Bell substitute?

Peddle Up!

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?

rick_chasey

Ninja...

Zoomer37

I make the ambulance siren sound. Works everytime cus they think your f*cking nuts

Keith1983

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

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.

greenphotos

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.)

Monty Dog

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.

Mad Roadie

dont make a noise at all - startled pedestrians behave like rabbits in headlights! I prefer the stealth mode - it is safer

greenphotos

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...

careful

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

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

onlyonearrow

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.

onlyonearrow

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.

Keith1983

Might I suggest one of these: http://www.sportsdirect.com/dunlop-cycl ... e=93920059

Pickled Pig

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

onlyonearrow

Keith1983 wrote:

Might I suggest one of these: http://www.sportsdirect.com/dunlop-cycl ... e=93920059

Only available in blue or pink. Need a red one to match my bike.
:roll:

meanredspider

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

estampida

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

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

Noisy hubs work. Or screechy brakes.

shouldbeinbed

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

www.richtreen.co.uk

Hope 3 Freehub