Whether you’re an avid cyclist or use bikes for everyday commute, the best bike bell is a critical component of any bicycle. It alerts other cyclists and pedestrians about your presence and is part of the road code in some states. New York, South Carolina, Georgia, and New Jersey require cyclists to use bikes equipped with bells.

Finding a good bike bell doesn’t appear challenging, but with so many companies offering the same product, it helps to know the best bicycle bells in the market. First-time buyers also need to understand essential features to consider when buying a bike bell. In addition to the functionality of the bike bell, you should also examine how loud and durable it is.

After extensive research, I found the Spurcycle Original Bell the best.

It’s one of those unique bike bells that grabs the attention of even people wearing headphones. Also, its overall construction was pretty hardy, holding up pretty well on rough and smooth terrains.

Here’s a roundup of other bicycle bells.

Best Bike Bell

1. Spurcycle Original Bell: Best Overall
2. Knog Oi Luxe: Best for Quiet Streets
3. Accmor Aluminum Bicycle Bell: Best Budget Bell
4. Crane E-Ne Bicycle Bell: Best for Busy Urban Areas
5. Trigger Bell: Best for Safety
6. Lezyne Classic Brass Bell: Best Classic Bell
7. Greallthy Bike Bell: Best for Loud Sound
8. Electra Bike Bell: Best for Bell for Kids
9. Bonmixc Brass Mini Bike Bell: Best for Hybrid Bikes

9 Best Bike Bells Reviewed

Here are some of the best bicycle bells worth considering while shopping.

Spurcycle Original Bell: Best Overall Bike Bell

This bell is one of the most expensive bike bells I’ve reviewed. Thanks to its metal components, it has a sturdy build, and the acoustics beat any other brand hands-down. It has always been referred to as a bell for any bike because it fits almost any handlebar. 

The bell has a distinct dome shape and is pleasantly compact; thus, it fits any bike model.

Spurcycle includes a 2.5 mm hex key and two straps that make it easy to mount on handlebars measuring 22.2 mm to 31.8 mm.

I also noted that the bell didn’t produce unwanted dings, which is a common problem with most bells when biking on rough terrains. The Spurcycle bike bell remains quiet throughout the ride until triggered. 

In addition, you can regulate the volume using the spring-loaded lever. The sound is loud, crisp, and lengthy, alerting everyone around you about your arrival. 

Who Is This For?

The Spurcycle bike bell is the best overall bike bell because it fits a range of handlebars and is loud enough.

Knog Oi Luxe: Best for Quiet Streets

Knog is another famous brand known for producing the best bicycle bells. Its first model, Knog Oi Original, had a flimsy plastic construction and wasn’t as loud. However, the new model replaces the plastic parts with metal.   

The clamp mechanism has also been upgraded into a nicely finished cast metal, while the ringer is made from machined brass and wire.

Knog also repurposed the inner layer around the handlebar with vegan leather to ensure it grips the handlebar tightly without scratching it. A side-by-side test of the original model and the new Luxe bike bell hardly exhibited much difference in their acoustics.

Luxe bike bell produces a semi-tone pitch which is lengthy and pleasant but not loud enough to alert pedestrians in busy and crowdy streets.

Who is this For?

The Knog Oi Luxe is a solid buy for buyers upgrading from the Original Knog Oi and likely to use their bikes in quiet neighborhoods. 

Accmor Aluminum Bicycle Bell: Best Budget Bell

This affordable bell has a loud and durable mountain bike bell designed for both right and left-handers. Accmor uses aluminum on the exterior and high-quality plastic on the other components to make this long-lasting, corrosion-resistant bike bell.

It’s also easy to install and can fit handlebar sizes of 21- 22.2 mm.

Upon testing its acoustics, the Accmor Aluminum Bicycle Bell doesn’t disappoint. It produces a loud warning, perfect for cyclists using the road frequently and mountain bikes. You can also fit it on kids’ bikes, BMX bikes, and scooters.

Who Is This For?

The bell is suitable for those shopping on a budget. Accmor offers an affordable bike bell without compromising on quality. 

