February 5, 20197 yr After a few recent incidents where going 'ding' just didn't work, I am looking to put a louder device on my bike. Any one use anything or have any experience using a loud horn? Or can anyone recommend one?
February 5, 20197 yr I'm using a cheap one from China which I bought at a LBS. I wanted the double barrelled one but he didn't recommend it, said they break very easily and he also warned me against the bendy one which doesn't get enough air from the bulb to be any use.
February 5, 20197 yr AIrZound mega loud 140db, simply prime the ali air tank with a cycle track pump too 100psi. Used to be only < £15 but now about £12 used to £25 new. Newer models now only 115db.
February 5, 20197 yr Author Was just looking at the Air Zound, seem a good option but chunky and a bit messy looking. Also looking at Hornit as well, which seemed aggressive and poss too loud, I don't want to scare people, I just want to make them aware of my presence.
February 5, 20197 yr With the Zound they jump out of their skins , sometimes it's the only thing that draws their attention.
February 5, 20197 yr In your initial comment you said going "ding" did not work. I found the same with the newer style one ding bells but found a remarkable difference when I changed to a traditional "tring tring" bell that works very well. I think pedestrians do not automatically associate the modern one ding at a time bell with a bike but immediately react to a "tring tring" bell. Anyway that is what I found. Strange but true
February 5, 20197 yr I use something similar to this, very loud, has car horn sound and a few others. Just don't expect drivers in heavy traffic to notice it, although it can be heard on quieter roads https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-in-1-USB-Rechargeable-Bicycle-light-Bike-Headlight-Built-in-Speaker-Horn/202481926025?hash=item2f24dcff89:m:mpQuS1ZnaloAUYy5vBJJjww
February 5, 20197 yr Tried zound, too loud for cycle paths and one more thing to have to think about pumping air into before leaving home on a whim. I have a ding bell which I use on quiet paths and with people who aren't on the phone/headphones. When I get serious about my lighting I might try the b+m electric horn that mounts under the 150 lux headlight. I will keep the manual horn mounted though.
February 5, 20197 yr Author In your initial comment you said going "ding" did not work. I found the same with the newer style one ding bells but found a remarkable difference when I changed to a traditional "tring tring" bell that works very well. I think pedestrians do not automatically associate the modern one ding at a time bell with a bike but immediately react to a "tring tring" bell. Anyway that is what I found. Strange but true You know having looked around I may just try a bell (I have one of those trendy C shaped ones that just go 'ding' in a somewhat half-arsed way. Looks nice though) as the cheapest option to begin with.
February 5, 20197 yr Why not combine a light with a horn having a decent sound for shared paths ? I purchased one from www.gearbest.com and it`s described as a Bicycle Light with Horn usb rechargeable for £3.75 . Mine is the gold painted one with the horn button in red , there are 4 or 5 on the site .
February 5, 20197 yr This should grab their attention: https://www.amazon.co.uk/FLASHING-WARNING-LIGHT-SIREN-ACCESSORY/dp/B075JFDDQ2 :eek:
February 5, 20197 yr In your initial comment you said going "ding" did not work. I found the same with the newer style one ding bells but found a remarkable difference when I changed to a traditional "tring tring" bell that works very well. I think pedestrians do not automatically associate the modern one ding at a time bell with a bike but immediately react to a "tring tring" bell. Anyway that is what I found. Strange but true I have found exactly the same thing. Around half the people I come up behind don't hear one ding. Most however hear if I give two or three dings rapidly in succession. The problem I find is the joggers with ear phones on, they very rarely hear the bell no matter how many times I ding it. Have to resort to a very loud shout of excuse me please.
February 5, 20197 yr You could always shout out `BIKE `when near , I find it usually works if the horn or bell fails to move them .
February 5, 20197 yr Been there done that. Buzzers and sirens even though they may be loud they don't tell folks a bike is comming like an old fashioned bring bring bell dose. I've even fitted a 12 volt motorcycle horn, powered off my 7.2v light battery, loud, yes, used close to a pedant and they need to go home to change the underwear. Used from a sensible distance even on a cycle path you can see people react but they start looking towards the nearest road for a motor vehicle. Only a proper bike bell says, look out there's a bike coming:cool:
February 5, 20197 yr Author The proper bike bell coupled with ‘oi! Scuse me!’ Is the route to go I think. You are right, everything else does not announce BIKE.
February 5, 20197 yr I usually just have my mp3 player, affixed to the bars, playing a bit of music. With that I rarely need to use the bell or the cheap £6 ebay horn / siren thing that I have. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSp47Wz6v50
February 5, 20197 yr I think that cyclists that warn the road ahead are more appreciated than those that don't. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXeLOE1Pz9Y
February 5, 20197 yr Decathlon do an impressively loud ‘tring tring’ bell. It comes with a (removable ) ‘I My Bike’ sticker
February 5, 20197 yr Something like this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/90dB-Electronic-Loud-Bike-Horn-Cycling-Handlebar-Alarm-MTB-Ring-Bicycle-Bell/312119677404?hash=item48abc851dc:m:mtVmpuC10qlwgCTdv3Toz9w:rk:7:pf:0 might be worth trying, it's less than £3 including p&p and 90dB shouldn't be overly loud. Disclaimer - I haven't tried this myself
February 5, 20197 yr https://www.gunstar.co.uk/8mm-glock-model-17-blank-firer-orange/Accessories/1062971
February 5, 20197 yr https://www.gunstar.co.uk/8mm-glock-model-17-blank-firer-orange/Accessories/1062971 [ATTACH=full]28891[/ATTACH] Nah, too bright, needs to be more subtle....
February 6, 20197 yr I use a Pashley Ding Dong bell. Doesn't always work but it's just such a pleasant, friendly sound, always raises a smile. EXCUSE MEE is always a back up but even that doesn't get through to the numpties with headphones.
February 6, 20197 yr After a few recent incidents where going 'ding' just didn't work, I am looking to put a louder device on my bike. Any one use anything or have any experience using a loud horn? Or can anyone recommend one? Firstly, if I remember correctly, the legal side is that you MUST have a bell, which gives out at least 90 db (from memory about the db's!), but having a second warning system I find good. I use a rear light alarm system, that has a "Beep" function too, that seems to alert people without giving them a heart attack..... The main problem is often caused by the biker, in that he is simply too fast underway when passing pedestrians, he should slow down and start signalling at least 50 meters before passing pedestrians....and have good insurance!! I use this one which is cheap and works well:- https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bike-Bicycle-Tail-Rear-Light-Wireless-Remote-Control-Anti-Theft-Lock-Alarm/163309822106?hash=item260606209a:g:KVgAAOSwzIZbv6wN:rk:1:pf:0 And it fits under the saddle and is hardly noticed. The rear light itself is very bright and has several great functions, not all legal though, as flashing is not legal, but often used! Its a good idea to have two rear lights anyway!! The alarm is sensitive and will give thieves a heart attack!! But do chain the bike to something immovable, with a quality chain lock as well. The slightest movement will cause it to sound.... Charging via USB cable. Goes for several weeks as an alarm if not using the rear light function. It as been in use for over a year now, the bike has not been stolen YET!! Regards Andy Edited February 6, 20197 yr by Andy-Mat
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