General Cycling Discussion - bike-to-bike radio?

Does anyone have any recommendations for bike-to-bike radio setups?

Searching on the Internet comes up with a lot of stuff that assumes that you have a full-face motorcycle helmet, or Radio-shack type gear that on-line reviews hint that don't work very well.

I just want some sort of communication between me and other riders when we go out cycling. Something that can work with a standard bike helmet, and won't give a lot of wind noise.

Any suggestions?

Please tell me what is so terrible about Radio Shack stuff. Try some Motorola T289's with a Jabra 2 way radio headset.

The only recomendation I can give is to try and get radios with a 5mi range. Even if you never get to far from the other person you will not have to have a direct line of site to communicate. This is very helpful when riding in the canyons.
Slainte:beer:

To operate one of the five mile range radios (GMRS) legally you have to have a FCC license. FRS is adequate for most people.

I have a pair of Cobra GMRS/FRS that seem to work quite well. I must admit that I haven't actually had occasion to use them on a ride but will soon. I looked for a brand that had a "hands free" in-line mic setup like my cell phone. I checked with all the major brands - Motorola, Cobra, Kenwood, Midland, and a couple of others. None had a hands free inline mic, not even Kenwood which advertises that pro teams use their radios. Boom mic headsets are available that are hands free, but that's too clunky under a helmet. I thought surely the pros had hands free, but apparently they don't. I notice they all have to reach up and push the tiny button on the in-line mic to talk, even Lance. If anyone comes across a brand that offers a hands free inline setup, please let me know. They have them for cell phones, why not for radios?

FWIW, the license for GMRS is just a matter of filling out a form and sending 25 buck to the FCC. And you can use the FRS channels until you get the license and for other short range needs.

Anybody know where you can get one of the undershirts with the little pocket just for the radio? They are probably too expensive anyway. Some (amateur) teams apparently just cut a tiny hole down in the middle jersey pocket to run the mic up inside the jersey.

Originally posted by gray
Does anyone have any recommendations for bike-to-bike radio setups?

Searching on the Internet comes up with a lot of stuff that assumes that you have a full-face motorcycle helmet, or Radio-shack type gear that on-line reviews hint that don't work very well.

I just want some sort of communication between me and other riders when we go out cycling. Something that can work with a standard bike helmet, and won't give a lot of wind noise.

Any suggestions?

UHF hand helds or mobiles work , similar to the commercial setups that pushbike couriers or sercurity companies use.
You can talk on local repeater channels, providing the radio has duplex capabilities.

When I'm mountain biking I use a RCI HF radio and carry a mountable dipole antena, but this is really ony practical in stationary situations and because it's a high powered amatuer , it chews alot of power.

I looked for a brand that had a "hands free" in-line mic

The only problem with hands free, when the other person you are riding with thinks they can sing and likes to give it a shot while riding.:(

Slainte:beer:

Motorola talkabouts are great, the higher end model also acts as a weather radio giving you up-to-date weather information.

I also use a Mot. Talkabout set with my wife when we go riding together. This is important for us since we ride on the beach boardwalk and I like to ride, she likes to shop. The only downside is that you need to stop or at least slow down to use since it doesn't have H-F capability.

Originally posted by ChipRGW
The only downside is that you need to stop or at least slow down to use since it doesn't have H-F capability.

Why? You can't ride one-handed up a 20 degree climb at 20 mph while talking on the PTT radio like Lance? :D

No, it's just that if I don't, by the time I get the radio out and mash the button, I'd be out of range.

:D :D

Originally posted by Redhed
Motorola talkabouts are great, the higher end model also acts as a weather radio giving you up-to-date weather information. http://www.radioshack.com/images/ProductCatalog/ProductImage/21/21-1854.jpg You mean this one? (http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F001%5F002%5F006%5F000&product%5Fid=21%2D1854) It's great for $50.