Are bells or horns useful for commuting?
#1
Rides again
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: SW. Sacramento Region, aka, down river
Posts: 3,282
Bikes: Giant OCR T, Trek SC
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Are bells or horns useful for commuting?
Again, need advice. I'm about 2 weeks from starting commuting and trying to figure out problems ahead of time.
I keep on forgetting about bells, or horns. So few seem to have them or use them. This is what I have gathered so far. What I don't know is does this make sense or not?
Bells
1. too low volume
2. only useful at very low speed on bike paths, streets for humans. I've already found it is safer to stay off those multiuse bike paths. Way way too many obstacles.
Horns
1. extremely limited selection
2. air horns are only viable alternative
3. air horns with more than 105 db are more aggressive than a nice reminder, hey, I'm here too.
4. only found one by Delta, the Air Zound 2. It has a poor reputation for mounting and long term reliability.
If went with AirZound, then have to figure out how to mount it. One cage will be for water and one cage for headlight battery. Ugh. Guess wedge is best bet.
But still is it worth it to spend $30 on a horn that would be seldom, or never useful?
I know regular bikers say No, waste of my money. But what about commuters? Do you all have a different perspective?
Huff
I keep on forgetting about bells, or horns. So few seem to have them or use them. This is what I have gathered so far. What I don't know is does this make sense or not?
Bells
1. too low volume
2. only useful at very low speed on bike paths, streets for humans. I've already found it is safer to stay off those multiuse bike paths. Way way too many obstacles.
Horns
1. extremely limited selection
2. air horns are only viable alternative
3. air horns with more than 105 db are more aggressive than a nice reminder, hey, I'm here too.
4. only found one by Delta, the Air Zound 2. It has a poor reputation for mounting and long term reliability.
If went with AirZound, then have to figure out how to mount it. One cage will be for water and one cage for headlight battery. Ugh. Guess wedge is best bet.
But still is it worth it to spend $30 on a horn that would be seldom, or never useful?
I know regular bikers say No, waste of my money. But what about commuters? Do you all have a different perspective?
Huff
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Posts: 236
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
They are fun, but I took mine off. Too much crap on my bike. I just use my lungs now. I have never had any trouble with the airzound though... Hmm, maybe I'll put it back on. The look you get from motorists is priceless.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 566
Bikes: Vision R40 - recumbent, Gunnar Crosshairs
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I think you mean that the old Airzound had trouble. The AirZound II is just fine. It also comes with a very nice mounting system, using zip ties and vecro, which actually holds it on very tightly. You don't have to sacrifice a bottlecage.
#4
SoCal Commuter
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Agua Dulce, CA
Posts: 592
Bikes: Surly Crosscheck single/9 speed convertible, Novara Buzz beater
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It depends. I used to have a commute route that included a couple miles of sidewalk with very light to no pedestrian traffic. At that time I found a bell handy for when I came upon the occasional pedestrian. It sure beat yelling at them as I approached. I nearly always got a friendly nod in exchange for not startling them. Now I ride almost exclusively in the street, so I took it off. I still wish I had it sometimes though, when I drive my ride down to the bike path at the beach. Then there's plenty of use for a bell.
DanO
DanO
#5
2-Cyl, 1/2 HP @ 90 RPM
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 15,762
Bikes: 04' Specialized Hardrock Sport, 03' Giant OCR2 (SOLD!), 04' Litespeed Firenze, 04' Giant OCR Touring, 07' Specialized Langster Comp
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
I can usually yell about as loud as a car's horn. So I can get my message across with a lung full of air if I have to.
#6
Videre non videri
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Posts: 3,208
Bikes: 1 road bike (simple, light), 1 TT bike (could be more aero, could be lighter), 1 all-weather commuter and winter bike, 1 Monark 828E ergometer indoor bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
How much does a bell weigh? 50-100 grams?
Why not simply leave it on?
My new bike didn't come with a bell, but since bikes are required by law to have a bell, I grabbed an old one off one of my brother's old and disused bikes.
Unfortunately, the bell isn't very good (too rusty to give a clear and strong sound), and I've found it to be quite useful, so I'll probably "upgrade" soon.
Why not simply leave it on?
My new bike didn't come with a bell, but since bikes are required by law to have a bell, I grabbed an old one off one of my brother's old and disused bikes.
Unfortunately, the bell isn't very good (too rusty to give a clear and strong sound), and I've found it to be quite useful, so I'll probably "upgrade" soon.
#7
cab horn
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Toronto
Posts: 28,353
Bikes: 1987 Bianchi Campione
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 25 Times
in
18 Posts
I have a bell, required by law. Not that I ever use it. I find it's pretty ineffective. Pedestrians jaywakling will are not going to respond to a ring a ding ding of a bell.
