Recommend a bell

14-06-2012 8:29pm #1

Howdy,

I've an airzound on my commuter but the cheap bell I bought recently from CRC was crappy. Can someone recommend a decent bell, something loud enough for pedestrians and other cyclists without being overkill?

Cheers.

Lumen · 14-06-2012 8:30pm

Pashley Bell Ding Dong 80mm Chrome
http://www.thebikefactory.co.uk/productdetails.asp?productid=11401

Iwannahurl · 14-06-2012 8:33pm

That style of bell (eg Pashley) tend to seize up after a while, in my experience.

This is the best bell I have ever encountered. Simple action, and loud. Unfortunately I only bought one, and that was for IWH-OH.

41zx1TwDfdL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cateye-3527910-Bell-PB-200-Black/dp/B001CR6O6O

EDIT: At least, I think that's the one. I'd need to see/hear it in action.

Raam · 14-06-2012 8:40pm

Big Ben gets a fair bit of attention. :pac:

manwithaplan · 14-06-2012 8:48pm

Unfortunately when you buy a bell the end comes with it.

kenmc · 14-06-2012 8:50pm

what's wrong with the airzound?

Holyboy · 14-06-2012 8:51pm

Etc do a Pashley type bell, just as loud and only about a tenner, they seem to last long enough too, most shops in the country would either have them or be able to get one for you.

Darkglasses · 14-06-2012 8:54pm

kenmc wrote: »

what's wrong with the airzound?

I think it would be really ignorant to use them to get the attention of other cyclists and pedestrians. I really think a person should have a bell in addition to an airzound.

14-06-2012 9:00pm

Darkglasses wrote: »

I think it would be really ignorant to use them to get the attention of other cyclists and pedestrians. I really think a person should have a bell in addition to an airzound.

This. Bit too much to use an airzound on the Sam Beckett bridge for pedestrians, no matter how much I want to. There's a balance there between the two.

Cookie_Monster · 14-06-2012 9:14pm

what wrong with simply shouting abuse at people?

Wasn't it figured out on here a while back that bells actually aren't allowed on bikes. Something to do with how fast you can go and still be allowed on and it being a silly low figure...

kenmc · 14-06-2012 9:47pm

Dónal wrote: »

This. Bit too much to use an airzound on the Sam Beckett bridge for pedestrians, no matter how much I want to. There's a balance there between the two.

I dunno, better safe than sorry and all that, especially considering there's a fair chance that they are iPodestrians

14-06-2012 9:53pm

kenmc wrote: »

I dunno, better safe than sorry and all that, especially considering there's a fair chance that they are iPodestrians

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

what wrong with simply shouting abuse at people?

Wasn't it figured out on here a while back that bells actually aren't allowed on bikes. Something to do with how fast you can go and still be allowed on and it being a silly low figure...

Main problem with this is when you're cycling up to junctions, when you see someone about to cross into your path (normally a poor cyclist but could be a ipodestrian) you need to warn these people of your presence in advance of them walking about. Airzound would be overkill in this.

Edit: From personal experience, a simple hammer & bell, eh, bell doesn't produce enough bell for modern pedestrians/cyclists. I'd be looking for something louder than that.

Lumen · 14-06-2012 10:00pm

kenmc wrote: »

I dunno, better safe than sorry and all that, especially considering there's a fair chance that they are iPodestrians

Or they might be deaf. Are you advocating running over deaf people?

kenmc · 14-06-2012 10:02pm

Lumen wrote: »

Or they might be deaf. Are you advocating running over deaf people?

God no, but they're easily spotted with their hearing ear dogs.

Lumen · 14-06-2012 10:04pm

kenmc wrote: »

God no, but they're easily spotted with their hearing ear dogs.

I'd like to run over that tautology.

kenmc · 14-06-2012 10:05pm

Dónal wrote: »

Main problem with this is when you're cycling up to junctions, when you see someone about to cross into your path (normally a poor cyclist but could be a ipodestrian) you need to warn these people of your presence in advance of them walking about. Airzound would be overkill in this.

So what do you do in your car - do you have a different sound for peds vs drivers? The airzound is effective. People hear it. You can give a toot or a blast as appropriate.

deandean · 14-06-2012 10:09pm

I cycle a lot on shared pedestrian/cycle paths (these are officially termed cycle routes :mad:) and in my experience a bell is essential, and it I do use it lots - in a nice manner, e.g. when approching from behind some feckin' idiot wayward pedestrian walking on the cycleway.

I only go for the traditional 'chin-ching' type bicycle bell because pedestrians recognise that sound as a cycle bell. I bought about 5 of them from dealextreme a year or two back they were only a few quid each.

Here ya go

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/aluminum-bicycle-mounted-bell-blue-grey-26264?item=12

You'll get 6 or 7 of them for a tenner. Not perfect but 'good enough'.

John_Rambo · 14-06-2012 10:11pm

manwithaplan wrote: »

Unfortunately when you buy a bell the end comes with it.

