When living in a city, it’s more important than ever to make yourself as noticeable as possible as a cyclist. From hi-vis jackets in low-light conditions and reflective lights to extra-loud bike bells.
That’s why we’re here to talk you through just what to consider when purchasing the latter product in order to prevent being lumbered with a blunt and useless bell that belongs in a landfill after just one measly use.
Though bike bells hold the ability to relentlessly annoy pedestrians and family members alike, safety comes first – and sometimes that means finding the loudest, most ostentatious bike bell on the market. After all, you wouldn’t drive a car without a working horn, and not all of us are blessed with a voice as loud or aggressive as Ted Lasso’s Roy Kent shouting ‘Whistle’ that could not doubt be heard when cycling on busy streets or with companions.
What to consider when purchasing a bike bell:
- Size: ensure the bell you purchase doesn’t take up too much room and that it fits the diameter of your handlebars. This is especially important if you purchase a bolt-on model.
- Terrain: cycling in the city requires loud bike bells to make sure pedestrians and drivers can hear you over the ruckus of traffic. Plus, you never know when you’re going to hit a bump on city roads, so it’s best not to purchase a bell which is sensitive to movement. On the flipside, mountain bikes require loud bells which can ring without manual intervention so that riders can keep both hands firmly on the handlebars. This means the bell should be sensitive to terrain, sounding after every large bump, twist and turn.
- Tone: though not a deal-breaker, the bell’s tone can be incredibly important. Different shapes will produce various sounds, from high-pitched sonorous rings to lower, more static dings.
We’ve rounded up a selection of the best bike bells on the market, no matter your needs.
Best bike bells 2023 at a glance:
- Best for minimalist luxury: Knog Oi Bike Bell - £29.56, Amazon
- Best for value-for-money practicality: XLC Mini Bell Multi Size - £4.99, Tredz
- Best for comedic value: Oxford Bugle - £7.49, Tredz
- Best for extra-terrestrials: Lezyne Classic Shallow Brass Bell - £12, Wiggle
- Best for loud and proud: Elops 120 Bike Bell - £3.99, Decathlon
- Best for retro-fit: Elops 540 Classic Bike Bell - £7.99, Decathlon
- Best for it’s going down, I’m yelling…: Timber! Mountain Bike Bell - £32.99, Amazon
- Best for cuteness overload: YihuiKo Strawberry Bike Bell - £7.99, Amazon
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Knog Oi Bike Bell
Best for: minimalist luxury
Sleek, stylish and designed to take up minimal space on your handlebars, the Knog Oi bicycle bell will produce a clear and loud tone to warn any potential hazards of your presence.
Available in silver, black or brass, the one-size-fits-all option fits handlebars with a diameter between 238 and 31.88mm. However, this set also comes with an Allan key for easy installation and tightening, as well as an additional rubber strip to accommodate handlebars with smaller diameters.
Buy now £29.56, Amazon
XLC Mini Bell Multi Size
Best for: value-for-money practicality
On the other end of the spectrum is this sub £5 bike bell from XLC crafted from an ultra-lightweight alloy. It’ll fit both standard and oversized handlebars, can be mounted in various positions, and is as easy to install as it gets thanks to the quick-release ring straps.
Buy now £4.99, Tredz
Oxford Bugle
Best for: comedic value
Though this horn looks like it belongs on a clown car rather than a bicycle, we can’t help but pop the old-fashioned and frankly hilarious model in this round-up. Plus, a classic pump horn produces a loud and brash noise – perfect for those who struggle to make themselves heard in busy urban traffic jams.
Buy now £7.49, Tredz
Lezyne Classic Shallow Brass Bell
Best for: extra-terrestrials
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, this unidentified ringing object is actually a bike bell – believe it or not. Crafted from extra-shiny, highly-polished brass you’ll not only be seen when riding your bike around town, but you’ll most definitely be heard.
Buy now £12.00, Wiggle
Elops 120 Bike Bell – White
Best for: loud and proud
One of Decathlon’s most popular models with almost 9,000 positive reviews to boot, this cheap and cheerful bell proves that you don’t need to spend a fortune for uncompromising performance. Designed for primary use in suburban areas and less noisy environments, this bell is effective without producing too overwhelming of a ring.
Buy now £3.99, Decathlon
Elops 540 Classic Bike Bell
Best for: retro-fit
Wonderfully chic, this retro-inspired bike bell is a loud one. We love the spherical, polished brass design and the fact that it doesn’t take up too much space on handlebars – fitting snugly at the crux of the metal and rubber grips.
Buy now £7.99, Decathlon
Timber! Mountain Bike Bell
Best for: it’s going down, I’m yelling…
Timber! has produced a fantastic bolt-on mountain bike bell for our adventurous forest dwellers out there. Designed to fit all handlebar sizes, the mountain bike bell can’t be manually ‘dinged’, but instead operates on a movement basis. Switch between the three toggle settings – silent, constant and loud – and the bell will sound accordingly based on your movements on bumpy terrains.
Buy now £32.99, Aamazon
YihuiKo Strawberry Bike Bell
Best for: cuteness overload
Though technically designed for children, we won’t judge you if you’d like your very own adorable strawberry bike bell on your grown-up bike. After all, it’s stylish and functional – producing a loud, sonorous ring even in louder environments.
Buy now £7.99, Amazon
