Ding Ding Ding, make way for the ultimate bike bell review guide. Here to make your bicycle navigating a bit more fun! Bells are not just a bicycle accessory. They are a necessity. How else are you supposed to make other people aware of your bicycle incoming? No, shouting and screaming will not help much.
Yes, people do use their bicycles without bells But what’s the fun in not using one? I mean why take the risk with your safety and of those around you?
Top Bike Bells- Reviewed 2023
Whether you are looking for a mountain bike trail bell or something more suitable for road bikes, I have got you covered. I have done all the necessary research, so you don’t have to do it yourself. Here are the best bike bells available for you.
Let’s get started!
- Editor’s Choice: Trigger Bell
If you are looking for the best overall bell then this is the one to go for. It is safe to use and affordable, and it also mounts up on the bike’s handlebar without a problem. - Bonmixc Bike Bell Brass Mini
If you like stylish bells then this is another classic bike bell to go for, in the brass option. This one adds a classic look to your bike and also has a very pleasant tone that you will get used to very quickly. - Spurcycle Original Vintage Bell
This is a vintage option, but only by the design. Its classic design and performance are still top-notch, and it is also very fun to use. Definitely try out this sleek option for your road bikes. - Timber! Mountain Bike Trail Bell
If you are specifically looking for a bell option for mountain bikes then go for Timber! Its design uniquely fits those who want to do mountain biking. It is also very stable on the handlebars, just wait till you try it. This is the best mountain bike bell. - Lion Urban Bell
The Lion Urban Bell is definitely the best-looking bell that I have ever come across. Its construction is premium and the quality is also amazing. - Firmstrong Classic Bicycle Bell
The Firmstrong Classic Bell is best known for cruiser bikes, but you can also use them in other bike types. It has a nice design and comes in a lot of colors. - Bobbin Embossed Ringer Bell
The Bobbin Embossed is another classic option that you should go for. The design is amazing, and it is also affordable. - RockBros Handlebar Stainless Steel Bell
This is an amazingly affordable option that will fit on any kind of bike. It even has a Vintage style that you will love. - Electra Ringer
You can get the Electra in different designs, including different colors. Be wary though, it dangerously resembles an Alien UFO. - Knog Oi Classic
The Knog Oi Classic is a completely different kind of bell, you might have not seen anything like it before. Although it performs really well, you will surely love its ding-dong tone.
1. Trigger Bell-Editor’s Choice
Price: MSRP $12
Specifications
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Material | The bell is made of brass, known for its durability and resistance to corrosion. |
| Attachment Compatibility | Easily attached to drop bars, providing flexibility for different types of bikes, including mountain bikes and trail bikes. |
| Safety Enhancement | Specifically designed to enhance rider safety, serving as an audible signal to alert others on the trail or road. |
| Versatility | Suitable for various types of riding, such as mountain biking and trail riding, making it a versatile accessory for different cycling activities. |
| Easy Access | Provides easy access for the rider to ring the bell, suggesting a user-friendly design for quick and convenient use. |
| Handlebar Compatibility | Designed to fit on handlebars with a diameter ranging from 20mm to 40mm, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of handlebar sizes. |
| Drop Bar Compatibility | Specifically mentioned to work well on drop bar bikes, indicating suitability for bikes with this specific handlebar style. |
| Wide Range of Options | Despite the recommended handlebar diameter, the mention of finding a lot of options suggests adaptability or additional features to accommodate various handlebar sizes. |
| Durability | Use of brass as the material implies a sturdy construction, contributing to the bell’s longevity and resistance to wear and tear. |
| Overall Performance | Described as the best bell available, indicating high-quality and excellent performance for cyclists. |
| Universal Use | The bell is portrayed as a versatile accessory suitable for a variety of riding scenarios, emphasizing its utility for different cycling preferences. |
| Recommendation | Encourages users to give the bell a try, suggesting confidence in its performance and functionality. |
Advantages:
- Very Safe To Use
- Can Be Easily Installed
- Reasonable price
Disadvantages:
- Not Suitable For Rainy Weather, the Sound Gets Distorted
2. Bonmixc Bike Bell Brass Mini
Price: MSRP $10
Specifications
