particleman42

I've been searching and searching for a simple & decent method to mount an ipod and small powered speaker to my handlebars to use for early morning commuting and longer rides away from civilization. The items I've listed that do not already have their own speaker included could obviously be used with headphones but my goal is to have a small speaker on the handlebar.

I have yet to decide what method or product to use but in the process of looking I've found just about every possible solution out there. So for my own reference as well as for the rest of you I've compiled a list of what is out there currently. If you've used any of these things please speak up and let the rest of us know what you think. Pics are always appreciated. I encourage you to post pictures of your own home-made solutions as well as linking to any products I've missed.

Please, let's not let this thread turn into a debate fueled by comments such as, "don't blare your music near me" or "wearing headphones is dangerous."

Macally IP-A111 $19.99
This is the best small, powered speaker I've found. It runs on a single AA battery, attaches to any ipod or mp3 player, and sounds pretty good for a $20 speaker. Now all I need is a good way to attach an ipod to my handlebars...

Mork Mount for iPod Nano $29.95
Looks solid, nothing fancy. I will likely try to combine this with a Macally IP-A111, a short audio cable (looks like that speaker won't be able to connect to the ipod due to the mount getting in the way), and some creative speaker mounting.

Generic Bike Mount holder for misc mp3 player, ipod, pda, gps $14.99
Looks like it could hold just about any misc device but not sure how solid it grips things.


OtterBox handlebar mount $44.95
This thing looks ridiculous and the "handlebar mount" part is just a U-bolt. On back order as of 9/10/08. Plus you have to also buy an OtterBox to mount to the mount.

iFrogz Audiowrapz w/speaker $24.99
I've used one of these briefly and while I love the design, it does not include a bike mount and the speaker is just barely loud enough to hear while riding. If the speaker was powered and they sold a bike mount option this thing would be the clear winner in my book.

iHome iH85B $69.99
This is one of the few products that is easily mounted to a bike AND has a built-in powered speaker. However it takes up a water bottle cage which makes it unusable on long rides. Unless you're going fully-loaded and carrying water elsewhere on your bike or trailer in which case it could. It has been reviewed on this site.

iBikeConsole $76.00
This just came out a few days ago. It combines a waterproof iPod handlebar mount with basic cyclocomputer. Has wireless thumb controls. They say they have a speaker attachment for it, but it isn't listed anywhere on their site. Also, be aware that their site plays music and crashed my browser a few times. I'm sure some folk would like this but it is not the simple "ipod mount with small powered speaker" solution I'm searching for. I already have a cyclocomputer, I don't have space for their silly controls on my bars, and after spending $80 I'd still have to buy a speaker and use rubber bands or duct tape to attach it. If it wasn't so expensive I'd buy it just for the waterproof case/mount.

mjw

whoops

havighurst

I saw something called the i-ride in the nashbar catalog. I think that it was about $30. It might be worth checking out.

particleman42

Yeah, the i-ride. It is the only product in this category that I didn't post because it looks amazingly cheaply made, and very bulky. Plus I ran out of steam before I got to it.

jsharr

Moderator Note: The OP has asked that this does not turn into a safety/personal preference flamewar. Let's respect his request please.

Thanks for the informative post. For the time being, I have a small flash player that I tuck in a jersey pocket and listen to via earbuds.

Thasiet

Creative Zen Micro with Traveldock speakers in customized fanny pack that shock mounts to my aerobars. Nothing you can buy in a catalog works as well.

particleman42

Thasiet, that looks like a sweet setup! Thanks for sharing.

gear

I don't see the point of a screen on an mp3 player when using it on a bike because I would never look at anything but the road and traffic.

I don't like using hard drive based mp3 players on a bike as the moving parts would be prone to breaking.

I would want to be able to remove the device from the bike in and instant so I could take it with me (for instance when I go into a store) when I get off the bike. I don't want to spend a lot of time removing and reattaching a mp3 player.

I would want it to swivel on the bars if I crashed. Fixed mounts would mean a broken mount at the least.

I would want the entire setup to be as light as possible.

I use an ipod shuffle with a AAA battery powered Microsound speaker. I take a mop clamp (the kind of simple clamp you see inside a broom closet) and pop rivet it to the speaker. The whole thing fits in the palm of your hand and is extremely light. You clamp and un-clamp it to the bars in a second. Its a flash based player so no danger of damaging internal moving parts. The sound is good enough for you to hear the music clearly and still hear traffic. Perfect solution.

particleman42

Nice! When do we get to see a picture of your setup?

How do you attach your ipod to the bike?

I forgot all about those Microsound speakers and should have included it in my original list. It puts out surprisingly decent sound for being powered by only one AAA.

gear

You'll have to do a search. The photos are in BF somewhere.