Crane E-Ne Bicycle Bell: Best for Urban Areas

The bell is dome-shaped and compact enough, so you have ample space to mount items like a phone, a flashlight, and a GPS on the handlebar. You can mount the Crane E-Ne in the traditional belly-up position or facing forward to improve the aerodynamics.

Crane E-Ne bike bell has an aluminum/brass alloy, and the other parts (ringer, mount, springs) are made from stainless steel known for its durability and ability to resist rust and corrosion. This construction makes the bell ring longer, making the Crane E-Ne bike bell best for sound.

What’s more, it comes with a vinyl-coated mounting strap that reduces slippage and prevents handlebar scratches. 

The installation process is pretty straightforward as you only need one hex key. The mounting strap also adjusts to fit handlebars with 22.2 mm and 31.8 mm diameters.

Who Is This For?

This particular model is perfect for busy urban streets because of its long-lasting ding.

Trigger Bell: Best for Safety

I found this bike bell a little small compared to others but pretty functional. Able to fit left-hand handlebars, this bell is designed to enhance the user’s safety.

This is because you can reach the trigger without removing your hand from the grip. Trigger Bell works on the right handlebars too, but I found it more convenient to mount it on the left.

The premise for having a variety of orientations is to make it easy to operate with the thumb while your hand works the brakes. As such, you can ring as many times while turning a bend, changing gear, and braking.

I also found this bell pretty loud for its size. If riding at 10 mph, I could ring the bell 8-20 feet away and grab the attention of pedestrians nearby. However, the sound gets a little muffled in the rain.

Who Is This For?

The Trigger Bell is an excellent buy for buyers looking for a small but effective bike bell. It can fit 20-40 mm handlebars.

Lezyne Classic Brass Bell: Best Classic Bell

I also wanted to examine a classic bike bell, and Lezyne Classic Brass Bell was a great pick. It isn’t as bulky as traditional bike bells as it has a pretty simple design. The base has two hooks for holding the bell to the handlebar and a spring that hits the dome to produce sound. 

The bell also has a sizeable form, with a diameter of 3 cm only. This means it doesn’t take up too much space on the handlebar, allowing you to mount other accessories like a light.

Its overall construction mimics that of vintage bike bells. Highly-polished brass material is used to make the bell-head, and the base features high-quality aluminum material.

However, it wasn’t the loudest bell as bells from comparable brands like Knog Oi. It is audible to nearby pedestrians, but I wouldn’t recommend using it in busy streets.

Who Is This For?

Lezyne Classic Brass Bell is a solid pick for those who still appreciate vintage bike bells. It’s one of those funny bike bells that strike a balance between historical designs and modern ones.

Greallthy Bike Bell: Best for Loud Sound

The bike bell is a solid buy for buyers looking for the traditional loud in bike bells. It produces a nice, piercing, distinct ring perfect for lane trails shared by pedestrians, runners, cyclists, and families using strollers. 

What’s more, it doesn’t produce accidental rings when riding rough terrains or hit by a pothole. The spring-loaded clapper requires the cyclist to snap the bell to produce the ding.  However, in case of constant ringing, the thumb can get a little irritated.

I also loved its sturdy construction featuring premium brass, high-strength springs, and a strong alloy bracket. The brass material maintains the bell’s shine by keeping it rust-free. 

Who Is This For?   

The bike bell is ideal for buyers cycling in crowded areas because it’s very effective at warning people and motorists that a cyclist is approaching.

Electra Bike Bell: Best for Bell for Kids

This model is one of the most popular Electra bike bells. Its large size, numerous designs, and colors make it a choice bike bell for kids. The apparent large size might be uncomfortable for some people, but the size determines how loud it rings.

The sound is pretty loud, almost like a two-toned doorbell, but it comes in handy when kids ride on busy streets or parks. 

It also has an all-metal construction, hence long-lasting. However, I noticed it dings when riding on rough terrains. The self-dinging isn’t as loud as the actual sound the bell produces, but it alerts other people about your presence. 

Who Is This For?

As stated earlier, this bell is the best for kids. The loud sound ensures everyone around them knows they’re riding a bike.

Bonmixc Brass Mini Bike Bell: Best for Hybrid Bikes

The Bonmixc bike bell is the most affordable in the market, yet it performs just as well as other costly models. It is made from high-quality brass hence the clear, loud sound. The brass material is combined with well-polished PP to create a strong, abrasion-resistant surface.  

