Should I keep the bell??

[Sluicehoops]

Hello
This is my first post on this forum, although i've been trawling it for information for a while now. Its about time I said hello.
I've taken on board much of the good advice given here regarding bikes, LBS and such. Thanks.

And after many years of bashing around on my old mountain bike, i've finally taken the
plunge, and bought my first road bike today! - complete with reflectors and bell??!
I got a 2008 Trek 1.7 for 550 quid - I thought this was a good deal.

There may well be lots of road bike questions in due course...
But for now, should I keep the bell?? Or is that a cycling fashion faux pas?

 

[HLaB]

I don't think you legally have too, I removed the bell from my road bikes. I suppose it depends what riding you do. I still have a mini flick bell fitted to the hybrid but I use that in town and there's more interaction with peds.

 

[purplepolly]

The highway code recommends that a bell is fitted but it's not a requirement. However

- if you remove it, you'll have to shout at the pedestrian who's about to step out in front of you.

- an unexpected loud 'ping' can come in handy if a dog suddenly decides you're prey

 

[asterix]

What's a 'cycling fashion faux pas'? Just do your own thing; if you want a bell then have a bell.

My new bike will be steel with steel forks and that's what I want altho I could afford a full-carbon bike with both bells AND whistles.

 

[MacB]

What's a 'cycling fashion faux pas'? Just do your own thing; if you want a bell then have a bell.

My new bike will be steel with steel forks and that's what I want altho I could afford a full-carbon bike with both bells AND whistles.

I find that what I can afford and what I can spend, and remain on friendly terms with my wife, are very different numbers

 

[BentMikey]

Bell? Depends on the bike, but I wouldn't keep a bell. Throw it away, and the wheel reflectors, and the chain/spoke protector. You don't need it legally, or for pedestrians. Most will smile if you call out a "Grring gring".

 

[ufkacbln]

The bell, along with reflectors are a legal requirement.......
















At the point of sale. They must leave the shop with them fitted. What you do afterwards is up to you - if you are likely to use it then keep it.

 

[bonj2]

no. just get a hope pro3 hub, if they're anything like as loud as a pro2 mtb hub they'refine for getting peds out the way

 

[HLaB]

no. just get a hope pro3 hub, if they're anything like as loud as a pro2 mtb hub they'refine for getting peds out the way

I like my campag hubs for that very reason

 

[Cranky]

It's entirely up to you, naturally. FWIW I have a bell on my MTB (which is also my tourer) and the pub bike because I have to use shared bike/pedestrian facilities on both, but I don't have one on my road bike. Of course, you can always make other noises to alert people of your approach!

 

[Stange]

Hello
This is my first post on this forum, although i've been trawling it for information for a while now. Its about time I said hello.
I've taken on board much of the good advice given here regarding bikes, LBS and such. Thanks.

And after many years of bashing around on my old mountain bike, i've finally taken the
plunge, and bought my first road bike today! - complete with reflectors and bell??!
I got a 2008 Trek 1.7 for 550 quid - I thought this was a good deal.

There may well be lots of road bike questions in due course...
But for now, should I keep the bell?? Or is that a cycling fashion faux pas?

Firstly, well done on the bike, I spent more than that on a 2009 1.5 yesterday. Secondly, the first thing I did when I got home was take the bell and front reflector off, (then the wheel reflectors). I left the rear one on though. I have no logic for this at all.

 

[Neilwoo123]

I find that what I can afford and what I can spend, and remain on friendly terms with my wife, are very different numbers

+1

 

[Wigsie]

I find that what I can afford and what I can spend, and remain on friendly terms with my wife, are very different numbers

+1 but saying that you can always 'lose' the value reciept on the way back from the bike shop! which of course for the record is NOT what I did yesterday! Apparently over £1000 on something you have to pedal and cant take a child seat is too much when our nexy baby is due in 8 weeks? ha ha

as for the reflector/bell topic, Mine didnt even make it out the bike shop, but 99.9% of my riding are rural roads, if you are riding on shared urban roads, paths or pavements (well you shouldnt really be doing that unless you are 5!) then the odd polite shout is enough for pedestrians, whatever you feel comfortable with is best, my boss rides with a bell (on a 1.7 as it happens) as he doesnt like using his voice to deter people walking out infront of him for fear of offending them?

 

[Sluicehoops]

Cheers All,
The bell is now off.

 

[HJ]

The bell is only really useful if you ride on shared paths, just to let peds know you are coming...