Lifehacker does an article on why you need a bicycle bell.
02-06-17, 05:17 PM
#1
Walmart bike rider
Thread Starter
Lifehacker does an article on why you need a bicycle bell.
I'll just post one paragraph via the rules here and common sense on fair use. But it's funny as all get out and takes a lot of pokes at bike snobs and overpriced LBS. And justifies why you should have a bike bell and not say "on your left"
Put a Bell on Your Bicycle
Cyclists argue about bells all the time. They’ll spend countless hours on message boards and making comments about how bells are lame. People have opinions on bells. A bell is ugly, they’ll say. A bell adds weight to the $5,000 carbon fiber road bike frame you think makes you faster as you canoodle around the local park.
02-06-17, 05:29 PM
#2
Senior Member
Well, if you want to cede some kind of authority to Lifehacker go ahead. Me, looks like just one more opinion that I differ with. And I have more cred with me than does lifehacker.
02-06-17, 05:37 PM
#3
genec
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Just how often are those folks w "$5000 CF frames" riding on MUPs and sidewalks anyway?
02-06-17, 05:40 PM
#4
Senior Member
I'll just post one paragraph via the rules here and common sense on fair use. But it's funny as all get out and takes a lot of pokes at bike snobs and overpriced LBS. And justifies why you should have a bike bell and not say "on your left"
Put a Bell on Your Bicycle
Put a Bell on Your Bicycle
I've managed perfectly well without a bell, or any other signaling device other than my voice if necessary, for 15+ years. See no reason to change now.
02-06-17, 05:49 PM
#5
FLIR Kitten to 0.05C
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I'd read LifeHacker if they didn't cripple their page with bloat and scripts and spyware that do gawd knows what.
20+ trackers. If you block them-cripples the webpage from loading. Jerks.
20+ trackers. If you block them-cripples the webpage from loading. Jerks.
02-06-17, 06:02 PM
#6
Occam's Rotor
It should be sufficient just to back-pedal on your Chris King hub.
02-06-17, 06:21 PM
#8
Cycle Year Round
No reason to listen to LifeHacker if the only words he knows are "on your left" and has never tried the simple word "passing" to see how that works. The volume of the word "passing" can be adjusted as well to suit the local environment.
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02-06-17, 06:55 PM
#9
Senior Member
I coast up and call out in loud strong voice "bike behind you". I continue until it acknowledged. People with earbuds generally don't and often cringe as I pass by.
Last edited by Gyro; 02-06-17 at 07:54 PM. Reason: typo
02-06-17, 06:56 PM
#10
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I question the credibility, and judgment of those who proclaim their preferred technique is always unquestionably superior. I prefer a bell in some situations I often encounter, but I'm not unwilling, or unable to use verbal communication when called for.
02-06-17, 08:01 PM
#11
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"The last thing anyone needs is a cyclist screaming into their ear as they buzz past them. A bell is a civilized heads-up. A bell makes your bike ride more whimsical and friendly. Ring your bell and you are instantly joyous."
02-06-17, 09:11 PM
#12
Cycle Year Round
Someone who is easily entertained.
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02-06-17, 09:45 PM
#14
Senior Member
I think I'd avoid any advice coming from a source with a name like that. And a subject as trivial as that makes one envision a writer thinking "I have to post something ....." But maybe I just lack the requisite sense of whimsy.
02-06-17, 09:58 PM
#15
Non omnino gravis
I have a bell. I ring the bell. Sometimes it works. Sometimes, the headphones are too well made, and as I pass by the walker/jogger/cyclist, I never fail to be amused by the startled blurt of expletive that comes out of their mouths.
Full disclosure, sometimes I see the headphones and skip the bell. I would say "Oh s**t!" is the most common utterance I hear as I blast by. I would self-diagnose my passing behavior in such instances as a dick-move, but if you're running/riding with in-ear headphones, you're taking your chances.
Full disclosure, sometimes I see the headphones and skip the bell. I would say "Oh s**t!" is the most common utterance I hear as I blast by. I would self-diagnose my passing behavior in such instances as a dick-move, but if you're running/riding with in-ear headphones, you're taking your chances.
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02-06-17, 10:15 PM
#16
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I have a bell. I ring the bell. Sometimes it works. Sometimes, the headphones are too well made, and as I pass by the walker/jogger/cyclist, I never fail to be amused by the startled blurt of expletive that comes out of their mouths.
Full disclosure, sometimes I see the headphones and skip the bell. I would say "Oh s**t!" is the most common utterance I hear as I blast by. I would self-diagnose my passing behavior in such instances as a dick-move, but if you're running/riding with in-ear headphones, you're taking your chances.
Full disclosure, sometimes I see the headphones and skip the bell. I would say "Oh s**t!" is the most common utterance I hear as I blast by. I would self-diagnose my passing behavior in such instances as a dick-move, but if you're running/riding with in-ear headphones, you're taking your chances.
02-07-17, 01:27 AM
#18
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The internet is full of rubbish isn't it. lifehacker ran out of good material 6 months after they started but they have to keep the clicks up somehow.
02-07-17, 08:17 AM
#19
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Wouldn't "canoodling around the local park" be easier on a recumbent trike?
02-07-17, 09:03 AM
#20
Bells are so Freddy. No thanks.
02-07-17, 04:09 PM
#21
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I don't care if anyone else has a bell on their bike or not. I have one and use it when I need to. I've been thanked by many of the people out walking in the mornings for the heads up, rather than yelling "on your left!" when they've likely never heard that before in their lives and don't know what it means, while a bell lets them know I'm coming up behind them.
02-07-17, 07:59 PM
#23
Senior Member
Say on your left and they know you are on their left. Ring a bell and they have no idea. I will continue to use my voice.
02-07-17, 10:12 PM
#25
incazzare.
LOL. There is nothing unusual there, and nothing adblock doesn't handle.
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1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
