Recommend a bell

qb123

Just want something neat but loud, having no joy in the LBS so will order online.

martyc5674

qb123 wrote: »

Just want something neat but loud, having no joy in the LBS so will order online.

Have these on the kids bikes and they are nice and punchy....

https://www.decathlon.ie/300-bike-bell-en-s145316.html

Fian

http://www.airzound.co.uk/

if you need something that can be heard in traffic/inside cars. Not sutiable for alerting pedestrians/other cyclists etc., it is too loud, useful for getting cars to react though.

papu

Fian wrote: »

http://www.airzound.co.uk/

if you need something that can be heard in traffic/inside cars. Not sutiable for alerting pedestrians/other cyclists etc., it is too loud, useful for getting cars to react though.

These are Illegal.

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.

Alanstrainor

I've had a good few bells at this point, but I've yet to find one that lasts. This one started very well:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crane-Bell-Aluminium-Bicycle-Steel/dp/B00KFCYV9E/ref=sr_1_2?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1507110468&sr=1-2&keywords=crane+suzu

It's super loud. But mine has dulled to nothing at this point, I've had it a few months and it's now useless. I can't figure out what it is, I've examined it and it's not dented and I've cleaned and polished it. My theory is that the material of the tip of the striker has worn away somewhat.

I'd be interested to hear of other options. Not a fan of anything too big, or the airzound option.

07Lapierre

We all have a built in Bell

https://youtu.be/Ehh8ZdIMMj4

papu

I'm still waiting for this in the post.

I'll report back once it gets here

Fian

papu wrote: »

These are Illegal.

Dead letter law:

http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/dead+letter

run_Forrest_run

got this delivered the other day and it's nice and clear.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/s?q=bbb+loud+%26+clear+bike+bell&cat=product

Doctor Bob

Of my three bells, this is my favourite:

http://www.lionbellworks.co.uk/

It can be mounted on your stem or handlebars, and you can get it engraved too. Not the cheapest, but the sound is beautiful.

ED E

Fian wrote: »

http://www.airzound.co.uk/

if you need something that can be heard in traffic/inside cars. Not sutiable for alerting pedestrians/other cyclists etc., it is too loud, useful for getting cars to react though.

+1.

Technically illegal, but when 84+% of motorists aren't on their phone I'll consider changing back. Till then I'd feel naked without it.

#BrownUndies

MeWantBroadband

HornIt - NI company - just electric - way smaller than that air horn.

Is V loud - can be heard inside buses.

tomasrojo

If you're in Dublin , the Dutch Bike Shop in Goatstown has a range of bells. I got a brass one not that dissimilar to Doctor Bob's, though not as nice. It works ok anyway, though when it gets wet it loses a lot of volume.

Pinch Flat

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

got this delivered the other day and it's nice and clear.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/s?q=bbb+loud+%26+clear+bike+bell&cat=product

Just ordered a BBB Clear & Loud, comes recommended according to the reviews. Good to hear it's well received!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/bbb-loud-clear-bike-bell/rp-prod86426

Sick and tired of shouting at peds crossing on smart phones, etc.

qb123

Doctor Bob wrote: »

Of my three bells, this is my favourite:

http://www.lionbellworks.co.uk/

It can be mounted on your stem or handlebars, and you can get it engraved too. Not the cheapest, but the sound is beautiful.

Anyway, have decided to go with the luxury option given here. Expensive I know, but given I've spent that amount buying crappy bells in the past, figure it's worth it. Will let you know how impressed I am (or not!) after it arrives.

Cheers.

Alanstrainor

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I've had a good few bells at this point, but I've yet to find one that lasts. This one started very well:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crane-Bell-Aluminium-Bicycle-Steel/dp/B00KFCYV9E/ref=sr_1_2?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1507110468&sr=1-2&keywords=crane+suzu

It's super loud. But mine has dulled to nothing at this point, I've had it a few months and it's now useless. I can't figure out what it is, I've examined it and it's not dented and I've cleaned and polished it. My theory is that the material of the tip of the striker has worn away somewhat.

