Bell

Amik

I bought a nice large chrome bell a month ago but it rusted so much even my co-workers ask me what's wrong with it in the company bike shelter.

Can someone recommend a good bell that doesn't rust too quickly (I use the bike every day and it stays outdoors)? Is it enough to get something enamelled?

Inquitus

Someone bought one of these the other day, have to say defo the prettiest bell out there - http://sogrenibikes.com/

Lumen

Oh I say, ding dong!

http://www.pashleycollection.co.uk/product/ding-dong-bell-large

Idleater

Inquitus wrote: »

Someone bought one of these the other day, have to say defo the prettiest bell out there - http://sogrenibikes.com/

I attached a picture in the something I did today thread.
Not sure what the value for money ratio is, but Mr sörgreni is a gent, and his bikes and bike shop are class.

As an added bonus feature, the bell gives audible feedback on the quality of the road surface.

Amik

My bell that rusted was similar to the ding dong one, so I'm worried that one will suffer the same fate. It was an awesome sound though.

That Sogreni one is lovely! Would the zinc one be rust proof?

Lumen

Amik wrote: »

My bell that rusted was similar to the ding dong one, so I'm worried that one will suffer the same fate. It was an awesome sound though.

The Pashley ones don't rust. Or at least mine hasn't in several years of use. They do sound fantastic.

Amik

Lumen wrote: »

The Pashley ones don't rust. Or at least mine hasn't in several years of use. They do sound fantastic.

I am leaning towards this Pashley one as I do like the ding dong sound. Maybe the sea air here in Galway makes chrome rust faster? OR this bell I have isn't actually chrome...

That Sogrenibel one looks class, but the price is a bit steep. Seems a bit quiet too:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUX65D6FS2o

Amik

Maybe I'll have to deal with the rust as it appears? Seems simple enough:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzRo6kFnps4

Lumen

Brass for corrosion resistance?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7jGKl192wI

Idleater

Amik wrote: »

Seems a bit quiet too

It's polite and civilised, like the Danes.

Doctor Bob

I've had a Sogreni bell, and currently have a large enamelled 'ding-dong' bell, a smaller 1970s aluminium 'ping' bell and a pretty crisp and loud brass bell.

The Sogreni was a real conversation piece, although it was probably too quiet to be really useful, and its tendency to ring at the slightest road bump (unlike Idleater, I didn't find this a 'bonus'! ) meant I had to keep my thumb on it almost constantly to mute it, so when it was damaged in a fall I retired it.

The other three bells have different volumes and I use them depending on context. I got the ding-dong, which is still in great nick after three years of daily use, from Bear; the ping was NOS from the Netherlands; and the brass one, which was a christmas present to myself, was from Lion Bell Works. The ability to get the Lion one engraved is a nice touch too.

HivemindXX

I got a bell in Joe Dalys to replace a Halfords one which broke after a month (and about three rings). No rust so far and my bike was left outside work during February! It also makes the dring-dring noise that means bicycle to me.