Trying a Brompton Bell replacement 

The issue with that horn is it doesn't sound like a bicycle bell. People might hear it, but their frame of mind may not be tuned to register it as an incoming bicycle, especially in a park.

Honestly, I find a ding to get attention then speaking up is easier: "passing on the left!" and then "thank you!" because it engages the mind and gives an immediate action to take so they're not having to take a moment and figure out what to do. It's a PR moment, ya want to give people a good feeling. Blasting em with loud strange noises makes them more hostile to the next biker they encounter. I think the horn is a bit more obvious for cars and a bell for people. Also the high pitch also makes it less directional and it sounds almost like a car alarm which people are programmed to ignore.

Hey Brian, it’s not the horn or the people, it’s the whole bicycle infrastructure, awareness and acceptance - bike culture. I live in Utrecht, thousands bike everyday, almost everyone has a bell but we hardly use them (usually left for rare occasions or tourists 😆). Bikers are almost always respectful. Cars are respectful of bikers because most car drivers or their family members also bike. Bikes also have traffic priorities in and around the cities. If you are cycling on a shared pathway, you just slow down when you see people - that is what I did when I biked in the US for few years when I lived there. You call them “numb-head” and they might call you “numb head” - no problems will be solved. Happy riding!

I watched all of the way through waiting for the joke. However, as it would appear that he was deadly serious, here is my 'twopennyworth', as we say in the UK: 1. He was going much too fast for shared use paths. It was dangerous. 2. A pedestrian that you startle with the horn may be behind the wheel of giant SUV next time they come across a cyclist and they won't then be as kindly disposed to cyclists as we would like. 3. Numskulls? Really? 4. When I come across pedestrians on a shared use path I slow down to a respectful speed and use my bell. When I think that they are aware of me, I cycle slowly past and say 'thankyou'. Costs nothing.

I just picked up my first Brompton today. Rode it for about an hour. Smiled the whole time. Wow. Handling is a bit strange at first till you get used to it. But its incredible. So glad I watched your channel and thank you so much Brian for inspiring me to take up cycling again after about 40 years. Keep the videos coming, its all good stuff.

I just scream, "ON YOUR LEFT!!!" and it works way better than any horn I've tried. If there was a horn that can scream this, I'd buy it!

Personally, I have the best luck with a loud bell. People expect bikes to have a bell so when they do hear one, they recognize that it is a bike. I can ring it softly first, then louder when needed. I do use a horn just like Brian tested here for my winter commuting because hats seem to drown out the bell sound.

Simple just slow down when passing folks where your sharing the pathways and cycle ways with pedestrians, easy say a polite Thanks when passed them, the pleasant way of going about on a bike

I use a bell for people, with an "eh, up, on your left." A bell is recognizable pretty much all over the world as a bicycle. I use a brass Arundel Jezebell. It's loud, but pleasant-sounding, and it's pitch is not too high so that old fogies like me lol can still hear it. My bike also has a horn though - it sounds much like a VW/Audi horn. I use that one in traffic.

Hi Brian, i can say that one of my biggest pet peeves of cycling is dealing with idiots on trails. Its crazy how many times you'll have 2 or more people walking side by side completely hogging the whole width of the path. Im to the point now where i just avoid them if possible. The other problem is most people have headphones in and don't hear anything whatsoever. Totally frustrating

I think the reason people don't react is much like for the modern police and ambulance sirens we have in Europe (probably same in USA). All wailing and buzzing. You hear them, but it takes some time to work out which direction they're coming from. With the old 'ni-naa' sound I remember from my UK childhood, it was much easier to work out.

As a Londoner who cycles on a bright coloured brommie, people just won’t get out of the way as they consider it as a non threatening bike. The street where you ride looks sparsely populated, when you hit the London busy periods, smart phones zombies are out on the cycle lane walking in a state of stupor, I need a taser horn to deliver electric shock!! Then to add to my frustration are motorists who park on the cycle lane to get groceries or coffee forcing me onto the busy traffic. Brain you live in a cyclist heaven compared to my neck of the wood. I will stick to my Brompton bell so that these bell ends will know it’s a push bike!

I wonder if people have become desensitized to the sound of the car alarm going off that they don't pay any attention to the sound at all. The loudest sound reminds me of a car alarm.

