a few. They clamp to both the chain stay and the seat stay near the drop-out.
Your bike link does not open for me, and I'm not modding my cookies settings so it will ...
Need a clear picture of the frame just behind the seatpost at the chain stays to see what will fit? IF iit won't go there, there are rear triangle side stands that will fit nearly every bike but a few. They clamp to both the chain stay and the seat stay near the drop-out.
Last edited by BrocLuno; 12-14-18 at 11:53 PM.
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OK, the bell I just installed is a Lezyme brand. They come in various sizes. I am now a convert to their way of doing things. The O Ring loop around the handlebar works great. On and off in a flash if you are going to flip your bike over to work a flat or something. Really good
Here's their web site: Lezyme
Well, I tried to insert a pic, but it dos not work, so will try tomorrow ...
Here's their web site: Lezyme
Well, I tried to insert a pic, but it dos not work, so will try tomorrow ...
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I have the following bicycle: https://www.focus-bikes.com/int/42816-arriba-ltd
How would I go about figuring out whether or not certain accessories fit the bicycle?
E.g. I would like to buy a bell that can be mounted in the middle of the handlebar somewhere, however, the bar isn't uniformly thick -- it is more thick in the center and then gets somewhat thinner towards the ends where the rider actually holds onto the handlebars. Wouldn't this be a problem for even something as simple as mounting a bell? How can I know what to buy as a novice?
Similarly I'd like a kickstand, but I foresee similar issues here. The frames on bicycles have widely variable thickness and even geometry. What should I get, and why?
How would I go about figuring out whether or not certain accessories fit the bicycle?
E.g. I would like to buy a bell that can be mounted in the middle of the handlebar somewhere, however, the bar isn't uniformly thick -- it is more thick in the center and then gets somewhat thinner towards the ends where the rider actually holds onto the handlebars. Wouldn't this be a problem for even something as simple as mounting a bell? How can I know what to buy as a novice?
Similarly I'd like a kickstand, but I foresee similar issues here. The frames on bicycles have widely variable thickness and even geometry. What should I get, and why?