Bustaknot

Hello,

I installed ergo grips on my Giant Escape 2 last year and had to move my brakes and shifters closer to the middle of the handlebars. I've run out of space to attach a bell as the handlebar gets very fat the closer to the center they get.

I've been looking out for this but haven't seen much, but are their bells or noise makers that would fit a stem well? I'd rather stick to a traditional bell than an electric do-dad that I'm sure would cause people to jump. I find most bells have small brackets that just wouldn't wrap around a thick stem.

Any ideas?

JohnnyCyclist

Attach with zip ties.

10 Wheels

This might work?

Cheap T Type Bicycle Bike Handlebar Extension Mount

TroN0074

This stem looks pretty fat. The bell looks like it is a Crane.

ModeratedUser150120149

Unless local law requires a bell why have one? Most people haven't a clue what a bell means and something louder only startles people and leaves them without clear direction on what to do next.

Bustaknot

I believe it's the law around here. Plus I use it to warn people I'm approaching. I hate when a cyclist comes up behind me without warning as well. I get more startled by that then a bell.

Bustaknot

Hmm, I think I"ve looked at crane bells and they had the same small bracket. This might be a custom attachment.

Zip ties is an interesting but ugly solution, though black zip ties would be more masked.

I'm surprised there isn't some universal adaptor to stick a bell onto anything. Or maybe there is, but I thought it would jump out as the go-to thing everyone cyclist should check out.

kingston 

I have an xtreme spacer bell on one of my bikes.

Bustaknot

I like that! I think that might be exactly what I'm looking for!

Darth Lefty 

There's "Alexander Graham Bell" from Portland Design Works. It replaces a stem spacer.

https://www.ridepdw.com/goods/cockpit/alexander-graham

I'd buy directly from the site. I tried to buy one for my wife from Amazon, but Amazon had a batch of random hardware with the bell sticker on the baggie tag, and so far they have sent me two of those instead.

GP

I thought the same way until I got this bell. If you give people enough notice, they'll move over. Mine makes one ding that can be heard from pretty far. It's on a spacer that was tapped for a screw. I think you can buy one already tapped at Velo Orange.

KLiNCK

I was looking for a bell that would fit the oversized clamp diameter of the handlebar (closest to the stem, 31.8mm) of my road bike.
I was surprised to find that there really wasn't anything available.
Found this bell from Filzer that uses an o-ring to attach it to the bars. It worked OK, but I wanted something that was louder.
Finally (after 5 years of looking!) found the perfect bell made in the USA by Spurcycle. It's expensive, but it's really well made, fits any handlebar diameter, and it's loud without being annoying (it even works in the rain!). Couldn't be happier with it.

badrad

How about the bar end bells? https://www.mirrycle.com/barend.php

mr_bill

Showing the spurcycle mounted. Other than expensive, it's nice.



-mr. bill

squirtdad 

work way better than "ON your Left" for the general populace on busy MUPs.

squirtdad 

look like Rivendell has a selection Hammer Strike Bell, Brass

ModeratedUser150120149

Don't know about being "way better". I would say they are equally ineffective.

Much better to use defensive driving concepts and also some phrase that is more meaningful to a non-cyclist. I say something like this: "I'm passing on your left". Then if I don't see any reaction, or if there is a visible cord or ear bud I assume the person didn't hear and will jump in front of me.

Bustaknot

Wandered over to my LBS yesterday and picked this up:



Mirrycle Incredibell Headset Mount 270 - Urbane Cyclist Bicycle Store | Toronto M5T 1X5

Rode in this morning with it. It's in a comfy spot where I can easily reach it but I'm not convinced that it's a very loud bell that drivers would hear. I'll see how it goes over the coming weeks as I get back into biking. One woman on her bike did comment that it was a nice sounding bell as I dinged and passed her, so at least there's that

Thanks for the input everyone. I'd love a spurcycle one, but the price is a bit much.

Redhatter

Louder isn't necessarily a bad thing. Sure they'll jump if you use it up close. However if it's louder you can ring it when you're further away, giving them more time to look around, see you, and take evasive action safely.

My main concern with an electronic bell is the likelihood that the battery has gone flat… I have an electronic sounder on-board, but I also have a mechanical fall-back, which also "ticks a box" for legal purposes.

mr_bill

It's very very rare for any driver to hear *ANY* bell. Pretty much they have to be stopped with windows open or doors open. Assume you are invisible and inaudible to drivers.

Bells are just a courtesy for other cyclists and pedestrians. Use a bell to alert them that *YOU* will be *SAFELY* passing them.

-mr. bill

Lars Halstrom

This one is on steroids! https://www.orpland.com

KD5NRH

You just need to get rid of the bars. Bagpipes are much more effective than a bell.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnVjkE87FDY

snow_echo_NY

i posted a similar question on the Commuting forum.
https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...ists-motorists

i have a standard bell on my handbar stem in the middle. i have my light on one side of center and the bell on the other side of center. then taped drop bars on a road bike.

are the bells recommended here on this thread louder than a standard bell? i've given up on my bell alerting anyone when there are high winds or rain, etc. traffic noise can get quite loud here, truck engines that are a block away are louder than this bell and forget about trying to alert pedestrians who are listening to ipods - the bell does nothing to alert anyone unless there is near-complete silence (says a frustrated cyclist). i'm looking for an alternative b/c i'm tired of using my voice when my bell doesn't work as it should. thanks for any tips.

Lars Halstrom

Slow down so that you can brake in time if they move your way. Anticipate the worse, know what's coming behind you too. They have the right-of-way.

CommuteCommando

I have a healthy set of lungs. A diaphragm amplified HELLOOOO! gets the attention of most cars. When passing other cyclists or pedestrians I no longer announce myself since half of the time it causes them to swerve into my path.