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Best Seller on Amazon | The Bonmixc Bike Bell Brass Mini is currently Amazon’s Best Seller, reflecting its popularity and positive reviews. |
| Affordable Price | Despite its low price, the bell offers high-quality features, providing excellent value for money. |
| Convenient Usage | The usage of the bell is very convenient, ensuring ease of operation for the cyclist. |
| Attractive Design | The design of the bell is attractive, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the bike. |
| Double-Ding Sound | Equipped with a double-ding sound, the bell can effectively alert people in the surroundings. |
| Quick Installation | The bell can be installed in a matter of seconds, providing a hassle-free setup for the user. |
| Adjustable Placement | The bell placement can be on either the right or left side of the handlebars, offering flexibility for the rider’s preference. |
| Handlebar Compatibility | Designed to fit handlebars with a diameter of 21-23mm, ensuring compatibility with a specific range of handlebar sizes. |
Advantages:
- Affordable Price Tag
- Great Design
- Easily Installed
Disadvantages:
- It Has A Very Small Mount
3. Spurcycle Original Vintage Bell
Price: MSRP $49
Specifications
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Design and Affordability | The Spurcycle Original Vintage Bell excels in both design and affordability, making it a standout choice for cyclists. |
| Retro Bell | It is a retro bell, featuring a vintage design that adds a unique and stylish touch to your bike. |
| Universal Placement | Can be placed on any handle and offers flexibility in different styles to suit individual preferences. |
| Audibility | Even in crowded areas, the bell can be heard by pedestrians and people in cars, ensuring effective communication. |
| Drop Bar Compatibility | Caution is advised as the bell could potentially scrape drop bars if not handled carefully. |
| Handlebar Diameter Compatibility | Compatible with two diameter specifications: 31.8mm and 22.2mm handlebars. |
| Amazing Quality | The bell is praised for its amazing quality, highlighting its durability and performance. |
| Affordable Price Tag | Despite its high quality, the Spurcycle Original Vintage Bell is affordable, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers. |
| Recommendation | Encourages users to get their hands on this bell, emphasizing its quality and affordability. |
Advantages:
- Attractive Vintage style
- Amazing Quality
- Variable Fitting Design
Disadvantages:
- Mounting Can Scrape The Bike Bars
- Expensive
4. Timber! Mountain Bike Trail Bell
Price: MSRP $24.95
Specifications
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Specifically for Mountain Bikes | The Timber Mountain Bike Bell is designed specifically for mountain bikes, catering to the needs of trail riders. |
| High-Pitched Sound | Offers a high-pitched chiming sound, providing a unique and attention-grabbing alert for trail riding. |
| Unique Design | The design of the bell is described as absolutely unique, adding a distinctive aesthetic to the mountain bike. |
| Adjustable Sound | Features a different type of chiming sound, allowing riders to experience a sound unlike anything heard before. Additionally, it can be turned off if desired. |
| Trail Riding Convenience | The bell is highlighted as particularly handy for mountain bikers, especially on busy paths during trail riding. |
| Hands-Free Operation | Provides a continuous bell option, allowing it to operate on its own without requiring the rider to manually ring the bell, reducing hand fatigue. |
Advantages:
- Unique Structure For Mountain Bikes
- Continuous Noise Option, Best For Busy Paths
- Stable Design
Disadvantages:
- Bulky Construction
5. Lion Urban
Price: Starting At ยฃ19.95
Specifications
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Classic Bike Bell | The Lion Urban Classic Bike Bell is a classic and beautiful bell, standing out as one of the most aesthetically pleasing options. |
| Distinctive Design | The bell’s design is described as beautiful, to the extent that it may be mistaken for something else at times. |
| Trigger Mechanism | Produces a “Ding” sound when the trigger is pushed, providing a classic and recognizable bell sound. |
| Extended Ringing | The bell sound lasts around 20 seconds, making it an ideal choice for urban adventures where a longer alert may be beneficial. |
| Versatility | Available in different sizes to fit various handlebar sizes, offering versatility and compatibility for different bikes. |
Advantages:
- Amazing Design
- Loud Sound
- Premium Construction
Disadvantages:
- Expensive
6. Firmstrong Classic Bicycle Bell
Price: MSRP $15.99
Specifications
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Versatile Use | The Firmstrong Classic Bike Bell is suitable for a wide range of bikes, making it an all-rounder choice for various cyclists. |
