A proper horn!

[Raleigh Chopper]

I have just bought this little gem online: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=20498 - and it really works! It's loud enough to be heard inside a car with the windows up - which is great for when a motorist pulls out and forgets to look over their shoulder. I've used it a few times so far and on one occasion it caught the attention of a guy who would otherwise have pulled out right in front of me, probably causing me to crash into his car.

[fordfasterr]

Cool !

Where is the button?

[Raleigh Chopper]

It's on the back there - you stick your thumb into it to sound the horn - which can be fiddly and admittedly it would be better if you could just hit the thing fast - but it's an improvement over shouting, which can't be heard through a closed car window!

[genec]

Airzound works very well... and has 130db of sound... and a big red button that you can find in a hurry.

[starkmojo]

Love my airzounds..

[Raleigh Chopper]

I had a look at the airzound - how much does it weigh?

[zoltani]

I had a look at the airzound - how much does it weigh?

Can't give you a number, but the thing is very light. The bottle goes in the bottle cage, or you can velcro it to the top tube. It is also easily removable, so you can take it inside with you if you will be parking your bike for extended periods.
I love to blast the taxis with my airzound!

[maddyfish]

I use a regular old air horn, works wells. Plus it can be directionally modulated for effect (pointed).

[Giro]

... admittedly it would be better if you could just hit the thing fast ...
Fit a remote pneumatic valve for immediately sounding the much louder Airzound horn: LINK (http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/showthread.php?t=37196)

Looks very nice.

[tomg]

air-zound used here as well. reliable warning device and refillable (with air) !

[bkrownd]

Air horns seem a bit bulky and fiddly. What about just a regular 12V car horn? How much juice would you need to make it "beep" with the best of 'em? Tie it into your lighting system.

Wonder what the little handlebar thing sounds like.

[Giro]

Air horns seem a bit bulky and fiddly. What about just a regular 12V car horn? How much juice would you need to make it "beep" with the best of 'em? ...
Recent thread on electric horns HERE (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=360349&highlight=electric+horn). Some examples in that thread are:

horns:
500 or 410 Hz, 133dB, 225 g, 2.5 amps
500 & 410 Hz, 136dB, 450 g, 5.0 amps

battery:
Small sealed lead acid battery 0.82 Lbs. (0.37 kg), max dimensions 3.78" X 2.44" X 0.98" and 30 second maximum discharge rate of 16 amps.

Definitely do-able but heavier than Airzound.

[MountainBiker]

hmmmm, may be a better idea than the cussing ive been forced to do ....lol

[Allister]

I tried a horn for a while. The times I needed to use it, I also needed to use my brakes, and they get priority. If you don't need to use your brakes to avoid someone that didn't see you, you don't really need to sound the horn. I stick to shouting. With three kids under ten, I've had a lot of practice. I can be heard inside a closed car, no worries.

[irabidfish]

man, I could have used a horn about 10 minutes ago. A guy cut across me at a stop light from the left lane in order to make a right turn. Thank god the light was red and I was cruising up at about 1mph, even at a crawl I still had to slam my breaks because of how dangerous this idiot was. The magnificent part is, he had to wait for another car that went to the right of me, because I left plenty of room for cars to pass.

Idiot....

[daven1986]

to the OP, can you describe the sound of the horn? Is it like a car horn, or more high pitched?

[Treespeed]

I tried a horn for a while. The times I needed to use it, I also needed to use my brakes, and they get priority. If you don't need to use your brakes to avoid someone that didn't see you, you don't really need to sound the horn. I stick to shouting. With three kids under ten, I've had a lot of practice. I can be heard inside a closed car, no worries.

Agree.

[Big_e]

Thanks for that link RC, and they take paypal too! I'm gonna try it. I've been doing rather well by shouting. I find that as my commuting developes, I've been becoming pretty vocal. I used to be such a quiet person. :)
Ernest