Re: [RBW] Oi Luxe Bike Bell

[Bernard Duhon]

I purchased one new

It had a great sound, but easily got out of whack 

It's too easy for something on the handlebars, touch the outer ring and if it gets off centered, it doesn't ring

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From: rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com <rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Kim H. <krhe...@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2025 10:51:48 AM
To: RBW Owners Bunch <rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [RBW] Oi Luxe Bike Bell

 

I came across this new to me bike bell on my social media feed yesterday. I am wondering has anyone else bought this bell and liked it or not, pros and cons ? I would enjoy reading your feedback. It seems quite innovative. 

https://us.knog.com/products/oi-luxe-bike-bell?variant=42735786000614

Kim Hetzel who already owns a Lion Bell from Lion Bell Works.

https://www.lionbellworks.co.uk/

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[Patrick Moore]

Tugging this thread in a slightly different but not irrelevant direction: what do others think are the most effective bells? By “most effective,” I mean, that most quickly get the attention of others on your route.

I’ve used any number of bells, from Spurcycles to this thing. IME, big brass Crane bells with sideways striking arm are loudest (except for “this thing”*) but I do prefer the small size with, still, large noise capacity, of the Spurcycles.

OTOH, for a while I greatly enjoyed using a !Zounds airhorn — pump up reservoir with a floor pump — which certainly made laggards on the bike path jump. But it was bulky and a hassle to keep charged and, really, not very nice for non-motorized traffic.

*“This thing,” rotating bell, which weighs about a pound.

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Patrick Moore

Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique, Orbis Terrarum

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[Andrew Scherer]

Depends on the situation. When I ride on MUPs upstate folks react quickly and positively to a Crane Suzu-style bell. The single clear "ding" doesn't startle them and can be heard from far enough for folks to move aside if necessary. When I ride in the city either on streets or MUPs that kind of bell is hardly noticed, it's just another noise in the urban soundscape. I've found a Crane Riten-style "rrrring-rrrring" is noticed and recognized more often than not. Nothing works when folks have earphones.

[Mike Rossi]

I had bought two of those luxe bells for my fixed gears, and I agree with Bernard. They’re finicky. I know have three Crane bells and the “bringgg, bringgg” one is my favorite. It gets the most smiles from people.

Mike

On Jun 14, 2025, at 4:18 PM, Andrew Scherer <andy.s...@gmail.com> wrote:

Depends on the situation. When I ride on MUPs upstate folks react quickly and positively to a Crane Suzu-style bell. The single clear "ding" doesn't startle them and can be heard from far enough for folks to move aside if necessary. When I ride in the city either on streets or MUPs that kind of bell is hardly noticed, it's just another noise in the urban soundscape. I've found a Crane Riten-style "rrrring-rrrring" is noticed and recognized more often than not. Nothing works when folks have earphones.

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[John Dewey]

I’ve been totally stuck on Spurcycle bells for years now. Made in the good ol’ USofA by one of the last old-school church bell makers in New England. The build process and engineering is identical to the bells you hear ringing on Sunday. 

https://bikerumor.com/review-spurcycle-original-bicycle-bell/

They produce a loud pure tone that resonates beautifully and then slowly fades. Build quality is remarkable and I’m convinced now, after years on the bikes, that they’re truly indestructible. 

A bit pricey but so satisfying. Totally worth the $$.

Jock

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[Manoucher Brahman]

I have had this for over 3 years. Good looking and solid but the range of screw adjustment is limited and getting a crisp bell sound isn’t easy. If tightened too tight the sound will be dull…. If it is loose the bell will wobble on the handle bar. Have been difficult for me to land a sweet spot to get a sharp and clear sound. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 14, 2025, at 9:27 AM, Bernard Duhon <ber...@bernardduhon.com> wrote:



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[J J]

I’ve been using an Oi Luxe Bike Bell for a few years and really love it. In my experience, it’s no more finicky than any other bell — basically a set-it-and-forget-it install. The design is distinctive (who knew bike bells could be innovative?), and the tone has a lovely, gentle resonance that’s less jarring than most.

I also own a couple of Spurcycle Original bells in black and gold — they’re excellent as well.

Jim

[Patrick Moore]

They also introduced a cheaper model with plastic clamp but (AFAIK) the same bell, a few years ago.

But not even the particularly piercing, if sonorous, tone can cut through the self-imposed deafness of certain shared trail users, even those without earbuds. For this the louder Cranes and ilk are better, or a !Zounds air horn, or a yell.

Still, for their combination of small size, excellent manufacture, piercing sound, and pleasant tone, I agree that they are worth the $$.

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[exliontamer]

I'm team Crane all the way. I have an Oi & don't care for it. The setup is finicky if you're using it with drops & have to work around cable routing. One single cable touching it will keep it from resonating & rotating it to avoid the cables can place the striker in a less than ideal position. The sound is also a pretty dull ring that I don't think is well suited for noisy bike paths. 

[Benz Ouyang, Sunnyvale, CA]

I'm sorry to read that Knog's Oi Luxe bell has this same problem as their Classic bell that I have a copy of.

I really want to like this bell as the design allows for convenient placement right next to the grips on upright handlebars, and the Luxe solves a main problem of the Classic by being louder. Unfortunately, as with most of this type of parts, manufacturers need to understand that "utmost reliability despite prolonged negligence" is probably the most important characteristic by far. Fancy design may be cool, but if it's not reliable, well, it won't serve its primary purpose now, would it?

[RichS]

Crane's Hammer Strike bell has a such a deep resounding ring. On the other hand, Crane's spring striker model gives a less emphatic and inconsistent sound. Patrick, I also have a similar rotating silver bell like the one you show. That one gives a friendly, and reliable "brrrrinnng" sound.

Best,

Rich in ATL

On Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 1:15:43 PM UTC-4 Patrick Moore wrote:

[Josh Brown]

I have a brass crane hammer on my single speed and it's loud sure, but the tone is more akin to a call for service at an unattended desk and I notice it's not as recognized as a higher pitch bell that maybe sounds a little sharper with less resonance. That said it's it's a beautiful bell, and the brass has a lovely patina. 

Josh in NYC 

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