About That Horn

A black bulb-type bugle horn about seven inches tip to stern  holds to a bracket on my bike's stem.  The decision for a horn, as opposed to a bell, hinged on the thought that a typical bike bell lacks in several ways.  1)  It lacks style.  Let's face it, a bugle horn emits 1000 times more swag than a bell.  2) It lacks masculinity.  Ding-ding, ding-ding.  What am I, six?  3) It lacks effectiveness.  By the time some old lady walking her dog hears that little bell, you'll have the dog's leash wrapped around your cranks and his fuzzy butt stuck in your spokes.

Enter the horn ...

 

I've had the opportunity to use my glorious horn on numerous occasions over the past week, with great results.  People seem to appreciate knowing my presence ... you know ... before I'm up their ass in a high gear.  It gives them time to leisurely move aside and several have thanked me for the advanced courtesy.  If you've ever had someone swoosh past you without warning, then you know why they are thankful.

The horn also generates quite a few smiles as the horn belts out a distinctive double honk, first as air forces  out of the horn, followed by air getting sucked back through the horn into the bulb. 

Hmmm, smiles.  I'm not the only one who appreciates style.