I hear The Bell Ringing
 

What is the best bell for a bike and where do you like to mount it? On top of the bars or beside the stem?

It's a matter of personal preference of course. I like the Crane Suzu brass bells (they have copper and other flavors as well) and I mount them stem side. Sound nice, not too big and the striker lever can be rotated to any position so I can put it right where I want it. On a couple of my more modern bikes I use Spurycles on the handlebars.

It depends on your type of stem and handlebars. Some bells will not mount up to all types. What are you looking for in the way of looks and sound?

I like the Crane Bells, in copper, the classic gold seemed to tarnish pretty fast. Lots of people put them on the stem, and with the YUGE ones I use there's plenty of room but it's a matter of taste and getting it to where it's easy to use.

This one I need to take my hand off the bar but it's a nice placement.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4de129d150.jpg

This one is close enough that I don't have to move my hand.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...57ac7d3ce2.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...fbdf9d4_4k.jpg2023-02-02_06-36-50 on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/3791/1...b731c9cf_k.jpg121_PaTrek on Flickr

Tried it this way too.
https://live.staticflickr.com/7338/1...7cd4844_4k.jpg061_PaTrek_Done_Bell on Flickr

and then there is the Hornit on the very left. Most effective with cars.
https://live.staticflickr.com/3901/1...7fa6bf2_4k.jpgP1020528 on Flickr

Thanks for the reminder to get one for other bikes!
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...ba39f06_4k.jpgP1050280 on Flickr

A little funny story about a bell, a few lifetimes ago when I worked in a bike shop the owner and I used ride in the mornings and meet up some other guys for their morning commute. One day we get to Dr Reindeer's (not real name) home and he isn't outside waiting. After a few minutes Joe tells me to ring my bell to let him know we're here. So I give it a few dings and wait a minute or two and ding it again. A few minutes later we hear his soft lilting South African voice "Trina Joe I'll be right down". He comes down and starts telling us about his dreama nd how he hears a bell ringing in the distance and suddenly realizes it us and not in the dream. We pushed hard that morning but he made to the office just in time. I miss those days but it's tough to support yourself working in a shop.

Bell on my souless Trek.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6a5333c03e.jpg

[MENTION=159681]Bianchigirll[/MENTION] - cornering the market on Corsa Record era brake levers.

with a scandalous Medici. I have one but in the boring silver color, external rear brake cable routing.

I'll ring in with another endorsement for Crane Suzu bells. I've got a few of them. I just got the Crane E-Ne, which is almost identical to the Spurcycle, for my next build.

On my commuter bikes I use an Incredibell Adjustabell mounted on right side of handlebars, below the rear brake lever. This way with hands on the hoods I can easily activate using my right thumb. It has a plastic strap similar concept to a large zip tie. Sound/volume is decent. You need to pull the strap tight with pliers so it really stays put on the bar tape. I have this setup on 3 bikes.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b43b361c7.jpeg

I find bar mount better than stem because I can reach the bar bell (heh) more quickly and reliably. Put a Portland Design Works Alexander Graham on my city bike, because it's the cleanest mount I could find, replacing a 10mm stem spacer. It's attractive and sounds nice. But I've had times when I failed to ring the thing on short notice, so a cautious recommendation for it or any bell mounted there.

Here's a comparison of nine, including audio of each.

https://www.cyclingnews.com/features...king-and-more/

I like Spurcycle and was part of the Kickstarter.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e1405d67f.jpeg

Spurcycle Original Vintage Bell
View at REI.com
View at Competitive Cyclist US
Check Amazon

The compact and stylish Spurcycle bell is made in the USA and comes with a guarantee for life. It uses a brass alloy dome and an aluminium hammer in a small package. The Spurcycle comes with two metal mounting loops that tighten down meaning the bell will fit most handlebars.

Audio Link:

+1 for Crane Suzu (5.5cm brass)

Here's the review I read on Amazon when I was looking around 2 years back:
..
A tiny bit OTT, but I basically agree, I've got 2 of them now (stem mounted).

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0299b6fbea.jpg
I mounted mine down on the shifter boss.I don't have a problem reaching it when needed..

Vintage Reich bells. Especially the West Germany era made when they seemed to offer many cast designs and patterns. The mechanical mechanisms have a nice feel and sort of flywheel effect. Wonderful tones. I always mount aside the stem.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6efe8edb33.png

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5a1ebb4f2e.jpg
On quill stems, I try to place the bells on the quill, knog oi on the stumpjumper and spurcycle on the shogun

Here's an Incredibell mounted to a VO Grand Cru stem that has a bung which is cool for this, would rather not have it but didn't want to just use the screw to plug the hole so I mounted the bell which I had in stock for quite some time.

The older VO stems had no hole and they don't sell these anymore as there were quality issues.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5c831d9ceb.jpg

Whatever happened to bells that replaced one handlebar plug? OK, not the ideal location functionally, but a low-impact location on a C&V bike.

Do you have pics of these?
Thanks

I love those levers. Are you mocking Esmarelda's beautiful green paind and aerodynamic proficeny of internal cable routing? ;)

Samples:
Note the different perimeter shapes. Reich also made attractive bells for larger manufacturers including Raleigh, Peugeot, Atala, etc.. I have another depicting a racing bike, the rider wearing a hairnet.

The St. Christophorus type was popular. Here's one mounted to the lid of a stein.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6228974101.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bad6ca048e.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...794d0188f5.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4a7217e5a4.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...975ab9d9b9.jpg
The trigger is one piece and has a tooth rack. Spring returns the trigger. The rack moves the gear that's connected to the rotor. The loose fitted hammer slides and taps the bell.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3e3a327c05.jpg

I'm in the Crane camp as well, for my Manhattan commuter I find the Crane RIten gets noticed more than the Suzue. It has North Road bars so the bell is on the left side just past the grip and brake lever clamp, where my thumb can reach the lever with minimal movement. The right side has a Sturmey Archer 8-speed shifter. I mount Suzues on the stem, right side.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5130cbf61d.jpg
I've embraced the natural brass oxidization, at least on this bike. My others are shiny.

I have 3 of the old Reich bells (“ice cream truck bells”) and like them. People can hear them well as I approach. I also have a “clown horn” which works well and either brings a smile or stops traffic as they gaze up into the trees to see what that new bird species is.

My most recent bell, and current favorite, is just like the Crane above. Mine has no markings on it but is identical. I scrubbed the rest of the black paint off mine (and unbent it) then applied two coats of paste wax. Looks nice to me.

I mount mine on the stem as shown and mount it on whichever bike I’m riding that day. Easy to do. This bell is very loud and clear and has a long sustain. I only ride trails anymore so don’t need to warn vehicles. Works well on people, dogs and deer.

Did someone say Reich bells?
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7bad31ab1b.jpg
part of my collection

I had a Crane bell on one of my bikes, but it seemed to scare the bejeesus out of half the people I used it on, whereas I often get compliments with the "tring" sound of my Reich bells. They do have a pleasant sound.

Agree that trilling bells seem to communicate better/are less startling than single "ping" types, but are not well represented in the marketplace.

You can find them on ebay france. Search for "velos ancien sonnette". You can find them for $25 including shipping.

And they're definitely C&V.