A cool bell?

leaflite

Ive started doing a few canal towpath rides during the week to build up my fitness a bit. Due to the amount of times I have nearly hit people, going round the blind corners that are either side of nearly every bridge, it has become apparent that I need a bell of some sorts. :shock: However, I dont want to look a complete tard when I go out MTBing on the weekends, and I dont really want to keep taking it on and off every time either.

Is there any such thing as a socially acceptable bell for mountain biking?

ilovedirt

take all the grease out of your freehub

felix.london

Does not compute

mcnultycop

A little rear wheel skid when you get near the blind bend. Or just shout something.

angry_bird

My friend uses an "I love my bike" bell from halfords.

It looks gay. Even more so considering it's on an XTC Alliance and he's a proper XC whippet kind of rider dressed up in lycra.

He never takes it off, just keeps it on for everything, he'll happily ride around Cannock just ringing his bell for no reason other than the fact he has it.

Having said that he doesn't get too many strange looks, apart from the ones for wearing lycra obviously.

101_North

If you really need one then this is pretty painless to fit/remove as needed:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BBB-EasyFit-B ... 27c9105147

felix.london

cooldad

So you expect to race round blind corners on canal paths ringing your bell and peds just jump out of the way?
Way to go. You don't need a bell to look like a tard.

leaflite

101_North wrote:

If you really need one then this is pretty painless to fit/remove as needed:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BBB-EasyFit-B ... 27c9105147

That looks like a good solution actually.

Thanks

leaflite

cooldad wrote:

So you expect to race round blind corners on canal paths ringing your bell and peds just jump out of the way?
Way to go. You don't need a bell to look like a tard.

Not at all.

Some of the corners are so narrow and tight that even if you go slowly, you often can't see people(or cyclists) coming the other way, especially if they are going fast, until its too late. Also, under a bridge the only way to dodge is to go into the canal, which I dont really fancy.

estampida

stick it on with zip ties under the top tube, can even cut to size

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bike-Bicycle- ... 2574ecca93

nicklouse

sod the bells

waby1234

I say forget what people may think, just man up and keep the bell. End. Of.

cycle monster

Bells are as uncool as tow-paths. Better to find somewhere worth riding. A challenging off road ride will help with fitness too. Failing that, if the bridge sections are too tight, get off and push it then read the above again.

waby1234

cycle monster wrote:

Bells are as uncool as tow-paths. Better to find somewhere worth riding. A challenging off road ride will help with fitness too. Failing that, if the bridge sections are too tight, get off and push it then read the above again.

I think that's a pretty silly comment - I regularly ride towpaths around where I live as they are my most accessible off road tracks. My local ones are not smooth or particularly flat. They are perfect for a mid week blast and for keeping fitness levels up. A downside is sharing them with other users, hence the need for a bell or a friendly shout.

stalkedtoast

something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/St-George-Eng ... 1084wt_986

However Im sure there will be some idiot who still says "I didn't hear you, get a bell"

andhr

cycle monster wrote:

Bells are as uncool as tow-paths. Better to find somewhere worth riding. A challenging off road ride will help with fitness too. Failing that, if the bridge sections are too tight, get off and push it then read the above again.

You say this, but I have encountered 'pedestrians' on dedicated one way, 'no walkers' cycle trails twice in the last week. Encountered doesn't do it justice though when you round a bend downhill to find a woman with a stupid in the middle of the path. Not sure they'd take any notice of a bell either to be fair.

YeehaaMcgee

Angry Bird wrote:

He never takes [his bell] off, just keeps it on for everything, he'll happily ride around Cannock just ringing his bell for no reason other than the fact he has it.

I approve. The world needs a little silliness every now and then

Oh Marone

How about one of these ? Available in lots of colours as well

The Rookie

I have a Halfrods 'I love my bike' bell on the retro, MTB though, just shout!

Hope you have a towpath permit......

kenan

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiJMuSBLxzg

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000PTIJB8/r ... B000PTIJB8

What I'd have for road riding, at presnet I just shout at the deer/badgers/foxes

leaflite

The Beginner wrote:

Hope you have a towpath permit......

I think they might have stopped doing that now, here: http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/see-and-do/cycling it says "you don't need a permit to use your bike on any of our towpaths"

Ian43

I keep my bell on for everything and use it regular due to deaf people ect, it serves a purpose so it stays, note the comment in my bike sig from sharky who stated they will break in a week, mine is still going strong after 18 months.

YeehaaMcgee

Ian43 wrote:

I keep my bell on for everything and use it regular due to deaf people

Er... I'm not sure how to break this to you, but deaf people, can't hear.

cooldad

Last time somebody tried to bell me out of the way I 'clumsily' stuck an arm out. Once he'd got his bike out of the ditch he seemed to want to assault me. It was quite funny.

YeehaaMcgee

I had a bell shaped like a pavlova once. When I rang it, I salivated wildly.

paul.skibum

Bells are for acknowledging attractive ladies - two tings indicates you have spotted and appreciated her. There is no other known reason for having one.

Its the same reason they put horns on cars.