Bells - any good ones?

Surf-Matt

Yep - howls of derision and laughter expected but...

When I do my morning cycle, I use a bell (comes off for offroad rides) - the one that came with the bike looks terrible - gone rusty.

Is it possible to get a vaguely "bling" looking bell?! Off course carbon fibre doesn't "ding" but something very small and slightly better made than a rusty lump of low grade steel would be ideal - searched but no joy.

windbreaker

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?f%5FProductID=7695&f%5FSupersetQRY=Kbell&f%5FSortOrderID=%2D1&f%5Fbct= is what I use.

My 2 year old daughter thinks it is cool. 8)

Surf-Matt

ARGGGGHHHH! Made me jump!

Something a bit more low key perhaps?!

attica

My 28 year old wife thinks it's cool too, then again I think you've seen her taste in bikes!

Clever Pun

if you want to look like a clown... maybe sound like one?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Parkers-Chrome-Bicycle-Bugle-Hooter/dp/B000VQT1RG/ref=pd_sim_k_h_b_cs_2

or this one

http://www.shop-com.co.uk/FirstBIKE_childrens_clown_bike_bell-43190017-57077954-p!.shtml?sourceid=309

oh yes...

Edit: no idea why the links aren't tagging

ride_whenever

got to get and airzound...

RufusA

Surf-Matt wrote:

When I do my morning cycle, I use a bell... "bling".

IMHO there is a lot to be said for using a bicycle bell. A bell is instantly recognisable as a bicycle whereas a well placed shout takes a ped a few extra seconds to work out where it's coming from.

For example, if on cycle path a "ding ding" will cause a ped to step sideways off it instantly, a "WATCH OUT" shouted will cause them to stand still and look around, in my experience. Similarly filtering down a queue of cars a "ding ding" warns a ped not to step off a kerb because a cyclist is coming, a shout tends to cause offense or confusion.

As to Bling:

http://www.mirrycle.com/discobell.htm

Though on a serious note, you can't beat a good dual strike brass bell for tone and volume. Incredibell range is good, but difficult to find the full range in the UK.

Rufus.

Mr_Cellophane

I was passed by someone in the City who had something which was constantly beeping. Quite good when peds are all over the road. Never seen anything like it in a shop, so I presume he made it himself.

Surf-Matt

Rufus - rare to find someone that actually think a bell is a good idea!

Might just pick up a standard black one from my LBS - just wondered if anyone like Hope, Salsa, Ritchey, Thomson, etc might make a bell for a laugh - maybe not!

ChrisLS

...just ordered an eyeball bell... :twisted: 8)

dang65

Mr_Cellophane wrote:

I was passed by someone in the City who had something which was constantly beeping. Quite good when peds are all over the road. Never seen anything like it in a shop, so I presume he made it himself.

Probably his Blackberry.

snooks

If you want a discreet one the little bell from Sustrans won't break the bank and has a high ding to it, rather than a Dingggggg
http://www.sustransshop.co.uk/index.php?f=itemdetl.php&p=RG61

alfablue

Surf-Matt wrote:

Rufus - rare to find someone that actually think a bell is a good idea!

Might just pick up a standard black one from my LBS - just wondered if anyone like Hope, Salsa, Ritchey, Thomson, etc might make a bell for a laugh - maybe not!

I am another bell devotee, for the same reasons. Bell means bike!

Harveytile

I needed a bell for the Brighton Rat Race and this is what my lovely wife arrived home with a lovely "I love my bike" bell. I haven't worked out how to get the picture up but if you Google it with images... mmm :oops:

Being 6ft plus and of larger than average build helps keep the quizical looks at bay but it still hurts on the inside.

Jokes aside it looks pants but the humour the old style "ring-ring" gives is brilliant.

Link to picture...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images ... r%5Fname=x

alfablue

Your wife missed a trick...

meanwhile

Surf-Matt wrote:

Off course carbon fibre doesn't "ding"

If you made a carbon fibre bell, someone somewhere would buy it, and someone else would ask for titanium instead...

Surf-Matt

at least titanium would "ding" a bit!

dazzawazza

I have a traditional bell, which is mounted backward on my MTB commuter so that the lever is next to the shifter on my MTB commuter. I use it all the time for pedestrians in Hammersmith. I find that it works really well.
When on the road bike I usually have to ready on the brakes and yell out.

MikeParkin65

Delta Airzound 2 Horn

Simple short toot from about 50 yards works fine for cycle paths etc and normally raises a smile and a friendly acknowledgement from pedestrians.

A full blast at the errant Fiesta that has just pulled out of the T-junction straight in front of you has the driver cowering and awaiting the impact of the 33 tonne Polish juggernaut they think they have pulled into the path of.

Best of both worlds and weighs hardly anything.

downfader

I think bells are useful. I took mine off as it was too big, didnt sound like a bell should (a big dong, oo-er, rather than a ding ding) and evertime I went to get me bike the thing was upside down - if it rained it would fill with water.

Quite up for another one myself.

The airhorn's look cool, but cumbersome. TBH I think they can be knocked up DIY just as easily and for a lot less.

GEPC

This one is quite nice

http://www.alexmoulton.co.uk/frames.asp?id=news

I used to commute on a hybrid bike that had a bell and there were moments when it was useful. Having seen this bass bell I am get one again.