These Bike Bells Can Help Keep You Safe on the Road or Trail

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Among the key safety precautions during cycling—from wearing a properly fitting helmet to donning reflective gear—there’s fixing a bike bell to your handlebar. A bell alerts other cyclists, drivers, and pedestrians that you’re approaching to help avoid collisions. A ring of a bell is also more pleasant than shouting “On your left!” at someone to get them out of your way. It’s also legally required in some places, like New York City.

Below, we’ve rounded up the best bike bells for different types of riders, plus an overview on how to choose the bell for you.

The Best Bike Bells

• Best Overall: Crane E-Ne Bicycle Bell

• Best Budget: Accmor Classic Bike Bell

• Best Splurge: Spurcycle Original Bike Bell

• Best Vintage-Style: Portland Design Works King of Ding II

• Best Low-Profile: Knog Oi Luxe Bike Bell

What to Consider

Materials

Most of our recommendations are made of brass and either stainless-steel or aluminum. Brass is lightweight and durable and produces a clear tone when struck. Just know that brass bells with a plastic or polymer striker are loud enough for people to hear but won’t resonate as well and have a shorter ring. A metal striker is better.

We don’t recommend any all-plastic bells because they have a dampened tone and short ring, except for our Best for City Traffic pick because it’s electronic and doesn’t rely on materials clacking together to create sound.

Type of Riding

If you’re a city cyclist, opt for a loud brass bell that can resonate over traffic noise and has a distinguishable tone compared to car horns. Mountain bikers or people who ride on trails likely need a more rugged bell that can handle jarring rides and potential ground hits. Mountain biking bells also typically have lower tones that work better on trails, only alerting immediate passersby and not ringing out and disturbing other hikers.

Mounting

Bike bells mount onto your handlebar and only require a hex screw or Phillips-head screw driver. Make sure the trigger is oriented in such a way that you don’t have to struggle to reach it while riding. You can place a bell for either left or right hand use and either the thumb or forefinger. We list the compatible handlebar size range for each bell below.

How We Selected

We looked at a range of bells, considering style, ring volume, and general usage. Combing through user reviews from retailers and forums, we determined which bells delivered on their promises of sound and durability. We included bike bells that work well in traffic as well as ones that perform on the trail, and made sure to choose bike bells that run the gamut in terms of both aesthetics and price. Our final selection will see you through city rides and dirt trails with something that’ll suit your bike.

E-Ne Bicycle Bell

This bell’s tall, eye-catching dome design is equally at home on a trail as it is on a commuter bike. Reviews note it has a loud, resonant sound, which travels well on trails and in traffic, and the durable dome and ringer components that’ll last. Its sound manages to be attention-grabbing without being jarring, which helps make it so versatile.

The E-Ne is compact but still easily accessible when mounted on a handlebar, and you can position it on the front or side of your bars, depending on which feels more natural for your specific bike or brake configuration. It comes in multiple colors and finishes, from high-polish to matte.

Classic Bike Bell

This classic bell is easy to install and has a medium-tone ring ideal for kids’ bikes, neighborhood rides, or light trail rides. It comes in a variety of fun colors, and is available in packs of two for outfitting a couple of bikes at once.

The ring doesn’t sound for as long as higher-end models, but the easy placement and trigger means you can ring it multiple times comfortably if one isn’t enough. It’s a great option for those that just want something to alert pedestrians or other riders and we appreciate the easy installation and practical, simple design.

Original Bike Bell

This dome-style bell is a modern take on a classic design. The bell combines brass and stainless steel for a long, clear ring that travels through the air without sounding obnoxious.

We like this bell for both mountain biking and in-traffic riding. While it’s not the smallest out there, correctly mounting this unit allows the bell to stay out of the way of shifters and brakes on both road and mountain bikes (the low-profile mounting ring helps here, too). The quality components will last season after season without losing sound quality.

King of Ding 2 Bike Bell

This classical dome bell has a loud ping and a satisfying feel, along with a vintage look. This bell is 2 inches wide and secures easily to a variety of standard-diameter handlebars.

Rubber guards on the clap prevent scratches on your frame, and you can be sure it fits secure with screws on both sides. Right-hand mounting allows for using with your index finger.

Oi Luxe Bike Bell

This bike bell has a sleek design that’s unique from others on the market. Instead of sitting upright on the handlebars like dome bells, this model wraps around and has a refined sound that manages to be delicate while still audible in moderate traffic. The unobtrusive design is bolstered by loops that hold brake cables and keep them out of the way.

The two sizes accommodate most handlebars, and the installation is simple with one hex screw. For this bell, the handlebar mount functions as the bell itself. Note the striker is exposed and therefore more prone to bending so if you mostly mountain bike you should go with a more durable option.

Brass Bike Bell

This tiny bell can sit anywhere on your handlebars, making it a great option for drop-bar bikes. This allows you to access and use the bell without moving your hand away from the brakes or potentially losing balance. It’s tiny enough to fit around the hoods on drop-bar bikes, but still makes an effectively loud ring sound for riding in traffic.

This is also a solid choice for commuter bikes, and the small size allows it to secure tightly without worrying about it shifting during riding or use.

Electronic Bike Bell

Sound duration and volume matter immensely for urban bike commuting, and an electronic bell provides a bit more insurance. This one is rechargeable, waterproof, and has multiple sound modes to match your commute. It can also reach up to 120 decibels—that’s as loud as a motorcycle.

It attaches with a silicone strap around handlebars, and has a low-profile design to stay out of the way of shifters and brakes. Fully charged, this can provide up to a month’s worth of rings depending on how are often you ride. It’s also user-friendly as it only has two buttons to toggle between modes and adjust volume.

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