bribas

The wife got me an Ipod for my birthday to use while biking and exercising, but I think I am going to tell her to take it back. I'd rather hear the environment, or me huffing. Do any of you use one? Pros and cons? TIA

markhr

Yes, I own one. No, I will never use it while cycling (static trainer being the only exception) because I want to stay out of the Darwin awards.

https://www.darwinawards.com/

wrk101

If you are riding in traffic, it is not a good idea. I don't use one.

barrysmith

I wear one and love it.........but I don't wear a helmet either ;-)

jakereed

I own an Ipod shuffle, which I love by the way, and NEVER use it when riding my bike.
However, I do enjoy it when out on my long walks, and then only keep one ear bud in so I can still hear and listen to things around me. I like to listen to audio books on mine.

tomdaniels

I use a small bike speaker setup. I don't find this distracts me from traffic noise. I don't use headphones now, but in the past, I would put one earbud in and leave the other out.

SHOwned

i own one, but i only use it at the gym. i dont wear a helmet either, but my ride today is making me re-think my decision. i mean, i already look totally goofy wearing lycra...so who gives a ****. its not like i'm gonna be picking up girls on a bicycle. you need a car for that. also, doing 40 downhill w/o a helmet is some scary ish.

flip18436572

If I am on the road, I never listen to anything other than the noises around me. Too many ID 10 T's on the road for me to feel comfortable. If I am on my rollers in the basement, I usually watch a DVD movie or listen to music. I know of many like Tom above that will have one in and one out so they can hopefully hear everything around them. I live in a small town, and still don't feel that comfortable. If I was on a bike trail with no traffic, I might use them, but I don't have one near me.

My wife uses one when she works out at the YMCA.

bautieri

I have an iPod nano that I admit to using strictly when off road (I know, I've been a naughty boy). Using any type of device which impairs your hearing is a bad idea, you wont be able to hear traffic or faster riders shouting "passing on your left". If you plan to do any riding on the street definatly leave the iPod at home. For further reading I suggest:

https://bikeforums.net/showthread.php...highlight=ipod

https://bikeforums.net/showthread.php...highlight=ipod

Bau

steve2k

I used my phone (mp3 player) once, and a cyclist passed me on a non-car road. As he cycled past, he said "hello" and it scared the crap out of me because I didn't hear him coming.

As mine is a phone too I have it on me all the time, which is nice as it gave me something to listen to on the 2 mile walk home when my rear skewer disintegrated.

AirBeagle1

Some folks now offer a speaker for an iPod that fits into one of the water cages on a bike... anyone had experience with those?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...d=C6VP11NXUYFK

thaetviking

I use my iPod when I ride. I can usually hear traffic when they are approaching. I have been looking at getting something like this:
https://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/speakers/9b1e/

Scummer

I used to ride with a walkman back in Germany. In the US I'm already putting my life on the line without using an Ipod. I already don't like my chances of survival as it is, why make it worse?

stevesurf

I use an iPod Shuffle and love it on MUPs, with one IEM (in-ear-monitor) in. If I know it will be really desolate with no vehicle crossings, I'll put both in. On the streets, I don't use it. FYI, I use a type of IEM that's open-air, has a loose seal and I keep it at a low volume.

Tex_Arcana

Seems like there should be a way to fix this situation. Why haven't they made a headset that fits the speakers behind the ear while leaving them open. Probably not optimal sound but I think it would be workable.

brotherj

I'm working on a product that mounts small open air speakers on the helmet behind the ears. It allows your ear to be completely open to the outside sounds and still can broadcast music to your ear canals at a low volume and be clearly heard. My plan is to market this spring at 19.95.

Anyone interested?

flip18436572

I am interested in seeing some pictures of the prototypes and/or the finished product.

unixpro

I ride with my MP3 player with a built-in FM radio in all the time. I commute through some very dense areas, so I'm in traffic a lot. The key here, just like it is in a car, is not setting the volume to a level that blocks out everything else. You guys are aware that those things have volume controls now, aren't you? I can hear cars coming up, hold conversations with people, hear sirens, all that stuff. All while listening to the gentle tones of smooth jazz.

dirtbikedude

Oakley makes glasses with an MP3 players, bluetooth compatible etc in the temple and the earbuds are adjustable so you can have them outside the ear and still hear the music and your surroundings provided you do not have the volume at "10", they are pricey though.

Oakley Electronics

As for listening while riding, depends on my mood. Road or trail, race or fun ride but location dictates the volume I set the music to.

DBD

WonderMonkey

I'll wear mine on the bike path but only behind my ears. I don't have the stock ear buds but the wrap behind the head kind. When I have it back there I can faintly hear it but can still hear if someone talks, etc. On the road I'd never wear it.

linux_author

+1

- i enjoy listening to FM radio or .ogg format songs on my player (iAudio G3) while on my bike, but would never use it on the road...

- but then again, here's the perennial argument: Should deaf persons be restricted from riding bicycles?

jimisnowhere

I use foam clip-on Sony headphones. They allow sound in and are often drown out by riding fast or into a head wind. I look over my shoulder more often now, but that seems like a mental thing. I won't use it in heavy traffic, Boston or heavy snow (the silence is nice).

X-LinkedRider

Well, I use my phone as my MP3 player. I have two sets of earphones, one in stereo and one mono. If I am going to be on the open road with cars, I will usually use the mono ear piece, or just drop my left earbud from my stereo. I would say, having the music is nice when you're out there with no one around. Can just kind of get lost in your own tunes and ride forever. But, I wouldn't recommend having them up too loud.

DanteB

Check the use of headphones in your state. In California it is illegal to have headphones of any kind in/on both ears. A friend of mine got a $270 ticket from the police for having her Ipod in both ears while cycling.

kwirk

I used to use one when riding on a dedicated bike path by my house, but I didn't like how I had to turn the volume way up to compensate for wind noise, now I don't really bother with it.