Camilo

Same here, but I use generic bluetooth buds. But the point being, I don't blast my ear drums drowning out everything around me. As a benchmark, because of wind noise, I can't hear the music after about 15-20 mph, maybe even slower. Similar to the point in which the wind noise would pretty much obscure traffic noise for me. And, at that point, I really do think the ear buds make traffic noise more discernable. I've thought about that quite a bit. The theory I have come up with is that wind noise makes it harder to distinguish traffic noise than does music and to the extent that the ear buds cut that down in favor of hearing music, it improves that aspect of hearing for me. It works for me anyway.

indyfabz

As for the first, I like to hear that so I know when to wave back. As for the second, I’m sure that’s not an issue for you.

Troul 

the construction workers are a rowdy bunch.

50PlusCycling

I run an e-commerce business, and to promote this business, I use video and audio productions. In 2021 people seem to get restless unless they are constantly being stimulated by a video screen or audio signals. Since I began using video and audio marketing, my sales have doubled, and I even get revenue from the productions themselves. I cannot complain about people whose addiction to such things helps me make money, its like selling drugs or booze, except that it is entirely legal.

For myself, being more or less immersed in video and audio for much of each day, the last thing I want to do when I get on my bike is listen to music or anything else. Silence is a rare commodity nowadays, it is golden, and it is just what I want to hear when I get on my bike.

diphthong

there are music free rides and there are music rides. new/very infrequent rides are always music free. usual/local rides almost always involve music.

MattTheHat 

30 years of riding with music???? Bro...how are you still alive?

These threads alway devolve into at least two common themes. 1. Someone telling others they need “constant stimulation.” 2. You should want to listen to the birds chirping and the tires humming. I’m all for the sounds of nature. For about 20 minutes. What does anyone else care what I listen to?

And for the safety issue. Can someone PLEASE tell me what they do differently when they hear a car coming? For me, the answer is nothing. Do people actually stop riding and pull off the road or something? At some point you have no choice to take your eyes off the approaching car. Or do y’all crane your necks and eagle eye every single foot of every single pass?

I don’t understand where all the fear comes from. I’m passed by many, many thousands of cars every year. I’ve yet to experience a pass that I thought would have been any different with or without ear buds.

Garfield Cat

Riding a bike with music and driving a car with music has some similarities. More similarities than differences.

Bike riding has always had the element of danger with the cars and even with the road and even the debris.

I notice when I really want to concentrate while driving a car, I will turn down the volume. When? For instance, when the rain is really pouring, or when the fog is so thick, I cannot see but a few feet ahead.

Bottom line: I think its about multitasking.

Troul 

if i'm familiar with the vehicle I'm driving, I can chew bubble gum, listen to music, let out a fart, & shift all at the same time while going up hill in fog with rain, & crosswinds.

Fahrenheit531 

Rule #62.

tedder987

FYI with respect to the trekz bone conduction headphones. I have had 3 pairs and they are not really sweat-proof enough for a sweaty guy (like me!). Off road, they would call 911 for me on hot days after sweat got into them. Also on road they just were not loud enough to cover wind noise over 15 mph.

p.s. MatTheHat said it well

Rolla

I love headphones. Ear buds. Bone conductors. ANYTHING you want to use that doesn't make me hear your music. Show up on a ride with speakers on your handlebar and you'll get a frame pump through your spokes before mile 3.

boomhauer

I've got a rear view mirror. I don't need to hear traffic. It is several magnitudes safer than listening for a car.

Troul 

the easiest cars to detect coming up on yerleft are those road hoggin electric veehikkulures, i tell hewt whuhh.

MattTheHat 

I use a Varia Radar unit sending alerts to my Elemnt Roam. It’s interesting an all, but I still don’t really ride any differently than before I had it. I just try to ride straight.

indyfabz

How many frame pumps do you go through in an average year, Mr. Norris?

DaveLeeNC

MattTheHat And for the safety issue. Can someone PLEASE tell me what they do differently when they hear a car coming? For me, the answer is nothing. Do people actually stop riding and pull off the road or something? At some point you have no choice to take your eyes off the approaching car. Or do y’all crane your necks and eagle eye every single foot of every single pass?

For me this creates an awareness that probably has some small safety related value. In theory it would change nothing as, in theory, I should be doing enough to be certain in every case I am aware of any cars around me. However, I am not perfect, but good enough to still be alive :-)

And in some ways I suppose it could degrade safety as sound is not always reliable. I don't ride with music, but I can't say the reason is really a safety thing. I have seriously considered it.

dave

ps. Probably the 'safest' move I have ever made is buying a Varia. But even then you have to be careful as it will not always show a car that is 'pacing you' and you can be fooled if you are not aware of that.

Rolla

After the first two, the word got out.

Pricey95

I use airpods and just turn them right down.

downhillmaster

Terrifying

diphthong

good thing many of us rock speakers elsewhere. opera always messes people up. ditto pre-lindsey/stevie fleetwood mac and anything from bootsy.

bruce19

As with many people reading a book, focus on one thing (music) can zone you out to other things. I'm guessing it's not the same for everyone but I won't take the chance. I don't want my senses dulled or my reactions delayed.

indyfabz

I’ve got chunks of guys like Chuck Norris in my stool.

bruce19

Nothing? If I hear a car behind me I make sure I'm as far right as possible. When I see one in my mirror I watch to see how it's tracking. Why one wouldn't do at least that to avoid injury or death is beyond me.

MattTheHat 

I’ve found that if I ride as far to the right as possible I get more close passes. So far I’ve avoided injury and death from well over 100,000 passes, probably many more.

DaveLeeNC

You have also been passed by more PO'ed drivers than you would have otherwise. I don't know which one is safer but at least in my area, avoiding PE'ed drivers is a high priority for me.

dave