quadripper

Anybody play music on their commute? obviously headphones in both ears not kosher.
any recommendations for a bluetooth/battery powered speaker to put in a backpack or pannier to make the commute a little more musical?

lostarchitect 

People, of course, can do what they want, but I find riding anywhere near a guy with one of those speakers attached to his backpack really distracting and annoying. Nobody wants to hear his music, and it's preventing me from hearing the traffic I can usually hear.

GovernorSilver

I have yet to hear anybody playing music from speakers on my commute rides. I haven't put in a full year of bike commuting though.

RubeRad

I listen to podcasts, not music, but I use two earbuds all the time, and hearing traffic is not an issue, more often I hear the traffic so well I can't hear the podcast and have to rewind.

Last saturday I was on a trail and rode past two guys walking together with some kind of speaker playing some kind of music. I thought it exceedingly odd. I would be quite annoyed if I were also hiking and stuck in proximity to them and their noise for a long time.

gregf83 

I listen to music on the trainer but never felt the need while biking outdoors.

fietsbob

10 miles on a low traffic (@supper time when most people were home) rural road I had A book reading tape playing thru earbuds.

For Music I Hum the tune ..

wu_osiris

I don't think I will ever feel comfortable enough to put headphones in during my commute. I use my hearing to listen to cars and the sounds of life. But I do have a JBL Flip portable Bluetooth speaker that I have honestly though of strapping to my Wabi...but then I think about the execution, and don't do it

Jim from Boston

I think the subject of this thread is playing music externally so that others can hear it, and I think that's rude, and a frequent practice of cagers.

Wearing headphones while riding IMO is a separate subject, that has been interminably thrashed on many threads on various Forums. But if you must, go ahead, and pass the popcorn.

hyhuu

I've been a couple commuters here riding with small speakers attached to the handler bar. The music was loud enough but it's not any worse than the music blasting from some of cars.

Darth Lefty 

Oh yeah

RubeRad

If you're worried about not hearing traffic, you can always put just the right earbud in. It may not give you a rich, audiophile, stereophonic experience, but then again neither will listening to music from a crappy speaker on your handlebars.

In fact I used to love it when a pair of earbuds would have one bud go out, I just cut it off and use the other one for commuting.

Then I got over it and just listen with both at an appropriate volume to not drown out traffic.

I-Like-To-Bike

Not kosher?
Sez who, the Safety Nanny Rabbi™ and his OCD acolytes unable to simultaneously chew gum and ride straight?

DogBoy

IMO...

Secret Squirrel

I was behind a guy with a phone-linked speaker. Every few minutes the music would be interrupted by a Strava update. It brought to mind images of a "Jane Fonda" workout video.

Leebo

I just sing loudly and out of tune, playing air guitar. Van Halen of course.

Papa Tom

I have a dedicated $9 4gb mp3 player that runs on a single AAA battery playing on a Korean-made speaker that mounts firmly to my handlebar. I've been using it for about five years of commuting, on several tours, and on just about every leisure ride I've taken with my wife. I don't play it loud and I play all happy, fun, sunshine music, so more people smile than grimace when I pass.

I am the most alert, aware, and responsive cyclist I know, so I can assure you that playing music on my bike has not caused anybody any harm.

Anyway, the OP wasn't really asking us to flog him/her with our opinions. He/she just wanted suggestions for doing something he/she already decided to do. There are many newer and better options out there than the one I have. The main advantage of mine is that the whole rig cost about $20 and nobody would really want to steal it the way they might with a BlueTooth gadget.

Daniel4

That's one thing I do miss when bike commuting. It's listening to the radio. There are so many good interviews that I have to shut off when I have to head out. I have a portable speakers that can attach to the handlebar but there's so much static I can't listen no matter how I position the mp3 radio. Once I just switched to music and had Jimmy Hendrix on. Pretty cool.

psy

ive been using one of these as well

Ludeykrus

Guess I'm one of the wierdos that likes to listen to music safely while riding. I have my phone mounted on my handlebar and listen to pandora on it, loud enough to hear but not obnoxiously loud. Doubt someone next to me could understand what song I was listening to. Wouldn't dare have headphones in while commuting or on the MUP, but enjoy listening to music as a part of my wake up/end of day/workout routine.

Seriously, if you're in public, a little bit of noise won't kill you and isn't rude. Respectful hours and not blaring considered.

john4789

Ugggghhhhhhhhh.....

alan s 

It's rude to play music on your bike that others can hear. It just amazes me that some bike riders are completely oblivious of how offensive it is.

Rich Gibson 

Good grief so many politically correct riders! I use aa Bose® - SoundLink® Mini Portable Bluetooth Speaker connected to my Galaxy Note 4. I found a bag which fits to exactly and attaches to the bar running between the stem and the fork. I don't ride with others.

Rich

DrIsotope

You and me, buddy. I use a Boombot REX paired to my phone for Pandora. I ride solo 95% of the time, and enjoy having music along for the ride. No reason not to.

Sweet merciful jesus, untwist your knickers. Are you also enraged by any small kids getting near your lawn? What about how the young people dress today? Oh, and we probably shouldn't get you started on how everybody is texting, but nobody is communicating. Don't like the music, don't ride next to me. I have 11.1 surround in my living room, 12 speakers in my car, 6 towers in my workshop, and if anybody has a problem with the hockey-puck sized speaker on my bike, they can file a complaint by dialing 1-800-PISS-OFF.

TenSpeedV2

Boombot Rex. Black. Bluetooth. Double tap the play button to advance the track. The clip on this speaker will probably outlast your bike.

Amazon.com: Boombotix Boombot REX Wireless Ultraportable Weatherproof Bluetooth Speaker for iPods Smartphones Tablets and Laptops - Pitch Black (Newest Version): MP3 Players & Accessories

Phil_gretz

I hum that same tune!