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Brass Bell?

Old 04-06-15 | 05:18 AM
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Brass Bell?

I would like one of those brass bells that I often see mounted on the stem of some bikes.
Would anyone know which kind and a source?
Thanks!
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Old 04-06-15 | 05:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Tandem Tom
I would like one of those brass bells that I often see mounted on the stem of some bikes.
Would anyone know which kind and a source?
Thanks!
Crane is one maker, you can definitely order them from Velo Orange, for starters.
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Old 04-06-15 | 05:24 AM
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Thanks!!!
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Old 04-06-15 | 05:27 AM
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Soma has lots.
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Old 04-06-15 | 06:38 AM
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Pretty well any Electra dealer will have their brass plated bell
Electra Dome Brass Handlebar Mount - Bells & Horns - Accessories - Electra Bike Store
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Old 04-06-15 | 06:50 AM
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They are everywhere! I get mine from Universal cycle. I have 3, or is it 4. I paid for one of the more adjustable ones but the sound is not a good. Crane makes the best sounding bell. Don't get fooled by the AL bells. They sound dead.
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Old 04-06-15 | 06:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Slash5
Pretty well any Electra dealer will have their brass plated bell
Electra Dome Brass Handlebar Mount - Bells & Horns - Accessories - Electra Bike Store
Solid brass is what you want, not brass plated. I think those are solid brass, anyway. Solid brass has the best ring tone.
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Old 04-06-15 | 08:39 AM
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CRANE SUZUE! That's it. I've been to many bike shops - Portland, Oregon is extremely "bikey" with something like 72 bike shops. I ding a lot of bells because I like them, and always listening for a lovely tone.

Crane bells are the most lovely, long resonating bells. The Suzue is a striker model and very "assertive" sounding. The Crane "Karen" bell has the striker on a spring. A little gentler sounding AND it self-dings when you go over bumps, etc.

Crane, Crane, Crane. Did I mention Crane?
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Old 04-06-15 | 09:50 AM
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I agree, the Crane ones are great. They have a loud, resounding ring which says "BIKE!" The ones with the hammer arm thingy are louder than the ones with the spring.
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Old 04-06-15 | 09:50 AM
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I have a Crane Suzue and it is a great bell, even if it costs 3x what the cheap ones do. When you ding it twice, even people 100 feet away know that you're coming, which makes it amazing for riding fast on multi-use paths or for use in loud urban settings. On top of its awesome functionality, it's simply beautiful. The dome itself is a rich reddish brass, and the mounting hardware is stunningly iridescent. I recommend it highly.

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Old 04-06-15 | 09:54 AM
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Check out Spurcycle and their bells

This started out as a Kickstarter project

I like mine and it commands attention:

Spurcycle: About Us
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Old 04-06-15 | 09:57 AM
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Video with the bell so you can hear how it sounds.

Spurcycle Raw Bell. More potent and more streamlined. Way better.
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Old 04-06-15 | 10:01 AM
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I have this one from VO. great tone. 10 bucks. Brass Striker Bell - Bells - Accessories
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Old 04-06-15 | 10:20 AM
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I forgot to mention that pedestrians ALWAYS say "I like your bell!" after I ride past, having dinged ahead of time.
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Old 04-06-15 | 10:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Velocivixen
I forgot to mention that pedestrians ALWAYS say "I like your bell!" after I ride past, having dinged ahead of time.
I get that too. Now I'm trying to convince my son's girlfriend, against his wishes, to try the bell I installed a few times (when he is not around) before she decides not to have it. He just hates bells and I do not know why.
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Old 04-06-15 | 10:52 AM
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I listened to the Crane Suzue on YouTube and I like it!! Does the hardware allow it to be mounted to a quill stem?
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Old 04-06-15 | 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by Tandem Tom
I listened to the Crane Suzue on YouTube and I like it!! Does the hardware allow it to be mounted to a quill stem?
As you can see in my pic above: yes.

The mounting hardware seems pretty universal, as the bracket has two different positions you can use.
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Old 04-06-15 | 11:00 AM
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Originally Posted by RoadTire
I get that too. Now I'm trying to convince my son's girlfriend, against his wishes, to try the bell I installed a few times (when he is not around) before she decides not to have it. He just hates bells and I do not know why.
Until I actually used a bell, I didn't realize how much they enhance your safety. A clear, loud "ding" is going to alert others of your presence far faster and more effectively than "on your left."
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Old 04-06-15 | 11:28 AM
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I also have the Crane bell on two bikes. They are the best sounding (and looking) bells I have seen (and heard).
They are avaible at my LBS, which probably not so local to you.
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Old 04-06-15 | 11:30 AM
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Originally Posted by Velocivixen
I forgot to mention that pedestrians ALWAYS say "I like your bell!" after I ride past, having dinged ahead of time.
^ I get the same comments on the Crane Suzue. And it is loud enough that it startles some.
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Old 04-06-15 | 11:42 AM
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It's ordered!! Thanks!
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Old 04-06-15 | 11:54 AM
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Originally Posted by SJX426
They are everywhere! I get mine from Universal cycle. I have 3, or is it 4. I paid for one of the more adjustable ones but the sound is not a good. Crane makes the best sounding bell. Don't get fooled by the AL bells. They sound dead.
+1 There is only ONE brass bell. All others are posers.

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Old 04-06-15 | 11:58 AM
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[MENTION=281631]Tandem Tom[/MENTION] - I see you already ordered, but I'll post these anyway. It's a Crane Suzue on a Nitto Technomic quill stem. Bike is hanging from the ceiling, thus the odd angle.
Crane Bell on Nitto Technomic Stem by velocivixen, on Crane Suzue Bell on Technomic by velocivixen, on Flickr

I like to wrape a strip of something, usually Neubaum's cloth tape around the stem to protect from potential scratches, but it's not necessary.
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Old 04-06-15 | 12:59 PM
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So many mounting options!
[IMG]P1000039 by superissimo_83, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG]P1000036 by superissimo_83, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG]P1010333 by superissimo_83, on Flickr[/IMG]

thought I had more, I do just without pictures (DING, DING)!
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Old 04-06-15 | 02:39 PM
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Thanks for the pics especially Velocivixen! That is the stem I am using.
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