Make some noise for the Oi bicycle bell

The Oi bicycle bell reimagines a much-underrated accessory that has remained largely unchanged since it was invented in 1877.

Unlike the traditional bicycle bell, the Oi is not a dome. The design wraps discreetly around the handlebar is a way that looks as good on a vintage ride as it does on a road bike.

There are five styles. The standard aluminium model comes in four finishes: brushed aluminium; brass-plated; copper-plated; and black. Prices for the Oi bell start at £13.50 and can be pre-ordered via Kickstarter, where it has smashed its crowdfunding target.

Win the Oi bicycle bell

We have a top-of-the-range titanium Oi bicycle bell to giveaway. Leave us a message at the bottom of this page letting us know what bike you’d be fitting it to and we’ll pick a name.

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Your handlebars wear a bell as your wrist sports a watch. It may not be essential, but it’s useful and can look good, too. The bells fitted by law to all new bicycles are cheap and nasty looking – and almost always quickly removed once the bike leaves the shop. This is unfortunate because if you cycle on tracks and paths shared with others, they are a polite way of announcing your approach, especially if followed with a verbal greeting and request to pass.

When it comes to sound, it’s all in the choice of metal. While the alloy used in the most basic models might be cheap to produce, the flimsy plastic used to strike the dome produces a tinny sound. The Oi bicycle bell uses a spring-loaded actuator to strike firm and fast, resulting in a good balance of volume and longevity of sound. The bell actually has several pitch tones - one core and several supportive higher tones.

Protection for you and your bike

ETA Cycle Insurance never devalues your bike, doesn’t charge extra for things like third party liability, personal accident or friends and family cover, and has a sympathetic policy on storage in sheds and garages.

For 25 years, we have been providing straightforward, affordable bicycle insurance, and in 2015, we were voted to be an ethical company.

Find out more about why we are different. Get an instant quote or call our friendly team on 0333 000 1234.