Spurcycle Bells, Mirrors and Tools
In every edition of Bicycle Quarterly, we test products that we think are of interest to our readers. If those products are truly exceptional, we sometimes add them to the Rene Herse program. For the upcoming BQ 91, we’ve been testing bells, mirrors and a tool from Spurcycle. We’re so excited about them that we didn’t want to wait until the magazine appears next month—they are now available on our website.
Most cyclists probably know Spurcycle as the company that made bells cool. And it’s true: Unless you’re on a solo ride far from civilization, your bike is better with a bell. Whether you’re approaching pedestrians or passing cyclists, a bell is friendlier, and less likely to be misunderstood, than yelling: “On your left!”
We like the Spurcycle Original Bell, because it’s small and elegant. It weighs just 41 grams. The sound is carefully tuned: insistent enough to be audible from a distance, even through headphones, yet pleasant and friendly. The bell attaches to all types of handlebars with a metal strap that’s tightened with a 2.5 mm hex tool. Once installed, the bell stays securely in place. Best of all, the bells (and also the mirrors below) are beautifully made and completely rebuildable. All spare parts are available.
After revolutionizing bicycle bells, Spurcycle set their sights on rear-view mirrors. Their Pro Bar-End Mirror is machined from sturdy aluminum. It installs and adjusts without tools: Insert the mirror into the handlebar end, tighten most of the way, adjust the mirror angle, then rotate the mirror one more turn to lock in the adjustment. Genius!
The small 35 mm mirror shows you all you need to see, but it requires a little more careful adjustment than the larger 50 mm mirror. The large 50 mm is also a great choice if you want a larger field of vision. Both are lightweight: 39 g for the small mirror, 51 g for the large one. Both are available in black or silver.
Mirrors aren’t just for safety: I use my mirror to keep an eye on my riding partners, whether to see an attack coming or to ease up for a friend who is getting gapped.
Saving the best for last: a multi-tool that really works! It’s no secret: We aren’t really fans of most multi-tools. They’re often heavier than individual Allen and Torx wrenches, and many multi-tools struggle to reach the screws that tend to come loose: on bottle cages, racks, fenders, etc.
The Spurcycle Titanium T-Tool avoids those problems. It’s as small as a multi-tool—it fits in the palm of your hand—and a lot lighter: just 81 g (+ 15 g for the pouch). It consists of bits that you insert into a T-handle. A magnet in the handle holds the bits securely. The bits are made from tool-grade CrMo steel for long-term durability. The T-handle is made from titanium for light weight. The precision-machined handle slides smoothly from T to L-form—shapeshifting to provide leverage in tight spots.
Fit and finish are professional grade. There’s a handy holder (with magnets that prevent the bits from falling out) and a pouch (made from durable TPU). The result is a tool that’s lightweight, packs small—and is fun to use.
All Spurcycles parts are in stock now.
More Information:
- Bells, Mirrors and Handlebars
- Tools
- Bicycle Quarterly, the magazine about the passion of cycling, includes in-depth reviews of bikes and components
