Bell on Drop Bars - where do you put one?

[Rebecca19804]

I'm currently using my Surly Cross Check for everything - commuting, club runs, social rides, errands. It doesn't have a bell. I have bells on my other (non-drop bar) bikes, which I've found useful on shared use paths. Without one, I'm yelling all the time to get people's attention and I'm tired of that.

So - where do you put a bell on drop bars?? I've slapped one on this evening, like this (for now), but it sticks out like an inflamed boil and frankly looks ridiculous.

And yes, it's a big traditional metal ding-dong bell. I don't like the sound of the small plastic bells - I have one of those on the Brompton and it's pathetic.

Is there a better way? Thanks in advance.

[nscrbug]

This doesn't really answer your question, but...what about using a smaller, more inconspicuous bell like this?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I attach my bells to the stem on both my bikes with drop bars. Brass bells now.
On my bike page, you can see where I attach it on my blue Rambouillet- in the pix with the grocery panniers:
http://harmonias.com/bikes/

Since those pix were taken, I got two nicer brass bells and have them on both my bikes now. Love having bells, and I find them very useful.
When you place them, you have to adjust how your thumb will hit the ringer lever just right. My husband got a black hose clamp to attach the bell around the thicker stem, and we used a little patch of bike inner tube to protect the finish of the bike where we clamped it. The rubber also keeps the bell firmly in place.

[Rebecca19804]

nscrbug - thanks for the alternative suggestion but I do like a big bell.

Lisa - the way you've fixed your big brass bell to the stem is exactly how I have my big bell fixed on my vintage mixte - which, like your Riv, has an elegant quill stem. The Surly has a fat modern-looking stem - more like what you have on your Luna - though possibly even thicker than that. So how have you fitted a bell to the Luna? And, what do you mean by "black hose clamp"?

cheers ladies

[Becky]

When I use a bell on my roadie, I mount it right below the shifter hood and turn it so that I can ring it when my hands are on the hoods.

I use this bell: http://www.mirrycle.com/adjustabell.php

[soprano]

I have this bell screwed directly into the downtube shifter boss on my Surly LHT. It's a nice spot to have a bell - easy to reach, and no conflicts with all of the other equipment already on my handlebar and stem I'll be double checking that this is a good idea for the long-term when I take the bike in for its tuneup in a week or two.

Let me know if you want a photo of this arrangement. Right now isn't so convenient but I could go out to the garage and snap one tomorrow.

Velo Orange also sells a headset spacer with a bell mount. The next time I order anything from them, I'll probably get it... if I ever order anything from them again. (I was less than thrilled with my last order.)

[Thorn]

Saw this on "that other forum" on one of the well-behaved subforums. I really like the position.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post11786764