I have to admit I wasn’t surprised at the lack of response in the park users - people have a heightened sense of perception where they subconsciously (or consciously!) feel they are at risk, but tend to leave that at the gate when they think they’re entering a safe area and though they probably heard the horn, they probably processed the sound as not applicable to them because they’re in a park... so slow to react, especially the skate boarders who are focussed on their balance. Disappointing and dangerous but a fact of life. I’m double surprised at the car users who didn’t react at all. I ride with a mindset that everyone and everything is a risk, and yes, I constantly have to slow or stop unnecessarily - but better safe than sorry eh? I added a ‘Knog Oi’ bell to my Brompton, small footprint on the bar and a lovely sound that works quite well. Interesting content as usual, thanks for the review 👍🤗

I bought a very similar product to this but it was a bike light as well as horn, very cool and has multi purposes.

LOL Brian, you looked way too excited to test the horn out on unsuspecting pedestrians. 🤣

I would have liked to have heard the alternative "honk" under the same set of circumstances on that two-way, recreation path to be able to compare reactions. It appears that the "bicycle bell" has its own distinctive sound and people are trained mentally to register it as a warning sound. I even found that there is a difference in registering effect between the "ringing" sound and the "klinging" or "pinging" bell sound, the last being the most effective. With some people, even a ambulance siren would not get their attention. N.B.- the persistent use of sound -ear-plugs, muffs, speakers - whatever - are causing a medical condition called "Industrial deafness" , which is not new but for young people in this day and age, becoming quite an issue. This growing medical problem is incrementally, a permanent loss of hearing and one that people don't seem to have any knowledge of or even want to know about. I am surprised that health insurance and Government health agencies don't bring this to the attention of the population. I suppose it's like smoking. You can bring a horse to water but you can't make it drink! - even if you impose a fine!

I’d have liked to see the horn used when on the cycle tracks - I think the sound is qualitatively different to the piercing sound, and might have been more effective even though it wasn’t as loud. That said, I think you might have better luck with a louder bell...

Get one of those oldskool horns with a squish bulb on the end they make those for bikes to :)

I have a bell (more polite) and a cheap low tech horn (with a rubber bulb you squeeze) which is much louder and more noticeable for cars. Working well so far.

Music gives a 'soft alert'. Passing speed should be 'liked by all'.

Hi Brian, Thanks a lot for keeping sharing interesting cycling/brompton stuff. In your previous video you mentioned about share how do you deal with rust stains inside the frame. I am really looking forward to that. Best regards and thanks once more for your time and for keeping us up to date 👍😁

Horns are a stupid waste of money. My favorite pedestrian is so chill that when I say on your left, he/she steps to the right without looking back. When it comes to cars, "Do you see me?" works real good. BTW, are darkly tinted windows illegal in Colorado? Those are awful, you have no idea if the driver sees you or not.

As suggested by Morrie Portnoff earlier, try the AirZound. Obstacles won't only move sideways, they will move upwards.

IBikeUnfolded just saved me $35. Thank you Brian.

For city rides i use an air-powered horn that sounds like an ocean cruiser or at least like a BIG truck-people jump away instantly in expectation of something really BIG.....Never failed and easy to “charge” with a pump 🤙

I plan to have a bike bell and a horn. If they don’t hear or don’t listen to my bell, they get the horn.

The only somewhat effective method i have found is yelling 'HEY' or 'STOP'/ still not perfect but much more effective (people still dont get out of your way fast enough though)

You should try a LRAD (Long Range Acoustic Device). Should at least incapacitate them. For science.

I often see people in the park listening to music as they walk along. Doing that they may not hear you until you are right upon them.

I tried the horn and same as you people just ignored the sound. So gone back to the bell and for the bud wearing joggers I just shout "passing bye" very loudly. But as you say, can't always anticipate which way they will jump! lol.

I agree that the bell on the Brompton is quite weak. I put a Spurcycle bell on another bike I own. It is beautifully made and has a lovely sound, but truthfully I think that bells or horns are of limited utility on a bike. I usually just call out “on your left” when I want to pass someone. And on a shared path, I try to be a bit more respectful of the pedestrians and other users.

I am quite impressed by the Brompton bell. It is the standard single high-pitched ping that bike bells now deliver, but it does cut through the sound of traffic surprisingly well. People 100 yards ahead turn around, if they are not wearing earbuds.... but maybe only 30 yards if they are. BTW, it looked like those "skateboarders" were riding scooters.

