Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Do MP3 players make you bike harder?

I use a 2nd get ipod shuffle for biking!

seems dangerous like

especially in traffic you know

Yeah, I go mostly on trails.

Yeah, I go mostly on trails.

This still might be a bad idea. My daily commute here in Philly takes me through the MUP on Kelly Drive (http://philadelphia.about.com/library/gallery/blkelly_drive13.htm). Sometimes people with iPods can't hear others approaching them, which can create a dangerous situation. Maybe the trails you go on are not as crowded?

I ride in rush hour traffic an hour each way, no trails, no mups. I use earbuds style headphones.

Cant hear someone approaching? I've never been passed by a cyclist in 3 years of commuting daily so I've never held anyone up by not hearing them wanting to pass. Cars and every other motor vehicle I hear just fine. Fellow cyclists i pass and say hello to I hear say hello back just fine.

I listened to the morning radio when i commuted by car, i do the same when i commute by bike. When i do group rides, i leave it at home.

Oh and to the original question, i go up hills a lot faster with a good tune on.

This still might be a bad idea. My daily commute here in Philly takes me through the MUP on Kelly Drive (http://philadelphia.about.com/library/gallery/blkelly_drive13.htm). Sometimes people with iPods can't hear others approaching them, which can create a dangerous situation. Maybe the trails you go on are not as crowded?
Actually, even on the most crowded day, I saw 2 bikers and 2 joggers Its a pretty big trail.

I don't listen to my MP3 when I'm riding. I try to keep alert at all times for any hazard while on the saddle and focus more on riding safely. I always bring with me the MP3 but never use it while riding except when I take a break.

I find it interesting everyone replying has tried to impose their own set of rules on the original poster, and no one bothered to actually answer his question :)

I find it interesting everyone replying has tried to impose their own set of rules on the original poster, and no one bothered to actually answer his question :)

The reason my post did not contain an answer is because I don't ride with an mp3 player, for reasons I mentioned. And I didn't impose any rules, I just suggested that it might not be a good idea.

Here's another suggestion: If they do make you bike harder, that is an even better reason not to use them. Riding quickly while deaf to the outside world is not a great position to be in.

Deaf ? Why in the world would one be deaf ? Are your ears only capable of hearing a single sound at a time ?

I don't notie a difference when I ride with (my mp3 player is bricked :mad: ) radio on my Skullcandy bag with the speakers on. I don't listen to music. I'm more a news/weather/traffic guy. I can head incoming riders from my six no problem. If I was to use a ear bud setup in traffic I old only recommend using the RIGHT earbud only and at low volume so you can just hear the audio and the left ear hears all the traffic.

Deaf ? Why in the world would one be deaf ? Are your ears only capable of hearing a single sound at a time ?
Possibly the volume is too loud?

I find it interesting everyone replying has tried to impose their own set of rules on the original poster, and no one bothered to actually answer his question :)

Imposing? I thought the forum is for sharing common sense info. To each his own with his/her riding style.

I find standard ear buds let in noise from the wind and you can't hear the tune. So for me it's either wear standard ones that only work when I stop or use the type that go deep into the ear canal like Sony makes and hear your music and music only. I use the Sony when I ride and look always and use a eyeglass mirror check it everytime I'm going out of my line or plan to turn. No problem now for years; I ride harder and longer probably because I like music!:)

Possibly the volume is too loud?

Exactly. Common sense dictates that playing music in both ears so loud that you are deaf to anything else, is unsafe while riding. But is there only two options? No sound at all, or 100% volume in both ears such that no other sounds can be heard.

I wear one earbud, listen to the radio, and can hear every vehicle that approaches me, and can carry on a conversation with other cyclists i meet. Its called moderation, you know like everything else in life, extremes usually are bad, moderation is good.

Imposing? I thought the forum is for sharing common sense info. To each his own with his/her riding style.

Ok so maybe imposing was too strong a word. It doesn't change the fact that the OP never asked if it was safe or not, or if he should or not, he asked if people tend to ride faster to music. He has already chosen his/her riding style.

Don't worry, I understand that most threads go multiple directions, it was just an interesting observation of the safety nannies.

