Many of us have seen bikes with handlebar horns. They certainly give the bike a certain amount of brutality and aggressiveness, and the unit starts to look more stylish.
But what can be said about the practicality of this device? Why install horns on the handlebars of a bicycle?
For what type of bike will horns be suitable?
First of all, it is worth noting that the horns will not fit all models.
Because they allow you to change the position of your hands on the handlebars, they are appropriate for bikes with a riding position where the rider is leaning forward.
If you sit upright on your bike and have an older frame, this attachment will not work for you.
But for road and mountain bikes where the rider is inclined, horns are a great addition.
To determine whether you need to install horns on the handlebars of your bike or not, let’s look at the pros and cons of the device.
Advantages
The positives include:
- A change in hand position;
- Protection for the back of the hands;
- Protects the steering mechanism in case of a fall;
- Prevents hands from slipping;
- Ability to install additional devices.
The most important function of the horns is that they allow for a comfortable hand position. After a long ride on a bicycle with a standard handlebar grip, your hands begin to get stiff.
This is explained by the fact that due to the structure of the joints a person is more comfortable to hold a vertical grip, rather than horizontal.
In addition, during a long ride in one position, the back and shoulders are under serious strain.
The handlebar horns allow you to change position and relieve the strain on various parts of your body, as this way of steering engages other muscle groups.
They also protect your hands and bike parts.
If your bike falls, the horns will keep your grips, shift knobs, brake grips, and other handlebar-mounted equipment in place.
Plus, the horns make it easy to set your bike up with the wheels up for later diagnosis and repair.
If grips get wet or worn and your hands slip off the handlebars, horns provide safe handling. Because most models are mounted upwards, you won’t lose control even in heavy rain.
Another advantage of using bicycle horns is that when they are embraced, the rider’s body lies horizontally, which reduces air resistance.
This position improves aerodynamics, increases speed, and saves riding effort.
Other possible features include the installation of various devices on the horns. For example, a rear-view mirror, flashlight or bike computer.
Disadvantages
The device has its own disadvantages. These include:
- Increased weight and dimensions of the handlebar;
- Reduced space on the handlebars;
- Potential danger;
- Lack of brakes.
Depending on the type of bicycle horns, which are mounted either on the handlebars or on the handlebar ends, the first two disadvantages are interchangeable.
If the horns are mounted on the ends, the hand space is unchanged, but the handlebar size is increased.
Lack of a cyclist’s sense of dimensions can lead to injury. Either you will hit pedestrians with your “horns”, or you yourself will roll over by getting caught in a tree or fence.
If the horns are attached to the handlebars, it is necessary to shift the steering to the center.
And every experienced cyclist knows that the closer your hands are to the center of the handlebars, the harder it becomes to control the unit.
Another serious disadvantage of bicycle horns is that in an emergency situation, it will take longer to move your hand to the handlebars and press the brake.
In order not to create such situations, the horns should be held on a confident and high-speed road, where the risk of a dangerous situation is minimal.
Based on the advantages and disadvantages of horns we have discussed, everyone can decide – whether to buy this device or not.
If you do not spend several hours behind the wheel and prefer a calm driving style, you will need horns only for beauty.
And those cyclists who have finally decided that bike handlebar horns are a useful thing can familiarize themselves with the types of attachments.
Types of horns
According to the material of manufacture they come in:
- Metal;
- Carbon fiber reinforced plastic;
- Plastic.
Although plastic horns are lighter, their aluminum counterparts are more durable. Therefore, their use is more appropriate.
There are short and long bicycle horns by length. The longer the device, the more convenient it is. However, the size is directly proportional to the cost of the product.
By shape there are:
- Straight;
- Anatomic;
- Curved.
Straight bicycle horns are a smooth cylindrical shape.
If the product is made of metal, the cyclist’s hand may slip, although it will never come off completely because of the type of mounting.
Anatomical devices follow the shape of the hand’s grip and have special notches for comfortable hand placement.
Curved bicycle horns are more expensive. But their cost is recouped by the expanded grip options.
With them you can choose the most comfortable position of the hands and overcome long distances without tension and swelling.
You should set the horns at 45-60⁰ relative to the road for comfort.
Vertical positioning of the attachments may cause inconvenience when riding due to improper seating of the cyclist.
To summarize, it is safe to say that on long and high-speed rides bicycle horns are definitely useful. But whether they are worth buying for your personal bike is up to you to decide!