Commuting - anyone use brake cable as a bell?

Just curious, I've been using my brake cable, which runs along the top tube of my Volpe, as a bell to alert runners/walkers on the bike path ahead of me. This technique works surprisingly well. I grab the cable between thumb and first finger, pull it up a bit, and let it snap against top tube. Rings like a bell.

cheers

No, but once my bell fell between my tire and fork and was used like a brake.

No but my front brake pads squeal if applied just right. I've been known to use that in place of a bell.

Actually that's a good idea. I sometimes "click" my break levers. I do have a bell but some days it sounds rude.

here is what I use.. http://www.storm-whistles.com/ and it works VERY well. In fact, I think this is the same thing the Chicago Police depatment uses. This little thing is so loud that there is no possible way that someone could claim they didn't hear you coming, unless of course they are deaf.

The part of Chicago that I normally ride to get to work has bike lanes (lucky us, I know), but some people seem to get them confused with the sidewalk and they will stand in the lane and hold conversation with other friends of theirs who are ALSO standing in the bike lane. I am not one of these guys who thinks they own the street, but for the love of God..would you stand in the middle of the expressway and hold a conversation? I think not. I had tried the brake lever trick and then tried politely announcing "on your left", but considering that this neighborhood is primarily Puerto Rican and English isn't a first language, most of the time the pedestrian(s) wouldn't understand or would do the 'deer in headlights' pose and I would be forced into the traffic lane, which is not good.

That is when I got my Storm horn. Now that I am using the universal language of shrieking noise they tend to move rather quickly. I highly recommend these babies, especially if you live in an urban environment.

Genius. I'm using it.

Just curious, I've been using my brake cable, which runs along the top tube of my Volpe, as a bell to alert runners/walkers on the bike path ahead of me. This technique works surprisingly well. I grab the cable between thumb and first finger, pull it up a bit, and let it snap against top tube. Rings like a bell.

cheers

Brilliant! Just how loud is this bell and how's your paint holding up?

My discs squeal like crazy. I just have to lightly apply it to get the harmonic going and they'll hear me.

No but my front brake pads squeal if applied just right. I've been known to use that in place of a bell.

that's awesome. totally awesome.

my freehub is so ridiculously loud, I just coast and people hear me :p

Brilliant! Just how loud is this bell and how's your paint holding up?

If I want it louder I pull the cable tighter, slingshot style, and it snaps against the frame pretty good.

I wouldn't say this equals the sound of a traditional bell, but it does work well.

In terms of paint issues, never thought about it, my Volpe is a 2002 and I stopped worrying about its appearance the day after I bought it ;-) It's got quite a few battle scars now.

Cheers

Brilliant! Just how loud is this bell and how's your paint holding up?

For anyone concerned about their paint suffering this way, there are clear stickers that you can apply to the bike frame to protect the paint without disrupting the feng shui of your paint job.

I just fart thunderously. People hear that, they turn around to see who's this rude philistine and see me bearing down on them... :D

I just fart thunderously. People hear that, they turn around to see who's this rude philistine and see me bearing down on them... :D

Ahhh, the old high protein diet bell eh.... I save it for just after I pass the poor unsuspecting MUPped :eek: :D If you load up on baked beans for breakfast I think you can reduce your morning commute time with the jet effect :p

Before I started flicking my levers to let people know of my approach, I actually SAID "ding ding" a couple times. Omg it's entertaining! Try it sometime and see what looks people give you; good for a long boring ride.

I actually SAID "ding ding" a couple times. Omg it's entertaining! Try it sometime and see what looks people give you; good for a long boring ride.


HA!! I do that too! I haven't gotten around to replacing my bell after it fell off, but I still have the habit of reaching my thumb out to ring it. Instead of dissapointing silence, I shout "ding ding". My boyfriend practically fell off his bike laughing the first time I did it. :D

-Shimpie

I say commute on this (http://bianchiusa.com/597.html) :)

Before I started flicking my levers to let people know of my approach, I actually SAID "ding ding" a couple times. Omg it's entertaining! Try it sometime and see what looks people give you; good for a long boring ride.

:eek: :lol: :beer: I'm doing this. I might have to take the mup home just to use this.


For good measure:
:bday:

Anyone ever try "MOVE IT OR LOSE IT!!!!!!"?

Works like a charm! :)