polymorphself 

I've recently discovered these and just pulled the plug on a brass Suzu. Still unsure if I made the right choice between that and the Riten, or getting the mini. Anyways, there aren't too many photos out there of these on vintage bikes and no thread really dedicated to them here that I could find.

Who has one?.

Piff 

I like bells; they're friendlier and easier than shouting when on a multi-use-path. As for the numpties who wear earbuds in both ears on a shared path, well nothing is going to get their attention anyways. I bought the Velo Orange one for my Super Course, and it rings just as well (sustain, clear and beautiful tone) as the crane I've had for a few years now.

polymorphself 

Nice! Which Crane do you have? And how would you say they compare in size? Or is that the Crane on your SC?

Piff 

The bell pictured is Velo Orange, and it's nearly identical to my Crane Suzu in size and appearance apart from a slightly different mount. The crane's mount is slightly more elegant.

I haven't heard how loud the mini crane bell is, but the Suzu and VO version both can turn heads from 50ft away.

bulgie 

I like the Riten over the Suzu because of its friendly sound, that is instantly recognizable to pedestrian as saying "bike bell". Like most all "bring-bring" bells, but being brass it has awesome sustain. It's loud too -- but not too loud. I ring it when I'm a fair distance behind the person, and due to the sustain, it's still ringing as I get closer. I think this gives them a good idea how far back I am and how fast I'm going.

I recently set up a bike with an Ene bell, also in brass but a mini-size, single-ping. I took it off after one ride -- not loud enough. I replaced it with a Suzu I had in my junk box, for now, but ordered another Riten to replace the Suzu as soon as I can. I'm addicted to my Riten bring-bring.

Here's a Riten where I removed the steel clamping parts on the bottom, and replaced them with a M5 x 0.8 screw, for threading into a stem that has the matching M5 threaded hole in it. Too much work for most people, and it requires silver-brazing, but I thought I'd show it off:


I made it for a customer who backed out of the deal, so I put it on my grocery-getter, a '73 Schwinn Super Sport "upgraded" with a cheap Hissing Lung stem and Soma Urban Pursuit cowhorn bars*. I drilled and tapped the stem -- and right on through the bars as well, so there's no longer any angle adjustment on the bars. Which is good, 'cuz they slipped (rotated) one time before I had the bell, when I rode off a dropoff. Now, no more Slippin' Jimmy.


* I see Soma calls them Bullhorn bars, but that's not a thing, is it? I mean in the bicycle world. At least I always heard them called cowhorns. A bullhorn is a loud-talker, right?

Hey, maybe that's what I need for the oblivious pedestrians -- a bullhorn on my cowhorn!

Mark B in Seattle

SJX426 

CConversion95, on Flickr
046_PaTREK _Cockpit, on Flickr
P1010336, on Flickr

polymorphself 

Regular Suzu?

SJX426 

polymorphself Don't know the idifference. one is labled Crane the other two may be knockoffs. The one on the Pinny is smaller in diameter and doesn't carry for very long. I also have one more on another bike not in the pic. There is an AL bell that is dead when you ring it. My commuter uses a Hornit which works on cars at 120 db.
P1030336, on Flickr

52telecaster

Silver cheap Chinese bell. Rings loud and clear.

Gold version, also loud and clear.

SJX426 

Yes

natterberry 

I have a couple brass ENE to match a few B17 Specials.

Im going to give the Spurcycle a try next.

SuperLJ

I’m in a 17-piece big band that plays traditional swing era music, and I put together this Crane bell to use for the telephone ringer sound in Glenn Miller’s Pennsylvania 6-5000. If you’re not familiar, listen about 20 seconds in:

Nice and loud - works perfect!



For bikes I really like VO’s. I think they’re a little bigger and maybe louder than the Crane equivalent. Just plain, with no engraving, which I like.

scarlson 

Here's some direct-mount to a threaded hole in the stem, stuff I did a few weeks ago. The full-size Crane Suzu has its striker pivot built into the clamp, so direct-mount requires fabricating a striker support and a stud for the bell itself. The stud is just a m5x0.8 screw with the head cut off, and a piece of stainless tubing that I tapped down the middle.





And here's a Crane Karen aluminum bell on my Vitus. A hell of a lot easier to install, you just unscrew it from its clamp and it has a m5x0.8 threaded stud all ready to screw into a hole you can drill and tap in the stem.


I prefer to have the striker within easy reach of my right thumb on the tops. This way I can use my right hand to hit the bell and at the same time be ready for a panic stop using my left hand/front brake if whoever I'm warning is startled and jumps in my way instead of out of my way.

ascherer 

Riten on my Sports. This is going to move to my International which will be my commuter/townie. I find the Riten's louder but friendly "ring-a-ling' sound gets more attention in busy streets and paths.


Suzue on my chrome Professional. Classic looks and the silver style blends with the chrome frame and silver components. I don't think the tone is as sweet as the brass Suzue but it's still clear and sustained.

Saguaro

A Crane Suzue brass bell is a beautiful and functional addition to any Classic & Vintage bike.

ascherer 

Tell me about that decaleur, please...?

Saguaro

That is a Gilles Berthoud Decaleur H-91. Here is a view of the decaleur and the Crane Suzue brass bell from the other side.

paulkal

Here is a Crane bell on my Gazelle, after polishing it really shines.

ehcoplex 

Is it possible to unscrew the bell from the clamp and reposition the striker? It looks like it should be, but I don't want to damage the bell in attempting it if it isn't possible (or for example if the striker is keyed or something and only goes on one way....).

Crane on my PX-10....

fliplap

Suzue mini on my tourer. The lacquer has been stripped off, allowing the raw brass to age with experience. Each tour records itself in the patina.

Korina

Where do you want the striker to be?

ehcoplex 

Because it's on a short stem there isn't clearance to have the bell higher, so I wanted the striker rotated forward 15 or so degrees so it's a little easier to hit. Anyway, I gave it a good grip-and-twist and the bell unscrews and the striker assembly can be positioned however one wants and retightened. All is well with the bell.