I'd be interested to hear of other options. Not a fan of anything too big, or the airzound option.

I had another look, and found a hairline crack straight through the bell... oh well...

uck51js9zml2yt

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I had another look, and found a hairline crack straight through the bell... oh well...

Keep it, might me worth a fortune one day.... another Liberty Bell

papu

These two arrived today,

bbb Loud and Clear

85-95db Ring Alarm Loud Horn Aluminum Alloy Mountain Bicycle Bike Handlebar Bell



The little Ebay special is not as loud, and much more high pitched, I really like the design of it though, the only problem is, the ID of the fitting is too small for my handlebars.

Quite impressed with the bbb bell, nice and loud, plenty of room for the fitting to go over the handlebars + tape

tomasrojo

I think the eBay one you got is a copy of the Knog Oi bell. The Oi comes in two sizes, one for mountain bike-style handlebars, and one for road bike-style handlebars. It's regarded in reviews I read as very clever, very stylish, very discreet visually, and too quiet.

papu

tomasrojo wrote: »

I think the eBay one you got is a copy of the Knog Oi bell. The Oi comes in two sizes, one for mountain bike-style handlebars, and one for road bike-style handlebars. It's regarded in reviews I read as very clever, very stylish, very discreet visually, and too quiet.

Yes that's it exactly, spot on!

Pinch Flat

Used my bell (BBB Loud and clear) for the first time this morning at this junction: https://goo.gl/maps/EYuTmY1Bb642. I turn left at the church to avoid the junction further up.

Lots of zombie mobile phone users here in the mornings. So a tinkle of the bell, 200 lumen strobe not enough.

"WATCH THE BIKE" Seemed to work eventually, getting her away from that most important of tweets.

qb123

qb123 wrote: »

Anyway, have decided to go with the luxury option given here. Expensive I know, but given I've spent that amount buying crappy bells in the past, figure it's worth it. Will let you know how impressed I am (or not!) after it arrives.

Cheers.

Arrived yesterday, fitted to the bike and proudly ringing it on the way to work this morning. And it's fantastic!! Really loud and clear sound, pedestrians can't fail to notice it. Would definitely recommend to others despite the price.

Effects

Fian wrote: »

if you need something that can be heard in traffic/inside cars. Not sutiable for alerting pedestrians/other cyclists etc.

I had one of these about 15 years ago. Only used it a handful of times after I saw the reaction from pedestrians!

Doctor Bob

qb123 wrote: »

Arrived yesterday, fitted to the bike and proudly ringing it on the way to work this morning. And it's fantastic!! Really loud and clear sound, pedestrians can't fail to notice it. Would definitely recommend to others despite the price.

Glad to hear it.

Did you get it engraved?

Alanstrainor

Effects wrote: »

I had one of these about 15 years ago. Only used it a handful of times after I saw the reaction from pedestrians!

I am planning on picking up a Hornit 140db when it comes into stock in my local Halfords for 30 quid... I'm a small bit concerned I'll sound like a complete bell-end using it though... ah I don't encounter too many peds on my route, should be okay hopefully.

Feckofff

papu wrote: »

These are Illegal.

I will mime my terror in future! Anybody got some white gloves?

Effects

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I am planning on picking up a Hornit 140db when it comes into stock in my local Halfords for 30 quid... I'm a small bit concerned I'll sound like a complete bell-end using it though...

Yeah, it sounds a bit off alright. I bought something similar for a friend before from deal extreme. Someone stole her bike but ripped off the electronic bell and smashed it on the ground!

site_owner

bought a "knog oi" fell apart within a day.
was not very loud before it broke either

Alanstrainor

site_owner wrote: »

bought a "knog oi" fell apart within a day.
was not very loud before it broke either

That's not great

I've had 3 bells, Crane, Trigger Bell, and a cheapy compact one. Every single one has broken in some way in short time.

