Should I get a bell?

[bagpuss]

I have a lovely old Lucas bell on one of my bikes . I has a great tone and makes folk smile .
A 4 pawl Hope is also great .Like a swarm of bees when free wheeling .

 

[eric_james]

they arent all idiots. Some are nice and move and say good morning/afternoon hello etc
Some say thanks for ringing the bell
Others don't even move when you are actually heading towards them

 

[MuchAlohaNui]

It's up to $50 though!
(I'm not buying a bell that looks like a bell okay)
https://www.knog.com/collections/bike-bells
How do you justify that kind of outlay?
Especially since it benefits other people.

These in person to me don't sound as good as they look. The way the metal is isolated from the mounting points and handlebar mount tends to quickly dampen the resonance of the metal. They are quite expensive too. I too thought maybe yeah one of these, but after playing with them in store I couldn't justify the price for the tone. Surely doesn't sound like a 40 euro bell.

I have resorted to dangling one or two sleigh bells which tends to give people plenty of forewarning then if needed I use one of these small, old Crane bells, which sound amazing for what it is plus resonates for quite a long time and very loud depending on how far back you pull the strike.

https://www.cranebellco.com/mini-suzu-bell
https://www.ebay.de/itm/251720176281

 

[grantoury]

I have a bell on every bicycle I own. I don't spend a lot but just get the loudest. But then in the Netherlands this is common and accepted. Shouting can be rude but one could try a more polite way of seeking attention.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

I need a bell on every bicycle I own, I'm getting there. I buy cheap ping bells.

 

[Chopper the ex Copper]

In my experience most people here react more positiv to a bell than to politely shouting.
I guess its because shouting may sound more threatening when they don't expect someone comming.
With a bell most people know instantly that its just a bike and no one is yelling at them.

Ususally I ring the bell way ahead, they look back, I smile and give a little wave, they smile back and move to the side.
Then a quick "Thank you" while passing and everyone is happy

My experience is the polar opposite - a polite "excuse me" (never shouted, why would we need or want to shout at anyone?), is a lot less likely to generate a negative response than a ping, although on occasion it does trigger the odd moaner as well.

I also give a thanks and cheery wave to anyone generous enough to move aside a little to let me pass.

As aforementioned by my goodself, riders should do what suits them best personally and accept that you can't please all the people all the time.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

My experience is the polar opposite - a polite "excuse me" (never shouted, why would we need or want to shout at anyone?), is a lot less likely to generate a negative response than a ping, although on occasion it does trigger the odd moaner as well.

I also give a thanks and cheery wave to anyone generous enough to move aside a little to let me pass.

As aforementioned by my goodself, riders should do what suits them best personally and accept that you can't please all the people all the time.

All of the above, We always wave and say thanks.

 

[Chopper the ex Copper]

Yes get a bell. We have cateye bells and they work well and are loud enough but you always get the ones that pretend not to hear to be awkward, I'm talking about where there's two of them so they can't both be deaf.
Did ask a couple once if they were deaf and he said up yours. I just laughed and carried on

My wife and youngest daughter are both hearing aid wearers, so you will conceivably come across scenarios where both persons are hard of hearing.

 

[eric_james]

So do we say thanks it's just the morons that make life difficult

 

[eric_james]

My wife and youngest daughter are both hearing aid wearers, so you will conceivably come across scenarios where both persons are hard of hearing.

They were just being awkward though