#8
2-Cyl, 1/2 HP @ 90 RPM
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 15,762
Bikes: 04' Specialized Hardrock Sport, 03' Giant OCR2 (SOLD!), 04' Litespeed Firenze, 04' Giant OCR Touring, 07' Specialized Langster Comp
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
Originally Posted by operator
I have a bell, required by law. Not that I ever use it. I find it's pretty ineffective. Pedestrians jaywakling will are not going to respond to a ring a ding ding of a bell.
#10
kipuka explorer
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Hilo Town, East Hawai'i
Posts: 3,297
Bikes: 1994 Trek 820, 2004 Fuji Absolute, 2005 Jamis Nova, 1977 Schwinn Scrambler 36/36
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
A polite "ping" bell is really handy for peds and dogs, and beats yelling at them any day. I'm also pondering hooking up an
electric car horn to a custom light I'm building, for speaking to vehicles and "bad" dogs, which would be much more compact
and reliable than the airzound.
electric car horn to a custom light I'm building, for speaking to vehicles and "bad" dogs, which would be much more compact
and reliable than the airzound.
__________________
--
-=- '05 Jamis Nova -=- '04 Fuji Absolute -=- '94 Trek 820 -=- '77 Schwinn Scrambler 36/36 -=-
Friends don't let friends use brifters.
--
-=- '05 Jamis Nova -=- '04 Fuji Absolute -=- '94 Trek 820 -=- '77 Schwinn Scrambler 36/36 -=-
Friends don't let friends use brifters.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: London, England
Posts: 72
Bikes: On-one Inbred, On-one Il Pompino & Shonky Singlespeed hack
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I find that a bell is good for reminding pedestrians you are there before they do something stupid but shouting is more effective once they've stepped out without looking or whatever.
Bells don't seem to have any effect on car drivers and you have to shout _REALLY LOUD_ to get heard over the radio or mobile phone.
I haven't used an air horn but you just know that it would be out of juice just when you need it.
The bell is also good for the deer in Richmond Park as I'd feel a bit silly shouting at wild animals to get out of the way :-)
Bells don't seem to have any effect on car drivers and you have to shout _REALLY LOUD_ to get heard over the radio or mobile phone.
I haven't used an air horn but you just know that it would be out of juice just when you need it.
The bell is also good for the deer in Richmond Park as I'd feel a bit silly shouting at wild animals to get out of the way :-)
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Munich
Posts: 1,372
Bikes: Lemond Alpe d´Huez, Scott Sub 10, homemade mtb, Radlbauer adler (old city bike), Dahon impulse (folder with 20 inch wheels), haibike eq xduro
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Air horns are illegal on bikes in Germany (you dont want to disturb the drivers as they drive over you). I have therefore mounted a very large chinese bell that I bought on ebay (still probably illegal but I would rather be fined than dead) on my commuter. You can usually be heard by car drivers with it OK and you can just ping it gently at peds if you dont want to scare them.
#13
Videre non videri
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Posts: 3,208
Bikes: 1 road bike (simple, light), 1 TT bike (could be more aero, could be lighter), 1 all-weather commuter and winter bike, 1 Monark 828E ergometer indoor bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
I get a mental image of a two-foot metal gong with a spring-loaded hammer...
#14
Formerly Known as Newbie
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Posts: 6,250
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
I use a bell, it's required by the law here. As I mentioned in some other thread, it seems to get 50/50 response: half the time people are neutral or appreciative, half the time angered by it. Judging from that experience, an AirZound would probably result to ped rage in large scale.
--J
--J
__________________
To err is human. To moo is bovine.
Who is this General Failure anyway, and why is he reading my drive?
Become a Registered Member in Bike Forums
Community guidelines
To err is human. To moo is bovine.
Who is this General Failure anyway, and why is he reading my drive?
Become a Registered Member in Bike Forums
Community guidelines
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Munich
Posts: 1,372
Bikes: Lemond Alpe d´Huez, Scott Sub 10, homemade mtb, Radlbauer adler (old city bike), Dahon impulse (folder with 20 inch wheels), haibike eq xduro
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
when I was younger and more reckless I used to ride in around Manchester in the UK with an airhorn mounted on the bike- I just got fed up of ringing the bell and being completely ignored by everyone. The peds were the worst and I even hit a couple.
The air horn REALLY had an effect I can tell you. I remember one guy well he stepped out in front of me and I gave him a blast. His feet were slipping on the road as desperately scrambled to dive back on the pavement. He must have thought a huge truck was coming. He didnt look to pleased and was shaking his fist at me when he saw it was just little old me. But at least i didnt hit him.
The air horn REALLY had an effect I can tell you. I remember one guy well he stepped out in front of me and I gave him a blast. His feet were slipping on the road as desperately scrambled to dive back on the pavement. He must have thought a huge truck was coming. He didnt look to pleased and was shaking his fist at me when he saw it was just little old me. But at least i didnt hit him.
