Why we like swisstrailbell..

My first experience with this unique and innovative bell was on a rental mountain bike, riding the trails in and around Zermatt, Switzerland in spring 2023 with my son. It was not pointed out by the shop as I picked up the bike, but I quickly discovered its unique qualities, simply elegant in form, fit and function in the very first mile.

First a little about it coming to be and its inventor, an avid mountain biker and entrepreneur named Thomas who grew up near Davos. Like all of us that bike on trails shared with others riding at a slower pace, on foot or on horseback, Thomas was having frequent encounters with others annoyed or angered by being overtaken by him on his bike. We have all been there, right? You try to make your approach known to folks with their backs toward you, immersed in their own experience by calling, “on your left,” or with the manual ringing of a traditional bell. When and if you are heard, it’s often too late and the walkers are startled, or worst case, hear “left” and move left—right into your path.

Thomas thought there might be a better mousetrap so to speak, a way for cyclists to announce their approach in advance, pleasantly and without startle, while not requiring the cyclist to take eyes off the trail, hands off the handlebar. He recalled the bells used on the horse-drawn sleds that he rode to school in the winters of his youth in Davos. There was always a bell on the sled so that the winter hikers could hear when they were roaring up from behind. If it works on the sled, it will work on the bike too! The bell he chose to start from had a note that was very familiar to cyclists as it was a smaller version of the cow bells that have been rung along cycling race courses to encourage the rider on-course.

In 2012 Thomas and his brother started experimenting, adapting the traditional bell to the bicycle along with some design goals that they would not compromise on. Starting with a bell rung continuously by the natural motion of the bike, keeping the cyclist’s eyes and hands free, the bell needed to offer a way to be silenced easily when desired, could be installed using no tools and did not become a hazard in a crash. They made the first prototypes and countless tests were necessary before a functioning bell that met all their goals dangled from the handlebars. The Konfliktverhinderer fur Biker (literal translation: Conflict Preventer for Bikers), the swisstrailbell® was born!

swisstrailbell® has enjoyed wide popularity amongst cyclists in Switzerland and throughout Europe for over a decade. The bells are manufactured in Switzerland and in the Thuringia state of central Germany by a traditional bell maker established 150 years ago. They are of uncompromising quality and the simplicity of the silencing mechanism (a very strong magnet sewn into a strap that holds the bell clapper when desired), immediately caught our eye. With over thirty plus years of cycling experience—road, mountain, gravel and bike packing—the vast potential of swisstrailbell® to be a game changer on multi-use trails was immediately obvious and has proven out in over a year and many miles of riding throughout the US.

Spring of 2024 marked the execution of an agreement between Thomas’ AlpTrail GmbH which facilitates worldwide distribution and Velo Bell USA to distribute swisstrailbell® in North America. Given the huge popularity of mountain and gravel biking and e-biking, especially in our home riding area north of Phoenix AZ where the multi-use trails we ride are also very popular with hikers and equestrians, we see the vast potential of swisstrailbell® to increase everyone’s enjoyment of the trails.

The design, quality and style of this bicycle bell is truly unique, and we truly believe you will find as we did that hikers, equestrians and others on the trails really appreciate the cheerful, advanced warning of your approach. Don’t be surprised when you get a smile and even the occasional thank you as you pass with your swisstrailbell®. Try one today!