Effects wrote: »

Yeah, it sounds a bit off alright. I bought something similar for a friend before from deal extreme. Someone stole her bike but ripped off the electronic bell and smashed it on the ground!

Ah sure I'll give it a go, I'll reserve it for motorists or emergencies. I can use my singing voice for peds. I'll post up my impressions when I get it.

qb123

Doctor Bob wrote: »

Glad to hear it.

Did you get it engraved?

Nope, would feel a bit self conscious with an engraved bell (or anything).

tomasrojo

The other bell that's regarded as visually discreet, but is also regarded as loud enough is the Spurcycle. About $50 though. Cheaper knock-offs available, at buyer's risk.

(I quite enjoy this bit of BSNYC sark:

Ultimately though I decided to tackle the bell removal, and after employing an exotic tool known as a "screwdriver" I eventually succeeded in doing so, but then there was a frightening stretch of time during which my bicycle had no bell at all which meant it was completely unrideable!

)

site_owner

out of interest, are many people using drop bars?

i mounted my bell near the stem and found it hard to control the bike and use it. felt like a bit of a gamble to take my hands off the hoods/brakes to ring a bell in the hope that the pedestrian in front would hear it and move. better to just shout at them and hit the brakes if they didnt move.

is there a way to mount a bell on drop bars so that it can be dinged while still sitting on the brakes?

tomasrojo

This works for me:


You can't brake with your left hand at the same time as ringing, but you can ring and then get to the brake straight away, while braking with the right hand already.

You do need longer bolts than come with the bell though. I added a bit of electrical tape too, to stop the bracket digging up the bar tape.

site_owner

My new bell arrived, a rockbros. Cheap copy of the spurcycle.
Cost 10eu roughly.

It's a lot louder than the oi at least.
Will fit later in the same spot as Tomas.

Hopefully will last, but reviews are mixed

site_owner

Dont mind the crappy bar tape, it was already falling apart. Fits really easily and seems to work well in this position.

tomasrojo

One of your children has had their mind blown anyway.

Thinkingaboutit

papu wrote: »

These are Illegal.

So what, the day fools who cycle in dark clothes without a light costing less than a sandwich are stopped and warned to have lights, as Gardai did in days of yore, is the day I'll stop using stuff which the law mightn't have noted. I've a silver bell that makes a tinkly noise, and is fine for most things, and a loud electric whistle type bell, which sometimes is of help. For the first I just asked for a bell, something cheap and generic, second asked in Think Bike for something like an electric airhorn, something of the sort.

site_owner

tomasrojo wrote: »

One of your children has had their mind blown anyway.

😂
Seemingly, me and him are the only people who can hear it... Not a single walker or cyclist seemed to notice the very loud ping noise.

The shouting continues.

qb123

Anyway, bugger it but this bell is now ringing every time a go over a small bump as the hammer for hitting the bell has lost its rigidity. And no I wasn't in anyway trigger happy with it. Very disappointed given the amount I paid. So will have to go and look at some of the other recommendations now...

site_owner

you got longer than i did. my rockbros first seized up and then just fell apart.
i got a refund and ordered a triggerbell which then got delayed and should be here in a few weeks

tomasrojo

The €10 bell (pictured above) I got in the Dutch Bike Shop in Goatstown is still fine. I have two of them actually, one on the tourer (in the picture) and one on the Brompton. It's reasonably loud if you pull the trigger back all the way before releasing. However, on the Brompton it seems to get quiet when it's raining. Probably more sheltered on the tourer.

Might be worth a shot, as it's pretty cheap.

You can hear what it sounds like when you walk into the Dutch Bike Shop, as they've set one up as a customer-entry bell on the front door.

