Trek BellBeats, electronic bell and speaker

One of the most traditional and characteristic elements of the bicycle, in addition to being a mandatory element according to current legislation is the bell. A component that Trek has now decided to modernize by entering the era of electronics and taking advantage to add other interesting functions.

The most modern bell is called Trek BellBeats

Despite being a somewhat anachronistic component on a bicycle, the bell remains part of the mandatory equipment of a bicycle in a good number of countries. We say anachronistic because it is an element of limited effectiveness when it comes to warning motor vehicles and only useful for alerting pedestrians with whom, in principle, the bike should not share a platform as it is a vehicle and should circulate on the road. However, the proliferation of bike lanes that transit on the same platform used by pedestrians means that the obligation of this warning device is maintained.

Aside from conceptual issues regarding the use of the bicycle, the reality is that this bike component has remained essentially the same since its invention in the early days of cycling. A brass structure with a lever that activates an internal metal element that, when irregularly hitting the housing, produces the characteristic sound.

Now, Trek, as it did with other accessories such as its famous daytime lights, has decided to modernize it by making it electronic.

The new Trek BellBeats bell includes eight different sounds, from those that reproduce the traditional sound to some more striking ones. It also has dimensions and a shape similar to conventional bells. In addition, it includes Bluetooth connection so that those who enjoy listening to music while pedaling can do so without having to use dangerous headphones that isolate them from the environment or the GPS directions on our mobile phone. While we're at it, we miss that it wasn't equipped with a small microphone that would allow us to answer phone calls without using our hands.

Being an electronic device, obviously, it has a small rechargeable battery via USB-C and has small LEDs that allow us to quantify the level of charge.

Our only doubt remains, at least regarding Spanish legislation, about the full legality of it since, article 22 of the General Vehicle Regulations that refers to bike equipment specifies "1. Cycles, in order to circulate, must have: An adequate braking system that acts on the front and rear wheels. A bell, prohibiting the use of any other acoustic device other than that" so it is expected that the DGT will soon pronounce, as it had to do at the time regarding flashing rear lights, about this electronic bell and those that will surely follow. For now, we have already forwarded the query about the legality of using an electronic bell.