Tandem Cycling - Tandem Sound System

My stoker is my 8 year old daughter. We just started doing 20 mile rides in the morning. She recently started listening to music (thank McDonalds for Kidz Bop CDs in happy meals the past couple months). I'm not a fan of headphones while riding, but external speakers at a moderate volume is certainly acceptable. I always carry my iPhone with me, which has an iPod built in. I own a Creative Sound portable external speaker system that takes 4 AAA batteries I have placed in my handlebar bag before, which works well. I'd rather have the sound back by her, so found a little 1 watt Macally portable speaker for iPod (http://www.macally.com/EN/Product/ArticleShow.asp?ArticleID=128) (IP-A111) that fits nicely under my saddle. I have two small velcro straps that hold the speaker to the saddle rails. The sound output is as loud as I would want it to be. Take a look.




I also had to buy a 6ft extension wire, outlined in red in the Photo below.



Woo-hoo! Portable sound to go.

Nashbar sells a speaker with a handlebar mount. It comes with a case for the Ipod and a velcro strip to hang the Ipod case from the bar. We have been using one for the stoker for 3 years with the unit mounted on the stoker top bar. I am on my second one. I found that you need place the speakers in the holder upside down from the way the manurfacturer intended. This puts the battery contact springs on top and prevents them from compressing due to road vibration. My first unit starting cutting out after a year or so because the batteries were losing contact.

We have been using the iHome Bike for about a year now. If fits in its own water bottle cage, has a wireless remote and the sound is incredible for a single speaker unit. Goggle around for IHome Bike and you should be able to find one for under $50.

Link to the manufacture site: http://www.ihomeaudio.com/products.asp?product_id=10186

Nashbar sells a speaker with a handlebar mount.

Not so's ya could tell! :( I searched for "speaker", "speakers" and "stereo", plus browsed thru every category I could think of for it! Can you point me to it?

Goggle around for IHome Bike and you should be able to find one for under $50.

I paid 99 cents on ebay (plus $5 shipping) on ebay for mine. $4 for the extension cable, so $10 total.

The Macally speaker runs on a single AA battery. I have quite a few rechargeable AA's to choose from.

we also use the ihome bike speaker, and it works great. it's fun for a motivational song to come on uphills!

We use a sony portable speaker and an ipod -the speaker goes in one of my (captain) jersey pockets and the ipod clips on to said pocket for stoker/DJ to control. (Or in my camelbak on the mtb tandem)

Works well for climbs, but worhtless at high speeds. But that's what we wanted anyway - a little extra motivation on those long climbs... We'll occasionally get other riders to ride along just for the music.

we started with this one (2 AAA batteries)
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SRS-T33-Compact-Portable-Speakers/dp/B0001RM9GA

and have since graduated to this one (4 AA batteries - heavier, but waayyyy better!)
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SRS-T88-Compact-Portable-Speakers/dp/B0001RMAA0

We purchased an iHome Bike a few months ago for under $50 and have been very impressed with it. The sound is better than I was expecting. The only drawback is that we can't choose a particular song from a playlist menu...we keep advancing thru the songs until we find the particular one we want at that moment. Even so it's added considerably to the enjoyment of the ride especially for my wife.

check out the cycle sounds product it is a speaker system built into a seat bag...
6 AA and it it is the best.....really

check out the cycle sounds product it is a speaker system built into a seat bag... 6 AA and it it is the best.....really

At $159 and 1 1/2 pounds it better be!!