Zaphod Beeblebrox 

Is there a responsible way that I can enjoy music on my commute? I'm not comfortable with headphones and I don't like wearing just one earbud/phone...is there a sound system of some sort I can rig up? Any way I can power it with a Dyno Hub?

pb300

https://www.bikepartsusa.com/bikepart...Handlebar-Bags

barney stinson

there's the iH85. too bad it's only for iPods.

TheatreME

@ pb300 that little rig looks pretty fun.

If you want to be really cheap and loud you can strap a boombox to a rear rack as I saw one person do in a DC Crit Mass once upon a time...

barturtle

I use a Creative Zen stone Plus with Speaker it's loud enough to be heard, but quiet enough to hear what's going on.

DataJunkie

Ear buds turned down to a reasonable volume. That is if it is not windy. ugh

Mike H

I stick my ear buds in the vents of my helmet closest to my ears and turn up the volume. I'm able to hear the music and traffic.

uke

I've used my canalphones on about 1100 miles since August. Never had a fall related to an inability to hear. Unless you're listening at ear-damaging levels, you'll still be able to hear the wind around you (which is about all you hear when riding without earphones at high speed). I always look behind me when turning on the road. Served me well enough so far.

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

That Sunlite bag looks pretty much perfect. Is it loud enough that I'll be able to hear it on a road with cars?

The iH85 is a way cool idea too, just unfortunate its iPod only.

pb300

No idea about the volume on the sunlite bag. I just happened to notice it the other day while I was looking to burn some cash.

rowedave76

I use the iH85 occasionally. Does the job and I can still hear whats going on around me.

vegipowrd

I sometimes ride with earbuds. I tell myself it's safe because I adjust the volume while I'm still inside and I don't touch it when I'm on my bike.

IbikezLA

homebrewerdan

I use a Bluetooth headset and listen to music or talk radio from my mobile. The headset is over-ear and my other ear is free. It's not high fidelity, but I mostly just listen to NPR on the morning/evening commute so don't really care that much.

Commando303

You could use over-the-ear headphones (which are better for your ears than "buds," anyway), but it would probably compromise your helmet-wearing if, indeed, you wear a helmet.

I-Like-To-Bike

Jackasses with obnoxiously loud boomboxes annoying everyone in their vicinity with audio pollution are hardly "responsible". Of course, just because the OP doesn't like headphones or ear buds doesn't make their wear irresponsible.

noglider 

Last night, I mounted the iH85 to my handlebars. I haven't ridden it. I can hardly wait to try it. It comes with a remote control you mount on the handlebars, which has buttons for play/pause, louder/quieter, and next/previous. To change the album, you have to stop and open the unit.

lil brown bat

By "responsible way", do you mean is there a way that you can play your music using speakers and not be sharing it with the world? I don't think so, but OTOH it doesn't stop a lot of drivers. It's obnoxious when they do it too, but you wouldn't be the only one.

flattie

Actually you can if you put your helmet on first and you are using some of the behind the neck sport type headphones. I have a pair of Sennheiser PMX200's that work pretty well. In the colder weather they even help keep your ear's warm.

https://www.sennheiserusa.com/newsite...transid=500502

These are "open" headphones and will not isolate you from outside sounds as long as you keep the volume at a reasonable level. I can hear cars coming from behind and other traffic sounds not to mention the wind when windy out.

Just remember to remove your headphones first before taking your helmet off.

noglider 

Last night, I mounted a water bottle cage on my handlebars, and I put the iH85 in it. I rode to work. The speaker pointed right at me. I was able to hear it easily except when a loud truck went by and when I was descending rapidly, putting a lot of wind noise in my ears. It distorts at high volume, so I can't run it at maximum. It doesn't produce any bass to speak of, but that would have made it more costly to make and to power, so it's OK. It sounds decent, and it's very safe and convenient to use.

JAG410

Cell phone (LG Dare) with a 4GB microSD card filled with tunes, in the Camelbak phone pocket on the strap of my camelbak. Gets plenty loud enough to hear music while not drowning out the cars.

daredevil

Open eared headphones and a mirror if you know how to use it. In fact if you're good with your eyes, you can ride in many situations with any type of heaphone/earbud you want, isolating or not.

threephi

https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/29/nyregion/29bikes.html

Nightshade

This topic is kicked from here to hades from time to time so the short answer is yes you can rig
up a speaker system of your own with a little thought. That said, most states REQUIRE all dirivers
or riders to operate the vehicle (yes, a bike is a vehicle) with their ears unobstructed.

noglider 

I rode to work again today, making it my second day with the iH85. The iH85 shut itself off and on from the bumps. The handlebar mount needs tightening. Half way to work this morning, I switched my water bottle and iH85. That means I had the water on the handlebars and the iH85 on the down tube. Didn't shut off once. Having it on the down tube placed the speaker in a position where it was almost pointing right at my face, so sound was adequate. I might become dissatisfied with its lack of bass, but overall, I'm satisfied so far. The remote control works really well.

I listened to a Nat Cole album. I scarcely remember buying it, and I think this was the first time I heard it. It's quite nice.