Originally Posted by
ascherer
Has it arrived yet?
Of all things, I'm overthinking this. I like the Crane, but for NYC street riding I feel like single-ding bells just don't get enough attention. You've seen and maybe heard the cheapo bell I have on my International, it has the classic r-r-r-ring-r-r-ring sound (no idea how else to describe it) and that seems to get more attention. The one I have has plastic innards so one of these days it's going to give up, but they're cheap - I could buy 3 for the price of a Crane.
The bicycle rickshaw guys use another kind of bell that's reasonably loud with a two-tone ding-dong that's noticeable.
I haven't installed the $3 bell on a bike yet, but I've held it in my hands and rung it, and it seems every bit as good as a Crane. I recommend it highly.
I know what you mean. The brrrring-brrrrring bell is easier to modulate and easier for the pedestrian to understand. But practice with the Crane, as if it's a musical instrument, pays off. Since it's loud and vibrates for a good long time, I can ring it from 30 feet back, and it's still ringing while I'm passing the pedestrian, so it serves the purpose. I wait to see them turn their heads or otherwise acknowledge hearing it. If I see no sign, I assume they'll act erratically, and I pass them very slowly.