fishcube

So, anyone use an Ipod on their recumbents? I've got Video ipod 60GB that I want to use while biking. Looking to buy a Recembent OSS trike in the near future.

What's the best way to use it? Anyone use speakers with them? Is there any info online about it?

bentrox!

Are you planning to watch a video with earphones while biking/triking? Why not stay home instead? You're not likely to suffer an accident in your lounge chair.

squeaker

Amen to that sentiment

fishcube

No, I want to listen to music. and with speakers. Want to find out different systems that others have used.

jeff-o

On a trike, it's relatively easy to mount small portable speakers to the seat close to your head. There are lots of speaker options for bikes, but unfortunately I cannot recall any urls. Do a google search.

Redrom

https://www.bicyclestereo.com/system.html

I haven't used it, but would like to get it some day when I'm not riding with the kids on the back. A big problem on the recumbent is going to be controlling the iPod while riding. I guess on a trike it would be different though, I hear you can even take pictures while triking...

Paul L.

I don't have an Ipod but have an mp3 player with a stretchy armband. I mount the player on my forearm so I can easily see the display with a glance. I use earphones but keep the volume down. I find there is little to no hearing difference. Trick is keeping the volume down though, heavy traffic makes it really tempting to turn it up.

bmike

If you are going to use an iPod or music device - please use headphones. (at your own risk)

Never understood the convertible or motorcycle with music blaring... just didn't make sense. If you want to listen to music, why add all the wind noise?

fishcube

I don't plan riding very fast and shouldn't be much wind noise. I just want something that I can hear. From what I've read it can be done with speakers and it won't interfer with other bystanders etc.

bmike

Sorry for my previous - ride with music if you like - its just not my thing.
There's enough noise in the world for me to add to it when cycling.

Now, on a tour, catching NPR, the news, and the weather might be OK for a bit - but not all day.

jeff-o

I dunno, the thought of cruising down a country road, wind through my helmet, sun on my legs, and Led Zeppelin in my ear sounds pretty appealing.

But in the city? No way. You have to keep your wits about you in the city...

beatle bailey

From my experience, when riding out on the street, I want to hear what is coming up behind me. Sometimes I don't see the vehicles coming in my mirror....(that's when I'm so in to the riding that I'm not really paying attention to my mirror). I don't want to take a chance that someone will run me over, that's why I DO NOT want any audio distractions.

Redrom

I think that putting in the earbuds effects your ability to hear surrounding noises. Obviously, the volume level is important, but the act of having stationary speakers which allows you to differentiate surrounding noises by slightly turning your head can prove to be valuable.

I wouldn't feel bad about playing music around cars 3 times as loud, but I might feel bad jamming out in the middle of the woods when coming up on another nature seeker...

pcrx

Do a search on ebay for portable speakers and look for some under the mp3 player section - there are some tiny ones and small foldable ones that do NOT need their own batteries - and they sound OK for what you will be using them for.

Liek these:

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=5849099668

Taking in some NPR while cruising the trail is awesome .... and I would steer away from using headphones.....

Paul L.

Most earbuds are designed to let sound in actually. Testing with mine I can't tell the difference. People may have different experiences though. At a certain point there is so much traffic you have cacauphony and it really doesn't matter anyway I think.

MaxBender

I like my Shuffle sometimes when out solo on the trail. Not sure about the aerodynamic advantage of hammering to Guns-N-Roses (sorry) but I do seem to go a little faster.

I just use the earbuds. I guess if you wanted to approach being legal, you could put headphones on over your helmet. Technically, the speakers would be near your ears, not on your ears. Just try to keep it down for those enjoying the peace...

pcrx

Has anyone ever come across a handlebar mount for small mp3 players or iPods?

redbikee

If you have a WalMart close by, they have an Ipod holder made of very stiff canvas-type material. This has a belt loop with snap closure on the back that works very well for attaching to handlebars. Only cost 8 or 9 dollars as I recall. They also have some little speakers that plug in to the top of the Ipod and run off an AAA battery, I believe.

LittlePixel

There's a company that did me a nice handlebar mount for my iPod Mini called Marware. I don't often use it but it's a nice thing for park rides and quiet roads....

counterpoint

The other danger of headphones:
At age 20 I killed my left knee on a solo trip with too much luggage trying to circle Sicily. I had a walkman, listened to John Coltrane ("Blue Trane") and managed to keep up with a convoy of road bikes. I had no clue about basic riding technique ( ie spinning vs grinding) and simply pushed myself to the beat. Riding the last 100km with just one leg I had to take the train home in Agrigento and could not walk stairs for 2 months.