Ipod while commuting
 

I was wondering what you guys think of using an ipod while you are commuting?

Here we go again.....

Have fun:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ight=headphone

Sensitive topic, but not as big a deal as some will say. Be smart, weigh the risks, and make your own decision.

LOL...

All I will say is I use this and love it.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=132826

You can get various portable speaker systems, both cycling-specific and (much cheaper) general purpose ones. That way you can listen to your music without blocking out what's going on behind you.

Since the OP has racked up a whopping 16 posts, I'll reserve comment on this subject to a rousing - heh.....

A link to no where... helpful.

:popcorn I'm all set...

pass the salt please...

Two opinions here:

No, but it's OK.
Or yes, but don't do it.

You got the idea ;)

Very odd. It takes me to the search page for the OP's question. Here's the copy/paste link. http://www.bikeforums.net/search.php?searchid=100852

well I didn't mean nothing of it, I have a motorcycle its my only form of transportation, and with my exahaust on there i haven't been able to hear anything behind me since day 1

what is it? and link to the product pls

YES. You can use one.

And if you think you'll suddenly be impaired, then maybe you'd better ask a deaf cyclist how they don't get killed every time they head out.

If you think you can hear everything well enough to rely upon your ears for your personal safety, you're either stupid, an idiot, or delusional.

You realize this is a bicycling forum and not a motorcycle forum, right?

Edit: Never mind, saw your other post asking about a commuter bicycle. Personally, I'd consider riding with headphones/earbuds to be unwise. You don't want to deliberately cripple your #2 most important sense in a situation where missing an external cue could result in serious injury.

Speaking of hearing, I'll give an example of what I hear on my commute:

FWSHSHWHWHS (wind noise, usually gusty winds) BRRRMMMMM (car, car, truck, car) BVRROOMMMMM Boo boo boo (CNG-powered buses... yes, they go "boo boo boo" in descending pitches :D ) RATATATATATATATATA (road work)...

You get the idea. Trying to discern all those noises, especially when it's the most busy and unsafe, is utterly pointless. If I can't SEE that it's safe to change course, I don't change course.

And I rarely listen to my iPod.

I think an iPod is ok and safe. I don't listen to it too loud though, I can still hear my chain shift, cars, etc.

Have you ever heard a car and dived off the road in order to save your life? I hear 'regular' cars just fine, i think i'll be able to hear any 'killer' cars that announce themselves as such. (i'm being a little sarcastic, hearing a car isn't going to tell you if it's going to hit you or not)

Heaven forbid that the "killer" car is a Prius... ;)

Absolutely not.

...

Get something cheaper from a less annoying brand.

I did a few times, it was more annoying than entertaining.

I laughed a little.

OP, get some portable speakers, or possibly use one earbud in your ear that is away from the traffic. I would never ride with something making extra noise that I can prevent.

here's what I do. Buy some noise cancelling head phones and use it only in one ear (without noise cancelling head phone, I used both plugs on full volume and still didn't ear much). ...but then I'm mostly on MUPS

tbh my area is qute open and when i ride on roads not overly busy. the main problem i had was that i'd hear a car and check over my sholder and it'd be on another road entirely or when swinging my head i'd drift into the middle of the road :S. so now i use headphones and just keep left(UK).

The cars i would hear that might hit me wouldn't make any difference and if i ever see them parked i leave a note under the windscreen wipers...