I found its form a little small, but it could fit handlebars with diameters as large as 23 mm. What’s more, its size doesn’t prevent it from producing a loud sound. The tone isn’t agitating; instead, it’s warm and pleasant, warning nearby pedestrians.  

Who Is This For?

The Bonmixc Brass Mini Bike Bell is the best for standard bicycles, mountain bikes, stunt scooters, and BMX bikes.

What to Look for When Buying Bike Bells

Knowing the best bike bells in the market is an excellent place to start when buying one. However, many buyers don’t know the essential features to look for when buying a bike bell.

And when it comes to bike safety precautions, it’s best to make an informed decision. I have summarized five crucial features to consider.

Type

There are two main types of bike bells-the air horn and the classic cycle bell. The latter has been commonplace for decades as its design dates back to 1887 when John Richard Dedicoat first patented it.

It’s easy to mount on most handlebars and consists of a brass or steel bell against which a ringer strikes to produce a sound. Older bell models used a thumb-pushed lever, but plastic tabs on flexible arms have replaced them.

Air horns, on the other hand, use pressurized air to release the loud sound. Some models are outfitted with an air reservoir for releasing the loud ding. The reservoir is refillable using a mini-pump or an ordinary bicycle pump.

Handlebar Size

Handlebars have varying diameters (22.2, 25.4, or 31.8 mm) that influence the type of bike bell to purchase. They vary based on the type of bicycle. Here’s a brief overview:

• Cruiser bikes: This category of bikes has handlebar sizes of 25.4 mm or 31.8 mm, depending on the style
• Road bikes: The handlebars have two clamp sizes of 26 mm for older versions and 31.8 mm for newer models. Cyclists often mount the bike bell near the stem, so it’s best to purchase one measuring 31.8 mm
• Commuter bikes: I wouldn’t specify the type of bike bell to use on bikes in this category because it depends on the cyclist’s needs. It’s best to check the specifications displayed on the handlebar
• Mountain bikes: These bikes have two types of handlebars-the riser bar and the flat bar. Both have diameters of 22.2 mm near the handgrip, but it widens to 25.4 mm or 31.8 mm near the brake levers. Be sure to measure the area you want to attach the bell because it could mean buying a smaller bike bell instead of a large one

Pro Tip: It’s best to buy an adjustable bike bell, so it fits a wide variety of handlebar widths

Construction

Most bike bells are made from metals like aluminum, iron, steel, brass, and copper. They are long-lasting, resistant to corrosion, and produce louder sounds. Some parts on the bike bell are made from plastic and are durable too.

Durability

Bike bells can be pretty cheap, sometimes as low as $6 like the Bonmixc bike bell. However, it’s best not to be blinded by the low prices. Such bells could be replaced easily hence often made from low-quality materials. 

The bike’s function should guide you when choosing a bike bell. Cyclists using bicycles for everyday commute, for example, should invest in bells made from brass or steel as they last longer. If shopping for kids, it’s safer to buy cheaper models as they are prone to breaking.

Loudness

The bell should be loud enough to alert pedestrians about your presence without startling them. A noise level of 90db is suitable for bikes used in urban spaces, but it can be louder if the streets are too crowded. Mountain bikers also need loud bells (over 100dB) to be heard by other hikers. 

Rider’s Cycling Skill

You should be able to operate the bike bell while cycling. Often, you need to change the grip to ring the bell.

If you’re not confident about your cycling skills, you may get distracted and cause an accident. As such, the bike’s trigger mechanism should be within a thumb’s reach to avoid such unfortunate incidents.

Conclusion

Having done extensive research, I haven’t found a better bike bell than the Spurcycle Original Bell. The bell is a bit pricey, but the ease of installation (horizontally or vertically), loud and clear sound (88-100dB), and durable construction make this bike bell stand out.

I also loved that it came with two straps (for 31.8 mm and 22.2 mm bars).

A bike bell is a critical safety accessory for anyone using a bicycle. Enhance your safety, other riders’, and pedestrians’ by purchasing and installing a bike bell from my selection.

To get any of the unique bike bells highlighted, click on the link on your product of choice to proceed with the purchase.