yay, i'm not the only one :)

wind usually makes it hard for me to hear anything, but i would be uncomfortable with plugs. a little nervousness can keep you safe.

Part of cycling in general to me is the minimalism involved with it. I carry a leatherman (always), multi-function bike tool, patch kit, and pump when cycling for enjoyment. Other than that I have daily commute stuff, like laptop etc. But to me it's about thrusting a combination of steel, rubber, and plastics at a decent speed with nothing other than my body. Having all the sounds involved with riding my bike is part of my enjoyment. The drive train, cars, tires, and wind is part of my enjoyment. With out those aspects I would feel cheated.

Other people are clearly different. Suggesting to use ear plugs to new cyclists as an advantage is only doing them a disservice. It is clearly a highly subjective matter.

There is more than you and drivers on the road...what about other cyclist?

No troll, baby! I just like to ride my bicycle. In the past, I have been totally freaked out by traffic sounds, and it has inhibited my ability to truly ride safely. I still hear things, but it's not as loud. I rely more on the visual, which seems more accurate than hoping that a Prius will make a sound.

Thank you! That is my point. There is no way I could possibly hear which cars were behind and beside me, between their noise and mine. I've always used visual to deal with traffic.

With the new recumbent, I've been going further and faster than I could go on my old bike. I hear more wind, and I've been in more traffic situations. ...My speed and distance on the recumbent, by the way, is nothing compared to the speed and distance described by some of the posters here. It has been enough for me to consider my hearing, which led to the earplugs in the first place. Using them has led me to a much better quality experience while riding.

I've never ridden with music, but if it helps block out obnoxious sounds, I guess it's OK. I prefer to see things while riding. Personally, I am highly distracted by music. I am one of those people who cannot read a book while listening to music. I have also heard that the music earbuds don't really protect the ears. But I guess it all depends on your reasons for wearing them.

Absolutely. I'm just throwing out an option.

Probably makes sense to take them out "on the trail (MUP)," since things are much quieter and nicer there. It's something that's been working for me in auto traffic, even on the small streets, which I have been taking.

Not a Noob, by the way. Noob to the board, but not to cycling. I've done it on and off for over 20 years, some of which were spent entirely car-free. (In fact, all the discussions about peoples' reactions kind of blow me away, since I've always done it, in some way or another, and never gotten a whole lot of hassle, other than "Can I give you a ride?" and "I hope you are safe.") What's new to me is riding out in the street and bike lanes, as I previously had access to an awesome MUP.

I have a set and no matter how I try to set them up, following the directions exactly..they make no difference at all....

Not really, most cyclists don't dare venture onto the the road, unfortunately...they confine themselves to MUPs, bike lanes, shoulders, sidewalks and such. But either way, they ain't gonna sneak up on me any more than a car because I PAY ATTENTION to what is going on around me and give a look before making any moves.

Back in '59 when I got my new 3 speed English Racer, I also sent off for a 2 transistor radio ($2.98 in a comic book) that I could mount to my handle bars.....AM sounded so much better then...
Just picked up an old Archer bicycle AM radio (Radio Shack) for my old 3 speed English Racer..anyone have the handlebar mount for one of those?

I guess I just wasted nine bucks. Maybe I can modify them somehow, such as mating them with something more effective. Ah well. I am a sucker for gizmos.

I saw someone else post in another thread that they worked for them so they may work for you.
Like their web site suggests, holding your finger next to your ear makes a dramatic difference. So I just wrapped some foam around my strap and duct taped it on to simulate my finger...

Thank you for giving me a fitting description Mr. Clairvoyant :twitchy: Whether a peckerwood or not, I can safely assume that your "gang" is pure dorks riding either mountain bikes with dual suspension with monstrous tires on the paved roads or stupid straight handlebar "hybrids". On top of that you "ride" about 30% of the time on the wrong side of the road against the traffic & in that case I do not see you ether because it's a pleasure to play "chicken" with chickens like you. BTW, while I just despise you, the good drivers absolutely hate you for the simple reason that you "riding style" is totally unpredictable & they have to pass you by huge safety margins. Until of course, there will be other dorks at driving wheels paying as much attention "driving" as you "riding" who will put you out of your cycling misery among others ;)

A little research has shown me that products for wind noise reduction come and go. I am going to assume that this is because either they don't work well enough, or too few people are interested in it. So how did the foam and duct tape trick work out?

Holy crap...every heard can sure dish it out but can't take it! :)

If you are going to make these ridiculous assumptions about our fellow forum members, at least have the stones to listen to some sensible arguments when a debate starts.

Oh, and I'm gonna assume most of us could kick your rump on the bike.

I might add, have you bothered to look at Chip's bikes?

Wow! You actually expend energy "despising" others because they don't nod at you?

That's sad.

I also didn't realize that having nothing in your ears keeps trucks from running into you.

Still sad, invincible but sad.

Not well yet, still fiddling with placement and size...getting better though...

My assumptions are not ridiculous, they are from my experience (i.e. the things I see every single day). Yes, the arguments makes sense somewhat if you ride on MUPs & not caring about dogs & other little creatures, bikes trying to pass you by etc.
I am not 100% sure what "kick your rump" means but if it is what I think it is, I do not know how it can be done since I do not race. I ride five times a week two hours on average but NEVER EVER had been passed by someone wearing headphones but I pass them by dozens. It can happen some day but will only prove that it's an exception rather than a rule. So it looks like that YOUR assumption is simply a false one & it'll be awhile before I eat your dust. Meanwhile please keep doing a good job eating mine.
As far as Chip's bikes go, they're pretty much what I have (i.e. classic chro-mo frames with Brooks saddles & decent components). How can I have any issues with them? :)

It is not sad because looking down on someone doesn't "expend" my energy one bit. Not nodding back actually saves me some. I despise them because in my book riding with headphones in traffic is equal to wearing a jersey that says "I am a moron" in big letters. That's why. Your statement about trucks is another reason.

Actually it is sad that you feel you feel justified in looking down on people.

Are you seriuos? Of course I need some justifications to either look up to people or look down on them. Are you telling me that I've got to respect everyone despite my natural instincts because the political correctness says so? Are you kidding me?

When I ride with the pod on low, it actually seems like I can hear traffic better at speed. The buds cut down or eliminate the wind noise enough to improve the hearing for ambient sound. Sounds crazy I know, but it seems to be the case.

I do want to find [or invent] something to decrease wind noise. I have a couple 30+ sections every day and the wind seems very harsh[loud] against the eardrums.

I tried the slipstreams a while back... didnt work very well at all.

Dude, you sound delusional. You can go back to your meds now.

And HEADPHONES is where you draw the line?

Still sad. Really, really skewed sense of values, but still sad.

& it seems that you've run out of arguments. The way I "sound" is certainly not a good one :p

Yes, you win. Your logic is too much for me.

I know, people use their eyes... But this just makes me nervous! Its just like the people in their cars with headphones on because they need a new stereo... In addition to safety on the street from traffic, I wouldn't want to get jumped by a dog or deranged lunatic that comes from an angle outside my field of view.

Deafness is a handicap not a luxury for tuning out sounds that make one nervous! That is why there are street signs identifying areas that those who are unfortunately hearing disabled reside. There is an obvious safety issue. The sense of sound perception is important. In this situation not only for the cyclist but also for everyone else sharing the streets.