General Cycling Discussion - Bike Horns

I looked everywhere on here and maybe I missed it. But is there a decent horn I can put on my bike?? More for a safety thing for me.. Anyone have advice on this?? I don't want a bell sound.. Thanks everyone

I have a compressed air canister mounted to an emergency boat-horn that works to let people know you're coming - from 3 miles away.

A home made Air Zound!

Well, for pedestrians on the mup, a bell is better. It makes them smile and move over. Air Zound will get them all hostile. Now, for riding in traffic, it should be just the ticket. Don't set it off right next to them unless it's a real emergency. They just might swerve into you before they know you're there.

Best thing for an audible warning is a bell----Kept in the pocket. Then when the peds don't hear you call out "rider behind"---- you can throw it at them.

I use a horn on the tandem and it is not heard. On one memorable ride with lots of peds on the trail I had one person say "You Ought to get a bell". Her next remark was "No need to use that language".

If she was not going to hear that horn that I had been using for a long time- She was not going to hear anything.

I only pack my marine-distress blaster for riding a certain trail where I live. The people there come flying down from the woods and land in front - or on top - of you without looking. And the pedestrians and worse. Last time I rode it, a woman was walking side-to-side of the path - swinging her arms. And there was two laes of cyclists approaching. Me and a line of 3 in the opposite direction. I did everything - yelling and screaming - to get her attention.

She managed to sock me in the face with her flailing fists o' fury. I considered myself lucky - she didn't knock me down.

I looked everywhere on here and maybe I missed it. But is there a decent horn I can put on my bike?? More for a safety thing for me.. Anyone have advice on this?? I don't want a bell sound.. Thanks everyone

I used to use a horn like this when riding in both traffic and on the MUP in Philadelphia in the 70's. Useful/decent as a friendly "here I am notice", but not useful/decent as a retaliatory weapon or substitute for obscene gestures at rude motorists, or as a "Get Outta My Way" blaster for scaring pedestrians.

Bells and horns are available at any department/xMart store, or for more money at an LBS.

A home made Air Zound!

Well, for pedestrians on the mup, a bell is better. It makes them smile and move over. Air Zound will get them all hostile. Now, for riding in traffic, it should be just the ticket. Don't set it off right next to them unless it's a real emergency. They just might swerve into you before they know you're there.


How do I make that? Any suggestions

I have a delta air zound horn

http://www.deltacycle.com/product.php?g=1

I had to use it in the Wally World parking lot,some one wasn't paying attention heading toward me,I hit the horn and they stopped. Love it when that happens.

If I rode in traffic often, I'd get an air horn like the air zound. You need something loud to get through the closed windows and loud music in a car. I'm looking at squeak horns for use on the MUP though.

Nothing beats an airzound.
I use it almost weekly to keep cars from cutting me off in the two roundabouts we have here in town.
(What is it with not understanding how to YEILD to a bicycle already in the roundabout?? Something to do with compensating insecurities?)

And with a bit of practice, you can give a quick "toot toot", that although very loud, isn't really obnoxious because of its brevity.

How do I make that? Any suggestions

Google Boating Supplies.

I only pack my marine-distress blaster for riding a certain trail where I live. The people there come flying down from the woods and land in front - or on top - of you without looking. And the pedestrians and worse. Last time I rode it, a woman was walking side-to-side of the path - swinging her arms. And there was two laes of cyclists approaching. Me and a line of 3 in the opposite direction. I did everything - yelling and screaming - to get her attention.

She managed to sock me in the face with her flailing fists o' fury. I considered myself lucky - she didn't knock me down.

I've had them jump in surprise at seeing me right in front of them. I mean, these people were walking toward me over a distance of 40 or 50 feet, with no idea they were not the only people in the world. And those earbuds? Some of them are noise canceling devices.

Safety and the need to be seen and recognised quickly cannot be emphasized enough.I want to add a Stebel Air Horn.The Stebel is used on autos,scooters,trucks,motorcycles etc.They are loud as needed.As soon as I figure out a battery to power the horn,I'm getting one.The Stebel runs around 35.00 or so.If anyone knows or can recommend a battery please holler.Thanks.

Bicycle horns you say...?

http://www.campyonly.com/images/ride_photos/2007/3-2007/nahbs/IMG_2879_800.jpg

The most prolific idiots around these parts are young women - talking on cellphones & utterly oblivious of who, or what, is ahead of them. They don't even look. Just staring up at the sky while giggling and yapping away. Don't keep a lane. Don't obey traffic signs or lights. Having these knuckleheads coming at you is dangerous. Having them ahead and you need to pass them is also dangerous. Yell as I might: "Passing on your LEFT!" - many of them still swerve into me and clip my handlebars.

I have an Air Zound but purchased it only for the novelty. It would do the job for you though if you really feel you need one.

I was thinking of finding a way to re-direct utter idiots on a trail that leads into a deep pit. Maybe some crocodiles & piranha...

I have a Falcon Signal marine horn strapped to my bicycle to let people know of my presence in traffic. It also works effectively to discourage dogs that run out to follow or attack you. If you should choose to buy a marine horn, I suggest you also get a refill container for when it becomes empty.

I also carry a whistle that is pinned to my jersey if the marine horn should run out.

i have a bell, an bulb horn, and a little compressed air horn like they take to basketball games...

the situation determines which i use :)

the bell when i'm approaching pedestrians and other riders, the bulb horn when i see neighbors and freinds on the route, and the air horn when i need to startle dogs and cars or attract quick attention...

I have a Zounds horn too.
Good for getting attention of people that have windows closed.

Had a coyote trot out right in front of me, going in same direction.
He thought he was going to be run over... ran off the trail but couldn't figure out where the sound came from.
He seemed to have his mind on a little dog being walked on a leash further up.