shelleyspins

I have no interest in getting bogged down in a debate over personal liberties and public spaces (or open spaces or whatever) but for what it's worth I have a few friends that I do long, mid week rides with, often out in the boonies. One of them saw my iPod speakers, realized they fit easily into a jersey pocket and now I get a hard time if I don't bring music. I cannot comment on the speakers you've asked about but love the ones I use: iHome Capsule Speakers. They're not made for cycling and won't mount on your bike but they're pretty fabulous, USB rechargeable, good sound quality and very portable. I use them at home on my laptop, hooked up to my iPod in the kitchen, and now sometimes in my jersey. Regardless of your 'yes' music/'no' music/'yes, but keep it to your fool self' stance if you're in the market for iPod or laptop speakers these are worth consideration.

https://www.ihomeaudio.com/iHM77

midgetmaestro 

Yo, I wasn't telling you what to do. I was merely stating what I've found works best for me. Two earbuds made me feel like I was shutting out traffic (and I have very sensitive ears mind you.) I enjoy good music at home with my ath-m50 cans (don't have the dough to invest in a good stereo system), but I listen to music on the bike to keep me going, so one earbud does it for me.

YMMV.

Also, relax

noisebeam

There is a big difference between creating a temporary audible snippet of music/sound vs. a static source or a moving source that is so loud as to be overwhelming in volume and/or is audible for a long duration of time. The later is rude, the former is not.

Having a battery powered small speaker system on ones bike for use at reasonable volume - enough for oneself and immediately adjacent riders who are with you and where one is not in constant presence of the same strangers is totally fine in my opinion. No louder than the sound of passing cars & trucks or the music being played at reasonable volume in a car with the windows open.

Tulex

Or you could just listen to the sounds around you. WHAT?

DScott

If I hear your music, I'll get away from you as soon as possible. That way there's less risk I'll yield to the urge to push you over.

Some people just aren't comfortable with their own thoughts. Sad. And pathetic, really...

noisebeam

Well you won't hear my music since I don't play any while riding. I just don't think it is something to be upset about if someone else does in a moderate way.

Kneez

Moderation is the key, no? I don't mind if the music is audible only within the immediate space of the cyclist. That's fine. it's not fine when the music is in essence broadcast over wider spaces.

noisebeam

What is also important is what those spaces are. A busy urban street can tolerate a wider spread of sound, the sounds of the city if you will. A quiet rural path can not.

Kneez

It's more of a consumer experience. You buy a bike. You buy a sound system. You buy some music. Then you consume your purchases. If you were to realize the inherent emptiness of the commodities through which you believe yourself to be having a spritual experience, then you might be able to speak of a spritual experience.

Kneez

Why is it that when you subject people to your music without their consent it's an exercise of your personal freedom but when other people don't want to submit to your whim they are being selfish?

umd

Fail

Kneez

Explain.

Kneez

I agree.

DScott

I said "some".

And others are not only quite comfortable with their own thoughts, they're practically in love with them.

Tsuru

Can't believe we got another headphone thread going! Oh wait... yes I can.

Someone should tell these folks https://www.usdeafcycling.org the should quit riding their bikes. Suicidal, eh?

Really? Do you really need explanation? Anyone who can't understand music & the infinite types of connections people can have with it... From escapism, to self-reflection, to motivation, to catharsis, to memories, to just wanting to enjoy a good tune while they ride their f***ing bike, etc, etc, etc, well, I don't think any explanation will ever do for you.

All I can say is, "it's MUUUSIC, man! Music!"

*btw, I'm making a gravitas-style hand gesture when I said that last bit

Tulex

Gee, ya think there might be a difference between learning to live with a disability and giving yourself a disadvantage?

therhodeo

How much would you pay for a small system with a water bottle sized amp/batter pack and 2 2" speakers in pods like you would see on a Wakeboard rack?? Small and light but loud enough to actually hear your music.

noisebeam

Anyone tried this?
https://www.podio.com.tw/eng/intro.html
https://www.amazon.com/Agios-Podio-Pl.../dp/B003COE1WO

umd

+1

DScott

Sorry, for many people, it's just distraction. And if so, you gotta ask yourself, distraction from what? What else, but what is going on inside your head?

And if you can't understand that, you haven't been paying attention to what's happening all around you. We're suffering a crisis of cultural ADD fueled by the ubiquity of TV, computer, phone, text, email, etc., etc.. Ad nauseaum.

You've got a teen, or thereabouts, right? How much time does she voluntarily spend disconnected?

Honestly, I have given up caring what other people do to entertain themselves. As long as it doesn't affect me, have at it. *




* I'd add that it doesn't mean I'm above arguing about it on the internet.

Kneez

Well, no, I don't need an explanation. I was just curious. If you are unable or unwilling to articulate your feelings about it, that's fine. There are many things beyond words. No need to get upset about it or to engage in wild speculation about what people do and do not understand about music.

I was hoping, however, to get umd to say something beyond "fail" and "+1." In that regard, I have clearly failed.

4000Miles

Honey, I am hearing impaired. I use headphones while biking. I've not had any serious accidents. Or any more minor ones than my fellow cyclists with perfect ears.

Tsuru

My oldest is actually a musician -- first paying gig this weekend, in fact! If you are in Mesa, AZ this weekend I can PM you the details! She's a fantastic pianist and writer, very proud.

I agree that music is a distraction for some people, but so can being lost in your own thoughts. So can jibber--jabbering in that social club ride. I listen to music most the time on alone rides, but not always because sometimes I just like the sound of the me, my bike, and the cars/people/nature/things around me. Sometimes I want to hear the new album I'm reviewing for my site, or just jam to mixtapes for a bit.

BUT... music or not, I stay conscious of my surroundings. It makes no difference if I hear something or not, it's the visual confirmation that matters. I assume there is a car behind, I assume cars can't see me. I ride my bike as visually aware of my surroundings as I reasonably can (just not with mirrors, sorry, hate those things (uh oh, new thread!)

As to the ADD culture, if you are cycling, 99% of the things you are listing as part of this culture are pretty moot (i.e. tv's, computers, etc, though I have seen some people focus a little TOO hard on their bike computers at times), leaving really headphones (which have been around since, what, the 60s? 70s? Definitely the 80s with the walkman) and mobilephones. And yes, some people text or have phone calls on bikes, but they are stupid and a pretty insignificant minority (hopefully) and a whole different thread for realz dog.

The problem is not headphones. The problem is bad cyclists (and bad motorist, of course but to stay on point). Headphones or not, if you ride your bike like an idiot (and lard knows I've seen a ton of people, headphone free riding like idiots (*edit - me included at times!!! No music, totally swerved out into traffic yesterday, just lost focus for a sec, scared the s*** out of the driver behind me, I waved apologetically), if you ride like an unaware ignoramous, you will be hurt or worse.

Kneez

Indeed, I cannot escape the feeling that people are unable to be still, to be with themselves. Or, in the case of cycling, that they do not like cycling as much as they think they do if music is necessary to do it, to keep it from being boring. I do listen to music when I ride rollers. Riding rollers lacks much of the stimulation that cycling on the road provides and so I do get bored and I do like to have some distraction. I could look at riding rollers as an opportunity to confront my boredom and deal with it but I am not so realized a being so I take the easy way out and listen to music.

Tsuru

I don't see how the difference, learning to ride smart deaf and learning to ride smart with music? Same skill set required.