A Bell
 

I noticed a lot of older bikes have a really nice bell, many mounted on the stem. Where did you get those? Are they new or vintage? My LBS has small bells but their sound, although loud and functional, is not very nice, having a harsh warning sound rather than a friendly tone.

Check Velo Orange. Brass bells have the best sound, by far.

Velo Orange and Rivendel both have nice bells. Mine is from Riv. They're like 10 bucks or so.

http://www.velo-orange.com/
Lots of nice toys.

I know my question must sounds silly but I went riding yesterday and the bike path was absoultely MOBBED - almost unrideable. People were yacking away or listening to their iPods. One skater bumped me because they were so tuned out. I think a nice sounding bell would be a convenience feature for such rides.

Los Angeles has gotten a lot more crowded since I first moved out here, though, it's easy to understand why. It was about 80 degrees and sunny today. A warm gentle breeze was blowing. At sunset, the water was a mixture of deep blue and gold reflecting off the sky.

#1 I avoid crowded MUP's

#2 If they are listening to IPOD's or whatever a bell ain't going to cut it, you will need an Air Zounds

Aaron:)

Nope, I don't want one of those horns. I didn't like them the first time I ever saw something like that in the early 70's. If a bell doesn't do it, it's time to hit the brakes. Heck, it's time to be on the brakes if yuour thinking about hitting the bell. Still, a ding from a bell, appropriately far in advance, can help.

P.S. - What's a MUP?

MUP = multiple-use path

BTW, in the Boston area, it was in the 20s with about six inches of fresh snow on the ground from our weekend storm (on top of what was there from the previous couple of storms). I had the MUP pretty much to myself on my way home from the office.

Neal

"Multiple use path," intended for bikes, pedestrians, roller bladers, dogs being walked on long leashes that stretch across the whole path -- basically everything that's not motorized.

I have a few vintage Dutch (I think) bells, made by Raichle. I found them in flea markets. Nice aluminum bells, single ding, and clear and pretty if I get the screws adjusted right. Very civilized!

Road Fan

Don't listen to those guys.

MUP = Moldy Undies Present

Ironic, isn't it?

It's not at all ironic. I lived in about 12 or 15 different places before my 18th birthday. I counted them once. It was a frighteningly big number. I liked living in Moterey the best but, alas, it was not to be. I lived on Lighthouse Avenue and went to Bay View Elementary School. This place is as much a home to me as ever I will have. I've lived here 33 years. It is my home.

MikeMills- You can have the bell that's on my Casati. I don't know if that's what you are looking for, but I would think it gets people's attention. I have a bunch of these. They are just like what RoadFan described. Lates.

Thanks for the generous offer but already ordered one from Velo-Orange.

So you have extras of my favorite little bell? Would you like to sell a couple? PM me.

ding dong
 

Hello Mike Mills,

Many colleges require a bell on your
bike if your gonna use on campus,
Which is a good thing, myself I've
had about half a dozen in the last year.
My favorite is the Ding Dong bell about $15.
Sounds kinda like a doorbell many like it
but there again some find it, wierd.:twitchy:

Best of luck on your quest.

Cheers.