Kaisr Sose

My bell broke there before Christmas. Can with the bike and the ‘trigger/hammer’ was on a plastic springer which snapped. It was no use in the rain. I think the droplets stop the metal from resonating?
Tried to get replacement in Halfords but they only had the ones for kids/thin diameter bars.

Alanstrainor

qb123 wrote: »

Anyway, bugger it but this bell is now ringing every time a go over a small bump as the hammer for hitting the bell has lost its rigidity. And no I wasn't in anyway trigger happy with it. Very disappointed given the amount I paid. So will have to go and look at some of the other recommendations now...

site_owner wrote: »

you got longer than i did. my rockbros first seized up and then just fell apart.
i got a refund and ordered a triggerbell which then got delayed and should be here in a few weeks

I had the crane, and 2 trigger bells, the first trigger bell failed when the spring in the hammer got worn out and the second suffered the same fate both . The crane cracked after a couple of months.

I have a hornit, it's been replaced once, the first lasted a month or 2 before failing. The second has lasted well through winter. It's very good, cars can hear you and it works in the rain. Although you do sound like a knob with it, but it does work!

cdaly_

qb123 wrote: »

Anyway, bugger it but this bell is now ringing every time a go over a small bump as the hammer for hitting the bell has lost its rigidity. And no I wasn't in anyway trigger happy with it. Very disappointed given the amount I paid. So will have to go and look at some of the other recommendations now...

If this is the lionbell you're talking about, it looks like you should be able to bend the bracket that the hammer spring is mounted to. That should make it less trigger happy.

site_owner

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I have a hornit, it's been replaced once, the first lasted a month or 2 before failing. The second has lasted well through winter. It's very good, cars can hear you and it works in the rain. Although you do sound like a knob with it, but it does work!

i dont think i could use it, do people give you abuse? :eek:

Alanstrainor

site_owner wrote: »

i dont think i could use it, do people give you abuse? :eek:

It's just used in traffic, never had any abuse or response at all.

qb123

cdaly_ wrote: »

If this is the lionbell you're talking about, it looks like you should be able to bend the bracket that the hammer spring is mounted to. That should make it less trigger happy.

I'll take a look this evening, but frame seems pretty rigid so not sure this will work. No harm checking though.

beardybrewer

I have the classic car horn from here. Ride in rush hour traffic often and after enough near-misses I like knowing it's there. I have the trigger strapped to my handlebar for a split-second emergency squeeze and the a regular bell for regular use.

http://loudbicycle.com/

Had it a couple years now and is still working well. Went through 2 airzounds but both developed leaks after a few months.

Actually a pic of my bike is in their faq along with a great little bell I can't find anymore I got in Germany

Doctor Bob

qb123 wrote: »

Anyway, bugger it but this bell is now ringing every time a go over a small bump as the hammer for hitting the bell has lost its rigidity. And no I wasn't in anyway trigger happy with it. Very disappointed given the amount I paid. So will have to go and look at some of the other recommendations now...

Sorry to hear that. What a pain.

Not that you need to hear this, but mine's been fine since I got it over three years ago (aside from the metal developing a not unpleasant patina).

site_owner

qb123 wrote: »

I'll take a look this evening, but frame seems pretty rigid so not sure this will work. No harm checking though.

i would just get back on to the manufacturer and ask for a new one. they are Uk based so consumer laws apply

Alanstrainor

beardybrewer wrote: »

I have the classic car horn from here. Ride in rush hour traffic often and after enough near-misses I like knowing it's there. I have the trigger strapped to my handlebar for a split-second emergency squeeze and the a regular bell for regular use.

http://loudbicycle.com/

Had it a couple years now and is still working well. Went through 2 airzounds but both developed leaks after a few months.

Actually a pic of my bike is in their faq along with a great little bell I can't find anymore I got in Germany

That is so ridiculously massive. I mean it sounds like the quality is good, and I'm sure it makes a good noise, but it looks like it weighs as much as my bike does!