Trail Bell Stations

I leave mine off until I feel that its necessary so the fact that this bell has an on/off switch is HUGE.

To be honest, bells drive me nuts. One of the important things to me about getting out on the trails is to escape man made sounds. But I see the need for alerting others as I approach. The only time that it seems necessary to me to use it is when I am moving at speed, especially on twisty trails with blind turns. I get thanked often enough for using a bell so I guess its doing its job.

 

100%

Something scary just happened. I agreed with every word you said.

 

It’s because you rode together.

 

Must be a mom and pop shop. So far they've only created a shipping label.

 

Wow, my replacement bell arrived two days after ordering. Then again, if they are out, perhaps you will get the newest version.

 

Replying to my own post, because I am cool like that. My Chinese knockoff Timberbell failed today (clapper fell out on Lynx), so 13 months. I even did the WD40 trick someone mentioned, but that didn't help.

Good thing I have a brand new $10 replacement Timberbell they sent me last year. We shall see how long this one lasts.

 

I was thinking about mounting up some sleigh bells. Everybody knows what they are, but maybe they will stop in the middle of the trail and look up.....

 

My 4th Timber Bell dropped it's clapper today on Rock-It. Let's see if they will send me another for free. I've only paid for two so far.


3 clapperless Timber Bells. My first one jettisoned from the bike entirely as I chose the wrong rubber strap to affix it.

 

I am either on my 4th or 5th, I can't remember. I currently have three good ones though. No, you can't have one.

 

Is there a way to make mine not ring when its switched off? Unlike ^clowns above I have only lost one timber and it was entirely my own fault, unexpected sudden loss of talent experienced, crash resulted, timber exploded.
Heres the problem; New timber rings even when switched off. Seems they didn't tighten it to "nuns nasty" when it left the factory.
Is there something I can adjust? Or do I send it back with accompanying sad compo face note attached?

 

I'm prepared to offer half a can of coke and a mars bar for your broken bullsh!t shockwiz and a timber?

I know I'm overspending but clearly you're down on your luck and need help (especially driving round in that hairdresser mobile)

 

Try duct taping the clapper to the bell wall!

Yeah, you might have to write to them and ask for a replacement. My Timber occasionally would sing a note on choppy terrain (Like The Luge) even when it was "off" - but not constantly, just occasionally.

I have to admit it was nice riding in silence today. Aliso on a Sunday afternoon is virtually empty anyway.

 

Jeez man, and here I thought you were destitute because you can't afford Strava premium.

Yeah, sorry but no on the tempting offer. The way I go through Timberbells, these won't last me long.

 

Ya’ll and your Timberbells. I have yet to break one. Why? I rarely turn them on. However, I do use them as needed but don’t let them clang all the time. I didn’t buy silent rear hubs to listen to a BS bell.

 

I think of timber bells like tires or brake pads, a wear item. They move, so will wear out and need replacing. But then mine has had almost no use for a few months so at this rate figure another few years until it goes kaput.

I'm on my 3rd, 4th, or? I don't know...but a few. And one in a box for parts that won't stay off.

 

Good news y'all, the redesigned model YEW is out now? All parts replaceable!

"We are now fully in stock and ready to ship. Try out our new Model Yew! bells. Sturdier mounts, smoother shifting and built to last a lifetime!"

$30

According to Chris Lacy:
"The new Model Yew! is the strongest bell we’ve ever built. And all parts are now completely modular, including the cable and clapper ringer system. If anything wears out or breaks, you can replace it quickly and easily yourself. This is probably the last Timber bell you will ever need to buy."

 

And you don't ride trails that have 62 hikers per mile on them either, I'll bet.

I would rather have a nice run down a local trail with my ice cream bell jingling and come upon hikers calmly standing by the side of the trail saying "thank you" than to come around a corner and startle some grandma and her grandkids who scramble like mad to get out of the way, then seek to eliminate bikes from the trails altogether.

But I agree - a DH segment with no bell and a quiet bike is a wonderful thing!

 

In the 4 1/2 years I've been up here as a permanent resident I have seen maybe a couple dozen hikers/walkers on the trail with me. They are pretty much the same people every time.
I wonder if the bell would be good for bears ???

 

I know what you mean. I’ve only ridden the Luge a couple of times. One of the trails we came down just as I let go of the brakes 10 or so hikers were balanced on the trail edge. When I turned around to thank the hikers my backpack swiped another hiker. Bells were definitely useful on that ride.

 

Interesting. I guess they were not lying when they told me they were working on an updated version .... it just took a very long time, LOL.
Did you get a free replacement?

 

Bear bell from REI. Going on it’s third decade - granted, only really gets used at Aliso and on Missing Link/Fenceline.
Elastic isn’t working anymore. Time for a replace.

 

I've had the same free-bee trail bell from MWBA for several years. I did lose one once on El Prieot, but,

Most of the reputable bike shops up here in the LA area have free bear-style bells like that. I will say, they work well for hikers. No so much for bears.

 

Dinner bell for the bears?

 

I use the MWBA bell, i cut the strip with the magnet off because it would flip up over rough terrain, and silence the bell, so it's always on. It's much more subtle and easy on the ears.. but the timber bells benefit is that hikers hear you before you are on top of them.. this one not so much.

 

That's what I use, anytime I lose one, I just grab another from the LBS. I sew the magnet strip a little bit to keep it from flipping up. I agree, it's not as nice as the timberbell, but, it's free and relatively effective. Plus, the MWBA bell colors are great (Green or black!)

 

matches my color theme

 

New Timber Bell model Yew ordered. They gave me half price ($15). I'm good with that. They last a year or so. I spend more on chain lube.

Allegedly this new Model Yew is the last Timber Bell I will need to buy. We shall see about that. Place your bets.

 

Your application of chain lube is both wrong and disturbing for those of us who have witnessed it in person. Creepy, even.

 

You'll be happy to know that I have taken a liking to the Cafe Du Monde or whatever it's called and I'm applying it the night before, then wiping it down the day of the ride. That lasts me about 3-4 of my normal rides, including the mini rivulets on Borrego.

I will never go drop by drop on each roller. I still have enough pride not be a slave to my chain.

 

Gay.