WHILE all new bikes will come with a bike bell as standard, you’re going to want to upgrade it if you really want to be heard on the road or trails.
Although it’s not required by law to have a bell on your bike, they can come in handy if you need to alert the attention of pedestrians and other road users, and their unique frequency usually cuts through noise more clearly than using your voice.
Bell designs have changed a bit in recent years too, and they can now be considered a cool accessory to have on your bike.
From beautifully crafted pieces to ones that integrate with cycling computer mounts, this new wave of bells are not only safe and practical but look good while doing it.
In fact, most bells now wouldn’t look out of place on an expensive mountain or road bike.
So whether you’re looking for a simple upgrade to the bell fitted to your new bike or want something stylish, check out the below guide to see the best bells currently on the market.
1. BBB Loud & Clear Bell
- BBB Loud & Clear Bell, £3.11 from Tredz – buy here
If looking to upgrade the cheap, plastic bell included on your bike by the shop you bought it from, then the Loud & Clear bell by BBB is a good place to start.
It has a unique spring system that makes it really loud (hence its name) and a durable and lightweight build that will survive year-round commuting.
2. Knog Oi Classic Bicycle Bell
- Knog Oi Classic Bike Bell, £11.20 from Evans Cycles - buy here
The Oi by Aussie brand Knog is a slimmed-down approach to a bell that, on the face of it, doesn’t look like a bell at all.
Its small profile wraps around your bike’s handlebars and is narrow enough to be able to compete for space even if you’ve already got a GPS mount and lights attached too.
Available in two different sizes and a range of four colours, there should be one to match your bike.
3. Timber! Mountain Bike Trail Bell V2.0 Bolt On
- Timber Mountain Bike Trail Bell V2.0 Bolt On, £24.99 from Amazon - buy here
As the name of this bell suggests, it’s built with mountain bike trails in mind.
The cowbell-like design can be attached to your handlebars and continuously rings when riding over rough terrain, removing the need to ring it manually. The sound will not only make you feel like you’re part of a downhill world championship, but it will help alert others on the trails to your whereabouts too.
Fortunately, it can also be silenced with the flick of a switch, giving your ears a rest when not riding on the trails.
4. CloseTheGap HideMyBell
- HideMyBell, £30.20 from Amazon - buy here
Many road and mountain bikers don’t use a bell because it can often be hard to find space on narrow handlebars.
Enter HideMyBell by CloseTheGap. The ingenious invention integrates a loud and rattle-free bell into a GPS unit’s mount, killing two birds with one stone.
What’s more, the pack includes a variety of adapters to suit all brands of bike GPS, including Garmin and Wahoo.
5. Spurcycle Bell
- Spurcycle Bell, £49.99 from Condor – buy here
There’s no escaping the fact that this bell by American brand Spurcycle is expensive. At £50, it’s quite a sizeable investment, but it’s the chime that could make it worth the cost.
The company claims that it rings for three-times as long as other bells, helping you to be noticed on the road long after you’ve rung it.
Either way, it certainly looks the part, and its stylish raw or black finish would compliment any commuter bike.
6. Trigger Bell Safer Bike Bell
- Trigger Bell Safer Bike Bell, £10.99 from Wiggle - buy here
A bike bell is all well and good if you have a flat handlebar, but what if you ride on the drops, as you would on a road bike?
Enter the Trigger Bell. The safety accessory's clever design means it can be attached to various points of the handlebar, and can even be secured to your road bike’s hoods, allowing you to ring your bell and still use both sets of brakes
It’s also compact enough that you wouldn’t even notice it – ideal if you’ve got an expensive machine and don’t want to detract from its picture-perfect design.
7. Lion Bellworks Classic Bell
- Lion Bellworks Classic Bell, £19.95 from Lion Bellworks - buy here
Looking for the perfect finishing touch to your uber-cool retro town bike? This British made creation from Lion Bellworks could be just the ticket.
Although vintage in looks, the solid brass dome is completely modern – its parts are made Birmingham and Barnsley before being assembled in Manchester.
If that wasn’t enough, for an extra £5.95 you can even get a custom engraving – making it a perfect birthday gift or Christmas present for a cycling-mad friend or family member.
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