Reddit mentions of Coghlan's Bear Bell with Magnetic Silencer, Black

Here’s a better breakdown of the stuff I bring. A lot of it I bring in a “better safe than sorry” mentality. I try to keep most of the ten essentials with me, and honestly, they take up so little space and weigh so little that it’s just easy for me to keep them in the pack and always have them with me. It’s like putting on your seat belt in a car- there’s VERY little chance you’ll crash, but it’s so easy to do that I figure I may as well!

Stuff for Adults

· Hiking Boots

· Wool Socks

· Shorts

· Workout Tops

· Cell Phones

· Sunglasses

· Mountain Warehouse Day Pack

· Nalgene 32 Ounce Bottle

· Coghlan’s Bear Bell

· Snacks

· First Aid Kit with Tick Removal Tool

· SOL 2-Person Emergency Bivvy

· Whistle

· Compass

· Map

· Headlamps

· Bug Lotion

· Toilet Paper

Stuff for Baby

· Baby Sun Hat

· NUBY Bug Net

· MEC Shuttlecraft Kid Carrier

· Infantino Up Close Newborn Carrier (as a back-up carrier if she wanted to change positions)

· Spare Polyester Onesie

· Pacifier (and back-up pacifiers)

· GERBER First Essentials Bottle+ Formula

· Munchkin Formula Dispenser

· Diapers

· Wipes

· Coppertone Waterbabies Stick Sunscreen (would bring sunscreen for adults if not carrying this)

· Tylenol (for baby)

· Benadryl (for baby)

If I'm not filming, I strap a $5 bear bell on my bar to sound an angry sleigh jingling through the forest. It'll annoy the crap out of anyone riding with/near you, but I'll be damned if I don't round a blind corner and see people already to the side of the trail. Worth it.

If I'm filming, or on smooth paths, the spurcycle bell is how I get people's attention. Sharp, loud, oscillating tone that can get through most ear buds.

If that doesn't get their attention I'll shout "on your left!" before passing.

If that still fails, then I'll break past them when it's safe.

Waiting until spring to start my first tour but I've done tons of research and this is what I decided on:

This lock weighs in at 17.4 ounces, combined with this bell which has a velcro strap you can attach anywhere on your bike.

The lock attaches to your bike and they're pretty uncommon around here so I dont think most people will think to look at your rear wheel for a lock, and the bell will let you know if someone tries to ride off with it.

While I dont have a way to lock the bike TO anything, I figure a heavily loaded touring bike that can't be rolled will be enough of a deterrent.

I actually ordered two of those cheapo motion alarms and they were both dead out of the box so I gave up on that idea. Being in electronics repair I opened them both up and they're obviously extremely cheaply made, and completely not water tight in any fashion, despite being advertised as waterproof - not a single seal to be found inside and the board was completely bare and exposed to the elements.

A bear bell for $4 would help a lot. Between the wooden boards and other bumps that thing would be ringing non-stop. Not as useful on smooth pavement though (needs bumps to make noise).

a bear bell (like https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000E3FNAA/) will help other trail users be aware of you, they are well worth it when things are crowded. joggers still don't have to yield, though :)

I just use a regular bear bell with a magnetic silencer like this:
Coghlan's Bear Bell with Magnetic Silencer, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000E3FNAA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Xf6jzb6JXVVJE

It's effective, cheap, and quiet when you need it to be

I got started with a wal mart bike. here it is, only my lettering is redI really got it two octobers ago, didn't ride it until last may 22 2013. Literally, I marked the date. At first I could only do a few miles every other day. Then did 5 miles every other day, then 5 miles every day, and by the end of July, I was doing 15 miles through the easiest trails and sidewalks around me every other night, then every night for a bit before classes and stuff got busy and it got cold.

my first big question thread in /r/bicycling was about adjusting my rear derailleur. My brain kept farting. But I did figure it out. It's been fine ever since. Fixed a front derailleur for another guy. I've also learned how to adjust the brakes for a real strong hold. 2 of the flats I had since then were due solely to a disaster of a trail that nobody should ride ever.

At the end of July last year I was trying to DIY pedal straps and had to remove my pedals to experiment with them. I've got pretty strong arms so when I had to try a little hard to remove them, I didn't think of it. I had stripped the right crank, so that's replaced. and toe clips added at the same time.

The headset is fine, the seat doesn't wobble, the front wheel is a bit untrue after all this time, the frame is holding up, nothing is rusty, the chain is as it should be. Nothing is really wrong with it that wal mart assembly or part quality could be blamed for.

I did, conservatively, at least 195 miles in this last May. I've done more than 116 so far in July. Probably did several hundred last summer/fall. My sprockets are fine I think.

My wal mart bike is treating me well. The fork suspension may be sucking energy away, but that's fine for me, I'm getting exercise and eating well. I'd ride twice as much or more, but I've been having to find time between a 2h15m class four days a week, cooking for my family on those same days right afterward, plus homework, plus work I've done 12 to 15 miles every other day on average. I'd like to to do 15 to 20 miles every single day as soon as I can get to it. One more week of this summer class and then things will change for fall. And you know what? I'm pretty sure this wal mart Schwinn can take it!

so yeah. Happy with my setup. Just imagine me out there, naysayers. big fat guy in black compression shorts and a green sleeveless from C9 and a cheaper hydration backpack from Coleman full of tools, and a giro venti helmet for my big head. swim shoes for easy washing and no worries in the wet; or sometimes my bright orange tennis shoes. toe clips. a rear rack with my red D-lock on it and my black sleeved cable lock, and a handlebar bag. a very tall water bottle with a red nylon sleeve on it on my one and only chrome bottle cage. red and white reflective tape stripes on many parts of the bike and helmet. reflective spoke stickers on the spokes but the hub stickers from the pack strategically placed on my helmet. And yes my helmet has a visor, oh no!. Bizarre out of place expensive sunglasses. Reflective circles on my backpack that are originally meant to be screwed on to your mail box post. One of these lights on my helmet all the time. Sometimes one of these headlamps (got this pack half off) zip tied to the top of my helmet if I plan on riding after dark, looking all silly during the day time with the shadow of a teletubby. Cheap Bell^tm bell. mountain biking bar ends. cheap mesh nylon gloves. And a cycle computer -- but I haven't cut off the zip tie tails! and obnoxious bear bells to warn people I'm coming passively.

ooh, all these cheap products and hacks, yet I'm still having fun. Legs getting more muscular, lungs getting more powerful, waving and smiling at other riders, people on their daily walks remembering me and waving, most cars respecting me quite well.

ON MY WAL MART BIKE

Doesn't it just piss you fellers off? How dare he! you say under your breath.

Get over yourselves.