DTG

I really don't know if this is even the right thread to be posting this in, if it isn't then will one of the moderators just switch it to where they see fit.

Anyway, in the world of cheap bells made out of plastic that last all of a few months, I have a link of a new kickstarter project that I help fund. I have never owned a bell for my bike, never even had any intention on buying one since they all seemed cheap. Now with this bell, I'm actually looking forward to getting it and putting it on my bike.

I say check it out, pledge if you see fit. I know lots of you in here are daily riders whether commuting or around town for other things. This would be a good add on to your bike.

Hopefully no one scoffs at price either. I've seen threads in here where people have mentioned spending hundreds of dollars on bike items all while owning multiple bikes at that.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...e-usa?ref=live

Medic Zero

I have bells on all my bikes, and have never worn out or broken one of these ("Temple of Tone"), despite using it regularly and often turning my bike upside down to effect field repairs or even occasionally work on it at home:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51SOda-74UU

One of mine is going on ten years of service for me now.

Those run 5 to 10 dollars, and I was always content with them until last week when I mounted a Crane Company bell on my girlfriends bike. I paid twenty dollars for an absolutely gorgeous bell that has a great tone that penetrates and carries remarkably well. My five to ten dollar bell is great for a polite greeting or a "on your left", her Crane does that and makes a better tone (especially for getting peoples attention) than either mine or the one in the OP's post.

$35 seems high for the bell linked to in the OP's post. That's quite the premium for being able to mount it aero. $45 for a black one is far too steep a price IMO.

chrism32205

I agree on the price, it's a little steep.
I like the product though, very streamline

Bjforrestal

17 bucks for a top notch brass bell at my lbs, I may spring for it, it's friggin loud!

lungimsam

Someone needs to make a bell that is loud enough for a driver to hear it with windows up and stereo on.

Otherwise, bells seem useless to alert car drivers. Great for other cyclists and pedestrians.

I think only an airhorn is loud enough for that.

GTryder

Airzound works in traffic and also with pedestrians wearing headphones. It can be loud and startling for dogs & their owners, especially at close range. Seems like overkill but I also have a bell for those situations.

PlanoFuji

+1 Seems like a gimmick for the gullible.

I particularly like the Crane bells.

Medic Zero

And that is why I carry both a bell and an Airzoundz! Horses for courses my friend!

fietsbob

I've Long wanted a horn that sounds like a Raging Godzilla ..

dynaryder

Solution in search of a problem.

DTG,if you really want to help out,make a bell that still rings true in the rain. Water droplets/snow on the dome dampen the sound. Figure out a way to fix that,and we'll buy it.

jdriver

Toodling around Portland I came across a guy on a cargo bike with a passenger. I waved, and he honked his horn - it was like a clown nose type sound. It struck me how perfect of a sound that was for a horn - it set me at ease and didn't get my hackles up like a traditional bell. Honk your horn and it puts people in a good mood, how awesome is that.

kookaburra1701

I havea Mirrycle Incredibell Twist bell. It works great in all weather.

Juha

I once forgot to toe in my front brake pads... I came to notice the sound of rapidly approaching horde of howling banshees works miracles amongst pedestrians.

Rootman

I wish the OP luck on his venture, the bell seems very well made and being made in the USA is a plus too, however I have to admit that I would probably never buy one, the price is too high. The bells that have plastic mounts do last a long time and work just fine and are 1/4 the price, so the OP has a long haul to try and sell this for the price he is quoting.

I honestly wish him the bet of luck!

CptjohnC

I have multiple bikes, and I will spend hundreds of dollars on the right equipment, but that doesn't mean I'll throw away money on something that does not fulfill a basic need or solve a problem. My incredibell has been in service a couple of years, has not failed, and seems to have a larger tone than the offered item. I don't begrudge them the price - it appears to be beautifully crafted -- but I won't be spending my own money on it.

I agree with the poster who asked for a bell that will sound when wet; my bell goes all but flat when it is wet (I'm curious if the twist bell really sounds in the rain - but I'm also curious how much more effort is involved in activating it- the twisting motion seems awkward as I think about it).

ill.clyde

+1 ... and now that it's fixed I wish it still made that noise!

hartphoto 

As an opposing view....I appreciate the info. Looking forward to a polished version of the bell (and maybe more, we'll see). I'll bet with some nice wax....the water problem will not be an issue with even my 'go getter' (HA!) 14mph average cruising speed for fitness.

As a self employed business owner myself, I appreciate the high dedication to it's current quality and being built in the USA. I wouldn't doubt that there may be options in the future of making it less expensive (when it gets outsourced to parts from across the ponds)....but that wouldn't be a version I want on my 'Sunday best' bike that I'll hopefully have for many more years to come.

And....the sound of bells in a video can only be compared if we know the testing was standardized across all the models involved and also done in a controlled environment (i.e. soundproof room/hearing chamber).

DTG

I just wanted to chime in for a second. I'm not the maker of the bell, it's just a bell I help fund on kickstarter.

In regards to it being an item for the gullible, I guess I'm 1 of 2,466 then at the time this is being written.

I'm just trying to do my part for a nice bell made right here in the US.

kookaburra1701

You put it on your handlebars where a grip twist-shifter would be. It feels really intuitive and natural to use. The striker is on the inside and stays dry.

CptjohnC

Thanks. I presume it is only useful for flat bar bikes, as I can't quite envision mounting it on my drops. And I'll be honest: I'm not sure I've ever used twist grip shifters - I'd guess you're right - they're easy, as my kids love them.

Also: I don't think the issue is the striker getting wet, but rather the bell itself (the water on the bell killing the resonance... kind of like putting a finger on the bell when you strike it). I wonder if the actual bell in this model is inside the housing, thus protected from the elements? Either way, it seems like an idea that could be adapted.

Dylansbob 

Two of us at the shop have our front brakes on our fixed gears setup purposely to squeal. If we need to use the brake, anyone nearby KNOWS about it.

kookaburra1701

Doesn't Walmart sell a road bike with a twist shift? hahaha I can't imagine how awkward that must be using a twister with drops.

I'll have to pay more attention to the bell the next time it rains (in Oregon, that's never long) but I've never really noticed a difference between when it's wet or dry. I have noticed a difference in the tone of the bell when it's been parked outside in the cold vs. in my warm apartment.

anthonybkny

looks like a nice product

fietsbob

As in n.19 I have the grip bell on left side , the Rohloff grip shifter is on the right side ..

you need a bell now that nobody can leave their 'smart phone' in their pocket while they walk anywhere..

JanMM

Perfectly happy with the Incredibell Duets that I have on three bikes.