Wireless earbuds while riding?
#126
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i never meant otherwise. Dead is dead, headphones or not. I don’t wear them but not due to safety reasons. I ride so fast that to overcome wind noise I need to crank up the volume to ear bleeding levels.
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#127
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Wireless earbuds while riding?
I promised myself that I wasn’t going to reply to this perennial popcorn thread, but these two paragraphs by @velopig had some unique comments that I have posted about previously: Especially in Winter with my ears completely covered.
I promised myself that I wasn’t going to reply to this perennial popcorn thread, but these two paragraphs by @velopig had some unique comments that I have posted about previously: Especially in Winter with my ears completely covered.
I wish you all the best and its too bad we need to worry so much about being killed and maimed while some drivers don’t give a S*&t until after they hit someone.
Last edited by Atlas Shrugged; 11-30-19 at 09:13 PM.
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#128
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I disagree. In the 7,000 miles I’ve ridden so far this year I’ve been passed by, at the very least 10,000 drivers. I’ve had about a dozen passes that were closer than I would have liked, but zero or maybe one close calls. I guess I’m just lucky, or perhaps the drivers in my area are much more considerate than in other places. To me it appears that the overwhelming majority of drivers are quite cautious.
#129
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I disagree. In the 7,000 miles I’ve ridden so far this year I’ve been passed by, at the very least 10,000 drivers. I’ve had about a dozen passes that were closer than I would have liked, but zero or maybe one close calls. I guess I’m just lucky, or perhaps the drivers in my area are much more considerate than in other places. To me it appears that the overwhelming majority of drivers are quite cautious.
#130
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Might as well not wear sunglasses, because they reduce the amount of incoming light and therefore compromise your vision. Drivers hit bicycles because they don't see them, they're not looking for them, or they simply don't care. Whether I'm listening to music or not has zero impact.
#131
Non omnino gravis
Nobody tell that guy that optically clear "water white" glass passes about 98% of light-- and it's pretty much only used in picture frames. Untinted polycarbonate is around 90%.
I think my sunglasses are something like 22%-- so they stop 78% of visible light. Combined with earbuds, maybe I'm actually dead and just don't know it.
I think my sunglasses are something like 22%-- so they stop 78% of visible light. Combined with earbuds, maybe I'm actually dead and just don't know it.
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#132
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I'll just leave it at that everyone is responsible for their own actions and can deal with the consequences.
BTW, i'll be ignoring all the replies... unless I don't.
Rant on.
#133
Non omnino gravis
No one is making you wear headphones. You can choose to wear them or not wear them. No problem. But when you start to get preachy, and that sermon is based on a fundamentally flawed concept, well, you're just being irritating.
If you think that your hearing is desperately important to your safety as a cyclist, great. The placebo can often be as effective as the medication.
But at the same time be very aware that there are people (like myself) who ride more miles than you, in heavier traffic than you, and have earbuds in all the time.
We have come to the realization that hearing simply isn't that important with regards to bicycle safety. In virtually every scenario, hearing an approaching car is useless information.
As a defensive rider, every time you hear an approaching vehicle, do you bunny hop up onto the curb, or dive into the relative safety of a ditch?
If you think that your hearing is desperately important to your safety as a cyclist, great. The placebo can often be as effective as the medication.
But at the same time be very aware that there are people (like myself) who ride more miles than you, in heavier traffic than you, and have earbuds in all the time.
We have come to the realization that hearing simply isn't that important with regards to bicycle safety. In virtually every scenario, hearing an approaching car is useless information.
As a defensive rider, every time you hear an approaching vehicle, do you bunny hop up onto the curb, or dive into the relative safety of a ditch?
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#134
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Obviously this is a controversial issue to ask on a cycling forum.
My 2 cents is that both extremes of the argument aren't fair. To say that wearing headphones will cause you to crash isn't valid. Also, to say having spatial awareness with noise has not value is also not valid.
The reality is that spatial awareness is absolutely valuable. Pulling upto a 4 way intersection and hearing the cars rev/accelerate, hearing parked cars being turn on... etc are all situations where the addition information lets you make informed decisions. Will not having headphones on save your life? That's hard to say, but I think it's fair to say it is safer to not wear them.
That said, it is still nice to listen to music while riding to pass the time, but I'd recommend bone conductive or directional speakers that let you hear sounds around you and listening to music at lower volumes. You may want to consider smart helmets, most of them have Bluetooth connectivity and directional/bone conductive speakers built in.
My 2 cents is that both extremes of the argument aren't fair. To say that wearing headphones will cause you to crash isn't valid. Also, to say having spatial awareness with noise has not value is also not valid.
The reality is that spatial awareness is absolutely valuable. Pulling upto a 4 way intersection and hearing the cars rev/accelerate, hearing parked cars being turn on... etc are all situations where the addition information lets you make informed decisions. Will not having headphones on save your life? That's hard to say, but I think it's fair to say it is safer to not wear them.
That said, it is still nice to listen to music while riding to pass the time, but I'd recommend bone conductive or directional speakers that let you hear sounds around you and listening to music at lower volumes. You may want to consider smart helmets, most of them have Bluetooth connectivity and directional/bone conductive speakers built in.
#135
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BTW, when I hear a car approaching, I generally move a little more to the right if it's safe.
