[Video] The Hornster - A bike with a ridiculously loud horn

[Arthur]

I think 140dB is a bit too loud.

Anyone who rides a bicycle in any sort of urban environment knows the dangers of inattentive motorists. That tiny bell on your handlebars is great if you want to get the attention of a pedestrian or another bicyclist, but to grab the attention of that guy blasting Skrillex from his car, you may need something with a few more decibels.

A few more decibels, yes, but probably not a system that’s so loud, it deafens everyone nearby and makes bike riding a chore.

The Hornster doesn’t just emit a few more decibels than the average bicycle bell — it explodes with 178 decibels. At 140db, even shorts bursts of noise can cause hearing damage. Louder than the Concorde superjet, this horn/bicycle combo isn’t only dangerous for anyone within earshot, it’s nearly worthless for real-world cycling.

The Hornster bike employs a three-bell Airchime KH3A air horn that looks like it would be more at home on a train than on the front of a bike. That’s because it actually is a horn system that’s used on trains.

The Hornster is powered by a SCUBA tank that’s mounted between the handlebars and the seat. A full-size tank — like the ones seen on the backs of undersea explorers like Jacque Cousteau — sits between the legs of the rider. The tanks uses a regulator that feathers the horns open and closed.

If the idea of riding around with a cylinder between your legs and a giant air horn mounted to your handlebars while potentially destroying your hearing sounds intriguing, then the $8,000 Hornster bike may be for you. (Source)

[TechMonkey]

I have a motorbike horn that is a the legal limit for noise level. Still trying to find a place to fit it but I know someone else that fitted it in their garage and then forgot it was V loud so tested it inside with the door closed. They very nearly soiled themselves.