Bells (the noisemakers, not the helmets)
12-10-19, 06:49 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 39
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
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?
12-10-19, 08:11 PM
#2
Bikes are okay, I guess.
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 6,938
Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Giant CFM-2, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2647 Post(s)
Liked 2,446 Times
in
1,557 Posts
Incredibell. Basic black goes with everything. You can dress it up or dress it down.
12-10-19, 09:40 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Walnut Creek, CA
Posts: 756
Bikes: 1969 Peugeot PX10, 1992 Della Santa, Linus Roadster 8, Biria 700C ST-8
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 791 Post(s)
Liked 503 Times
in
320 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!
12-10-19, 09:46 PM
#4
Senior Member
People with earbuds won't hear anything. So cross that off the requirements.
Likes For Daniel4:
12-10-19, 11:28 PM
#6
Senior Member
I highly recommend the Crane Riten bell. Beautiful rolling-ring sound.
12-10-19, 11:42 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Menomonee Falls, WI
Posts: 1,832
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
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 603 Post(s)
Liked 1,062 Times
in
534 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
12-11-19, 02:00 AM
#8
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 467
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 188 Post(s)
Liked 276 Times
in
161 Posts
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! 
12-11-19, 03:10 AM
#9
Tragically Ignorant
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: New England
Posts: 15,613
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8186 Post(s)
Liked 9,095 Times
in
5,053 Posts
One of these on the handlebars is about what it takes for earbuds.
12-11-19, 05:16 AM
#10
Droid on a mission
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Palm Coast, FL
Posts: 1,005
Bikes: Diamondback Wildwood Classic
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 317 Post(s)
Liked 280 Times
in
195 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
12-11-19, 07:33 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 5,968
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Nishiki Blazer, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1362 Post(s)
Liked 1,674 Times
in
827 Posts
12-11-19, 10:54 AM
#12
Bikes are okay, I guess.
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 6,938
Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Giant CFM-2, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2647 Post(s)
Liked 2,446 Times
in
1,557 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:
12-11-19, 04:29 PM
#15
Senior Member
12-16-19, 09:52 AM
#17
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 39
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I highly recommend the Crane Riten bell. Beautiful rolling-ring sound.
12-16-19, 09:58 AM
#19
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 39
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
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.
12-16-19, 01:22 PM
#21
rebmeM roineS
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,216
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 653 Post(s)
Liked 347 Times
in
226 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
12-16-19, 01:42 PM
#22
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,495
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
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7341 Post(s)
Liked 2,441 Times
in
1,425 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.
12-16-19, 06:47 PM
#24
Palmer
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 8,600
Bikes: Mike Melton custom, Alex Moulton AM, Dahon Curl
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1659 Post(s)
Liked 1,805 Times
in
1,051 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:
12-16-19, 10:53 PM
#25
Senior Member
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.
