Bells (the noisemakers, not the helmets)
#1
Bells (the noisemakers, not the helmets)
Hi. I was going to ask for a bike bell for Christmas but don't know anything about them. I don't need a high-end bell; my main requirements are that people hear it, even if they have earbuds in, and that it doesn't fall apart after a few uses. I don't ride constantly and I don't know how much I'll be riding in the future, but I think I would find a bell helpful. What budget bell would you recommend that wouldn't look horribly out of place on a red Centurion Comp TA?
#2
Bikes are okay, I guess.
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 6,983
Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT
Liked 2,489 Times
in
1,580 Posts
Incredibell. Basic black goes with everything. You can dress it up or dress it down.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Walnut Creek, CA
Posts: 772
Bikes: 1969 Peugeot PX10, 1992 Della Santa, Linus Roadster 8
Liked 533 Times
in
341 Posts
OI bike bell. Very small, mine is going on it’s third year no problems. Minor minor nit. When it’s raining hard the sound gets muted quite a bit. But then nobody’s out then anyway!
Likes For Daniel4:
#5
Callipygian Connoisseur
#6
Senior Member
I highly recommend the Crane Riten bell. Beautiful rolling-ring sound.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Menomonee Falls, WI
Posts: 1,863
Bikes: 1984 Schwinn Supersport, 1988 Trek 400T, 1977 Trek TX900, 1982 Bianchi Champione del Mondo, 1978 Raleigh Supercourse, 1986 Trek 400 Elance, 1991 Waterford PDG OS Paramount, 1971 Schwinn Sports Tourer, 1985 Trek 670
Liked 1,082 Times
in
547 Posts
Loud voice better than a bell any day, at least for me. My ears are ringing all the time. But, if you have to get that, inner Pee Wee Herman out, go for it. The ear bud thing negates anything though.
Tim
Tim
#8
Registered User
As far as looks, I have a couple buds that turn them down on the handlebars. I didn't even realize they had bells as they were still really tough looking cyclists on sweet machines!
#9
Tragically Ignorant
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: New England
Posts: 15,612
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
Liked 9,103 Times
in
5,054 Posts
One of these on the handlebars is about what it takes for earbuds.
#10
Droid on a mission
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Palm Coast, FL
Posts: 1,069
Bikes: Diamondback Wildwood Classic
Liked 317 Times
in
221 Posts
Speaking of Bells
I would like to add an electronic version of a bicycle tingle bell as a second horn on the shop vehicle. Anyone ever seen a 12vdc unit?
I would like to add an electronic version of a bicycle tingle bell as a second horn on the shop vehicle. Anyone ever seen a 12vdc unit?
__________________
JoeTBM (The Bike Man) - I'm a black & white type of guy, the only gray in my life is the hair on my head
www.TheBikeMenOfFlaglerCounty.com
JoeTBM (The Bike Man) - I'm a black & white type of guy, the only gray in my life is the hair on my head
www.TheBikeMenOfFlaglerCounty.com
#12
Bikes are okay, I guess.
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 6,983
Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT
Liked 2,489 Times
in
1,580 Posts
Congrats to the OP for wanting a bell. Get one--just about any one--and use it. Just be prepared for people to be clueless about how to respond. All you're doing is alerting them that they're being overtaken, but don't be surprised at the range of responses you get, from people jumping from surprise to those who get angry that you had the temerity to interrupt them. Personally, I'd estimate I get one ding in about every 50 passes. No one has a bell around here or, if they do, they do not use them most of the time. Only on the Cap Trail (MUP) is there any consistent use. Be that guy.
Likes For thumpism:
#15
Senior Member
#16
I liked the Oi bells when I first saw them but I've read a lot of negative reviews regarding their durability.
#17
I highly recommend the Crane Riten bell. Beautiful rolling-ring sound.
#19
Congrats to the OP for wanting a bell. Get one--just about any one--and use it. Just be prepared for people to be clueless about how to respond. All you're doing is alerting them that they're being overtaken, but don't be surprised at the range of responses you get, from people jumping from surprise to those who get angry that you had the temerity to interrupt them. Personally, I'd estimate I get one ding in about every 50 passes. No one has a bell around here or, if they do, they do not use them most of the time. Only on the Cap Trail (MUP) is there any consistent use. Be that guy.
#21
rebmeM roineS
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,218
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Liked 350 Times
in
228 Posts
If I need loud when riding, I yell.
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
#22
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 41,047
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Liked 3,045 Times
in
1,722 Posts
I have a lot of bikes, and each bike has a bell. I've been upgrading all of my bells. I'm not sure if I'm done yet, but my new rule is that the bell must be made of brass. It makes a big difference to me. They are clearer-sounding, and they resonate for much longer than steel bells. They cost extra, but I don't mind.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#24
Palmer
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 8,798
Bikes: Mike Melton custom, Alex Moulton AM, Dahon Curl
Liked 1,978 Times
in
1,138 Posts
Lion. Word. Alpha and omega. Sustain into next week. Endorsed by Quasimodo. Suitable for ringing the Nine Tailors. Has a written part in Josef Strauss' Vélocipéde Polka.
Likes For tcs:
#25
I see they have a newer version out which addresses some of the durability issues but it is still a very quiet bell.
Spurcycle is very small, very loud and very expensive.
Rockbros makes a copy of the Spurcycle, same size, not quite as load but much cheaper. I bought a couple of these for my bikes (still less than half the price of one Spurcycle). The only thing I did was bend the wire that holds the striker around a bit more to hold it more securely but apart from that they have lasted well.