| Compatibility | Fits seamlessly on different types of bikes, catering to the needs of road bikes, mountain bikes, cruiser bikes, hybrid bikes, and more. |
| Universal Appeal | An amazing choice for every kind of cyclist due to its universal compatibility with various bike types. |
| Size Consideration | Noted that the size is relatively big, but this characteristic is viewed positively, potentially enhancing visibility and audibility. |
| Color Variety | Available in different colors, providing options for cyclists to choose a bell that suits their preferences or matches their bike’s aesthetics. |
Advantages:
- Amazing tone
- Attractive Design
- Versatility
Disadvantages:
- Might Be Too Big For Some
- Expensive
7. Bobbin Embossed Ringer Bell
Price: MSRP ยฃ9
Specifications
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Retro Design | The Bobbin Retro Bike Bell features a retro design, offering a nostalgic aesthetic to the cyclist. |
| Quality Build | Despite being a retro bell, the quality is top-notch, ensuring durability and performance. |
| Size and Color Options | Available in different sizes and colors, providing customization options for cyclists to choose the one that suits their preferences or bike aesthetics. |
| Universal Compatibility | Fits on the majority of bike types, offering versatility in its usage across various bicycles. |
| High-Pitched Sound | Produces a high-pitched sound, simple and effective, suitable for commuting purposes. |
| Specialized Use | While perfect for commuting, it may not be the best choice for road bikes or mountain bikes, as specified. |
Advantages:
- Retro, Vintage Look
- Affordable Price
- Suitable For Most Bike Types
Disadvantages:
- Bulky Design
8. RockBros Handlebar Stainless Steel Bell
Price: MSRP $10.45
Specifications
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Material | The RockBros Stainless Steel Bike Bell is made of stainless steel, offering both visual appeal and high-quality construction, similar to the Spurcycle Vintage Bell. |
| Affordability | Despite its premium appearance, the bell is priced significantly lower than comparable options, providing a cost-effective alternative. |
| Color Variety | Available in different colors, allowing cyclists to choose a bell that matches their preferences or bike aesthetics. |
| One-Mount System | The one-mount system works well, simplifying the installation process for users. |
| Universal Size | Comes in one size that can fit on all sorts of bikes, ensuring versatility and compatibility. |
| Age Suitability | Best suited for adults, as the lever may be hard to reach for kids. |
| High-Speed Consideration | Suggested for cyclists not always going at high-speed, recommending an alternative bell for those situations. |
Advantages:
- Amazing Value
- Old-School Vintage Look
- One-Size For All Bikes
Disadvantages:
- Not Practical Enough
9. Electra Ringer
Price: MSRP $12.99
Specifications
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Unique Design | The Electra Ringer Bike Bell features a flying saucer design, providing a distinctive and playful appearance. |
| Alternative Designs | Available in various designs, including an ice cream cone, offering cyclists a range of creative choices. |
| Color Variety | Comes in different colors, allowing users to select a bell that matches their preferences or bike aesthetics. |
| Old-School Charm | Being an old-school bell, the Electra Ringer promises a nostalgic and fun experience for the user. |
| Enjoyable | Described as a bell that provides a lot of fun, making it an enjoyable accessory for cyclists. |
Advantages:
- Different Designs
- Amazing Colors
- Great sound
Disadvantages:
- Stock Issues
10. Knog Oi Classic
Price: Starting At $15
Specifications
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Unique Design | The Knog Oi Classic Bike Bell is noted as the weirdest and most unique bell, setting it apart from conventional designs. |
| Novel Approach | Its novel approach to design has made it famous, adding a touch of creativity to the cycling accessory. |
| Loud and Effective | Despite its unconventional design, the bell is described as loud and efficiently gets the job done. |
| Elegant Design | The elegant design of the Knog Oi Classic serves as a compelling reason to choose this bell as an accessory. |
| Handlebar Compatibility | Fits handlebars with diameters ranging from 23.8mm to 31.6mm, providing compatibility with a variety of bikes. |
Advantages:
- Novel Design
- Great tone
Disadvantages:
- Expensive
How To Choose The Best Bike Bell For Your Bike?
Here are all the aspects that you should know about when getting a bike bell.
1. Pay Attention To The Sound Quality
When getting the bike, the main thing that matters the most is the quality of sound, how loud the bell is actually. Although it also depends on you, where will you be using the bike? Loud and crowded areas or just peaceful neighborhoods?
