Now that mountain biking is so popular and there are more and more bikers out on the trail along with the hikers that share the same trail we need to find a way to all get along. You most likely have received your share of dirty looks (or worse) as you came up too fast on some hikers or almost ran them off the trail because you didn't see them and they didn't hear you coming. There needs to be a way that we can all get along and not kill each other on accident or on purpose! |
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One company called Timber has come up with an innovative bell that not only sounds pleasant but actually lets you turn it off when you don't need it without having to take it off of your handlebars. It works by having a lever on the bell that will allow you to have it open or closed as you need it. This way when you want some peace and quiet you just leave it shut and when things get crowded you simply flip the lever and let the bell do its thing.
We found that the sound of this bell is much nicer than any other bell we have tried. It's hard to explain but some bells have a tone that make you want to ride off of a cliff but the Timber bell doesn't bother you a bit. Of course you may have a different opinion! Another cool feature of this bell is that you can slide the lever in between on and off to have it operate at a lower volume level. One thing to keep in mind is that the bell is bump activated so it's not going to do you much good on a road bike and won't be as noisy on smoother trails. You can however shake your bars or smack the bell if you need a quick ring to announce yourself to some approaching hikers if needed.
When we first got our Timber bell we were concerned that it might hit the frame if you turned the bars too much but for us that was not the case. We mounted it close to the stem and for our setup it sits higher than the frame so there is no chance of hitting it. This might not be the case for you depending on your handlebar type\rise and how many spacers you use or don't use under your stem. You may be able to put the bell closer to the grips if needed in order to buy yourself some clearance.
The Timber bell comes in two styles depending on how much you plan on using it. We went for the quick release model which comes with two different rubber bands that allow you to attach it to the bars and remove it very quickly. So far the band model is working great and the bell doesn't move around at all even on rough terrain. We used the bigger band to mount in on 35mm bars without any problem. They also sell replacement bands in case yours wears out or breaks. And if you are concerned about the weight of this bell ours came in at 67 grams using the larger band.
There is also a newer bolt on model that mounts more like a brake lever with a clamp that bolts on to make more of a permanent connection. This model comes with a sleeve as well to compensate for thinner bars. The initial size is 31.8 mm in diameter, but also includes a flexible 22.2 mm shim for mounting it closer to your grips.
For both models Timber has improved the internal index mechanism (or lever), and enhanced the strength of the internal clapper cable. We read some reviews that the internal bell would break off during rough rides leaving you with a bell-less bell but it appears that Timber has addressed the issue and we will find out for ourselves soon enough.
Both the quick release and bolt on model of the Timber bell will cost you around $25 but if you want a cheaper alternative you can us the Bear Bell which can be opened and closed by a magnet on the strap which stops the bell from ringing. The only problem with this bell is when things get rough the bell slides up and down your bars because the Velcro strap that is holding it on doesn't quite do the job. But at the same time it only costs $6!
