Ring the changes

Bells are the bling of the cycling world. They're ¸ber-funky and, unlike other fashions, functional because they warn people of your whereabouts. From passengers who open their car doors on you to drivers pulling blindly out of junctions, this is a fad not to be hooted at - a warning sound can help avoid a collision...

Dennis & Gnasher Bell ***

The Beano bell is no frills. Simple as it is, it's cheap and it rings. If you're the sort of person who doesn't see the point in splashing out on a horn, this number will do you proud.

Price: £3.49

Junior Hooter ****

Stylish, overt and brimming with character, this favourite of Toad of Toadhall is a classic design that has never dated. Perfect for the Raleigh
Chopper or lowrider, it's the cream of the bell crop and is loud enough to keep pedestrians and drivers aware. It's cheap, too.

Price: £3.50

Buddy Mini ***

Megahorn The electric bell comes with a battery, but it could do with better instructions on how to insert them. Batteries aside, the squeaky warble is louder than your average warning sound and it only costs a few puonds more.

Price: £ 6.96

Air Zound Rechargable Bike Horn ****

This is a mighty design. Large and loud, it's powered by compressed air and is verging on fog-horn noisiness. On the plus side, it's environmentally friendly as it requires no batteries, and the its high noise level is sure to make others aware of you. An impressive safety feature is it doesn't require you taking your hands off the handlebars to hit the horn. The only obvious worry is it distracting drivers; if you think it's too loud, turn the volume down.

Price: £19.95

Dennis & Gnasher Bell, Junior Hooter and Air Zound Rechargeable Bike Horn available from Cycle Surgery (020 7375 3088, www.cyclesurgery.com), with Buddy Mini Megahorn from Madison Stockists (0845 603 4612, www.madisonstockists.com).