C5ALIVE Forum

C5Alive General Category => C5 Chatroom => Topic started by: giles on 22, September, 2010 - 14:10:44

Title: Original C5 Horn
Post by: giles on 22, September, 2010 - 14:10:44
The C5 horn...
I was really chuff that my latest C5 had all the options, twin battery, indicators and horn etc, etc, etc.....
However, now I am actually using the C5 the horn is in fact absolutly useless!  People just don't hear it, well, more specifically they hear it but assume it's a car and not intended for them.  In my experience 75% of people totally ignore it.  A few times I have been beeping away right behind them and to no avail.
The solution is to buy a simple bicycle bell, that way I think people will associate the bike bell sound with a warning that is intended for them - that way I think people will turn round and allow room for me to trundle by, that's the plan, I will let you know if it works  8)

Has anyone else found the same thing?
Cheers, Giles
Title: Re: Original C5 Horn
Post by: alexbromo on 22, September, 2010 - 16:25:35
... The solution is to buy a simple bicycle bell, that way I think people will associate the bike bell sound with a warning that is intended for them - that way I think people will turn round and allow room for me to trundle by, that's the plan ...

LOL !  ;D

Alex Bromo
Title: Re: Original C5 Horn
Post by: MikeDX on 22, September, 2010 - 19:44:20
I'm on the lookout for a ford transit horn to install in the C5. That'll learn em
Title: Re: Original C5 Horn
Post by: techytype on 22, September, 2010 - 21:38:47
on my motorbikes so lorries hear me toot i fit fiame's - now THAT is a definition of LOUD  ;)

 ;D


Alan

Title: Re: Original C5 Horn
Post by: Retro Andy on 23, September, 2010 - 06:46:15
I know the C5 horn is pretty poor, but I will get one for mine one day.

Retro Andy.
Title: Re: Original C5 Horn
Post by: coverman on 23, September, 2010 - 08:57:15
If you are that close to pedestrians, why not just shout to them? Something to the effect of "If you don't like my driving get off the pavement"
Title: Re: Original C5 Horn
Post by: giles on 23, September, 2010 - 11:57:39
I know you are joking, but you do have to be real careful with people because I am quickly finding out that the C5 does polarises people, most love it, bit of fun and different and all that, but some hate it and I have had plenty of abuse from people.   It's strange the C5 certainly provokes a reaction out of people.  A neighbour posted the newspaper article about C5's being a deathtrap....  we had a discussion about how they are dangeroous gien my useage and he got all shirty!

Have other people found this, some people react very badly to the C5 in a strange overly self rightious kind of way?  Happy to declare how dangerous they are and how you are risking your neck, blah blah blah....  I was happy to explain to one concerned soul that I was happy to run the gauntlet while riding down a cycle path in the middle of nowhere with no one around bar Mr.Health and Safety whom I was being talked at by!

In summary my experience is you get the miserable bunch who are all scowls, frouning and miserable and you get the live and let live people who think it's fun and brings a smile to their face....  I would like to think that if I saw a C5 coming towards me I would be in the latter group.

Cheers, Giles
Title: Re: Original C5 Horn
Post by: MikeDX on 23, September, 2010 - 13:51:24
I know the C5 horn is pretty poor, but I will get one for mine one day.

Retro Andy.

Just rip an old smoke alarm apart
Title: Re: Original C5 Horn
Post by: coverman on 23, September, 2010 - 15:16:03
I would just ignore anyone making negative remarks. So far, in my neighbourhood, I have had only interested conversations with passers by.
The thing is dangeerous, we C5 owners all know that, and I certainly wouldn't welcome Mr or Mrs or more likely Ms, Self Righteous telling me what I already know and act upon accordingly.
Title: Re: Original C5 Horn
Post by: radiomarty on 23, September, 2010 - 21:37:35
I know the C5 horn is pretty poor, but I will get one for mine one day.

Retro Andy.

It is poor and to think they spent alot of money developing the 'tone' but it goes so well with the whole eighties thing I just have to have it !
Title: Re: Original C5 Horn
Post by: giles on 23, September, 2010 - 21:42:58
Yes that's the point we all know it's not the vehicle to drive down a national limit busy main narrow with blind bends road.... but then again you wouldn't catch me cycling that sort of road either.  I use mine to buzz into town via a cycle lane/path, then it's appropriate alertness when it comes to riding through the town centre where, thankfully, speeds are very low.

The most striking thing to me though is the way it shows up who are the miserable/self rightous types and who are the friendly glass half full types, it's not just an innovative form of personal transport, it's a personality mind reading machine  ;D

I'm looking forward to getting my cycle bell (£2.69 free delivery from amazon!), no more beeping my horn right behind school kids only being completely ignored!  ::)
Cheers, Giles
Title: Re: Original C5 Horn
Post by: MikeDX on 23, September, 2010 - 21:51:05
I think I might get a few noises on the C5.

Original C5 Horn
Bike Bell
Bike Horn
Car Horn

You can get old car horns from scrapyards or even ebay for less than a fiver and they work fine off the battery with a couple bits of wire and a button!
Title: Re: Original C5 Horn
Post by: Retro Andy on 24, September, 2010 - 07:15:48
I know that some people may laugh a bit when they see me coming along in my C5, but most smile and say something nice, can't say that I've ever had anyone say or act bad towards me or my C5, I wouldn't go anywhere if I couldn't enjoy myself.
I don't think many people even know what it is, and think its something new or something I've made.

Retro Andy. 
Title: Re: Original C5 Horn
Post by: Karl on 24, September, 2010 - 08:03:25
...you must live in a grumpy part of the world Giles, we always get a good reception when we're out on the c5alive runs and events. Most people mellow towards the c5 and start saying it is better than they thought. The car shows we attend are also a good way of letting people see a c5 and have a good chat about it.

Overall I'd say we have very few negative comments, just a bit of ribbing about how mad we must be to use one on the roads  ;D
Title: Re: Original C5 Horn
Post by: giles on 26, September, 2010 - 18:26:36
I think you are right Karl, we have plenty of posh poncy types around my neck of the woods, it would seem that they could do with losing ones chip from ones shoulder  ;D

cheers, gp
Title: Re: Original C5 Horn
Post by: giles on 05, October, 2010 - 19:53:55
Amazon bargain £2.69 bell on all 3 c5's now, ding dong! :-)  Fits neatly upside down on the handlebars just inboard from where the microswitch horn sits.
Cheers, Giles