Knog Bell Oi Classic - Large Black

Nice looking unit, attractivly packaged. I took it out, thought I could handle the installation no problem, and started to bend it around the bar. It required so much flex to fit that I backed off and thought, hmm, better read the instructions. I watched the video, and the tech just pushes it right over the bar...so I went ahead and tried to do the same. Snap! The inside plastic broke immediately. Frustrating as i like the profile and the sound. So anyway, be careful on the mounting. (REI did take it back, no problem)

I fell in love with these the moment I saw them. Low profile, very stylish. I bought the small but it was too small. So I cut my losses and bought the large and it was too big. I used the additional spacer supplied with the large bell, but then it was so tight that the plastic frame prevented the chrome band from chiming. The actual striking mechanism is entirely plastic, and the spring used to fire it is so wobbly that it's a bit hit and miss. My verdict and experience after buying two, is honestly – don't bother. They're both sitting on my desk as I type this review. A classic case of form over function.

I wanted this to be the perfect bicycle bell. It's a cool design, takes up little space in the "cockpit", should be very aerodynamic, and fits a variety of handlebar sizes. I followed this product during its Kickstarter phase, although I didn't contribute, instead preferring to wait and see how it turned out before investing. I'm glad I waited.Although I'm sure there are bikes and handlebars where this bell will be very satisfactory, it doesn't allow for any customization of the striker position, which makes it more difficult to reach on my primary bicycle. I have a "hybrid" bike, with "trigger" shifters, which sit just inside the hand grips. That means there is a significant reach for the thumb to engage the striker. I have another bell, a round one, that allows ... MoreI wanted this to be the perfect bicycle bell. It's a cool design, takes up little space in the "cockpit", should be very aerodynamic, and fits a variety of handlebar sizes. I followed this product during its Kickstarter phase, although I didn't contribute, instead preferring to wait and see how it turned out before investing. I'm glad I waited.Although I'm sure there are bikes and handlebars where this bell will be very satisfactory, it doesn't allow for any customization of the striker position, which makes it more difficult to reach on my primary bicycle. I have a "hybrid" bike, with "trigger" shifters, which sit just inside the hand grips. That means there is a significant reach for the thumb to engage the striker. I have another bell, a round one, that allows the striker to be rotated to a position nearly parallel with the handlebar, which puts it within much easier reach of my thumb. So, I decided to move this bell to another bike (with drop bars) where it will be easier to reach. Pretty disappointing that I won't even see this bell on most of my rides, but I have other bikes, and hoped the new bell would inspire me to make better use of them.In addition to the mounting issue, this bell is really not very loud, especially in comparison to other bells on the market. If you ride MUPs, or rail trails, there will be times when you'll wish you could easily make a little more noise than this bell can be convinced to make. It's just not loud enough to notify some walkers, or other cyclists, that you're nearby. I tried striking it harder, but that didn't seem to make any difference. The metal part of the bell appears to be attached with some sort of rubber with little springs, and the striker appears to use a plastic "hinge", features that do not inspire confidence that this rather pricey bell will survive any crash, or even regular use over several years.On top of all that, the mounting system is a little clunky, and seems to require more hands than I have available to get all the pieces in place to fit smaller handlebars, and the screw is not easily started in the threads when the bell is wrapped around the handlebar. It just doesn't want to line up. From what I could tell, the screw threads into a thick section of the plastic mount, with no metal nut to allow for thorough tightening, which makes the security of the positioning a little "iffy". There was a label in the package warning against overtightening the screw. I suppose that means they've had some returns with stripped out threads. Also, the actual metal part of the bell, the part that makes the sound, wraps around the mount so that it prevents spreading the section that can be opened far enough to slip over thicker handlebars, forcing you to find a thinner section to get the bell around the bar, and perhaps even requiring the removal of brake levers or shifters to permit the bell to be mounted on the bar, then slid into position.All in all, it doesn't live up to the hype, in my humble opinion.