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With wireless earbuds I have to stop to make a call because the wind noise is horrible. I think you'll have to go high end for that.
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I've been commuting with a Coros SafeSound helmet (they make road/mtb/urban versions), and it's been great so far. It uses directional speakers which don't sound as good as decent headphones but compared to listening to my music through my cell phone speakers it has been a big upgrade. Smart helmets cost more upfront though, but if you are looking for a helmet and earbuds it is a good deal though. I'm not sure about road cycling helmets versions, but they are getting lighter and sleeker.
#138
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I'll keep listening to music thru wireless buds because I enjoy it and feel safe.
I can hear ambient noise when riding and listening to music to a point. The point where I cant hear ambient noise is when win tskes over and I wouldnt be able to hear anything without headphones either.
I dont need my hearing to ride safely. It can help in some situations, sure, but it isnt required.
If I ride in a predictable straight line and look around to what's coming up, I am riding safely.
I can hear ambient noise when riding and listening to music to a point. The point where I cant hear ambient noise is when win tskes over and I wouldnt be able to hear anything without headphones either.
I dont need my hearing to ride safely. It can help in some situations, sure, but it isnt required.
If I ride in a predictable straight line and look around to what's coming up, I am riding safely.
Diddo! And the main reason I wear my helmet every time I ride is because it has the mirror mounted on it. Not for head protection. It's too late for that...
#139
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You have mentioned in previous posts that you have been clipped by car mirrors over a dozen times perhaps it may be safer to take your lane until the vehicle has plenty of room to pass. By moving to your right it may be signaling to the driver to try to squeeze through.
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The new AirPod pro from apple although stupid expensive work really well. The microphone is located within the earpiece not externally and they really cut down on wind noise.
#141
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Once had a Lambo tailgating me and constantly revving the engine. After 2 blocks we stopped at a light so i got of the bike and tapped on his window asking if he had a problem? Of course like a real man, he refused to even look at me... so I signaled he was #1 .
I know if it's too narrow and you don't take the lane, they'll cut you off.
#142
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I do... if there's no room for a parked car, me and a passing car... I take the lane.
Once had a Lambo tailgating me and constantly revving the engine. After 2 blocks we stopped at a light so i got of the bike and tapped on his window asking if he had a problem? Of course like a real man, he refused to even look at me... so I signaled he was #1 .
I know if it's too narrow and you don't take the lane, they'll cut you off.
Once had a Lambo tailgating me and constantly revving the engine. After 2 blocks we stopped at a light so i got of the bike and tapped on his window asking if he had a problem? Of course like a real man, he refused to even look at me... so I signaled he was #1 .
I know if it's too narrow and you don't take the lane, they'll cut you off.
Was that you?
Kidding, I wish I had the money for a Lamborghini.
Completely agree from DC riding experiences if you don’t take the lane, you get squeezed over
Stan
#143
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#144
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#145
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I tried that in the name of safety, but Mr Winky kept getting caught in the spokes.
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Does anyone use a single wireless earbud while riding, and if you do, how is the microphone performance? I often make business/personal calls while out on solo rides, and my wired buds place the microphone down near my mouth, which concentrates the audio-in largely to my voice, save for situations where the wind is really strong. Since wireless buds have to pick up my voice at the ear, I'm concerned that wind, cars, etc. are going to drown out my voice. Curious to hear you opinions.
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#147
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About to have my third surgery due to bike accident. Left rotator cuff. Then in about 3 months, taking out the metal in my right elbow from the total reconstruction from August of last year.
All due to not paying close enough attention.
Ditch the buds. Pay attention to everything around you.
I was lucky, back on the bike as soon as they would let me. A great helmet with visor saved my nose from being scraped off the pavement. The elbow, not so much. But I deal with it.
There is no phone call, no business deal, nothing that is worth it. And nothing that can restore your body due to not reacting quickly enough or simply not paying attention
All due to not paying close enough attention.
Ditch the buds. Pay attention to everything around you.
I was lucky, back on the bike as soon as they would let me. A great helmet with visor saved my nose from being scraped off the pavement. The elbow, not so much. But I deal with it.
There is no phone call, no business deal, nothing that is worth it. And nothing that can restore your body due to not reacting quickly enough or simply not paying attention
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#149
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I do but i've seen too many times what seems like a straight line isn't a few seconds later.
Last year I was following a guy about 15' back and as we were going to pass a slower cyclist they suddenly decided to make a U-turn. I was able to go right but he hit them and over his bars.
The problem is, people listening to music are not as aware of their surroundings. Just like people in cars are in their own little world.
Driving a car with headphone or earbuds is illegal, doing the same while cycling should be.
Last year I was following a guy about 15' back and as we were going to pass a slower cyclist they suddenly decided to make a U-turn. I was able to go right but he hit them and over his bars.
The problem is, people listening to music are not as aware of their surroundings. Just like people in cars are in their own little world.
Driving a car with headphone or earbuds is illegal, doing the same while cycling should be.
#150
in bagnomaria
That said, I consider talking on the phone while riding an unwelcome distraction. I do however keep the AirPods in my jersey pocket – in case an important call comes in or for emergencies. But I always stop for calls.
Last edited by Succhia Ruota; 12-02-19 at 12:54 PM.