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[Misc] Thingy on Bike Handlebar. What is it?









DavidinSouthampton

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jan 3, 2012
16,600
It’s what I’ve always wanted - a machine for vaporising middle lane drivers on the motorway.

but given that bicycles are not allowed on the motorway, it’s a bit pointless.
 




Coalburner

Active member
May 22, 2017
290
It's definitely a bell. You'll probably find that the lever bit is on a spring, so you can press and release to make it ding.

It's a legal requirement that all bikes sold in the UK come with them apparently. Even if you were to buy a 10K Pinarello road bike it'd have to be sold with a bell. Most riders will remove it and that's the end of the bell.
The Highway Code used to stipulate that it was a legal requirement for a bicycl to be fitted with an audible warning device. Those who argued that a warning shout qualified were told that, since a voice was not fitted, it did not qualify. Don't know if it is still in the Highway Code
 




Horses Arse

Well-known member
Jun 25, 2004
4,571
here and there
This thread got me thinking - does anyone know what this thingy is? Didn't have one on my BMW

1694682641613.png
 








Flagship

Well-known member
Jan 15, 2018
424
Brighton
Don’t worry. I once took a laptop back to a shop complaining that it had a shiny casing and not the plain Matt black that was advertised.
The assistant easily removed the protective sticker and the problem was solved.
Must have been a small laptop if it was protected by a sticker. I guess you mean the protective film.
 








Arthritic Toe

Well-known member
Nov 25, 2005
2,400
Swindon
Trouble is, on some of the shared paths round here - the walkers think you're being aggressive and demanding if you ring the bell in advance. They turn and glower at you.

The opposite happened the other day when I was on the prom. I really wasn't in any hurry, and simply slowed down to walking pace behind an old couple - as about 30 yards further on it widened, and I would pass them then. However, a faster walker behind me shouted 'you should just ring your bell - that's what it's for'. Making the old couple in front turn round, and get all apologetic and so on - obviously considering that they were holding me up and so on. I felt awful - and didn't know how to tell the walker to mind her own business!
Yeah tricky one this - I think the best compromise is to ring the bell when you're about 40 yards behind - thats usually enough to make people aware you're approaching without being perceived as aggressive.
 




A mex eyecan

Well-known member
Nov 3, 2011
3,319
Question from Mr. Thicko here;
What is the black round thing on my Trek hybrid bike handlebars? I've just bought the bike and noticed it after I got home! I thought I'd ask the experts on here rather than phoning the shop!
I welcome the usual comedy answers along with hopefully a sensible one or two as to what it actually is and does!!
View attachment 166365
It’s a carolazer. Rider presses the lever 5 times consecutively and bike and rider obliterates into a vapour. Freeing the pavement for the pedestrians
 




Bodian

Well-known member
May 3, 2012
11,875
Cumbria
Yeah tricky one this - I think the best compromise is to ring the bell when you're about 40 yards behind - thats usually enough to make people aware you're approaching without being perceived as aggressive.
I live in a place where the average age is quite high. There are a lot of folk who are quite hard of hearing!
 




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