Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Advocacy & Safety
Reload this Page >

Thinking of getting an old-fashioned horn

Notices
Advocacy & Safety Cyclists should expect and demand safe accommodation on every public road, just as do all other users. Discuss your bicycle advocacy and safety concerns here.

Thinking of getting an old-fashioned horn

Old 02-21-13, 05:07 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 311
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
Thinking of getting an old-fashioned horn

You know, one of those classic squeeze-bulb trumpets that sounds like a goose throwing up. Or Harpo Marx on a rampage. You get the idea.

Anyone have and use one of these guys? Recommendations?

Failing that, looking for some humorous noisemaking alternative. Something that will make itself heard without pissing people off or give them a heart attack.

It's going on a cruiser, so Fredliness is OK.

Last edited by ganchan; 02-21-13 at 05:16 PM.
ganchan is offline  
Old 02-21-13, 05:11 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Notso_fastLane's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Layton, UT
Posts: 1,606

Bikes: 2011 Bent TW Elegance 2014 Carbon Strada Velomobile

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 626 Post(s)
Liked 701 Times in 418 Posts
They work. Most make enough noise that pedestrians will move over. Just don't wait until you are right behind them to honk. I have an Airzound, and I always trigger a light blast from far enough away that it shouldn't startle anyone. It's loud enough that it can be heard inside a vehicle, though, when I really want to be heard by a cager.
Notso_fastLane is offline  
Old 02-21-13, 05:16 PM
  #3  
genec
 
genec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: West Coast
Posts: 27,079

Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2

Mentioned: 86 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13658 Post(s)
Liked 4,532 Times in 3,158 Posts
Go all the way... get a couple of different bells too... enjoy yourself.
genec is offline  
Old 02-21-13, 05:38 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 311
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by genec
Go all the way... get a couple of different bells too... enjoy yourself.
And a Pee-wee Herman lion head in front....
ganchan is offline  
Old 02-21-13, 05:38 PM
  #5  
Slob
 
GrouchoWretch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 497

Bikes: 1970s AMF Roadmaster 3 speed, Bianchi Volpe, 2012 GT Zum City

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I fantasize about putting a marine foghorn on my bike and blasting somebody's windows out.

But you specified no causing spontaneous involuntary excretion.

So how about mounting one of those singing fish novelty toys to your handlebars?
GrouchoWretch is offline  
Old 02-21-13, 05:41 PM
  #6  
Slob
 
GrouchoWretch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 497

Bikes: 1970s AMF Roadmaster 3 speed, Bianchi Volpe, 2012 GT Zum City

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
GrouchoWretch is offline  
Old 02-21-13, 05:42 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 311
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
Originally Posted by GrouchoWretch
So how about mounting one of those singing fish novelty toys to your handlebars?
Aren't they motion sensitive? Sounds like more of a deterrent to the rider than to others....
ganchan is offline  
Old 02-21-13, 06:08 PM
  #8  
Curmudgeon
 
Wil Davis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Nausea, New Hamster
Posts: 1,572

Bikes: (see https://wildavis.smugmug.com/Bikes) Bianchi Veloce (2005), Nishiki Cascade (1992), Schwinn Super Sport (1983)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts
Here's the only picture I can find of mine. I use it on all my bikes.



I use the bell if I'm close and only use the horn if the target is napping!



- Wil
Wil Davis is offline  
Old 02-21-13, 07:17 PM
  #9  
genec
 
genec's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: West Coast
Posts: 27,079

Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2

Mentioned: 86 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13658 Post(s)
Liked 4,532 Times in 3,158 Posts
Originally Posted by Wil Davis
Here's the only picture I can find of mine. I use it on all my bikes.



I use the bell if I'm close and only use the horn if the target is napping!



- Wil
But if you want real "range" you need an Airzounds.
genec is offline  
Old 02-21-13, 08:09 PM
  #10  
Curmudgeon
 
Wil Davis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Nausea, New Hamster
Posts: 1,572

Bikes: (see https://wildavis.smugmug.com/Bikes) Bianchi Veloce (2005), Nishiki Cascade (1992), Schwinn Super Sport (1983)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts
Originally Posted by genec
But if you want real "range" you need an Airzounds.
…be that as it may, I only want to wake them up, not give them a laundry experience they're unlikely to forget!



