kamoke

Living in such a windy city I find that the most annoying thing about cycling here is that sound of wind screaming in your ears. All winter I've been wearing a dickie which covered my ears and stopped most of it. Now that it's warming up I notice it more, and am quite distracted by it.
Thinking back on the last couple years I remembered all those days fighting the wind, and couldn't help to wonder if there might be some trick to cutting out some of that loud sound that the wind creates when it blows past your open ears.
Anything that makes the tour a bit more enjoyable on those tougher days would help, so does anyone have any suggestions?

theranman

Ear plugs? I'd either try to find the ones with the least amount of absorption (so that you don't block out important traffic noise), or simply wad up a tiny ball of kleenex.

jamawani 

I live in Wyoming -
Where a 40 mph wind is a light breeze.

The solution?
Move to Tennessee.

Of course, when it's blistering hot and not a hint of a breeze -
Don't blame me.

valygrl

One time in South Dakota I was just going CRAZY from the wind, and I made little duct-tape flaps over the triangle of straps for my helmet over my ears..... didn't work very well, but I sure did feel like a dork!

iain.dalton

Downhill or motorcycle helmet?

NoReg

I always thought it would be fun to try one of those downhill helmets out. In situations where a person wants a helmet, it might as well be one designed to save you from more than just a messed up dismount. I don't know if I could tolerate it in the heat. Anyway, I've been in the wind also, and I never think to worry about the noise. Don't try sailing is my advice. Either the wind is for you, which is great or against you in which case the noise of my heart is a bigger issue to, or whether my knees will pop.

82times

...now idea how well it works, but the concept seems legit: a little spoiler to divert airflow around your ear. I actually ordered some but am too lazy to install them (requires disassembly of helmet straps...).

https://www.slipstreamz.com/content.asp?subID=9

I'd like to rig up something like this that would sit on the arms of my sunglasses to do the same thing (as I don't always ride with a helmet).

BigBlueToe

My Sony Fontopia ear buds, the ones with little silicone earpieces, do a good job of cutting down on wind noise. It helps when I'm listening to my MP3 player. If you don't like to listen to music, just wear them but don't plug them into anything.

dudezor

LoL.. don't worry. I'm sure you looked like one too ;-)


I suppose breaking off a bit of a cotton wool ball and rolling it as loosely as possible to fit in your ear might help without blocking out external noise too much. I'm just taking a guess here though.

zebede

These forums always amaze me. I would never have thought to ask this question even though on occasion wind noise is a definate saftey issue. This high background noise takes away one of the
methods knowing when a car is approaching from the rear.

Personaly I would never wear ear plugs or portable stereo equipment while riding unless there was no chance of being overtaken from the rear.

As reccomended at https://www.slipstreamz.com I have re-routed my helmet straps so I can
put a little twist in the strap that goes in front of the ear. Whats nice is that if it doesn't work
no harm. But the concept is great. put s little wind spoiler in front of the ear to reduce velocity.

It may take a while before the winds pick up and test this.

valygrl

Lucky!!!!

supcom

I've used these and they do reduce the wind noise. Installation really isn't that difficult.

BigBlueToe

I use my mirror to warn me of approaching traffic. I used to ride with nothing in my ears and no mirror. I was often surprised when a car passed me that I hadn't heard approaching. I think a mirror is preferable to relying on your ears. I can still hear cars approaching when I listen to music, though there are still plenty of times when I don't hear them. Again, I rely on my mirror.

I don't listen to music on busy roads with no shoulder, but if there's a good buffer between me and the traffic I do. It certainly helps me enjoy a long, solo ride. Sometimes I'm in the mood to hear the wheels and chain and birds and cows so I don't listen to music.

preaves

I use bits of cotton to reduce the wind noise. It doesn't block as much of the rest of the sound as earplugs but does a reasonable job of reducing wind in the ear noise. ... and wind is a constant factor here. Today, it's a light wind day only 15 MPH winds.

zebede

Just to report back: Yes putting a twist in your helmet strap as outlined on the slipstream installation PDF, does reduce wind noise. I cannot quote you a decibel reduction but my short term informal subjective testing gave a noticibel reduction. I would hazard a guestimate that 15 mph wind noise was reduced to the noise level of approximatly 5 mph. This was without any additional parts or strap stiffiners. If the slip stream was available at my bike shop I would try them, and beleive me ,I have nothing what so ever to do with that company.

kamoke

Thanks folks!