AirZounds update....

[Nigeyy]

I got an AirZounds earlier this year, I got it because:

i. a person I knew at my previous place of employment got knocked off by a car; when I asked him what he would have done differently, he said a really loud horn might have worked.

ii. well, it's another way to get noticed and alert other drivers. And another safety feature isn't bad, right?

Well, after so many months of commuting, I've only ever used it once. And the irony of that situation was that it was on a group of roadie bikers who pulled out right in front of me at the bottom of a hill (the first one gave a cursory look side to side, missed me, and the rest just blindly followed like lemmings without even turning their heads).

So.... my AirZounds verdict is........

Naah. Truth be told, I'm not even sure I'd recommend it, or replace the one I have if it breaks. Why?

When I have had a close call, it happens far too fast to be able to press that button. Unlike a car where you might have the instinct to slap the center of the steering wheel, pressing down on the button -while in a moment of calm is obviously very easy -is not intuitive or easy, or safe when you are in a tough situation. I think in a bad situation you're more likely to be struggling to avoid something, or braking (using both brakes most likely) and the distraction of pressing that button is just too much.

Secondly, I've found that pedestrians are more likely to be an issue -and using an AirZounds is just too much, and I think comes off as being a bit of an aggressive jerk. I've had to shout a couple of times to let someone know I'm there -no need for an AirZounds there.

However, I'll not take it off my commuter bike, and maybe it's a case of when you need it and it's there, it's really great to have. But at this point, I don't look at it as a good purchase or a great safety feature or a commuting "must-have".

 

[BentMikey]

If you can't hit the button and brake all in the same moment, then I agree, the way the AirZound was mounted was not much use. When you really need them, they are massively useful.

[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi0ZhXbqceg[/media]

 

[upsidedown]

I sold mine; found that thinking about using it made me anticipate trouble earlier.

I used it twice. First time on a woman in a people carrier or other big car who went postal on me and followed me with her hazards flashing.

Second time was an old fella who pulled out on me on Stourbridge ring road. Next time I ride round I noticed very feint lines on the road showing that I should have given way.

 

[PJ79LIZARD]

I wouldn't get rid of mine, I've used it a couple of times, but even if I didn't use it in the next six months, I wouldn't mind because that would mean I've had a trouble free six months. I'm happy that it's there if I need it, its in my bottle cage doing nothing. I don't use the bottle cage anyway. I consider mine an invaluable safety addition. Each to there own I guess.

 

[BlackPanther]

When I have had a close call, it happens far too fast to be able to press that button.

I'm not an airzound man, I use an electronic "Thunder Horn" and it has a little push button, which I've mounted on the drop bars in a perfect left index finger 'trigger' position. I don't think it's actually legal (115db), and it's unavailable in this country, but it's been worth it's weight in gold. I've only used it a handful of times, but on one occasion it did actually make a junction jumping car driver stop, and so prevented me having to swerve around him. For pedestrians, the dainty 'ding' bell is adequate, and much more polite.

 

[Tyke]

If you have the time to blow the horn you don`t really need it.

 

[BentMikey]

If you have the time to blow the horn you don`t really need it.

This is a much loved and often seen quote, but are you sure it's actually correct? If you can get the horn on at the same time as your brakes in the way you'd do in a car, then you'll not only be getting some time and space back because of your braking, but hopefully also from the other driver/rider reacting to the sound.

 

[byegad]

I have one on two of my rides, both set so I can hit them after I've grabbed the brakes. In 6 years of using them I'd say on three occasions the Zound has stopped a motorist pulling out on me or turning across and into me. In two of the cases I hit the brakes and the horn, in the third the horn alone solved the problem. It's also useful for a soft toot where a bell would be used, say on a shared use path. I haven't fitted one to my new trike, yet.

 

[BSRU]

Thankfully very rarely use either of mine but definitely would not get rid off them.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

If you have the time to blow the horn you don`t really need it.

Of course, if you are doing an emergency stop on a dry road with the front brake on your right hand and your AirZound on your left, then you can blow the horn and brake at the same time. It will also have the benefit of discouraging you from making the mistake of touching your rear brake with your left hand.

 

[BentMikey]

Why would the airzound stop you braking with your left hand/rear brake as well?

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

Why would the airzound stop you braking with your left hand/rear brake as well?

I can't find a position on my (flat) bars that would allow me to press the AirZound and apply the rear brake at the same time.

 

[jonny jeez]

This is a much loved and often seen quote, but are you sure it's actually correct? If you can get the horn on at the same time as your brakes in the way you'd do in a car, then you'll not only be getting some time and space back because of your braking, but hopefully also from the other driver/rider reacting to the sound.

Do you have a zound on your upright? I ask because the hand position on a bent must be more relaxed...like that of a tiller or steering wheel, where as on an upright your hands support you. So to remove my hands from supporting me to find a button is counter-intuitive in an emergency, whereas the brakes are right there.

is there a way to fit them on an upright so that you an operate them without removing your hands from its normal position (hoods or grips).

I don't know, I don't own one so I cant tell.

either way I suspect a good shout would have had the same effect on that merc...my shouts are pretty loud

 

[BentMikey]

I had one mounted on a flat bar upright before, it was no problem. Never really managed a successfully useful one on drop bars though, I'm a fail of that.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

I had one mounted on a flat bar upright before, it was no problem.

Really? Where did you mount it? The nearest I can get it is just inwards from the shifter, so I can reach either the AirZound or the brake without taking my hand off the bar, but not both.

To be honest, I don't think it really matters on a dry road because under maximum braking the rear brake serves no purpose anyway. I just have to be a bit careful on a wet road because of the risk of a front wheel skid.