Commuting - Experience with Air Zound, anyone?

Hello, anyone out there with experience using Air Zound? I´ve just ordered Air Zound 2. Is it any good? Tips of how to mount it on a narrow and crowded drop bar? If you got some great ideas, please share them. Or better if you have done it for your self please discribe or/and show some pics of how you´ve solved the mounting thing. All ideas are welcome.
Anders
Sweden

Air Zounds are great for making traffic look out for you, much better than a bell. However, they do seem to have a limited lifespan, that can sometimes be extended by replacing the chamber with a 1/2 L or 1 L soda bottle and sealing the cap well.
I've always mounted mine on the handlebar to have it close to hand, but you could probably use one of the handlebar extensions they make for computers & lights. Just be sure it is someplace you can reach easily while riding.

I got one about a year ago. While installing it, a part broke so it would not mount correctly. I used it for a while with zip ties and rubber bands holding it on my bar.

I stopped using it after a while. I guess the novelty wore off. It was loud though and got people's attention. Try to look out for pedestrians that might be around. It will scare the sh*t out of them.

If you take it off the bike, I would advise that you relieve the pressure on the horn before storing. When I got it out to try it again, the shell was cracked. YMMV.

I guess it can be a good thing but I couldn't forget about a review that I read in Bicycling Mag or Mountain Bike:

Pros: Loud as Hell
Cons: The Ass-kicking you'll get if you actually use it!
:D

Originally posted by Jean Beetham Smith
Air Zounds are great for making traffic look out for you, much better than a bell. However, they do seem to have a limited lifespan, that can sometimes be extended by replacing the chamber with a 1/2 L or 1 L soda bottle and sealing the cap well.
JBS, you are definitely related to an inventor.

I've always mounted mine on the handlebar to have it close to hand, but you could probably use one of the handlebar extensions they make for computers & lights. Just be sure it is someplace you can reach easily while riding.
That's why my whistle is always in mah teeth. Split-second response.

Ever tried shouting above the engine noise? Pitiful...

I have an Air Zound horn and I like it.

It didn't work well on the really cold winter days, though. When temperatures were below zero (F) the horn often would not work - even with the canister bottle freshly pressurized.

I mounted the button/horn on the top of my road bike handlebars on my commuter bike. The button/horn is near the stem. In this position, I can quickly reach over with my thumb and push the horn button. In the city, where I use the horn most, my hands are usually on the top of the bars rather than in the drops, so this made the most sense for me.

All in all, I like it. There are times when I like to blast the horn at cars. Bells, whistling, and other noise making did not pass some of the experiments I did with audio/vehicle sound recognition (don't that sound fancy!). The Air Zound was recognized by my test group in cars more than 1/2 city block away with the windows rolled up and the stereo blasting.

I´m still waiting for it to arrive, so I cant yet tell you what I like It.
Thank´s for your replys.
Anders K

I got one a week ago, already on my second charge of air !

My comments are as follows:

Mounting position on a straight barred bike, ideally you need to mount as close as possible to the hand grips, however the gears/brakes get in the way, so it means you have to move your hand to hit the button. A small change needs to be made to the design so that you can hit the button whilst changing gear and braking, as chances are when you need to use the horn you will be braking as well.

Bottle position: I have 3 bottle cages on my bike (it' a Thorn Nomad tourer) I found that putting it in the lowest cage (which is between the wheel and the front cog) was OK, but I will buy the cheapest/lightest strap on bottle cage I can find and mount the bottle between the back wheel and the seat down tube, that way it is toatlly out of the way and the rubber tube does not get in the way. (Yeah I know 4 bottle cages is a bit OTT)

As for noise - it's certainly loud enough.

A horn tends to say "get out of my way or else" whereas a bell says " please move aside" or "I am hear"

I have found that people walking down a cycle lane with their backs to you do not react to a 'car' horn, as they assume it's on the road, they do however react to a bell.

So if you have enough room on you bar, fit a bell as well.

That horn has prevented more than a few inattentive motorists from turning left in front of me. I have used a car horn on my bike but the problem I had was that the motorist understandably had no idea that the source of the sound was my bike rather than another car. The Air Zound is higher in pitch and louder and I find that motorists are able to differentiate it from a car horn.

Besides the obvious safety situations, I occasionally and judiciously blast it at the windows of motorists I end up passing who have decided to blast their horns at me for no traffic related reason. It seems that they can dish it out better than they can take it. I also might use it when I am passing arrogant jerks who stop in the bike lane, especially when they fling their doors open.

I don't honk at pedestrians though - I used to be one myself!

Another mounting option on a straight bar is to mount them as far out as possible, sort of between the barend & grip. That way you just pivot the heel of your hand over the trigger.

I received my Air Zound today, tuseday 28, have just fitted it to the dropbar. It came with pressure so I´ve not filled it myself yet. Will try it tomorrow morning on my way to work, about 06.00 at morning there´s not many cars on the road, I´m pretty much on my own, have the road to myself. No one will get offended:D
Anders K
Sweden

I was keeping an eye out for some trail clearing options, but this thing sounds a little scary as well as fragile. I wonder how it would work with horses? *evil grin*

I was told that they are mandatory equipment when riding around logging trucks.

Is the, "Air Zound" manufactured by a German company?

:D

This thing is LOUD! Wow, now I need protection for my ears;) . Cars can no longer violate me without bringing themselves some major attention. No need to shout just honk:D .
Anders K
Sweden

Man, I don't know about back East but our logging trucks are creatures to avoid at all costs. They make gravel trucks look like mopeds.

Harris Cyclery does a lot of mail order business on the Air Zound to the Northwest, supposedly for that very reason.