wind deflectors for ears

[paednoch]

Several years ago I remember seeing in some catalog (performance bike) these ear thingys that sorta looked like oversized guitar picks. I believe they clipped on to the helmet strap and angled backwards to allow for less wind noise and more optimal hearing of what is going on behind the cyclist who is wearing them. When I first saw them I thought to myself that it was a stupid idea. Now that I have been riding in the wind with my daughter I find it difficult to hear her talking. I have always hated not hearing cars come from behind on a windy day. ANYone knwo if these things are still availible??? Or were they just a worthless gimmick?

[HereNT]

Not sure, but I have a ProTec snowboarding helmet for winter that has ear flaps, and it makes a huge difference. I thought that having my ears covered would make it harder to hear the cars, but it's pretty much the opposite.

I wonder if you could just get some clear plexiglass and staple it through the strap? A typical staplegun could probably get through up to about 1/16" thick plastic I'd think. You'd probably have to staple it through into a board or something to get the leverage, then pull it out and bend it. Stapling from the inside out would probably be reccomended, too, so you don't have jagged edges to catch on your ears...

I'd try it if I had a staplegun...

[TandemGeek]

ANYone knwo if these things are still availible??? Or were they just a worthless gimmick?

They are called "Helmuffs" and I do believe they are still available. A quick check yielded at least two sources:

1. Inventor/manufacturer: http://members.aol.com/helmufs/
1. Retailer: http://www.greggscycles.com/cartgenie/prodInfo.asp?pid=1612&cid=27

[zonatandem]

Never used or seen 'em but have heard of the existence of helmufs. Worth a try.

[Kathleen]

I have a pair and they're called "Dog Earz" by ROXusa. I was going to make a pair but I got lazy and bought them for about $12.00. They work great! You can make them yourself. There simply triangles with velcro fastners.

[paednoch]

Thanks for the advice guys but dog ears and helmuffs are not what I was talking about. Both of those are devices to cover the ears and keep warmth . The thingys that I am talking about are about the size of a half dollar and are made out of hard plastic. They only function as a rear facing wind deflector to allow for better rearward hearin. I think I am going to just cut a milk jug and make my own.

[TandemGeek]

I now recall what you are looking for.... Haven't seen 'em in years.

FWIW: The "Tandem Talk" and a similar unit sold by Precision Tandems have become the preferred solution for captain to stoker communication.

[halfbiked]

I now recall what you are looking for.... Haven't seen 'em in years.

FWIW: The "Tandem Talk" and a similar unit sold by Precision Tandems have become the preferred solution for captain to stoker communication.

Is this an electronic device, similar to what motorcyclists use?

[TandemGeek]

Is this an electronic device, similar to what motorcyclists use?

This is the "original":
http://www.tandem-talk.com/Tandem-Talk/index.html

This is a follow-on developed by a tandem dealer:
http://www.precisiontandems.com/tandemcom.htm

[crosswater]

Try a search for ear glasses. The web page says you can turn them around to hear behind you. You may look a bit strange....wait do you wear spandex?....nevermind. If we wear spandex and those little clip on the glasses rearview mirrors, what's a little thing like two plastic cones hanging on our ears going to change? :rolleyes: