Airzound or not?

[BentMikey]

OK, I'd like to see your opinions please! Magnatom's reversing topic, plus my enjoyment of the AirZound's effectiveness on my other recumbent has got me wondering whether I should give in and mount one on my new Fujin.

I haven't up until now because the Fujin is a super-light (by recumbent stds) and fast lowracer recumbent, lots of carbon/kevlar, and I somehow feel like I shouldn't put one on the bike because of this. OTOH the effectiveness in traffic is truely awesome!

 

[thomas]

I like my airzound on my bike, so I said yes. I've had it come in handy a few times. Both to warn drivers, tell them off a bit and when cycling back at night a loud blast of it I believe stopped a driver who didn't look past a car turning right at the junction and wasn't expecting a cyclist - only thought there would be cars. If I hadn't of blasted it i'd of been on their bonnet.

Other times it's handy because you don't want to yell for everything but a horn does a nice job of warning people.

As lee said, you can just do a light tap when going past traffic to make them look and be aware of you - part of the point of a horn.

 

[hackbike 666]

I know you like airzound of which I have no problem with,it's a very good horn with only one disadvantage that I can see.

Don't know what other options there are.

As for safety,swearing at a motorist does not always have a positive effect.

 

[BentMikey]

Too right Hackers. Swearing isn't a good thing, I wish I could be better at restraining myself sometimes. Every now and then I lose it and fail to maintain zen and politeness, which always leaves me feeling guilty.

A.N. Other might be your electric horn, for example. (Hide that one from Chuffy).

 

[hackbike 666]

Trouble is my horn is weighty one slight disadvantage but a lot of people wouldn't use it for this sort of reason and an airzound is louder.My horn sounds like a car horn and can be effective but I have never had a bad reaction to using it as people sometimes think im a car,it does scare them sometimes and sometimes they ignore it.

If I could have a limitless air supply I'd have an airzound.

 

[BentMikey]

Yeah, I'd have to have a small airzound bottle again, because my new tailbox is much smaller and doesn't have the room. It's plenty enough for a commute though, I don't beep that much. Speaking of which, how much beeping do you do then?

 

[hackbike 666]

It can depend,on some commutes I use it a lot and on some commutes I don't use it.

Depends on time of day and peds.(Rushhour)

Also tend to use it for what I consider an uncomfortable close pass.As it's an almost limitless supply I can do this.Never had an agressive reaction which is a surprise,well probably about two.I remember now.

Who voted no way?

Surely some sort of warning device is better than crashing the bugger as it at a guess can get up to some speed.

 

[Arch]

I haven't up until now because the Fujin is a super-light (by recumbent stds) and fast lowracer recumbent, lots of carbon/kevlar, and I somehow feel like I shouldn't put one on the bike because of this.

I don't remember how much an airzound weighs, but really, the biggest part of it (not the heaviest) is a bottle of air! Don't get hung up on weight. If you are going to ride in traffic, have all the kit you need to be (or at least to feel) safe...

(can't you pressurise the tailbox, for maximum output?)

 

[BentMikey]

It's not weight really, the whole AirZound weighs hardly anything. It's lumbering up the bike with all sorts of crap that I don't really need, especially now that I have such a racy lightweight bike. I don't think an AirZound is a necessary piece of equipment for safety in traffic, but it is nice to have.

 

[hackbike 666]

It's not weight really, the whole AirZound weighs hardly anything. It's lumbering up the bike with all sorts of crap that I don't really need, especially now that I have such a racy lightweight bike. I don't think an AirZound is a necessary piece of equipment for safety in traffic, but it is nice to have.

I do with my horns helped me out of a few tight spots when cars have pulled in when they shouldn't.Also stops peds in their tracks.

I had a fantastic one late last year,running up to ped lights (which were green for me) I could see peds walking through the traffic (as they do) so I held my finger on the horn button and they all stopped.I think they must have thought it was a motorbike.Never expected it to have that sort of effect.

 

[thomas]

Also tend to use it for what I consider an uncomfortable close pass.

me too...or when people honk because you're there...you can honk back. Makes your more equal

 

[hackbike 666]

I really think BentMikey doesn't love me anymore.

 

[BentMikey]

LOL Hackers. Really!!

 

[hackbike 666]

LOL Hackers. Really!!

Is the poll sort of going how you expected?

 

[thomas]

Is the poll sort of going how you expected?

He just wanted an excuse to spend £20 to splash out on another one .

I think they're a good idea as it stops me yelling every time I go around a roundabout so it keeps stress levels down .