TrailViewMount

Although I exclusively ride paved trails, many are on abandoned railroad corridors that can be somewhat rural at times. Many have seen panthers while riding on these. I have at times encountered loose dogs on several urban trails. I've also seen photos of competition riders who have them strapped to their handlebars. Anybody else thought of getting or have these?

digibud

just don't blast it after coming up silently behind me and we're all good...

ItsJustMe

Lots of folks have AirZounds, which is the same thing but built specifically for bicycles and easier to mount and access quickly. Also the AirZound just pumps up so you don't have to buy new canisters.

Trakhak

To the man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

danmc

I fantasize of using one on those motorists that I catch up to at a stoplight or stop sign after they've just honked at me for no explicable reason.

Notso_fastLane

I have an Airzound. Love it for commuting. It is loud enough that even most drivers, with their windows rolled up and their stereos playing, will hear it from fairly close range.

Just make sure if you're using it on the MUP that you sound it from far away for pedestrians. I only startled one pedestrian with it so far. He was walking in the bike lane, adjacent to an empty sidewalk, and I sounded the horn several times as I approached, about 100 ft, 50 ft, and 20 ft. He didn't even hear it, since he apparently had his headphones that loud. Not sure if he heard when I went by, or just seeing me made him jump, but either way, he startled....

DPN

I carry a small one and remove the the "trumpet" part and find that dogs hate the sound...but it's kinda high pitched for other uses.

I only use it for critters...

David

imi

Does a blast from an AirZounds really deter dogs when they're in full "hunting-instict-I'm-gonna-catch-that-cyclist" mode?

TrailViewMount

My use of the air horn is for crisis situations only. People are not a problem at all for me. I either slow down, ring my bell, or call out to them. I saw the airzound. I'll stick with compact and simple. Hoses, mounting, and bottle I'll have to pass. But everyone is different. Also there is an air horn with a trigger. More compact. And also one that is rechargeable at Marine stores. So I'm still on the hunt. Thanks for info everyone.

gcottay

In my experience the best way to protect ourselves from panthers and other big cats is to carry a camera < G > but an air horn may also work. Some riders are using a super-loud electronic device called a Hornit DB140. I heard one in use once and, if I were a Florida panthers would have likely ended up in Georgia.

ItsJustMe

The times I've used my AirZound, I've needed to hit it in less than a second, maybe 2 seconds at best. I don't think I could hit something like that which is probably in a holster fast enough. The AirZound is right there by my hand all the time (on my hybrid).

People with drop bars, where do you mount your AirZound so you can hit it fast? I have a road bike now and I MIGHT think about putting the horn on, though I'm trying to keep the bike as unadorned as possible.

bikepro

I have a Hornit. It seems to work fine. I have problems with people pulling out of driveways and the like, without looking. It seems to get their attention. I removed the waterproof cover from the horn button leaving just the actual switch. I routed the wiring under the bar tape and placed the button under the right brake hood. When riding on the brake hoods, I'm able to blow the horn without moving my hand. Plus, the wiring is completely concealed. For what it's worth, I rode many years without a horn, and got their attention by yelling. I've found that people don't find the horn to be as confrontation as yelling. Many seemed to be offended by my vocabulary.

barnabyjames

Heads up to you: .99cent stors have a ton of airhorns.......keep riding.

Chris516

So, You can 'blow it out your Air Horn', so to speak?

Sorry, I had a moment of silliness that struck me, that I had to get out.

apollored

I would love one, there's a guy who is in my cycling group and he has a horn that sounds like a police siren, its proper cool.

Definitely would like something similar

apollored

Ok its on a motorbike but is this loud enough lol:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=...ture=endscreen

WPeabody 

My Airzound has paid for itself already, but it doesn't function well in temps below 45F... have to resort to shouting a warning instead.

Juha

I've been considering getting one, but this has been one of my concerns. A lot of my riding is in cooler temps... is this a feature of the Airzound?

rydabent

I think about having an air horn that is loud enough to give an offending motorist a laundry incident!!!!

Notso_fastLane

I've heard this from several people, but I haven't had any issues with mine. Then again, it only gets down to about freezing here, rarely much below that.

TrailViewMount

Went to walmart.com on 4-19-13 and this is what I saw on the Attwood Signal Horn listing: 'Safety Alert: Due to federal restrictions, this item must be returned in its original package, or with secure ORM-D packaging obtained from the post office. We advise keeping the original packaging for at least 90 days. See our returns policy for more information'. Many people might go down to their local Walmart just to buy these now. Restrictions on these?

Wanderer

The only restriction is in the shipping of the compressed substance. The original packaging is already approved for shipping.

TrailViewMount

Excellent info Phil. Thanks a bunch.

Jamesw2

I have used a the Air zond a lot and it is convent to use your air pump to recharge . . It works about 50 % of the time against dogs . . The well placed stream from a water bottle is also a deterrent

sudo bike

It's pretty funny. Bunch of teens drove by me and honked. Scared the bejeezus outta me. Caught up to them at the light and blasted it right alongside the open passenger window. The dude almost jumped over the seat. It was sort of taken as "alright, ya got me" and laughed off by both of us, not really vindictive. This could be sort of unique to the area I was in, since it's close to the college and the "art district" in town, so it's a little more laid back. Still... the reaction was priceless.