Making my new RadRover into a BEAST!

[walawn]

I installed a Topeak MTX DXP bag, Topeak Super Tourist DISC rack, Topeak bar extender, 500W headlight, and Hornit (140 dB) horn today. I installed a Serfas Men's Gel seat yesterday with a suspension seat post, gel Oury grips, and headlight. I did 17 miles this morning on my local "Arlington Loop." The rear derailer was also updated from to a Shimano Claris since the original keep messing up and was flimsy. Pedals will be next on my list (since I scraped one bad in a corner this morning) and then smaller street tires (i.e. Hookworms). I think I will upgrade to the 52V battery too in the future and maybe change the cassette and brakes for hydraulic.

 

[Barkme Wolf]

I installed a Topeak MTX DXP bag, Topeak Super Tourist DISC rack, Topeak bar extender, 500W headlight, and Hornit (140 dB) horn today. I installed a Serfas Men's Gel seat yesterday with a suspension seat post, gel Oury grips, and headlight. I did 17 miles this morning on my local "Arlington Loop." The rear derailer was also updated from to a Shimano Claris since the original keep messing up and was flimsy. Pedals will be next on my list (since I scraped one bad in a corner this morning) and then smaller street tires (i.e. Hookworms). I think I will upgrade to the 52V battery too in the future and maybe change the cassette and brakes for hydraulic.

Would love to know how you like the horn.

 

[walawn]

@Barkme Wolf It is very loud. That is a given being touted the world's loudest bicycle horn. It has two modes: piercing and trail mode. Piercing is 140 dB (sounds like a banshee wailing) and trail mode is 110 dB (sounds like a police car loudspeaker horn). Piercing is great for the street and definitely gets the attention of the pedestrians and drivers alike in my area. Trail mode is quieter, but has still scared some people on my local trails, so I have gotten to where I just use the bell on the brake lever. I've had one temporary issue with the horn so far. The first one they sent me didn't work and apparently had a loose capacitor (one of the early batches they said). It sounded pitiful like a dying puppy. I managed to get it to work by tapping it on my table, but the folks at Hornit said it wouldn't last so they sent me a new one. The replacement worked great. Two permanent issues I have with the horn are the quick detach silicone straps and where the horn itself attaches to the mounting apparatus. The straps seem like a great idea if you want to attach and remove the horn a lot, but they allow the horn to slip too much for my taste. Trimming them made them less of an eye sore, but I still see them failing first in the future. It would be easy for Hornit to offer another sturdy, more-permanent mount since the horn already detaches from the strap. It should be an option for us folks that want to permanently mount the thing. Overall I feel safer with it on the bike than off so I guess it gets the job done. Now only if Hornit would pay me back for the return shipping like they promised!

 

[Barkme Wolf]

@Barkme Wolf It is very loud. That is a given being touted the world's loudest bicycle horn. It has two modes: piercing and trail mode. Piercing is 140 dB (sounds like a banshee wailing) and trail mode is 110 dB (sounds like a police car loudspeaker horn). Piercing is great for the street and definitely gets the attention of the pedestrians and drivers alike in my area. Trail mode is quieter, but has still scared some people on my local trails, so I have gotten to where I just use the bell on the brake lever. I've had one temporary issue with the horn so far. The first one they sent me didn't work and apparently had a loose capacitor (one of the early batches they said). It sounded pitiful like a dying puppy. I managed to get it to work by tapping it on my table, but the folks at Hornit said it wouldn't last so they sent me a new one. The replacement worked great. Two permanent issues I have with the horn are the quick detach silicone straps and where the horn itself attaches to the mounting apparatus. The straps seem like a great idea if you want to attach and remove the horn a lot, but they allow the horn to slip too much for my taste. Trimming them made them less of an eye sore, but I still see them failing first in the future. It would be easy for Hornit to offer another sturdy, more-permanent mount since the horn already detaches from the strap. It should be an option for us folks that want to permanently mount the thing. Overall I feel safer with it on the bike than off so I guess it gets the job done. Now only if Hornit would pay me back for the return shipping like they promised!

Good to know- Thanks!

 

[DukeSF]

Nice set of mods - which suspension post did you go with?

 

[walawn]

@DukeSF XLC suspension post

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002NNCU7S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[DukeSF]

Many thanks!