jim p

Are there any ways to reduce wind noise that still allow you to hear well while riding at speed? I am thinking about some type of helmet that covers the ears or maybe a stocking that could cover the ears. Maybe my ears are just too big and catch too much air.

GuitarWizard

I've found riding with a tailwind helps. Unfortunately I rarely get these, so I'm stuck listening to wind buffeting all the time.

Talewinds

Try one of those Pearl Izumi headbands.
Any way you try to block the wind, your gonna block the sound too.

botto 

bingo.

crghill

hmmmmmmmmmmm....good question!

badkarma

There was a post a week or two ago with someone asking if anyone had used these things that shield wind around your ears so you can hear a lot better, and you can even put headphones in these them. Maybe someone can dig up that thread.

slowandsteady

Yup, a thin earwarmer/headband thingie works great.

I have this one. It doesn't actually keep you that warm so it can be worn in the summer too. It keeps the sweat out of my eyes also.


https://www.performancebike.com/shop/....cfm?SKU=15764

Scorer75

You can always turn your ead so that it is perpendicular to the wind.

It's amazing how a 90 degree turn of one's head can quiet the wind so dramatically.

Of course you may find it hard to ride like that.

cebrefreveil

Eat less carbo, you'll have less winds !

When weather get chilly I use Earbags. I don't know if they can attenuate the noise enough since I was never annoyed by that. https://www.earbags.com/

CreepShow

https://www.slipstreamz.com/

Will G

I've heard cotton balls mentioned before but have never tried that particular technique, myself.

curiouskid55

Turn your head 90 degrees to the direction you are travelling. Check for obstacles occasionally.

shoerhino

I recently purchased a set of slipstreamz.

They attach to the straps on your helmet in front of your ears and esstentially cover your ears. They certainly reduce the wind noise but they don't eliminate the wind noise. On the plus side, you can use earphones in them but because the earphone is not actually in your ear, you need the volume up a little higher than you would normally have it and the sound quality is not the same as having the earbud in your ear. The downside is that your ears get warm when they are covered with slipstreamz but they do cut down on wind noise and allow you to listen to music and hear traffic.

Overall, I like them but I'm sure about using them on hot days.

jim p

Thanks for the ideas. The slipstreams may be just the ticket. I tried turning my head 90 degrees but since I go where I am looking all that I could do was ride in a big circle.

waterrockets 

Back in the early 90's, there was a company that made a little fairing that clipped onto the front helmet straps. It was just a 1" pyramid-ish thing that ramped the air over your ear. I remember friends saying they worked really well, and don't look as odd as the Slipstreamz. Dunno what ever happened to them.

The wind noise can be useful too though. I use the wind noise level to determine if I should be in my drops or not. More wind noise means my wind speed is higher, which means more benefit for being in the drops.

I also use the different wind noise levels in my ears to determine the apparent wind. Once you point your nose into the apparent wind, you can figure out where to draft in a crosswind. If you turn your head into the apparent wind, and look straight ahead, you should be looking right into the center of someone else's head -- perfect draft.