Bell substitute?

Peddle Up!
Peddle Up! Posts: 2,040
edited October 2011 in Road beginners
When I bought my last new bike the wheel reflectors, valve caps and bell have stayed in the plastic bag they came in. So how to let people know that they're in your path? :)
Purveyor of "up" :)

Comments

  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,661
    Ninja...
  • Zoomer37
    Zoomer37 Posts: 725
    I make the ambulance siren sound. Works everytime cus they think your f*cking nuts
  • Keith1983
    Keith1983 Posts: 575
    Shouting "YEE HA!" does the trick. Once they turnb round and see the novelty cowboy hat glued to my helmet they generally make the judgement that being as far away from me as possible is a good idea!

    On the other hand, just put the bell on your bike. Job done.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    If you're doing a lot of cycling on shared paths - then the bell is what pedestrians are conditioned to respond to - so I'd fit that.

    Other than that - I'd try a friendly greeting - that usually works.
  • I have no bell on my bike, and ride only on the roads. Apart from an air horn the cars won't hear anything, so usually shout if I'm about to be run over, or if it's a person, shout cos they shouldn't be in the way!
    (and yes, I'm the one who stops at red lights and waits behind cars instead of pushing round them.)
    Road: Cube Peloton 2010
    Mud: Carerra AM Fury
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    I regularly ride the canal towpath on my CX but often find a bell doesn't help with i-peds nor the belligerent folk who see you coming but will deliberately obstruct the path in the mistaken belief that you have to yield to them, even when slowed to walking pace. Don't bother on the road as most drivers willfully ignore your presence.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • Mad Roadie
    Mad Roadie Posts: 710
    edited October 2011
    dont make a noise at all - startled pedestrians behave like rabbits in headlights! I prefer the stealth mode - it is safer
  • Mad Roadie wrote:
    dont make a noise at all - startled pedestrians behave light rabbits in headlights! I prefer the stealth mode - it is safer

    There is def something to say about that... you're right, they are un-predicatable at times...
    Road: Cube Peloton 2010
    Mud: Carerra AM Fury
  • careful
    careful Posts: 720
    There are times when nothing helps as I am invisible to some people whether they are on foot, on bikes or in motor vehicles. Coming up behind horses on country lanes (not unusual around here) I always call from as far away as possible as some horses really get spooked by bikes.
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    I've fitted bells to my bikes up until now - but the only type I seem to be able to find stops bloody working when it's wet and makes a dull "clank".

    I've just started using a cheery "Morning" or "Evening" - except for the iPeds when only a yelled "HELLO!!!!!" might work
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • I usually cycle on quiet country roads, so pedistrians tend not to be a problem. Unless they are dog walkers with extendable leads. :evil: To be fair most are OK, grab the dog and step to side of road.

    However I do encounter quite a few horse riders and know the horses can be spooked. So I call out "cyclist passing on left/right". Telling them which side I'm intending to pass, means they can move more quickly. The riders always thank me for the warning.
  • Peddle Up! wrote:
    When I bought my last new bike the wheel reflectors, valve caps and bell have stayed in the plastic bag they came in.

    Any bell that's been supplied with recent bikes I've bought are cr&p simple flick devices that wouldn't warn anyone unless you were already on top of them. Went straight in bin.

    I remember as kid when bikes came with proper spring loaded bells with a spinning clapper.
  • Mad Roadie wrote:
    dont make a noise at all - startled pedestrians behave like rabbits in headlights! I prefer the stealth mode - it is safer

    +1
  • Keith1983 wrote:

    Only available in blue or pink. Need a red one to match my bike.
    :roll:
  • meanredspider
    meanredspider Posts: 12,337
    There must be a phone app for that - selectable:

    Bell
    Ambulance
    Horn
    Dog bark
    Fart
    Old-fashioned Klaxon
    Air-Raid siren
    Dixon of Dock Green "Evenin' All"
    Missile Launch
    Machine Gun
    Western-stylee ricochet
    ROAD < Scott Foil HMX Di2, Volagi Liscio Di2, Jamis Renegade Elite Di2, Cube Reaction Race > ROUGH
  • estampida
    estampida Posts: 1,008
    cut down and zip tie 1 of these on.... somewhere

    http://www.mailorderbikes.com/m2b591s20 ... Horn/RS_GB

    and maybe a set of these while your at it.....

    http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/raleigh- ... 49320.html
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    I spend a lot of time cycling on towpaths as a rowing coach. I've found the best solution is a loud freehub.

    If you're poilte and say hello or excuse me or anything then half the people will say "get a bell" and if you have a bell then people jump and complain about surprising them.

    A loud freewheel is an odd noise so you can get their attention without anything obtrusive.
  • gilesjuk
    gilesjuk Posts: 340
    Noisy hubs work. Or screechy brakes.
  • I use my voice, I'm polite, greet them and tell them what I'm intending to do, never had any belligerent folk getting in the way or grumpy comments
  • Hope 3 Freehub