^THIS^

&#%* I hate pathletes. Atlanta has a very popular "belt line" that's usually crowded - runners, walkers, strollers, dogs... And every time I'm there (walking), several pathletes fly by. Neat - you can ride 20mph on a dead flat trail. MUPs, MUTs, Paths, etc. are for walkers, runners, and "bicyclists". If you're a "cyclist" just stop it. Okay, maybe you're just "using the trail to connect to your real route". Fine. But ride like a you're a visitor. Slow the $&@# down.

I don't have a bell.

I have the old-fashioned ring-ring bells on all my bikes. Pedestrians regularly get a kick out of hearing this kind of bell and the sound carries well. Many pedestrians thank me for ringing it, some wave as I go, rarely do they seem startled. It's a sound that unmistakably signal a bicycle approaching.

Pathletes, I like it. I usually call them MUP Racers. There are other names that are even more appropriate (like the French word for shower), but I can't say them here.

I was hoping the thread was about these. I usually had one in my school lunchbox. Thanks mom.

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I think this is the "official" way to alert traffic in front of you. However, you must also wear a cycling jersey with vertical black/white stripes for it to be effective.

I agree. They're Frenchshowerbags.

I like the term as well. I ride mostly paths because its an easy way for me to get 20 to as far as 65 miles after work depending on the time of year and some people look like they are in a time trial or something.

I also will hustle along on them pretty fast in some (empty) spots. There are areas where its really congested and I am very courteous as to speed and using my bell.

In the open spaces I will go as fast as I can and since you can see a long way ahead I feel like its pretty safe. The trail I use is quite wide in a lot of spaces as well.

Just like most things common sense and courtesy go a long way. FWIW I like the Knog OI bike bell. Takes up very little room and has a nice loud chime to it.

I assume theyre trying to be like Voodoo from Quicksilver with Kevin Bacon

The only correct way to alert other MUP users that you are coming:

Approved by clan McGrew

I don’t ride bike paths or MUP any more but I do use a bell on the road. It really does work when overtaking or coming up behind someone. Last weekend I was on a rural road that goes through a few miles of citrus orchards. A woma on a beacc cruiser was “noodling” along at a fairly slow pace , no cars around. I rang twice and she immediately straightened out so I could pass.

She might have thought you were a postman going to get some.

apparently, my bells sound like the text message alert on cell phones, and pedestrians disregard it.

40 bux?

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I suppose that's possible, but probably not.

Totally agree! Almost nobody is annoyed when hearing a good old "Bycicle Race" - like Ring-a-ding.

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GC? WF29PAQB ? - Well, better but not quite there. Sound vs Writing...
GC? WF29PÄQB ? Besser, aber nicht ganz. Klang vs. Schrift...

ok $39.95

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we should totally argue about the cost of a bike bell (that someone gave me as a gift).

i think it’s great that someone thought enough of you to gift you that bell.

I was just commenting that it seems a bit expensive,

.

The only time I use a bell is on the MUP, which I don't ride often. I like the Timber mountain bike bell because it can be flipped on to ring continuously. Sounds like a friendly ice cream truck. Works well, other than with folks using earbuds or headphones. And I can keep my hands on the bar.

I got the version with the rubber band strap and can find a place to fit it on all of my bikes. Tilting it roughly controls the ringing frequency and volume. Tilt it a bit more for smooth pavement, so even minor ripples will jiggle the bell clapper enough to be effective.

Same here.... And this is after buying and testing one of the expensive boutique bells that get recommended here frequently (which I eventually returned for a refund). The old-fashioned bell is much louder and I am always amazed how far in advance I can ring it and people still apparently hear it. The only downside is that it rattles over bumps.

I primarily ride on the hoods and in the drops. This placement of the bell allows me to easily ring the bell with my pinky while braking and doesn't interfere with my normal hand positions. Not the most aero, but for a recreational rider like me it works. I swear I used it 20 times tonight to alert walkers who were all over the road. It was very effective. I even got a few friendly waves.

Better choice - finger-grip whistle

Try a Spurcycle. I have one on all my bikes. More times than not it is heard and reacted to in a positive manner.

Also requires a fairly quiet environment. Unfortunately for me, almost all of my MUP riding is alongside expressways or busy through streets so the bell can't be heard. Otherwise i ride on the road.