This still might be a bad idea. My daily commute here in Philly takes me through the MUP on Kelly Drive (http://philadelphia.about.com/library/gallery/blkelly_drive13.htm). Sometimes people with iPods can't hear others approaching them, which can create a dangerous situation. Maybe the trails you go on are not as crowded?

I sometimes ride on Kelley Drive, and, often, I do so wearing my Ipod . . . but, I can hear traffic approaching from a half mile back. The issue isn't the use or non-use of an MP3 player. It's a question of whether or not you use open air headphones and whether you turn the volume loud enough to hear the music over any and all outside noise, or if, like me, you sacrifice hearing the music all together whenever there is wind noise in favor of being able to clearly hear traffic approaching from the rear.

When I use my Ipod while riding, I find it a welcome companion during long, slow, uphills.

Caruso

On the trail I use my ancient 20gb mp3 player. Just don't have the volume up so high I can't hear stuff around me. On the road and/or Ragbrai I have an amp with speakers called a BikeTunes that I bungie to the rear rack. I zip tied the neoprene pouch my mp3 player came with to the BikeTunes. The mp3 player gets about 15 to 20 hours on a full charge, and the amp will go about 10 hours or so with a fresh set of 8 alkaline c cells.

The answer to the original question is yes, depending on the song, I sometimes end up riding harder than I should.
These are a couple of pics of the uber-unit put together by a couple of guys in our group. A BoB trailer with a cooler converted into a 100watt car-amp/speaker setup. It rocks the tunes for a good 3-4 hours of riding each day.
http://showcase.netins.net/web/oldschool/4808583-md.jpg
http://showcase.netins.net/web/oldschool/4808598-md.jpg

I see two coolers in that second pic. Tunes AND Beer!?

I find music affects cadence more than effort, but it can be used for inspiration when needed.

I don't necessarily ride harder when listening to music, but it does make it easier to ride harder if I want to.

In fact, if I'm going uphill and don't have my mp3 player with me I go through songs in my head to help me climb.

it was just an interesting observation of the safety nannies. Actually this sort of behaviour can be observed in any thread remotely connected with safety (or rather what the nannies perceive as crucial to safety). The nannies jump on the thread and derail it turning it into another pointless tunes vs. no tunes or helmet vs. no helmet war. Poor dead horse... all that flogging...

Music helps me focus and, as a result, increases my motivation and performance.

I see two coolers in that second pic. Tunes AND Beer!?

Actually, you are correct! The beer cooler starts out really heavy, but gets lighter the further down the road you get. By the last 10 miles or so, it's the lighter of the 2 trailers. ;)

I ride in the morning, so traffic is not a factor. I've got a Sansa loaded with a couple of different playlists.
For hammering hills, Black label society, static-x and NIN. I think there is a reason most aerobic instructors look for a beat of aournd 130-140 bpm.
I have two mirrors and I only turn it up loud enough to hear, unless I'm on rollers....then watch out!

Actually, you are correct! The beer cooler starts out really heavy, but gets lighter the further down the road you get. By the last 10 miles or so, it's the lighter of the 2 trailers. ;)

I wonder why :P


I've always wanted to listen to my mp3s when i ride my bike but it seems so dangerous compared to when I listen while running. Especially since I usually ride in urban areas or just areas with traffic.

I don't know if I go harder but I pay less attention to the the aches an pains on hills

Please consider signing the organ donor release on the back of your driver's license. Organ and tissue donation saves lives!

I listen to my ipod when I trail ride solo, I don't think I ride harder, but it makes riding easier. ;P

Please consider signing the organ donor release on the back of your driver's license. Organ and tissue donation saves lives!

If you find cycling so difficult that your going to die by introducing music in the mix of noise one hears, then maybe you should take up walking :)

I listen to my Zune when riding, but have it at low volume when in/around traffic. I have it cranked when I am riding in a safe area.

YES it helps me ride harder and faster. I average 14.8mph on a 10mile local commute with music, without an mp3 player I average 12.4. I noticed this the other week and now I only go with music. I need a more compact mp3 player, the Zune is huge and 80GB(new hdd). I'm thinking about a Sansa 2gb, plenty of music and good battery life.

I listen to mine with ear buds no helmet and I can hear everything around me fine

I ride way harder with music..

especially on the hard songs..

I've learned to be more aware of my surroundings when riding with an mp3 player..
One part esp, one part wide referral vision and one part pure skill..

