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Whether you’re a city rider or a trail enthusiast, you share your space with other people and often vehicles as well, so making your presence known to those around you is of the utmost importance.
You really have two options for communication while cycling: yell or bell. Since your voice may not always be loud enough to get the job done—and we’re all familiar with that friendly ping that instinctively signals us to move to the side—adding a bell to your bike is a cheap and easy way to improve the safety and efficiency of your ride.
There are a lot of bicycle bells on the market. The selection might be a bit overwhelming, or you may think there’s little difference between them. But the truth is that there’s a lot of variance in the quality, cost, style, and engineering of these bells.
If you don’t want to spend a fortune but still want to make sure this is the last bike bell you ever have to buy, then jump straight to the Spurcycle Original.
Beyond that, bike bells have evolved. There is now a wide range to choose from with varying sounds and styles. You can stick with a classic or go for something that hardly looks like a bell at all.
Quick Picks: Top 3 Bike Bells That Get the Job Done
 | 1. Spurcycle Original Vintage flair with 21st-century tone Check availability |
 | 2. Crane E-Ne Quality components at a reasonable price Check availability |
 | 3. Knog Oi Wrap-around design stays out of your way Check availability |
What to Consider When Shopping for a Bicycle Bell
There are some important factors to consider when making your selection, such as the type of bike you ride, where you ride it, and how loud you need your bell to be. It’s important to find a bell that suits your particular needs, so let’s dive into a few considerations before you start your search. Then we’ll break down all our favorites.
How You’ll Use Your Bicycle Bell
The type of bicycle you ride will greatly influence your bell selection. If you’re a city rider, you’ll want a loud bicycle bell so you can be heard in heavy traffic. Ringing a bell that no one can hear is both frustrating and dangerous. Fortunately, there’s no need to sacrifice style. Several options balance sound and style beautifully.
If you’re primarily a mountain biker, something rugged with a lower tone might suit you better. There are even adjustable mountain bike bells that ding with a consistent low tone as you hit the bumps and grooves of the trail, signaling your presence around tight corners. They can be lifesavers for those who love to charge down the mountain.
Loudness of a Bike Bell
You want to choose something loud enough to be heard clearly, but the tone is really up to you. Bike bells come in a diverse range of tones—high, mid-range, and low—so you can find one that isn’t jarring or distracting but loud enough to be useful for communication on the road, path, or trail. Road users who commute in heavy traffic will definitely want something loud.
Shape and Diameter of Handlebars
Many bicycle bells have a universal mount, but others are made with specific types of bikes in mind. Road bikes, mountain bikes, commuter bikes, and BMX bikes all have slightly different handlebar shapes and diameters. Give your handlebar a quick measure before you start your search, just to be sure, or opt for a bell with a universal mount.
Material and Durability
Even the most high-tech bells won’t break the bank, which means you have a lot of freedom when choosing what’s right for you. Metal bells are the loudest bike bells and often the most durable, but a plastic or mixed-material bell can also go the distance if it’s made with quality components. You can spend a lot of money if you’re particular about style or brand, but there are a lot of mid-range and even budget-conscious options that offer a slick design and quality sound.
With all that in mind, let’s check out our favorite bicycle bells currently on the market and find one that’s right for you.
Top 10 Best Bike Bells in Detail
1. Spurcycle Original Bell (One of the Loudest Bicycle Bells)
Check availability
Looking for something with that vintage flair that doesn’t have a vintage sound? The Spurcycle Original bell’s got you covered. Made with stainless steel and brass, the Spurcycle Original has a loud and lasting sound. You can choose between black or silver, and this bell has got some style. It would look fantastic on a vintage cruiser, but it’s high-performance enough for your road or mountain bike, too. It’s at a slightly higher price point, but you’re getting quality components and thoughtful styling for a bell that will last a lifetime.
Pros
- Quality components
- Loud and lasting sound
- Stylish
- Fits any handlebars
Cons
- A bit pricier
2. Crane E-Ne Bell
Check availability If you like that vintage style but are looking for something a bit more simple and cost-effective, the Crane E-Ne bells are a great choice. A bit smaller than the Spurcycle but with four fun color options, the E-Ne model has a slightly pared-down design, but it still rings loud and true. It falls in the mid-range price category, so you’re still getting quality components.
Pros
- Stylish
- Loud sound
- Affordable
- Fits most handlebars
- Four color options
Cons
- We’re stumped—it’s a good one!
3. Knog Oi Aluminum Bike Bell
Check availability The Knog Oi is the slickest bell out there. Rather than protruding above your handlebar, as most bells do, it has a snug wrap-around design. The sound is just as refined, with a pleasant mid-range tone, but keep in mind it isn’t the loudest of the bunch. If you’re resistant to adding a bell to your bike because of the potentially obtrusive nature, then this beauty might just sway you.
