Bells (the noisemakers, not the helmets)
12-10-19, 06:49 PM
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Bells (the noisemakers, not the helmets)
Hi. I was going to ask for a bike bell for Christmas but don't know anything about them. I don't need a high-end bell; my main requirements are that people hear it, even if they have earbuds in, and that it doesn't fall apart after a few uses. I don't ride constantly and I don't know how much I'll be riding in the future, but I think I would find a bell helpful. What budget bell would you recommend that wouldn't look horribly out of place on a red Centurion Comp TA?
12-10-19, 08:11 PM
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Incredibell. Basic black goes with everything. You can dress it up or dress it down.
12-10-19, 09:40 PM
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OI bike bell. Very small, mine is going on it’s third year no problems. Minor minor nit. When it’s raining hard the sound gets muted quite a bit. But then nobody’s out then anyway!
12-10-19, 09:46 PM
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People with earbuds won't hear anything. So cross that off the requirements.
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12-10-19, 09:51 PM
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Originally Posted by thumpism
Incredibell. Basic black goes with everything. You can dress it up or dress it down.
Anyone wearing earbuds won’t hear anything less than an air horn anyway.
-Kedosto
12-10-19, 11:28 PM
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I highly recommend the Crane Riten bell. Beautiful rolling-ring sound.
12-10-19, 11:42 PM
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Loud voice better than a bell any day, at least for me. My ears are ringing all the time. But, if you have to get that, inner Pee Wee Herman out, go for it. The ear bud thing negates anything though.
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12-11-19, 02:00 AM
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As far as looks, I have a couple buds that turn them down on the handlebars. I didn't even realize they had bells as they were still really tough looking cyclists on sweet machines! 
12-11-19, 03:10 AM
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One of these on the handlebars is about what it takes for earbuds.
12-11-19, 05:16 AM
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Speaking of Bells
I would like to add an electronic version of a bicycle tingle bell as a second horn on the shop vehicle. Anyone ever seen a 12vdc unit?
I would like to add an electronic version of a bicycle tingle bell as a second horn on the shop vehicle. Anyone ever seen a 12vdc unit?
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12-11-19, 07:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Kedosto
You can end the thread right here.
Anyone wearing earbuds won’t hear anything less than an air horn anyway.
-Kedosto
Anyone wearing earbuds won’t hear anything less than an air horn anyway.
-Kedosto
12-11-19, 10:54 AM
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Congrats to the OP for wanting a bell. Get one--just about any one--and use it. Just be prepared for people to be clueless about how to respond. All you're doing is alerting them that they're being overtaken, but don't be surprised at the range of responses you get, from people jumping from surprise to those who get angry that you had the temerity to interrupt them. Personally, I'd estimate I get one ding in about every 50 passes. No one has a bell around here or, if they do, they do not use them most of the time. Only on the Cap Trail (MUP) is there any consistent use. Be that guy.
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12-11-19, 02:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Kedosto
You can end the thread right here.
Anyone wearing earbuds won’t hear anything less than an air horn anyway.
-Kedosto
Anyone wearing earbuds won’t hear anything less than an air horn anyway.
-Kedosto
12-11-19, 04:29 PM
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Originally Posted by JoeTBM
Speaking of Bells
I would like to add an electronic version of a bicycle tingle bell as a second horn on the shop vehicle. Anyone ever seen a 12vdc unit?
I would like to add an electronic version of a bicycle tingle bell as a second horn on the shop vehicle. Anyone ever seen a 12vdc unit?
Let me know if you find one though.
It sounds like a neat idea.
12-16-19, 09:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Joe Bikerider
OI bike bell. Very small, mine is going on it’s third year no problems. Minor minor nit. When it’s raining hard the sound gets muted quite a bit. But then nobody’s out then anyway!
12-16-19, 09:52 AM
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Originally Posted by General Geoff
I highly recommend the Crane Riten bell. Beautiful rolling-ring sound.
12-16-19, 09:55 AM
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Originally Posted by thumpism
Incredibell. Basic black goes with everything. You can dress it up or dress it down.
12-16-19, 09:58 AM
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Originally Posted by thumpism
Congrats to the OP for wanting a bell. Get one--just about any one--and use it. Just be prepared for people to be clueless about how to respond. All you're doing is alerting them that they're being overtaken, but don't be surprised at the range of responses you get, from people jumping from surprise to those who get angry that you had the temerity to interrupt them. Personally, I'd estimate I get one ding in about every 50 passes. No one has a bell around here or, if they do, they do not use them most of the time. Only on the Cap Trail (MUP) is there any consistent use. Be that guy.
12-16-19, 11:32 AM
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Originally Posted by omg_my_butt
I liked the Oi bells when I first saw them but I've read a lot of negative reviews regarding their durability.
12-16-19, 01:22 PM
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Originally Posted by livedarklions
One of these on the handlebars is about what it takes for earbuds.
If I need loud when riding, I yell.
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12-16-19, 01:42 PM
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I have a lot of bikes, and each bike has a bell. I've been upgrading all of my bells. I'm not sure if I'm done yet, but my new rule is that the bell must be made of brass. It makes a big difference to me. They are clearer-sounding, and they resonate for much longer than steel bells. They cost extra, but I don't mind.
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12-16-19, 06:47 PM
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Lion. Word. Alpha and omega. Sustain into next week. Endorsed by Quasimodo. Suitable for ringing the Nine Tailors. Has a written part in Josef Strauss' Vélocipéde Polka.
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12-16-19, 10:53 PM
#25
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Originally Posted by omg_my_butt
I liked the Oi bells when I first saw them but I've read a lot of negative reviews regarding their durability.
I see they have a newer version out which addresses some of the durability issues but it is still a very quiet bell.
Spurcycle is very small, very loud and very expensive.
Rockbros makes a copy of the Spurcycle, same size, not quite as load but much cheaper. I bought a couple of these for my bikes (still less than half the price of one Spurcycle). The only thing I did was bend the wire that holds the striker around a bit more to hold it more securely but apart from that they have lasted well.