Hi Brian, I’ve had this horn years back, it’s loud but not effective..as I think most people thinks that the high piercing sound is just some bird making sounds..you should try this bell call spurcycle, it makes the normal distinctive bell sound but much louder and the sound lingers much longer, I mean people will still take note of the distinctive bell sound compare to a bird sound..hope this helps

here in our country philippines .. we say "excuse me bike passing thru" or "bike, bike, bike" edit: i have both bike bell and bike horn with front light

You're too intolerant and critical of others Brian. All your life and mine people will misbehave, treat you and me poorly, not care about us or what we are doing--it's life. Our lives will be much happier if we accept it and others as they are. We won't change them, no matter how much we criticize their behavier. Let it roll off your wheels and get on with your life. Like that video about the guy who doesn't like bromtons--don't let their actions, views, or attitude affect yours. Ride your bike. Concentrate on the joy it brings to you, adjust to the world as is, be happy in yours.

I use the Brompton bell, and when I need it (e.g. suv drivers on their phones) an Airzounds horn. It works well. I would like to see a review of that.

Sometimes the problem is’nt the bell. Its actually some pedestrians. :-)

Where are you? I do not see any new updates from you.

My bell is not so loud. This is good information.

That horn does not sound good. Bells are more recognizable. I have one of those polite, single-ding bells, and I usually say "On your left" in a not too loud voice at the same time... and it seems to work for me.

It would be good to see a review of the knog and spurcycle bells .Another good vid 🚴

Why the didn’t you test the bloody horn mode in the park?

Doesn’t look like the bar will fold down easily with that on. Try the kind like that Spurcycle. I think people are more programmed to respond to a bell sound than a horn/alarm sound.

It sounds like a car alarm, normal bike bell sound would've been fae more effective.

it sounds more like a car antitheft alarm ...

Check out the Airzound. It is an air horn for bikes.

Making it loud is only half the job. It has to be the right noise, too. Neither of the sounds are what say "bicycle" to me. Piercing sounds like a car theft alarm..Also, I'd tbink a motor vehicle was the source if I heard the horn.. ... and I would automatically ignore it if I was on a cycle track/pedestrian path, where cars can't go.

I found a bike horn that sounds like a car for $49 from Juiced Bikes [www.juicedbikes.com/products/juiced-bikes-horn]. It's built in with a parking alarm, key fob. And more importantly it blows a loud 118 dB. There's a louder one from loudbicycles.com that is 125 dB, but its $149, idk if it would fit in a brompton folded though

I could imagine, that the sound of the horn is very well heard by the people but they consider it to be a car alarm or some other sound from car traffic not concerning the bike or pedestrian path. So they don't think any reaction is needed. So the typical sound of a bike bell might be more effective - and there are louder ones on the market. I bet the horn, you tried, will be more affective in actual car traffic, because it can be heard inside the car and the car driver are used to react on such sounds. Sometimes people are offended by such a loud sound, they think it is unpolite just like screaming and shouting at someone instead of nicely saying "excuse me". So they don't react on purpose just to prove their point, that you should "be more polite". There is a horn(airzound) on the market which uses compressed air out of a bottle (which you have to refill with a pump or compressor). That is really loud and close to the sound of a car or ship horn. I experenced the same thing with it. People flinch when they hear it but don't expect a bike comming through. So bike rider, that I know, use these horns when they are in heavy traffic to signal car and truck drivers but they use a second bike bell to use on pedestrians. Besides here in Germany these kind of hornes and electrical bells are not legal and you have to have a high sounding bell installed in order to use your bike in the public. Once again many thanks for the video! Looking forward for the rust removal episode :-)

You certainly got my attention with this product review & gave rise to some snickering. Product advertising is always good, real-world predicting is by far better. Did you test the horn mode while you were on the park trail or was I like those other trail users & didn't hear it? Would have liked to see some of your street testing. All up a good a video. The Hornit might be good on my supermarket cart! (Btw Haven't seen the reappearance of your hi-vis vest 🤔)

I was thinking about this problem of people not responding and stepping out of your way. I ride on the trails all over the forest preserves here in Chicago. People here are Nazi about everyone always remaining to the right when walking or cycling so I don’t have this problem too often. I was thinking, what if in addition to the bell, you rode with daytime running lights. During the day I always have a red flash on the back and a white flash in the front. If people are so clueless they can’t respond to both a ringing bell and an incoming flashing light, maybe they should just be run over.

Did you even try "horn mode" that high pitched warbling sound is completely the wrong noise. The more "honking" horn sound is far more likely to give the right message. Unless you tried that already and didn't bother to demonstrate it.

