Coghlans Bear Bell with Magnetic Silencer

Found this in the camping section, but use it on my mountain bike.
Works well on multi-use trails: hikers and horses hear you coming. No drama.
Works well on single-track: Often blind turns, etc- other bikers coming the other way can hear me. Again, no drama. Better if everyone had a bear bell.
It's not needed (unwanted) on long climbs or downhills: That's what the magnet bag is for.
Biggest con: not easy to slip the magnet bag on when riding. A thumb switch with a magnet on it would be much better.
BTW- This bell is recommended for trail use by the San Diego Mountain Bike Association (SDMBA).

It does exactly what its supposed to do. Bells aren't meant to scar away bears. They are meant to make your presence known so as not surprise a bear. A bear that is surprised is much more likely to attack than otherwise. Personally I feel that it's worth every penny to help avoid a confrontation.

Have used them for years on my dog's collars. Not so concerned about the bears, but warns careless hunters of our presence in the woods!! Also helps find where the dogs are when their "ears are closed" and do not come when called.

Great memento but too quiet to actually scare bears away (you have to resort to shaking the bell like a baby rattle). Hard to place in bag to keep the bell quiet when needed. I would stick to buying whistle or talking loudly to let bears know that you are in the area. Though the one time it was used we did not encounter any bears.

I'll stick with banging sticks and talking loud, singing or whistling when I feel it's necessary. The magnet for the bell isn't really strong enough to hold the ball completely still. Even if you put the whole thing in your pocket, it still clicks. So it's not exactly quiet when you want it to be. Annoying.