- Wil
Wil Davis is offline  
Old 02-21-13, 08:17 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
009jim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,289

Bikes: Giant CRX3, Trek 7100

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts
People associate a bell ringing with a bicycle - best not to confuse them with multiple other sounds, or they might react differently.
009jim is offline  
Old 02-21-13, 09:00 PM
  #12  
Señior Member
 
ItsJustMe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 13,749

Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)

Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 446 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 7 Posts
Originally Posted by genec
But if you want real "range" you need an Airzounds.
Except it doesn't work for about 1/4 to 1/3 of the year when it's too cold, and you need to buy a new one every 2 years because that's about how long they last.

I was going to buy a GaleForce Blaster but I can't find anyone who lists stock anymore, I fear they've stopped making them.
__________________
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
ItsJustMe is offline  
Old 02-22-13, 08:16 AM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
kmv2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 705

Bikes: Bianchi circa late 1980s, Surly Cross Check, Kona Blast

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Wil Davis
Here's the only picture I can find of mine. I use it on all my bikes.



I use the bell if I'm close and only use the horn if the target is napping!



- Wil
What GPS is that? I'm looking for one right now. Opinions?
kmv2 is offline  
Old 02-22-13, 09:49 AM
  #14  
Randomhead
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
Posts: 24,364
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 3,664 Times in 2,497 Posts
I always wanted one of the bells that the pedalcab operators in India have. Their pedalcabs have no rear brakes so they put a giant bell ringer on the rear brake lever.
unterhausen is offline  
Old 02-22-13, 10:57 AM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
Notso_fastLane's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Layton, UT
Posts: 1,606

Bikes: 2011 Bent TW Elegance 2014 Carbon Strada Velomobile

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 626 Post(s)
Liked 701 Times in 418 Posts
Originally Posted by ItsJustMe
Except it doesn't work for about 1/4 to 1/3 of the year when it's too cold, and you need to buy a new one every 2 years because that's about how long they last.

I was going to buy a GaleForce Blaster but I can't find anyone who lists stock anymore, I fear they've stopped making them.
Mine works fine at least down to freezing temps (and lots of rain). I've had it about a year with no issues. Even then, for about $40, replacing it every 2 years wouldn't be the end of the world. A battery operated one is probably close to $20 worth of batteries in the same time frame, maybe less if you always use rechargeables.
Notso_fastLane is offline  
Old 02-22-13, 11:05 AM
  #16  
Slob
 
GrouchoWretch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 497

Bikes: 1970s AMF Roadmaster 3 speed, Bianchi Volpe, 2012 GT Zum City

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
A ship's whistle belts out 140+ db SPL. It would be so awesome. Drivers would think a Panamax was rolling up on their SUVs.
GrouchoWretch is offline  
Old 02-23-13, 08:22 AM
  #17  
Vegan on a bicycle
 
smasha's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: wellington NZ (via NJ & NC)
Posts: 1,217
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 114 Post(s)
Liked 22 Times in 22 Posts
Train horns on bicycles
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...G1h1DUU5w9ux7S
smasha is offline  
Old 02-23-13, 10:47 AM
  #18  
Slob
 
GrouchoWretch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 497

Bikes: 1970s AMF Roadmaster 3 speed, Bianchi Volpe, 2012 GT Zum City

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
That's pretty good too.
GrouchoWretch is offline  
Old 03-01-13, 08:28 PM
  #19  
Old Fogy
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Murray, Utah
Posts: 1,225
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I have on on one of my old Schwinns. Most people smile when they hear it. (Unless they were dozing and it went off in their ear!)
waldowales is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Winfried
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
4
08-19-14 05:36 PM
silmarillion
General Cycling Discussion
21
12-10-11 03:21 PM
Jonahhobbes
Advocacy & Safety
11
05-07-11 10:12 AM
bluefoxicy
Commuting
8
04-20-11 06:52 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.