jetignacio

Anyone here playing music with BT headphones while riding? I prefer to have some music while riding as it gives me a certain energy or fueled feeling, but tons of people are against it due to safety reasons. Any tips or suggestions for those who wants to have both worlds but at the same time riding safe? TIA

Troul 

I'd tune them out.

indyfabz

atwl77

Bone conducting headphones, like the Aftershokz headphones.

Or maybe that (arguably fugly) Bose Tempo glasses.

MrWasabi

I have this BT neckband:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also have a water bottle size BT speaker I put in the cage at times.

Melvang

I use a BT speaker in my bottle cage.

Koyote

It’s bad enough that people have to see me in Lycra… I’m not going to add insult to injury by inflicting my musical preferences on them.

MattTheHat 

I ride with BT earbuds. I don’t feel there’s a safety issue.

55murray

The sound of your tires on chip seal. The spring peepers just getting started on that marsh off the road. The whistle of the wind though your frame you only hear deep in the drops as you ride into that 15 mph headwind. That is your music.

Rides4Beer

Aftershokz headphones, can still hear everything around me (and most importantly when my Varia beeps signaling a car behind me), and have some tunes to enjoy.

John_V 

Another vote for bone conducting headphones. They're like driving in your car with the radio on. You hear the music and everything else around you, And unlike riding with speakers,you don't force everyone around you to listen to your music. And like Rides4Beer, I too, can hear my Varia beeping when a car approaches.

rydabent

IMO listening to music and cycling should be two different activities, and should never be mixed. To be safe while cycling you need common sense, sight, and SOUND to remain safe.

trailangel

So... nobody here (hear) has enough imagination to turn on the music in your head anytime you want it? No headphones required.

Troul 

but then the inner voices are hard to hear.

Gresp15C

Just whistle a tune while you ride. This has the advantage of preserving your hearing, annoying passers-by, and not needing to announce when you pass someone. If you don't know any tunes, tape some sheet music to your handlebar.

Gresp15C

That's what I do. I'm a jazz bassist, so I can generate melodies continuously, for hours on end, audience or no.

"I just walk and dig." -- Thelonious Monk.

Eric F 

Don't forget about panting, wheezing, grunting, and expletives.

Reflector Guy

I have a bike bell.... I just ring it along the whatever song I am thinking of. It's pretty much a one-note melody.

Riveting

A single Bluetooth ear bud in the curb side ear, on 100% of my solo rides and commutes: podcasts, talk radio, music, Howard Stern. But nothing if on a group ride.

indyfabz

How did I miss this post? I'll add the buzzing and hum of insects and the screeching and chirping of birds.

A few years ago I stopped here for a while to listen to the splendor of no made made sounds. Not even aircraft overhead. Only the birds and the bees and the wind rustling through the grasses.





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Troul 

for the natural rides, i could understand not having anything beat boxing away in the ear. For anywhere else, I'd rather not hear the person tell me I need to be on the sidewalks or to tell me I look "hawt" .

boomhauer

When I move to the side of the road to allow a car to safely pass and they see that I've got ear buds the driver is even more irate....which is awesome.

Camilo

OH, OH. I guess you didn't do any search for "headphones", "ear buds" or such. I haven't read past your first post, so don't know how long it will take. But I predict that within 3 replies, some know-it-all will pipe in not answering the question, but pontificating on how horribly dangerous it is and you're going to die. Or how inferior you are because you don't want to hear "nature".

I have a ~16 gig playlist on my phone and just hit "random shuffle" When solo, I listen to music all the time except if my BT buds are discharged or I forget them. I personally feel that the buds cut down on wind noise and actually help me hear traffic. But that's only about 30 years of experience.

cjenrick

i like this JBL Flip 4 setup right here.
use to be man, my legs are cooked, do i really want to ride today in the cold rain?'

then i remember "I Got Tunes!" and i leap out o bed like a frog in a dynamite pond.

never had to use it at full volume because it is so loud. pedestrians can hear me from 50 yards out. every time.

full charge goes all day at high volume. i can still hear cars so there is no safety problems.

figuring out the least offensive play list was the ticket.

turns out the answer was Norteno music. Coridos. from the 60's.

90% of people love it. and they can hear that push button accordion a mile away.

i had an old couple in there 80's turn face to face and give each other a kiss when they heard the music. it was a slower song.

i have had girls start dancing. i had a group of female riders yell "hell ya, i want one of those on my bike!"

there are not that many Mexican people out here where i live. today there just happened to be a Mexican family walking with their kids and when Mom heard the music, she tuned around with a huge smile on her face as to say 'wow, we are not alone out here after all!

today I came across another Mexican family and the youngster yelled 'i like your music!"

and it motivates me when things are tough as Corido's are about tough times.

and it does not trigger youtube ads!

these guys are the best Norteno players that ever lived>

sjammer

I ride with my AirPods on low volume, just enough that hear the music and still be able to hear what is going on around me.