The bell/horn won't work for me as well. But nice try.

good vid , i’ve ordered a car horn ( i have a 36v battery on my bike ) it’s the only way

There oblivious becuse it sounds like a car alarm lol

I have that kind of bike horn and I love it. Motherf*cker motorists will surely hear you

Sadly, "The Oblivious you always have with you". Assume that, and you'll survive another ride! Welcome to "Murrica"!

It sounds rude and annoying, I would ignore that just to piss you off. I would recommend a solid classic bell, them it doesn't hurt the ears and people will know that a bike is coming. I do agree that the standard brompton bell is rubbish 😁

They used to have a hornit with 25 diff sounds. Was there a button you missed? Also there is the air zound. Which is loud. But i use incrediblel bells. And my voice.

Maybe a 18 wheeler truck horn at 140 db?

Try ORP horn, I think it’s good

Buy a normal but louder bike bell like a spurcycle.

most annoying are the dog walkers with their 20ft long leashes that run clear across the path. And they do nothing when a cyclist comes along.

The Brompton Bell!!! Gosh what a disappointment I really think it does absolutely nothing to add real prestige to the overall bike design at all it says look am a cheap add on which says a lot of Brompton insistence on buying the optional accessories as you really needed to in the first place and at extra cost. Brompton needs to up its gain if is going to compete with the growing market in compact portability.

I’m tempted to go to the scrap yard, just ask for the most obnoxious sounding car or van horn they have and hook it up to my bike with a couple of 18650’s and a buck converter to power it

It should sound like a car horn then they pay attention. The sound is from Star Trek, they don't recognise it 😁

I came across this - loudbicycle.com/horn while browsing all things Brompton. The psychology might be good as pedestrians are instinctively just as wary of cars as cyclists.

It's not about the bells or horn, is the PPL!!!!! These days, 🙈🙉🙊

Sadly this mirrors my experience in Nottingham, England. The paths where cyclists and pedestrians are supposed to co-exist are just a joke. The only solution is segregated "cyclists only" paths. I once took a "fly-cycle" holiday package to the Netherlands and I have to say that those guys certainly have cycling properly worked out. Shame about everywhere else I've been...

Get a Spurcycle bell.

You are committing the heinous act of treating other path users like motor vehicle drivers do cyclists, "You are in my way". In England we have a law of "Wanton or Furious Cycling", it goes back to the 1861. Because bikes aren’t fitted with speedometers, cyclists can’t be charged with speeding offences. HOWEVER, if they are considered to be going too fast for the conditions, they could be charged with ‘Wanton or Furious Cycling’ which is a criminal offense under section 35 of the Offences Against the Persons Act 1861 (as amended by the Criminal Justice Act 1948 s1(2)) Personally I think you are going too fast for the conditions.

IMPATIENT !! Is what most of us are, going about our daily lives.

11:29. I will tell you what will solve your problem, first, realise you don’t own the pathway, two, learn some manners!🧐

You would have more issues cycling in NYC cause there’s definitely a lot more numb skulls 😂😂😂😂

Pedestrians today almost always have earphones in and staring at their phone...like a mindless zombie...people are SO selfish today......they know your there but they want to demonstrate "their rights"

People respond better to a bell sound, not a horn on a bike.

That sounds like a car alarm. You should try the horn sound before you draw any final conclusions.

Why are you riding so FAST in a SHARED path? By coming up too fast, one can startle people and inaccurately gauge their reaction. Sure, they are variously listening to music, day-dreaming, etc. And there certainly rude or uneducated people out there! But the cyclist usually sees this from afar and can begin warning well in advance with both a bell AND a friendly voice. The loud horn, while noticeable, my be good for road traffic, but it is very unfriendly and alien as a bicycle sound on foot paths! Weaving around between the people also makes it harder on the next cyclist, by instilling in people that cyclists are generally reckless hot doggers. I find slowing down, giving a couple dings on the bell, saying thanks as I pass by works wonders. I don't EVER ride down the middle when people are passing one another or are so close together. I can't be sure how they would react, or their pets would react. I only pass when one side is truly open to do so. I'll point out something else. Many older people have lost hearing in the upper frequencies. I know this to be true, because I am 66 years old. I can perfectly hear conversations, music, traffic, etc. However, there are a number of bicycle bells that are pitched outside of my range of hearing. As a lifelong rider myself, I make sure that I myself can hear whatever bell I have my bike.

Stupid horn doesn't even sound like a bicycle 🔔

I Thought it sounded like a house salon not a bell maybe that’s why but anyway it was a good video

You're so negative about most things. For me, having and riding a Brompton is mostly about...fun

I'm deaf and I couldn't hear your horn!!