Horns are also better for alerting motorists to your presence, as the sound of a gentle bell won’t always carry over engine noise into a car. For some, that volume is a downside. If you’re a cyclist who prefers a more sedate ride, then sounding a horn might not be to your taste. Some also find horns harder to use than a simple bell. That’s worth considering since you’ll need to relinquish at least a little control (usually during a crucial moment) of your bike to sound the horn.

Do you want to hide your bike bell, or make it known? A few of the above bells stand out like a beacon; colourful orbs slapped on top of our handlebars. Others are slim and sleek, and fit right under or on top of the bars, and if you route your cables a certain way, it would be very hard to spot them. Casual commuters won’t mind the look of a bike bell, but others will want to keep it hidden on their local bunch ride. The major difference between bike horns and bells is volume. Bike horns are substantially louder than bike bells. That makes them a better choice for busy roads or the daily commute, especially if you’re surrounded by traffic.And it does appear that the original makers are striving to make their product less expensive in a bid to combat the copy issues.

Not nearly as nice as the Spurcycle bell that it is a copy of (I once bought an original as a present for a friend) Mountain Bikes – Flat or Riser Bars (22.2 mm). With flat bars or riser bars, you’re looking at 22.2 mm diameter handlebars. This is the diameter just beside your hand grip and not near the stem, which can be 25.4 mm or 31.8 mm. Wherever you like really. It's common sense to have the bell mounted somewhere in easy reach where you can still maintain maximum control of the bike and on your dominant-hand side.If you do want to fit a bicycle bell, there are now many choices on the market as plenty of bike brands have responded to the challenge of designing a compact and stylish bell that is highly audible. Want to run one on your road bike? Look for a lightweight bell made from brass alloy, or consider a very compact and discreet solution like Canyon's Ring bar end bell. If you're after something that will suit your commuter or retro bike, there are still lots of more traditional-looking options too. Road Bikes – Drop Bars (31.8 mm). Road bikes of the last 10 years use a 31.8 mm diameter drop bar. Some drop bars’ diameter might taper down to 23.8 mm towards the drop. Since you’ll be mounting the bell near the stem, go for the 31.8 mm diameter. You're not legally obliged to have a bicycle bell, but they can be a handy way to give a friendly warning of your approach. We favour a pleasant tone and the option to have the bell sound constantly. I'm not saying that the original makers intended that, I would imagine it is a well-known option in marketing? Bicycle bells can be a sensible addition to your bike though, whether cycling along shared-used paths or quiet country lanes with horse riders and dog walkers that might not hear a cyclist approaching.