BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

I think the "airzound" has been posted here before, but I've never tried it.

The Airzound can be adapted to use an empty 2-liter soda bottle or similar, if the factory air reservoir doesn't meet your 115 dB polite signaling and attention-getting needs.

Haven't personally used it, but it's fairly popular in the 'bent community.

Sounds like it could be useful on East Liberty Blvd at night as well. Set one of those off when possible evil-doers are within a few feet of you.

I have an AirZounds on my LHT and I love it. For pedestrians etc I ring my bell once, wait, try the bell again, then I go to the AirZounds (they hear that). For cars with the windows closed, I go straight to the AirZounds. It's effective.

I'm aware of the hack where you replace the standard A-Z pressure chamber (ie soda pop bottle) with a larger bottle, but in my experience it's not necessary, the standard bottle is good.

Some people say that the AZ is less effective in cold winter months with the denser air, but it works for me.

@Vannevar - does it hurt your ears? Of course you want a horn that's loud enough to get the attention of a car driver, but I was just wondering if it was really unpleasant to use.

They used to sell these mini disposable airhorns at K-Mart. They might have them at the Army Navy store on Liberty Av. It's probably a good idea to have one if you ride thru East Liberty at night...

http://www.amazon.com/SeaSense-1-4oz-50074011-Image-Reference/dp/tags-on-product/B000XQ5B1Y

@Tabby

The sound is kind of directional, so the thing points out from you and doesn't really get your ears too much

@Vannevar

I used mine in the winter fine, the only problem being if snow gets in the sound producing chamber, it doesn't work. Kind of like stuffing a trumpet with snow

Also doesn't take kindly to wrecking on the icy jail trail, hence mine is no longer in operation

heh, stuffing a trumpet with snow... that's a mean thing to do before the annual freezing cold snowy St. Patty's Day Parade. I'm guessing, you see I wouldn't know, I'm a good girl.

Maybe I'm just ballsy, maybe I'm just lucky, but I've developed a way of not getting hooked or even close to it while riding on the road. Short version, I've learned how to take the lane in close-knit moving traffic.

It's a bit of an art. If there's too much traffic or it's moving too fast, I can't cut in, so I don't try. Nor do I do this too far before an intersection nor too late. Very subjective. But as a light turns red up ahead and traffic starts to slow, and I see a big enough hole (four car lengths?), I throw out my left arm to signal as the rear tire of the car ahead of the hole gets past me, at least for a full second, and pull right in behind that car, and get left.

When the light goes green, I hold my line as long as there is a possibility that the car behind can try to get around me, and then and only then, aim for the right white line. During this time, of course, the cars aren't moving much faster than I can go, either.

This doesn't work on a steady green, of course, as the car back will not be expected to slow. I just glance over my shoulder (no mirror, never used one) to see if a turn signal is on. I'm not quite sure what I do in these cases, but I rarely run into right hooks.

If you want to lug around a 7lb battery, there are some compact 12v horns that are extremely loud.

I was in the middle of the righthand lane on blvd of the allies going from the point to the jail trail. This woman made a right from the middle lane.

Thanks for the suggestions, guys.

Oh Em Gee! My Airzound is ordered and in the queue.

I'm gonna startle sooo may geese with this.

After almost getting t-boned by someone making a left turn in broad daylight (had to make some quick maneuvers), I couldn't help but think I had ample time to hit a horn. I think I will get an airzound. Sounds like too much fun to not have one.

It looks like someone is selling a version without a tube (more like a traditional airhorn) on eBay for $15 (shipped), or four for $34 shipped. Do three people want to go in on this with me? It would be $8.50 each.

I've got your solution right here.

There is a bike that parks at my building that has a reservoir in a water bottle cage and horn mounted on the bars. Looks useful.

@robjdlc: Holy Crap!

$8.50 for a horn sounds legit to me. I'm down if you go for it.

The only disadvantage is that because it has no tube you have to figure out how to mount a 9 inch canister to your bike. I'm thinking it would be best to basically put it parallel (but mounted in front of and above) your steer tube and stem, mounted to the handlebars/stem.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/150654198944

Either way, 8.50 for an air horn is just useful in general. I will let you know if another two people get in on it humblesage.

Sounds good.

I have spent $8.50 on much less useful stuff. Probably even this week. I'm in.

I fantasize about keeping an airhorn in my jersey pocket, catching up to whatever car pulled a dick move, shoving my hand in an open window, and blasting it. I wouldn't ever do this, but the thought always makes me happy.

Remember the big plastic "rape alarms" with a pull pin? One of those would be great to toss in a car.

I recall an incident in sixth grade with a jerk using a saxophone mouthpiece that left me temporarily deaf in one year for a few hours (and perpetually disliking anybody named "Reid"). I bet in a pinch a saxophone mouthpiece would work. Sounds like an amplified dying duck, though.

Orionz - one christmas I had the mortifying task of thanking my grandmother profusely for getting me a flashlight with built in "rape alarm". Only two buttons, meant to be used in the dark... brilliant design that literally scared the piss out of me exactly twice before I swore never to touch it again.

"flashlight with a built in rape alarm" Cracking up.

Just thank goodness it wasn't the special breath freshener/pepper spray combo.

@humblesage and @leverhart, just bought the lot of 4, I'll shoot you a PM when they get in (should be between the 5th and 8th).

Gravy. Thanks.

After blowing out my voice yelling at someone who cut me off on a downhill and subsequent surgery, I got an Airzound for use during rehabilitation (when I really shouldn't be making any sound at all). It is freaking loud, and it's pretty easy to just clench my jaw and let the horn do the talking. The attachment system for the horn is kind of kludgy, but it definitely works.

Im having Nick wire a mini air compressor and air horn to my motorcycle. Will post results when it gets done.

Kyle, I think I am going to go the same route. My horn is very friendly sounding.

i have an airzound and have adapted it to many different bikes and uses... it's a great thing...recommended.

I can't wait. haha...

Boostuv, back in whatever day, when I fiddled around with things like that, I found that air horns had a slight time lag after hitting the button that I didn't like. Keep the hoses as short as physically possible. I finally settled on a pair of hi/lo 110 Db Fiamm electric horns. Highly recommend. BAAP!

Edmonds, heres the one I was looking at. My stock horn died a couple weeks ago and my bike is quiet as hell so I've essentially been running around ninja style. After being cut off a couple times in the last couple days I need something to alert people while they're doing it instead of pulling up next to them at the stop light and telling them how stupid they are.

http://www.amazon.com/Stebel-Nautilus-Compact-Motorcycle-Horn/dp/B000NPRTII

Ah, yes, the compressor integrated with the horn, that looks great. Those were not available a century ago, The ones I tried to use had the compressor separate from the horn. You could probably even use those on a pedalcycle with a small high output battery that you might only get a dozen honks out of, but still, you should only need a handful of honks a day or you're doing something wrong.

And yes, ninja-mc-ing is even worse than ninja biking.