If I can ride in downtown SF, Berkley, Hayward with no issues and several years of accident free circumstances, I must be doing something right..

Also I dont turn it way the hell up, I still hear emergency vehicles and bells when someone wants to pass.
The voices are another situation :D

I listen to the radio when I ride it helps keep me company when im alone and i can hear ambient sounds too

If I wanted to do that, I might as well just go into the gym and ride on the stationary trainer. I go riding to get away from it all (well, as much as I can in Prospect Park, which is not very much).

If you find cycling so difficult that your going to die by introducing music in the mix of noise one hears, then maybe you should take up walking :)

OK, you can keep your organs and tissue.

I tried listening to music on the bike a few times and it was worse, I hated it, it gave me a headache and I biked slower and the ride dragged. Weird 'cause normally I have to listen to music while I work but biking I couldn't stand it. When I bike without music a 4 hour ride passes fast, with music, 45 minutes seems like 4 hours.

I just rode RAGBRAI for the first time last week and came to the conclusion that music is a must when riding in a large group for long distances. Are you using a 12 volt battery to power the amplifier in the cooler? How is it to pull for long distances?

I also saw a guy that had two small speakers mounted in what looked like two small pvc pipes under his seat. They looked maybe like they were two 4" speakers. How would you power those speakers? It looked good and served the purpose very well. Plus, it looked a whole lot easier than hauling a trailer all day long.

Any information would be appreciated...

amp will go about 10 hours or so with a fresh set of 8 alkaline c cells.


Can you give me the name brand of that amp?

I was listening to some taking back sunday while riding on the trail. It gets me pumped up a lil' more.

Yes.

Yes yes! I love music when I ride. I don't listen to it very loudly, unless I'm going up a hill and really need some motivation. I use a Creative Nano 1GB player (the satellite from my 60GB iPod behemoth). I put all sorts of goodies on there from Black Sabbath to the Cure.

It's good times!

the MTV generation needs all sorts of distractions from the good life. CNN headline news has extra news scralling across the bottom as well during broadcasts. Must get as much stimulation and distraction as possible!
I'm not going to get into the 'enjoy the moment' discussion, but we have been so conditioned to be distracted. iPod's, phones, pagers, electronic media, print media, etc. Everyone is so conditioned to having their favorite distraction whenever they go out (just in case they have to wait or kill time) that we can't turn off the distraction machine to enjoy.

oh yeah, the original question. I am able to find non-electonic motivation to ride harder (on the road) I see the value in it, just be careful.

the MTV generation needs all sorts of distractions from the good life. CNN headline news has extra news scralling across the bottom as well during broadcasts. Must get as much stimulation and distraction as possible!
I'm not going to get into the 'enjoy the moment' discussion, but we have been so conditioned to be distracted. iPod's, phones, pagers, electronic media, print media, etc. Everyone is so conditioned to having their favorite distraction whenever they go out (just in case they have to wait or kill time) that we can't turn off the distraction machine to enjoy.


So what would you consider this forum? :D

I call it a distraction or killing time myself ;)

So what would you consider this forum? :D

I call it a distraction or killing time myself ;)

yes, but I am not going 20mph in traffic while posting.
distraction? good. on a bike? i'll defer.

well, its like anything else, if you dont pay attention, sh1t can happen..

I've got about 12 years of using a walkman or iPod with no issues while riding..
Music isn't a distraction, I consider it to heighten the experience of riding.

be aware of your surroundings, look ahead of you at all times
(should be doing those things anyways)

Keep it at a reasonable volumn to hear things around you..

If your someone that steps off curbs wrong because you weren't paying attention, bumps you leg against the table or trip over the only thing possible in plain sight.. MP3-Riding isn't for you.. :D

People listen to their stereo's in their vehicles all the time..
higher speeds, larger than a bicycle..
I've never been distracted with music in that situation either..

it works for some people where it makes life harder for others..

some chew gum and walk, the others shouldn't leave the house ;)

I dont think I could ride with music...only because all my earbuds are IEMs...so all noise is basically canceled...which means...id be a deaf rider...which isnt good...since I see people nearly get hit by cars walking with music...for my safety I rather not...unless of course I was to say...be riding on the country roads...or umm..say...a track