#18
Rebel Thousandaire
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Hartford, CT
Posts: 733
Bikes: Public D8, Yuba Mundo (cargo), Novara Buzz (1-speed, soon to be 2-speed w/ a kickback hub), Xootr 1-speed folder
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Don't neglect the old-timey horns with the squeezable rubber bulb. They're sort of awkward, but really cool-sounding and distinct.
I actuallt tend to whistle - not a piercing, construction-worker-upon-seeing-a-hot-babe whistle, but a more polite, funny sounding affair.
I actuallt tend to whistle - not a piercing, construction-worker-upon-seeing-a-hot-babe whistle, but a more polite, funny sounding affair.
#19
Just riding
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Exeter, UK
Posts: 651
Bikes: Cannondale Bad Boy / Mercian track / BOB trailer / Moulton recumbent project
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Bell: for pedestrians. What are you doing riding where the peds are? Get on the road!
Old-time bulb horn: Great fun, marginally more useful than a bell.
Air Horn, especially the Zound: Penetrates closed car windows, good against dozy drivers who aren't awake yet, great noisemaker in a Critical Mass.
But none of these are essential. You can just yell instead.
Old-time bulb horn: Great fun, marginally more useful than a bell.
Air Horn, especially the Zound: Penetrates closed car windows, good against dozy drivers who aren't awake yet, great noisemaker in a Critical Mass.
But none of these are essential. You can just yell instead.
#20
I am not a car
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Decatur, GA
Posts: 747
Bikes: Giant Revel 1, Surly Ogre
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I have a AirZound II and it is very effective on cell-phone cagers and dogs. I won't use it on peds because it would probably scare them into my path. Loud yelling works well for stopped cars. I mounted the bottle on my left from fork using an old lightweight bottle cage. The refill valve is under the button on the horn.
On my wife's bike I used an old 12 volt car horn hooked into the lighting system. Very satisfying to honk back at a car when they honk at you!
More info on bike horns here.
On my wife's bike I used an old 12 volt car horn hooked into the lighting system. Very satisfying to honk back at a car when they honk at you!
More info on bike horns here.
__________________
"Bad facts make bad laws." FZ
"Bad facts make bad laws." FZ
#21
cut my gas use in half
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 324
Bikes: walmart beater, Dahon boardwalk, A bike, schwinn tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I yell HELLO very loud, and very cheery, and peds usually stop to see who is crazy, and then I can ride by in safety. By the way, i only ride where peds are when they are NOT where they belong. Sidewalks are for peds, unless empty.
our experience with horns and bells has been when using my partner's mobility cart...and people ignore them totally. So I won't waste my money or effort.
our experience with horns and bells has been when using my partner's mobility cart...and people ignore them totally. So I won't waste my money or effort.
#22
Retired Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Queens New York
Posts: 1,180
Bikes: Bianchi Pisa, LeMond Poprad
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
In my Opinion, no.
I was riding with a bell a few times and no one ever bothered to even glance at me when I was ringing my bell to get their attention.
I had to resort to shouting, which always works.
If you're coming up on someone who is crossing without looking a good loud,
"YO WATCH OUT!!"
works better than the ding ding of a bell.
I was riding with a bell a few times and no one ever bothered to even glance at me when I was ringing my bell to get their attention.
I had to resort to shouting, which always works.
If you're coming up on someone who is crossing without looking a good loud,
"YO WATCH OUT!!"
works better than the ding ding of a bell.
#23
Dominatrikes
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Still in Santa Barbara
Posts: 4,920
Bikes: Catrike Pocket, Lightning Thunderbold recumbent, Trek 3000 MTB.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I ride on a touristy bike path sometimes. I find that with a bell (or a little horn) pedestrians know what you are. They don't really need to look back because they already know it's a bike coming. Only problem with the little horn is that all the tourists on the crazy surry bikes are constantly honking theirs, so I imagine nobody ever gets out of their way anymore.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Montreal
Posts: 6,521
Bikes: Peugeot Hybrid, Minelli Hybrid
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I have a Fox 40 whistle - for pedestrians when I cross St Lawrence river on ped/bike path I give two quick peeps when I am 50 yds away, to give them time to look around and move out of the way without having to hurry, then I say 'Merci' as I pass. There are a couple of spots on my commute where there is plenty of traffic that may not be watching for the bike path crossing the road - I can give a plenty loud blast to wake any dozy driver.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Munich
Posts: 1,372
Bikes: Lemond Alpe d´Huez, Scott Sub 10, homemade mtb, Radlbauer adler (old city bike), Dahon impulse (folder with 20 inch wheels), haibike eq xduro
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Here is my chinese bell- it is not quite a gong but it is the loudest bell I can find