Knog, most well known for their waterproof, rechargeable silicone bike lights – have just released a bell which appears almost invisible on your handlebars. The term ‘Oi’ is commonly used in Australia as a way to get someone’s attention; a quick ring on the bike path or footpath will do just that.
Knog have used their expertise in product design to move away from your typical circular ‘bulb’ shape, in the process reinventing the bike bell to take up the least possible space on your handlebars. Not only is it space saving, but it’s so discreet that you barely notice it’s even there. Knog tested and prototyped different widths, depths, materials, curvature, actuators, springs and more to arrive at their best design.
The Oi will be available in four different aluminium finishes: brushed, copper-plated, brass-plated and black. It’s also available in ‘treat yourself’ titanium – because, why not?
Unlike other bells, the design allows you to loop your brake and gear cables through the bell. No matter whether you have 31.8mm or 22.2mm handlebars, there’s a bell for you.
I recently popped into the Knog offices in Melbourne to have take a closer look at the prototype.
So basically, the product looks great and works well too. I’m told the production product will be even better after a few small changes.
The Oi starts for around US $20, and Knog will be shipping this product in August 2016.
I’ve only got two comments: Ding . . . Ding. Thanks for getting a look at this new design – very unobtrusive. They’re not expensive either.
I really like it’s minimalist design.
Hmm. How loud is it? I use the Mirrycle Incredible Omnibell. The company happens to be in my town so I stopped by and hand tested all the bells I’d consider of the dozens (too many!) on their bell wall. This design, with the holes, produced the loudest sound. The holes add a warble. I can rotate the bell cap and find the loud-warble sweet spot.
And: it looks like the Oi requires removal of control components (brake, shifter, bar ends) in order to mount; is this so?
My Oi is not close to as loud as a spurcycle, even a clone is going to be louder as the Oi tone seems to be a bit in the higher frequencies with a long fade. The ding is much better than a generic (longer and crisper), but I bet an Incredibell is louder than this, especially initially
You do not need to remove controls because the plastic mount splits at the bottom, so it mounts like a cyclocomputer or light mount. You do need to leave a little space for the best sound. Even though my bar tape is not touching, it is close enough to the sound waves to add rattle when I ring the bell on one of mine.
It’s a great new design and I loved being able to pick alternative metals from brass to titanium. I had mine engraved as a KickStarter bonus. “WTF am I?” Easy t find a place to mount it but they aren’t very loud.