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Looking for a bicycle bell? Hollandbikeshop.com has a wide range of bicycle bells for all ages!
What is a bicycle bell?
A bicycle bell is a small, (usually) round bell installed on the left side of the bicycle’s handlebar that you can use to let other road users know: Watch out, here I come!The bicycle bell was originally invented as a safe and easy alternative to the bike horn, since operating a bike horn meant having to take one hand off of the handlebars (and an increased risk of accidents).
The bicycle bell caught on, and nowadays there are more and more variations of the bicycle bell available, from colorful children’s bike bells and extra-large bicycle bells to bicycle bells for the mountain bike. Whether you need a children’s bike bell, an electric bicycle bell or a bell for your sports bike, Hollandbikeshop.com has what you need.
What is a good bicycle bell?
A good bicycle bell does exactly what it was made for: produce a loud and clear sound to warn other road users. It helps when the bicycle bell is also durable, affordable and, if possible, matches your style.The Basil Wanderlust bicycle bell is a great example of a solid, attractive bicycle bell. The Basil Wanderlust produces a ding-dong sound that’s loud and clear, and the bell’s 80 mm diameter gives it a nice, full shape. All Basil Wanderlust bicycle bells have the same cheerful prints as Basil’s panniers and saddle covers in the same collection. They’re the perfect accessory for your city bike!
Are you a sports cyclist? Then you’re probably looking for a lightweight bicycle bell that’s easy and quick to operate when you’re going full speed. If this is the case, you’ll like the CatEye Limit Mini PB800. This ultra-small aluminum bell is operated with a small grooved thumb lever. With a slight movement of your thumb, you’ll have its 90 decibel signal warning other cyclists and people out for a stroll that you’re there. It’s the perfect bell for road bikes and mountain bikes!
The Widek mini bicycle bell has a compass incorporated in its design, making a great accessory for cycling trips. It is a small, practical bicycle bell that doesn’t take up a lot of space on the handlebars, nor does it add a lot of weight to the bicycle in general, which is great if you’re already taking provisions and other luggage items with you. On top of that, you can use the compass located at the top of the bicycle bell when you’re navigating (using a bike map, for instance).
How do bicycle bells work?
Classic bicycle bells are operated with a push button, also known as a thumb lever or simply, a lever. Inside the bicycle bell is a mechanism consisting of several smaller parts, like a spring and sprockets. When the bell’s lever is pushed, the mechanism is put into action, creating a ding-dong sound or ringing sound.There are bicycle bells designed specifically to minimize the amount of time and effort needed to ring your bell, which can be especially practical during a descent. Bicycle bells with this feature are often designed for sports bicycles. One quick thumb movement presses the lever away from the bicycle bell and when the lever returns to its position, it hits the so-called resonator (the bell’s metal hood), producing a loud and clear warning sound.
Is a bicycle bell a legal requirement?
In the Netherlands, having a properly functioning bicycle bell on your bicycle has been legally required as of 1906, as is stated in article 5.9.71 of the Dutch vehicle regulations. The Dutch police frequently check whether people have a functioning bicycle bell, so if you’re going cycling in the Netherlands, make sure you always have a bicycle with a functioning bicycle bell.Are bicycle bells mandatory on road bikes?
A working bicycle bell is technically a compulsory accessory on any bicycle, road bikes included. But the number of cyclists that actually install a bicycle bell on their road bike is probably quite low. Lots of people are either opposed to or in favor of bicycle bells on the road bike, with opponents often citing reasons like the way it looks, the weight a bell adds, or “do you see any pros using a bike bell?”.But since safety is the most important thing, and it really isn’t an unnecessary luxury to have a bicycle bell, even on the road bike (for when a cough or verbal warning doesn’t work), there are bicycle bells that are attractive and aerodynamic that don’t add too much weight to your road bike. These bells have been designed specifically for sports bicycles.
If you really don’t enjoy having to look at a bicycle bell, you’ll like the innovative HideMyBell. This particular accessory hides your bell in plain sight. You can also use it in combination with your action cam, bike computer or bicycle lights. The new and improved HideMyBell comes with an easy-to-operate spring lever that you can operate even when you’re wearing (winter) gloves! And the HideMyBell fits on all road bikes, as well as gravel bikes!
Where is the bicycle bell located?
The bicycle bell is usually located on the left side of the handlebar, and there’s a reason for that, going all the way back to the time when a bicycle horn was your only option for alerting other road users of your arrival. Using it involved taking one hand off the handlebar. Since its best to keep your dominant hand on the handlebars, and since for most people the dominant hand is the right hand, people usually honked the horn with their left hand.As a result, we’ve grown so accustomed to using our left hand to ring our bells, that most bicycle bells are designed for left-handed operation.
Some people will install their bicycle bells on the handlebar’s stem - something we discourage, as you’ll need to lean forward to operate the bicycle bell, making your position less stable and increasing the risk of an accident.
How do you install a bicycle bell?
Putting a bicycle bell on the handlebars, or replacing one, isn’t hard at all. All you need is a screwdriver so you can loosen the mounting bracket. And a bicycle bell that fits, of course. Make sure the bicycle bell is compatible with the handlebar diameter.Step 1 - Open the mounting ring of the bicycle bell, using the screwdriver. You will need to remove the screw in the mounting ring, in order to place the bell.
Step 2 - Place the bell on the handlebars by clamping the mounting ring around it. You may have to slightly enlarge the opening in the ring that was created when you removed the screw. You should be able to do this by applying some additional pressure, helping the ring slip into place around the handlebars.
Step 3 - Put the screw back and firmly tighten it, again using the screwdriver. It’s important to make sure that the bicycle bell is properly secured and that it can’t shake loose or shift if you’re cycling down a bumpy road.
Finally, make sure that you can easily reach and operate your bicycle bell once it’s mounted, and you’re good to go.
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