Many road cyclists see a bell on the handlebars as a betrayal of the sport – or of a certain imagined sense of sportiness. Have you ever seen a professional cyclist with a bell on their bike? Exactly. A hard burst of speed, a quick swerve – and we’re gone. Before the absent-minded pedestrian or the inattentive motorist could even have heard the ring of a bicycle bell, we’re long gone. Faster than the speed of sound, so to speak. And then there’s the unnecessary weight on that ascetic carbon frame. No, no. A bell is out of the question.
Oops, here I come!
My view on this is: my life as a road cyclist has become much more relaxed since I fitted a bell to my handlebars. Admittedly, this may have something to do with the fact that I live in a region that’s very well developed for cycle tourism and is very popular with weekend day-trippers and holidaymakers alike. There are plenty of cycle paths – including many good ones – and they’re very busy. Often, these are shared cycle and footpaths, so you’ll also find walkers, joggers and hikers out and about on them. It’s not uncommon to see children running about as well.
It’s the tone that makes the music
I’ve spent many years trying to work out the best way to alert pedestrians or other cyclists ahead to my presence. Calls such as “Hello” – “Oi” – “Watch out” – “Cyclist coming up from behind” – “Ring-ring” or a whistle, either a friendly whistle or a referee-style one: it all ranges from embarrassing to slightly cheeky and ultimately leads to exactly the reaction that is least helpful in the situation: People ahead turn round to see who’s calling or whistling. If you’re cycling (too) fast, you’ll whizz past them at a distance of just a few centimetres at that very moment. Or people get startled by the cyclist hurtling towards them and jump out of the way. Usually in the wrong direction. Braking, swerving and grumbling on both sides are the consequences – if it all ends harmlessly.
“Ping”
How much more relaxed it is, on the other hand, when you use a bell. A clear ‘ping’ at just the right moment, and pedestrians move to the side of the path. Many don’t even turn round, because the ‘ping’ clearly signals to them: a bike coming up from behind. Parents pull their children out of the way, slower cyclists grip their handlebars more firmly and keep to the right. Nobody gets a fright. If you then give a friendly smile as you pass, or even say “thank you”, everyone has a lovely afternoon.
Sounding Ring
Before I forget: in my opinion, there’s only one bell that deserves to be clipped onto a – or rather, my – road bike handlebars: The Knog Oi. It blends in unobtrusively, has a simple yet elegant design, is well-made and produces a relatively loud, clearly audible yet pleasant sound. The basic version with the – albeit bend-prone – plastic spring clapper costs around 20 euros, the version with the rocker arm 30 euros, and the one with the brass bracket 40 euros. It is available in two sizes for handlebars with a round cross-section (small: 22.2 millimetres; large: 23.8 to 31.8 millimetres).
Incidentally, the bell is also the only thing I’m allowed to have on my handlebars. But that’s another story …
>> The essential kit for gravel beginners
>> Cooling clothing for hot days on the bike
>> Road cycling in hot weather: the most important tips
Thomas Musch
Publisher