Agreed. What you need is a Raleigh Grifter, two clothespegs and two playing cards.

They hear you rolling.

They hat'n.

wespect.

close peg thread.

Doctor Bob · 14-06-2012 10:28pm

I have two bells. For my left hand, a ding dong bell from Het Zwarte Fietsenplan (Dublin: €12.50) which is plenty loud, and a smaller 1970s 'ping' bell on my right (online: €8.00), for times when the aggression of a large baby-pink bell seems like overkill, or if my left hand is otherwise engaged.

(I'm sort of the anti-weenie, always on the lookout for things to add to my bike. It's not weight for weight's sake, though; each bit should be practical/functional. Next up: a fietsklem!)

Darkglasses · 14-06-2012 10:28pm

kenmc wrote: »

So what do you do in your car - do you have a different sound for peds vs drivers? The airzound is effective. People hear it. You can give a toot or a blast as appropriate.

Blasting them out of it is completely unnecessary 99% of the time. And pisses off everyone else on the street. And he's not in his car, he's on his bike, and he does have the choice to be way more polite and considerate by using a bell. So he uses a bell. I'm not expecting to change your mind, but that's my view and you have yours

14-06-2012 10:30pm

kenmc wrote: »

So what do you do in your car - do you have a different sound for peds vs drivers? The airzound is effective. People hear it. You can give a toot or a blast as appropriate.

I give them space and patience. Horn if needs be, but rarely required. I can't remember beeping a cyclist/pedestrian. It's different when on a bike as no-one is looking out for you.

manwithaplan · 14-06-2012 11:13pm

John_Rambo wrote: »

They hear you rolling.

They hat'n.

As long as they don't catchoo ridin' durty

What? Can I not be down with the kids?

Mycroft H · 15-06-2012 12:06am

Darkglasses wrote: »

Blasting them out of it is completely unnecessary 99% of the time. And pisses off everyone else on the street. And he's not in his car, he's on his bike, and he does have the choice to be way more polite and considerate by using a bell. So he uses a bell. I'm not expecting to change your mind, but that's my view and you have yours

There is some cases where an excessively airzound would be fun and useful. Swinging left down the quays from westmorland street springs to mind. Great for frightening the ****e out of pedestrians

Doctor Bob · 15-06-2012 8:47am

I know it has come up before, but perhaps someone can remind me- how does an airzound fit with this?

93. (1) Every pedal cycle (other than a cycle constructed or adapted for use as a racing cycle) while used in a public place shall be fitted with an audible warning device consisting of a bell capable of being heard at a reasonable distance, and no other type of audible warning instrument shall be fitted to a pedal cycle while used in a public place.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1963/en/si/0190.html#zzsi190y1963a93

15-06-2012 11:51am

Doctor Bob wrote: »

I know it has come up before, but perhaps someone can remind me- how does an airzound fit with this?

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1963/en/si/0190.html#zzsi190y1963a93

Badly.

Lumen · 15-06-2012 12:28pm

Dónal wrote: »

Badly.

It's OK as long as the Airzound is attached to a racing bike.

Darkglasses · 15-06-2012 1:21pm

BX 19 wrote: »

There is some cases where an excessively airzound would be fun and useful. Swinging left down the quays from westmorland street springs to mind. Great for frightening the ****e out of pedestrians

I'm not sure if you're just trying to get a rise out of me, but frightening the ****e out of people is exactly the kind of behaviour I hoped we would want to avoid :rolleyes:

-PornStar- · 15-06-2012 3:17pm

kenmc wrote: »

So what do you do in your car - do you have a different sound for peds vs drivers? The airzound is effective. People hear it. You can give a toot or a blast as appropriate.

No but cars generally have an engine note. So unlike bicycles, you can hear them when they come from behind. This coupled with the fact that bike lanes and footpaths tend to be right beside each other. Thus resulting in pedestrians possibly wandering into the cycle lane. An Airzound really is not appropriate to be used on pedestrians. Especially if it is an elderly person. Getting a blast of an air horn as you are casually walking somewhere, is not a pleasant experience. A bell is a much friendlier alternative to scaring the ****e out of someone.

Much like cyclists would like more respect from motorists. We should in turn show respect to pedestrians.

Mycroft H · 15-06-2012 3:25pm

Darkglasses wrote: »

I'm not sure if you're just trying to get a rise out of me, but frightening the ****e out of people is exactly the kind of behaviour I hoped we would want to avoid :rolleyes:

No, not trying to get a rise. Commenting on the amount of pedestrians that blindly cross the red light and and a *loud* signal would would be a rather effective signal of my presence. You hear many a bus do the same thing.

Here is the spot.

Darkglasses · 16-06-2012 1:30pm

I'm familiar with it BX19, and other spots in Dublin where pedestrians will wander across without looking for bikes. I've never had a problem using a moderately loud bell. I ring it early and liberally when approaching the corner, if a way through doesn't open for me I ring it louder.