Why do bike bells stop working when they get wet?
- Thread starter Pat "5mph"
- Start date
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For some reason I was stupid enough to click on the sound icon on that link whilst wearing my headphones.
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
According to that most unimpeachable resource Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_bell
Some bells, particularly these "ping" types, work poorly in rainy conditions because water drops clinging to the bell damp the vibrations which produce sound.[citation needed]
Ah "citation needed". So Wikipedia isn't really sure.
Some bells, particularly these "ping" types, work poorly in rainy conditions because water drops clinging to the bell damp the vibrations which produce sound.[citation needed]
Ah "citation needed". So Wikipedia isn't really sure.
Racing roadkill
Guru
Partial credit to them. Air compresses, water doesn’t. In order to set up a sound wave ( which are longitudinal pressure waves )they require the medium in which they sit to be compressible. When they’re wet, they are effectively in an incompressible fluid.
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
My dingy one doesn't work well covered in mud and water.
iandg
Legendary Member
- Location
- Dumfries and Galloway
A broken helmet won't make my broken bell work @User9609
So many opportunities for innuendo in that statement, but it's a family friendly site
Last edited:
twentysix by twentyfive
Clinging on tightly
- Location
- Over the Hill
Being a Bicycle Belle as you undoubtedly are @Pat "5mph" I'd suggest you'd work better in the rain with a good waterproof jacket and some waterproof longs. HTH 
Vantage
Carbon fibre... LMAO!!!
- Location
- Behind everyone else, Bolton
You can't use something like that on pedestrians.
Racing roadkill
Guru
Yeah you can.
pawl
Legendary Member
- Location
- Desford Leicestershire
Well I don’t work very well in the rain.
Vantage
Carbon fibre... LMAO!!!
- Location
- Behind everyone else, Bolton
Only a massive nob would do so.
Racing roadkill
Guru
Oh you’d be surprised how effective they are against phone zombies / headphone obliviatos.
Nigelnightmare
Über Member
I 'rang' the 'ping ping' bell at some Pedestrians with dogs on the cycle route (no response) as I got closer I called out to them.
'Daddy oik' shouts "Use your bell" & turns his back, so I gave a nice long blast on the 'Airzound' right behind them (about 3 feet).
Dogs took off dragging 'Daddy oik' and two others through the nettles & brambles either side.
'Daddy oik' calls police.
The Police watch my 'go pro' footage and laugh out loud.
Then tell 'Daddy oik' that not only do cyclists have right of way but that the cyclist was using the audible warning system as is required by LAW.
They also pointed out that it is NOT actually a public footpath.
"It's a cycle way and must be treated as you would any other 'single track road'."
They also fined Daddy oik & co for not cleaning up after their dogs (no poop bags).
New signs have been erected on the route detailing who has right of way on it.
Now when I use that cycle path I give a quick toot on the 'Airzound' and everybody moves to the side to let me past.
So you not only 'can' use something like that on pedestrians', you should, for that is the use for which it was designed & intended.
An audible warning system to alert other road users of your presence (if you think they have not seen you).
I also have a Hornit (not as loud as the Airzound) and find the high pitched sound really freaks dogs out (people not so much), so I tend to use the other sound.
Most think it's a car alarm! and ignore it.
P.S.
'Daddy oik' is the nickname he's got now courtesy of his kids. Bless 'em.
Racing roadkill
Guru
The Hornit is actually louder than the airzound ( 15dB is 15dB )I 'rang' the 'ping ping' bell at some Pedestrians with dogs on the cycle route (no response) as I got closer I called out to them.
'Daddy oik' shouts "Use your bell" & turns his back, so I gave a nice long blast on the 'Airzound' right behind them (about 3 feet).
Dogs took off dragging 'Daddy oik' and two others through the nettles & brambles either side.
'Daddy oik' calls police.
The Police watch my 'go pro' footage and laugh out loud.
Then tell 'Daddy oik' that not only do cyclists have right of way but that the cyclist was using the audible warning system as is required by LAW.
They also pointed out that it is NOT actually a public footpath.
"It's a cycle way and must be treated as you would any other 'single track road'."
They also fined Daddy oik & co for not cleaning up after their dogs (no poop bags).
New signs have been erected on the route detailing who has right of way on it.
Now when I use that cycle path I give a quick toot on the 'Airzound' and everybody moves to the side to let me past.
So you not only 'can' use something like that on pedestrians', you should, for that is the use for which it was designed & intended.
An audible warning system to alert other road users of your presence (if you think they have not seen you).
I also have a Hornit (not as loud as the Airzound) and find the high pitched sound really freaks dogs out (people not so much), so I tend to use the other sound.
Most think it's a car alarm! and ignore it.
P.S.
'Daddy oik' is the nickname he's got now courtesy of his kids. Bless 'em.
