The Knog Oi bells made a big splash back when they were introduced in 2016 with their sleek compact designs and premium details. For 2025, Knog has introduced the 80+ dB Oi Prima bike bell which incorporates some subtle updates to improve the sounds and durability of the bell. The retail price of the bell is $32.99 which slots between the popular $21.99 Oi Classic and the more premium $44.99 Oil Luxe bells. The Oi Prima features Knog’s new WAVETEK technology which uses a sleeker and more robust hammer design. It’s a lower profile design that hides the spring and prevents it from being over-extended. As with the other pumps, Knog has added thoughtful details like CNC machining and a cable passthrough for cleaner installation.
The Knog Oi Prima is the latest iteration of Knog’s Oi bells and features a sleeker and more robust design
| Retail Price | $32.99 |
| Rating | 8.9 / 10 |
| Measured Weight (in g) | 19 (size small) |
| Likes | + Compact form factor that blends in + Ergonomic trigger design with hidden spring + Attractive design with multiple colors options |
| Dislikes | – Premium price compared to basic bells – Not as loud as traditional and larger brass bells |
| Where to Buy (US) | Knog |
UNBOXING
The Knog Oi Prima comes in a small cardboard holder with the bell shaped cutout and open front. Inside the box you’ll find:
- Oi Prima bell
- Allen key
As with all Knog products, the packaging is environmentally friendly and well throughout. With the larger size version of the bell, Knog also includes spacers to accommodate a wider range of handlebar sizes.
MOUNTING
Knog has utilized a hinged clamp design to make it easy to install the bell onto handlebars. There is a single hex bolt hidden underneath the trigger that can be removed to open the hinged bottom section. Once it is open you simply push down on the top ringer portion of the bell onto your handlebar and then tighten the bolt down. If you have a handlebar that is 23.8, 25.4 or 26 mm in diameter you’ll need the large bell size which includes spacers or a flush fit. You can angle the bell on your handlebar to your preferred angle to make it easier to use the trigger. Note, Knog has also added a small cutout on the hinged portion that allows for cables to be tucked through the bell. Otherwise, you need to ensure your cables do not rub against the resonating ringer portion of the bell or it won’t work properly.
FIT & FINISH
Visually, the Knog Oi Prima retains the distinctive low profile design the Oi bells are known for. Where most traditional bells have a large protrusion with a resonating portion of the bell, the Oi Prima has a sleek wrap-around design that integrates everything nearly flush with the handlebars. There are also two size variations to choose from, the small size for 22.2 mm diameter bars and a large one for everything larger up to 21.8 mm. With both sizes there is an option for a black finish or silver finish. For this review, we have the size small in a black color which helps it blend into traditional black handlebars.
The big difference with the Oi Prima is the updated WAVETEK hammer design which improves the clarity of the bell and has a sleeker appearance. Knog has almost completely hidden the trigger spring by repositioning it and also eliminating the issue with previous Oi bells with the spring becoming overextended and reducing the effectiveness of the bell. From the side you can see the bell consists of four main pieces with a clamp portion, hinged section, resonating surface and the trigger. Laser etched details like the Knog logo on the trigger give the bell a clean appearance. Knog also touts a jet-engine inspired design with the tapered edges of the bell surface.
RIDING IMPRESSIONS
We’ve done quite a few bell reviews this year including from Ravemen, Portland Design works and even electronic bells from Trek BellBeats. The Ravemen Q1 has the most similar design with a low profile wrap-around bell that blends into the handlebars. The Q1 sounds a bit louder than the Oi Prima and doesn’t have as crisp of a tone. It’s also about half the price but it uses a hammer design that is closer to the Oi Classic with a large exposed spring that can wear out of time. More classic bell designs like the Portland Design Works Alexander Bell and King of Ding have large brass bells that take up more space but are louder with a more classic “ding” that is hard to replicate with the smaller form factor. We prefer the sound of those bells, but the large size makes them less suitable for road bikes or stealthier installation.
In the end, the Knog Oi Prima has a more premium feel and smaller design that makes it a great option for nearly any bike setup. Installation is quick and easy with the hinged design and details like the cable pass through can accommodate shifter or brake cables for some bike setups. The WAVETEK hammer design is ergonomic to use and almost entirely hides the spring underneath it. While the Knog Oi Prima isn’t the loudest bell on the market it has a nice long tone that helps people hear you coming. On crowded pedestrian trails, a few dings from the Oi Prima bell helped avoid having to yell “on your left” and the confusion that usually follows with it.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Knog Oi Prima to be a nice refinement of the classic Oi! bike bells. Knog has retained the same compact form factor but improved it with the WAVETEK hammer that is even more low profile. With its hidden spring and large ergonomic hammer, the bell is easy to operate and should last longer as you cannot overextend the spring. The bell has a classic ding sound with a long and crisp tone that helps notify people you are approaching. We found the bell to be easy to install and appreciated the stealthy design. As far as negatives, the bell isn’t as loud as traditional brass bells and you do pay a premium compared to other bike bells. That said, the Knog Oi Prima is a nice addition to the Oi! bike bell lineup and offers unique aesthetics.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by Knog. The views expressed on this website are solely those of the authors and are here to help people make an informed choice before a purchase. The authors or the blog itself does not get any monetary compensation from the product manufacturer or third-party websites/vendor links that are posted here.