The Knog Oi comes in four colors and two sizes that will accommodate most handlebar diameters. They offer a spacer as well if you still need to dial in your fit. There’s also a handy cable organizer to keep your handlebar slick and streamlined.
Pros
- Streamlined design
- Pleasant tone
- Fits most handlebars
- Cable organizer
- Four color options
Cons
- Could be louder
4. BONMIXC Brass Mini Bike Bell
Check availability A tighter, slicker version of the classic brass bell, the BONMIXC is still distinctly a bell, protruding up from the handlebars in a compact dome shape. With a loud but friendly double-ding, it has a pared-down design that doesn’t call too much attention to itself—until you need it to. The plastic-and-brass combo is not of the highest quality, but it is one of the most affordable and certainly gets the job done.
Pros
- Super-affordable
- Unobtrusive design
- Loud
Cons
- Cheaper components
- Only fits handlebars up to 23.0 mm
5. Lezyne Classic Brass Bicycle Bell
Check availability For a classic look with a compact style, the Lezyne is a great choice. With several colors to choose from, you can modify it to fit your style. It has a simple, clear, and quite loud ding that will surely announce your presence, even in heavy traffic. At an attractive price point and with a simple O-ring for ease of installation, this is a perfect option for someone who wants a bit of style while still getting a loud bike bell.
Pros
- Classic look
- Loud sound
- Affordable
- Fits all handlebars
- Several color options
Cons
- Not as sleek as some others
6. Trigger Bell
Check availability The Trigger Bell is a great low-key option for cyclists who prefer to have their handlebars free of accessories. The aim of the sleek design is to allow you to use it without having to move your hand. It tucks in close to your brakes. This design feature is really what sets it apart. It’s perfect for those dicey times when you need to brake quickly and announce your presence to avoid a crash. It has a fairly loud ding, and for the price, it’s a great option.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Easy to reach
- Streamlined design
Cons
- Could be louder
7. Mirrycle Incredibell Adjustabell
Check availability The Incredibell is a simple and cost-effective option that can accommodate any handlebar size and hand position. The ringer spins around the bell so you can decide which position suits you best. It sounds out with a pleasant tone that is fairly loud but not quite as loud as others on the list. A good option for something simple and versatile.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Fits any handlebar
- Adjustable
Cons
- Could be louder
8. Timber! Mountain Bike Bell
Check availability The Timber! Mountain Bike Bell is designed specifically for mountain bikes. It has two settings: ringing or silent. When it’s on, the vibrations of the trail cause it to ring out with a pleasant tone that’s loud enough to signal to others you’re on the trail. This hands-free design means you can focus on the trail while still alerting others to your presence. When you don’t want it to sound, simply slide the lever up, and the bell is silenced. Because it uses vibrations to sound, it’s really only suitable for mountain bikes, but should you need it to sound out on the street, you can simply jiggle the handlebars. Made of sturdy stainless steel, the Timber! is built to last, even through heavy and aggressive use.
Pros
- Perfect as a mountain bike accessory
- Pleasant tone
- Adjustable
- Durable
- Affordable
Cons
- Not that useful for city riding
9. Van Nicholas Titanium Bike Bell
If you’re someone who likes to invest in style and quality, the Van Nicholas Titanium bell is for you. Constructed with all titanium components, your investment is sure to last. It is also one of the slickest designs—not as streamlined as the Knog Oi, it still has a somewhat classic shape but with sleek lines that will definitely add a touch of bling to any bike. It has a pleasant mid-range tone, and it’s loud enough, but what you’re really paying for are style and quality components.
Pros
- Very stylish
- Quality components
- Pleasant tone
Cons
- Could be louder
- Quite expensive
10. Nutcase Thumbdinger
Check availability Besides the ridiculously cute name, the Nutcase Thumbdinger offers a lot of ding for your dollar. It’s a simple and sleek design that’s easy to install and fits most handlebars. It sounds out very loud and clear. If you want something unobtrusive that simply gets the job done, look no further.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Sleek design
- Fits most handlebars
- Loud sound
Cons
- Plastic components likely to wear over time
Which Bike Bell to Choose
There really is something for every style and type of bicycle—and some seriously quality bells in the mix. Your type of bike and where you ride will likely be the defining factors when making your selection, but there’s no need to forego style or quality to ensure you get a nice loud bell that will keep you and others safe—on the road, a bike path, or the trails.
If your bike is your main ride, and you want to give it the royal treatment, you might want to trick it out with one of the more expensive bells. There really is something to fit every price range, though, and a mid-range bell like the Spurcycle has the quality and durability to be both high performance and long-lasting.
