Bell Question

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Andrew McGinley

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Aug 27, 2011, 10:45:12 PM8/27/11
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Folk,

Just curious looking over the many bells available.... What's generally a "better" bell? Brass or Copper? Loud and pretty would be nice....

Also, I like the big Rivendell hammerstrike bells but I'd like something a little more low-profile for my road bike and if possible, I'd like to mount it somewhere other than on the flats of the drop-bar. On the threadless steer-tube spacers, perhaps? Incredibell has an interesting one that replaces one of your handlebar tape plugs. Thoughts?

Thanks...

Andrew+

islaysteve

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Aug 29, 2011, 8:43:20 AM8/29/11
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I was going to mention the Incredibell options but you beat me to it.  I personally don't care for the big brass bell on the side of the stem look.  I realize it's standard-issue Riv.  Anyway, I just like the Incredibell  on the top my drop bars.  I have small hands, it doesn't interfere with anything and it's easy to ring.  I looked at the bar-end option,  and I think that would be too hard to reach.  I don't spend a lot of time down in the drops when I'm on a bike trail, where I'd likely need a bell.  Anyway, now that I have a bike that's more trail-able than my road bike was, I do appreciate having a bell; I know that the people on the trails much prefer it to "On your Left!" 

PATRICK MOORE

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Aug 29, 2011, 1:14:50 PM8/29/11
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In favor of the big striker copper bell: it has the nicest sound I've
heard and I like the look, personally. I mount mine on a headset
spacer-replacement bracket available (or was available) from VO. The
striker bell, brass or copper, is far louder than the incredibell and
than the other spring-striker bells I've used.

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Zack

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Aug 29, 2011, 2:04:19 PM8/29/11
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I second the hammer strike bell, it has a MUCH better tone (it's louder and deeper, much more effective on the bike path).

It also looks fantastic.  I have mine mounted on my albatross bars just in front of the rear brake lever.

Rex Kerr

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Aug 29, 2011, 5:46:32 PM8/29/11
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On Sat, Aug 27, 2011 at 7:45 PM, Andrew McGinley <a...@spiritui.com> wrote:

I'd like to mount it somewhere other than on the flats of the drop-bar.  On the threadless steer-tube spacers, perhaps?


Minh

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Aug 29, 2011, 5:58:44 PM8/29/11
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I don't have the one Rex mentions, i have one that does mount under
the headset locknut but it's more like a canti-brake stop style. if
you have a lot of stuff on your headset (i also have a cable-stop), it
can make headset adjustments difficult because you run out of space to
adjust headsets.

One thing i'd add, i have the headset style one, as well as a clamp
that goes around the stem (instead of under it). In both cases you
have to really tighten down the bell as it tends to rotate loose as
you strike it.

I've got the Crane hammer strike one that rivendell sells as well as
the brass one that velo-orange sells, both the hammer strike lever
style (pay attention as vo also sell a bar-style striker too). The
one from vo is not as nice, either in tone or in strike, i tend to get
mis-strikes on the vo one because the lever is not as big or
positive.

While keeping it on the flats takes up a lot of space, it is the most
accessible, from the stem you definately have to reach down or take
your hands off the handlebars.

I have the incredibell too, sound is different, but it's the smallest
of the bunch, just make sure you get one that can mount on drop bars,
they make ones in narrower clamps for mt/cruiser bars too.

the crane japanese bell from rivendell is my favorite among them, even
with it taking up the most space.

rob markwardt

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Aug 29, 2011, 11:11:15 PM8/29/11
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> now that I have a bike that's more trail-able than my road bike was, I do
> appreciate having a bell; I know that the people on the trails much prefer
> it to "On your Left!"  

I use a bell when on a big bike ride with lots of people...riders
seem to get what it means. However, I find on the busy multi-trail
that most people either can't hear them or don't have a clue what they
mean. A lot of riders and especially walkers look around aimlessly
(...is it the ice cream man?)... or worse turn around to look and veer
into the passing area. I now either pass stealthily (word?) or use
"on your left".

Rob Markwardt
Seattle, WA

Rex Kerr

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Aug 29, 2011, 11:13:52 PM8/29/11
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Yeah... I've found that they cause more trouble than anything, and seem to come across as more of an offensive gesture than a polite request.  I now use mine for aesthetics and ringing it for little kids who smile and wave when I ride by. :-)

-"On yer left" Rex

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