If you want to tear through the busy city traffic then an air horn will do the trick for you. Here is a general idea of the decibels to look for according to your riding environment.
- Quite environment: 60-70 decibels (dB)
- Moderate: 70-80 decibels
- Busy roads: 80-90 decibels
2. Consider Your Budget
Your budget for the bike bell is going to matter. Although these bells are not expensive there are still some pricey ones out there. Remember, more price does not equal more quality. You can get an amazing bell for a cheap price.
Sometimes, when the quality of sound is great and the bike has premium construction, it might be expensive.
3. Get The Right Size and Fitting
Make sure that the bell you get fits your bike, try it out first. Or in some cases, if you are planning on changing your bike then the bell that you get must fit there too. Ideally, The bell mount should be fit for all sorts of bikes. For a kid’s bike get a bell with smaller mounts.
4. It Is Important To Get A Durable Bell
When bells are cheap, like less than $10, they seem like an easy way to get the job done but chances are that they won’t last long. You need to go for bells that can last for a while. Brass or stainless steel bells are expensive but they last longer than the other bells. Kid’s bells can be cheap though!
5. Consider The Different Types Of Bike Bells
There are different types of bike bells that you can choose from. You can use them for a road bike, commuter bikes, drop bar bikes, and most importantly kids’ bikes. It does not matter what kind of bell you will eventually choose, as both types will get the job done for you. The effectiveness of the job counts but you should be able to enjoy all these bell types.
- Classic Cycle Bells
- Air Horns
| Bell Type | Description | Mounting | Sound | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Cycle Bells | The traditional bicycle bell dating back to the 1800s, is often made of brass and known for the familiar “Loud Ding” sound. | Mounted easily on bikes with a plastic clamp or a tab/ringer that is struck to produce the sound. | “Loud Ding” sound, generated by striking the tab or ringer against the exterior of the bell. | Perfect for those who prefer a low-profile and classic design. |
| Air Horns | Functions differently from classic cycle bells, utilizing pressurized air to emit a powerful blast, similar to a shockwave. | Can be larger and may have an air reservoir mounted in the bottle cage, some models allow refilling with water. | Bigger and louder than traditional bells, emitting a powerful blast of air. | Not considered fun options, reserved for emergencies due to the potential to easily annoy people. |
FAQs
Are bike bells worth it?
Bike bells are a worthwhile investment, offering an affordable and effective safety accessory for cyclists. They help alert pedestrians, other cyclists, and animals to your presence, facilitating polite communication on the road or trail. In some jurisdictions, a bell is even legally required. Overall, bike bells contribute to a safer and more courteous riding environment, making them a valuable addition to your bicycle.
When should I use my bike bell?
Bike bells should be used to ensure safety and courtesy while cycling, particularly when you need to alert others to your presence. A good time to ring your bell is when you’re 15-20 meters behind the people you want to warn, giving them time to move out of the way. This is helpful when approaching pedestrians from behind, overtaking other cyclists, navigating blind corners, or entering shared spaces. Using your bike bell in these situations can prevent potential accidents and promote a responsible and courteous riding environment.
Are you supposed to have a bell on your bike?
The requirement for a bike bell depends on your location, with some places making it compulsory, like the Netherlands and certain US states. In most areas, it’s recommended but not strictly enforced. Familiarize yourself with local laws to ensure compliance, and remember that having a bell is a good safety practice, helping alert others to your presence and reducing accident risks.
How loud should a bike bell be?
A bike bell should be loud enough for others to hear without surprising or scaring them. Ideally, bike bell sounds should be around 25-50db. While some electric bells on the market can reach 125db, this is excessive and could cause discomfort. It’s crucial to choose a bell that meets local regulations and is suitable for the typical riding conditions you encounter, ensuring that it effectively alerts others to your presence without causing unnecessary distress.
Recap
Bikes are incomplete without bells, which is why you need to get the best ones for your bike. These bells make sure that you can easily traverse through traffic and also notify others of your presence in a crowd. For the rider’s safety, the bells are a must.
From the list, I found that the best bell was the Trigger Bell. The design, price, and sound quality are all top-notch.
I talked about different bell types, and how they are different, and also discussed how to get the perfect bell for your bike. Hopefully, this covers all of your questions about bells, if you have more for, you know the drill!
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