Recommendations for mtb/emtb bells.

[Kev45]

On hilly two-way trails/courses, blue and above, I use a Timber bell, this means I don't have to lift my thumb off the grips when I am trundling down a winding hill speedily. Some riders find them annoying, but you do get used to it, and you can turn them off. In the USA/Canada etc they call other varieties bear bells to warn/scare wildlife you are behind them, a surprised black bear with cubs would almost certainly attack, and that would ruin your ride for sure.

 

[Not_Fred_Honest]

You are such a girl



Get a Hornit db140 and be a man !!

​

 

[Kev45]

For a 'normal' ride, I use a modern Knog, quality brand but middle of the range pricewise and sturdy and reliable. The Knog also has cable management, so sits nicely on the handlebars without being intrusive. The cheaper Chinese versions/copies are also reliable, but the pitch is not as pleasing on the ear. Pitch is important if you don't want to annoy people you are about to pass, and a shrill pitch most certainly will annoy some.

 

[Not_Fred_Honest]

Just stick to the cow bell

 

[Kev45]

Q. Which emtb bell do you recommend if an angry bear is chasing me?

A. If you find yourself in a situation where an angry bear is chasing you, the best advice is to prioritize safety rather than relying on a cycle bell or any similar device. Here are some tips on what to do if you encounter an angry bear:

1. Stay calm: Try not to panic. Riding away like Lance Armstrong can trigger the bear's chase instinct.
2. Back Away slowly, using your emtb as a barrier: Do not turn your back on the bear. Instead, back away slowly while stoutly facing the bear.
3. Make yourself look bigger: Raise your emtb, totally ignoring the 25 kilo weight, and open your jacket if possible. Keep your backpack on to appear even larger.
4. Speak firmly: Use a calm, assertive voice to let the bear know you are human and not prey, hysterically screaming fvck off bear will anger the bear even more.
5. Do not climb a tree: Bears are excellent climbers and a lot faster at climbing than you.
6. Fight back if attacked: If a bear attacks you, fight back using any available objects, this is where your Knog bell might come in handy if the instant release button is reliable.

If you are in bear territory, it's always a good idea to carry bear spray, or a big gun, which are both more effective than a noise-making device like a cycle bell. Bear bells can be useful for alerting bears to your presence to prevent an encounter, but in a chasing scenario, bear spray or your big gun would be the better option for self-defence.

Always prioritize preventative measures by making noise while riding your emtb and always be aware of your surroundings. This is bear country, and not your 10-mile commute on the A40 going to work.

Stay safe out there!

 

[Not_Fred_Honest]

Good God.... he starts off talking bells and moves on to guns

 

[Not_Fred_Honest]

Please take note, not Kev

Brown bears enter a winter resting period between October and December. They usually dig a den which they may use for several consecutive years. Natural caves or rock fissures sometimes also serve as retreats. Before the winter sets in, the bears cushion their dens nicely with grass, leaves, ferns, moss and lichen.

 

[Not_Fred_Honest]

That twat Kev seduce me with his ding-a-ling
I've just ordered a bolt on timber bell for me ebike
It mite be useful on the cycle lanes along the sea front

 

[Kev45]

More advanced, technical riders choose to go tubeless, I don't I use Tannus Armour inserts and Slime sealant in the inner tubes. For the terrain I ride on, the combination works just fine, and I have not had a puncture for years.

Even the dreaded seasonal 'thorns' can not penetrate the Tannus.

A brucie bonus, the UK supplier's wife had a baby, and he got behind with orders. To compensate, he sent me a pair free of charge, that was a free £90 right there!

 

[Not_Fred_Honest]

I'm happy with my schwalbe marathon mondial on the ebike. I cant see a reason to change them.

 

[Not_Fred_Honest]

I'm happy with my schwalbe marathon mondial on the ebike. I cant see a reason to change them.

 

[Kev45]

I got my first emtb in the latter half of the pandemic to escape 'the person/s indoors'. Particularly our dogs who jump up excitedly if I even twitch because they think I am going to take them for a walk.

I had not ridden a mtb for years, and it was a bodge job made by someone on eBay with a Bafang motor and a throttle (which is illegal now), but brilliant fun though.

One day, before I discovered Google Maps and smartphones, I got lost a few miles from home with just a few bars left on the battery and asked a passer-by where my area is, he said that way, staring at my fat arse, warning, but it is a huge hill though, I just smiled knowingly knowing I was on the emtb.

Hills are NOTHING, whatever the gradient, on an emtb. Anyone can ride one, no matter what their fitness level is, and my fitness was totally crap at the time.

Btw, I don't know why DOA keeps typing to me like a lovesick teenager, I put his sad arse on iggy two days ago.

 

[Altair]

To say you to don't see eye to eye...!

You both seem to be getting along nicely.

 

[Not_Fred_Honest]

My journey with ebikes began with the Windgoo B3 back in 2017.



I started seeing them on the seafront here and they looked fun. Selling for about £300 I pick one up has a toy. I never dream how useful his small ebike would be replacing the car for shopping. Burning out two batterie's by 2023, (it was always over charging.) While thinking about upgrading, the ebike got stolen at Hove railway station. I'm still annoy about it. With other ebikes worth 5 times the price of my Windgoo, they took this cheap little ebike. The laffs on them, at the time it needed new brakes, tires and a battery.


The replacement was the Hitway bk2.



For around £500 its a much better ebike. The dual suspension system makes a lot of difference with all the potholes on our roads. Its heaver than my old one and rides better on the roads. The back light not connected to the main battery., you have to remember to turn it off. I did replace tries on this. With all the glass and stones on cycle tracks they wouldn't have lasted long.

After having my old ebike nicked, I did invest in a better lock.





Kryptonite new york lock LS. This lock is long than the standard model and found it easer to lock to cycle posts in town. And I did pay for the bike register this time.

Ebike wont replace the car. In the cold weather you're lucky to get 4 miles from them. Even the best ones wont go over 10 miles once the temp drops below 5C They are heavy, even at the 4k price mark the go cycle g4i weights in at 18kg.

​

Even the Brompton electric is 17kg at 3k.




I'd have to say, buy the ebike you need now. Only buy an ebike you can buy replacement batteries for too. They only last about 2-3 years. Kev lives in an area where he can go out on tracks in the country. I don't, mine is city use and needs to go on a train once in a while.

There are rules for this:

Yes, most train operators in the UK allow you to bring an e-bike on board, but there are some rules and regulations to follow:

• Charging: You can't charge an e-bike on the train.
  
  
  
• Size: The e-bike should be similar in size to a normal bike.
  
  
  
• Power: The e-bike's power shouldn't exceed 250 watts.
  
  
  
• Licensing: The e-bike shouldn't require a license to operate.
  
  
  
• Battery: The battery should be disconnected or isolated before entering the station and train.

When I take my ebike on the train I have to remove the battery.


Are they better than the bus? Hmmm.... naaa. If you have a bus pass you don't need one for the simple reason you carry more shopping on the bus and do a lot more distance.

The law on ebikes may change soon in the UK too with many accidents. My advice would be only buy an ebike with 250w motor and pedals. I have seen the police seized ebikes above this here. Some moron is going along at 30 miles per hour and its too easy for the police to spot.

Is it worth spending more than £600 on a ebike? Nope, your paying for range. Unless you want to go 40 miles or more on them, I cant see the point. Are the e mountain bikes worth looking at? Nope, you cant take them on public transport. Most train operators will only let you take a folding bike.

And remember cycles get stolen all the time.