How do you keep your iPod safe while commuting?
 

I'm about to start commuting to and from work in the next couple weeks and was curious how people who own iPods (and use them while riding) keep them safe in case of a fall.

There's the obvious answer like iPod Armor (that's the only hard-shelled case I know of) but surely some cyclists have come up with their own home-spun solution.

I've personally considered iPod Armor or a Timbuk2 iPod case that fits on your strap but the Timbuk2 doesn't work with the 5g iPods (yet). I'm kind of leaning towards a homemade option. Also, for me personally, I'd like to keep the iPod off the strap and in my bag so it's not obvious that I'm pedaling around with a $300 gadget.

I have a Creative Zen Micro, which is essentially the same as an iPod mini; it has a hard drive, touch screen, and LCD.

I just put the thing in my pocket. But it's a little tougher than an iPod (one of the reasons I went for it; it's tougher and smaller and has a longer battery life and a bigger hard drive and costs less all at the same time).

But even with an iPod I'd probably just put it in my pocket.

Obligatory 'you shouldn't listen to music while riding' comment.

That being said, I found a piece of stiff foam about 2" thick and cut a hole in the top of it for my Ipod. Works like a charm. Has a nice art deco look to it. Was free. So I recommend it.

Cycloptichorn

Don't fall on it!
I'd like to get an idea too. Right now I just keep mine in my pocket with a neoprene case. I have an older 15 gb version whose battery is becoming fickle with the cold. I've also been through 2 sets of headphones (earbuds are extremely fragile).

Actually, the more I think about it, the more keeping it up near your chest seems like a good idea. I can't remember the last time I fell on my chest. Most of the time its a slide out on ice where my hip hits first.

I buy a cheap almost disposable mp3/fm unit that i dont care about and just carry either in a pocket or on an armband :)

I keep mine (and myself) safe by leaving it at home.

+1 to the above comment.

I bought an iPod shuffle specifically for biking purposes :-) That thing is virtually indestructible, and uses iTunes.

Wear it on an arm band, except keep it on the inside of the arm/forearm instead of the outside.

You can also strap it to the top of your head. It will be motivation to not fall.

I put it in inside jacket pocket near the chest and keep the cord zipped inside the jacket. If you do an endo, you'll most likely fall on your back or side.

Armband

+2

I LOVE music but I feel I need to hear everything going on around me... sometimes I find myself singing... then I laugh :rolleyes:

I was thinking of finding a metal tin and placing foam padding in it to keep the iPod secure. Then just stick that in my bag and go from there.

I also found some affordable aluminum cases should laziness win over cost-savings.

Leaving my iPod at home would be the best option for keeping it safe but what's the point of having one if it lives at home? I listen to mine for at least 8 hours a day at work. Leaving it at home would be a waste. And even if I'm not listening to it while riding, I'll still be carrying it.

By the way, nice taste in music.

I don't think he asked for his nanny.

:)

I was exaggerating a bit. Sometimes I do take mine to work, but my stupid phone rings constantly and I hate being interrupted when I listen to music, especially by something as silly as work.

As for riding with headphones, I don't really want to re-open the safety debate. For me it's as much that I just like riding the bike. It's the one part of my life where I don't have to multitask.

Bought the sport case for my shuffle. Love it. Has its own little cord for wearing around the neck, tucking the unit into jacket, under shirt etc. If the version for your unit is similar, should be worth it.

electrically reinforced armband capable of delivering a continuous stream of shocking delight(mine) as well as a coat of invisi-glue and tiny armament of heat-seeking suction cup darts with tiny tacks on the tips to handle the shifty eyes of contemplating crooks. :rolleyes:
as for the ear bud cords? i tuck em through me sleeve and out the head hole(if i'm wearing a t-shirt). if i have a long sleeve or a jacket on, i let em fly free. :p

I just carry mine in a rear shirt pocket. Though I've fallen a couple time, I've yet to fall on my back. :eek:

As far as listening to it while riding, I've found I really like listening to podcasts during my commute -- NPR news summary, Jim Lehr, Engadget, This Week in Tech, etc. Spoken word, unlike music, doesn't prevent me from hearing what's going on around me, and I learn a little something during the 90 minutes I'm on the bike.

i just shove mine in my bag pocket, the headphone (I use just 1 earbud) come out then over my back/shoulder and it works fine. Never had any problems and it's rain proof.

Carrying a hard drive is asking for trouble, the shuffle and nano are flash based MP3 players. Shuffles go for $67 now, add a pod party spaeker and your good to go.

I am getting some adhesive velcro to get my sandisk velcroed to my right glove (not on the palm, the opposite side .... ESL). Since I am only a dry weather commuter, it presents little danger.

Is either that or in my sleve.

i just bike no handed and carry my tunage system.
i just got a super compact radio. it is like i am moving into the 90's full speed ahead all of a sudden. soon, i will have some new fangled computer on my bike and maybe wear clipless pedals. (ha ha)

how about carrying the ipod or attaching it to your bike? or have a little basket in the front and clip it into the basket..............baskets are cute. it would be a nice accessory for your bike.

what's the problems with a hard drive system? please explain for us non-techy people. Don't Apple even sell arm bands etc. so you can run with your ipod? Is it really a problem?

Hard drive units are prone to damage when they get jolted.

On a good note, most units now prefetch what they need, then park the heads of the hard drive, so for the majority of the time its in use, the heads are not floating over the platter. But if you hit a bump during one of those short hard read periods, the heads slam into the platter and poof goes that chunk of it.