Wind Noise Reduction Solution/s Found
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Wind Noise Reduction Solution/s Found
One thing that gets wearisome on long rides is the constant wind noise - am I’m not talking about windy days, which has their own special weariness. I used ‘the Google’ and learned there are about 4 basic solutions. 3 are basically alike in design and the fourth is like a soft clam shell which goes over the ears - no thanks unless the weather is freezing. So, I decided to put vanity aside and purchased Cat Ears brand noise reduction thingies which attach to the forward helmet straps. They disrupt the airflow and divert it from directly entering the ear.
I test rode a pair today and the difference was remarkable at 15-16 MPH and below. Showed the Mrs and she now wants a pair. So if you are bothered or get tired of wind noise and aren’t afraid of looking a little goofy, try these or another manufacturer on your helmet. On Amazon I queried bicycle wind noise reduction.
Yes, ear plugs would work, but I still want to hear what’s around me too.
I test rode a pair today and the difference was remarkable at 15-16 MPH and below. Showed the Mrs and she now wants a pair. So if you are bothered or get tired of wind noise and aren’t afraid of looking a little goofy, try these or another manufacturer on your helmet. On Amazon I queried bicycle wind noise reduction.
Yes, ear plugs would work, but I still want to hear what’s around me too.
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Heh. I just ordered a pair yesterday from amazon too after another thread (50+ forum?) recommending them. I don't know if this spring and early summer has been windier than normal, or I've just reached a saturation point over all the years of wind. Here's hoping they work for me too.
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Since I've been listening to spoken-word podcasts in one ear for the last few years, the wind has been a problem. Based on your recommen dation, I think I will finally check out the cat-ears.
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For those of you that went to Amazon and searched Cat Ears, only to wonder if people really meant you to be wearing "Cat" "Ears"
I offer THIS LINK...
You're welcome
Barry
I offer THIS LINK...
You're welcome
Barry
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Thanks Barry. For $16 (the price of a Venti Carmel Mochachino or some large floofy drink) if they don’t work, its no great loss.
Old farts that don’t drink large overly expensive drinks, I already know your response.
Old farts that don’t drink large overly expensive drinks, I already know your response.
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The guy in the picture in the "Why Cat-Ears?" part of the ad...the one riding with his mouth wide open...hopefully he's got some kind of gnat reduction device he's also attached to his helmet.
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For those of you that went to Amazon and searched Cat Ears, only to wonder if people really meant you to be wearing "Cat" "Ears"
I offer THIS LINK...
You're welcome
Barry
I offer THIS LINK...
You're welcome
Barry
Has anyone tried the slimmer AirStreamz? https://www.amazon.com/AirStreamz-Cy...dp/B06VY6MH3Y/
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One thing that gets wearisome on long rides is the constant wind noise - am I’m not talking about windy days, which has their own special weariness. I used ‘the Google’ and learned there are about 4 basic solutions. 3 are basically alike in design and the fourth is like a soft clam shell which goes over the ears - no thanks unless the weather is freezing. So, I decided to put vanity aside and purchased Cat Ears brand noise reduction thingies which attach to the forward helmet straps. They disrupt the airflow and divert it from directly entering the ear.
I test rode a pair today and the difference was remarkable, and even more-so when descending at speed. Showed the Mrs and she now wants a pair. So if you are bothered or get tired of wind noise and aren’t afraid of looking a little goofy, try these or another manufacturer on your helmet. On Amazon I queried bicycle wind noise reduction.
Yes, ear plugs would work, but I still want to hear what’s around me too.
I test rode a pair today and the difference was remarkable, and even more-so when descending at speed. Showed the Mrs and she now wants a pair. So if you are bothered or get tired of wind noise and aren’t afraid of looking a little goofy, try these or another manufacturer on your helmet. On Amazon I queried bicycle wind noise reduction.
Yes, ear plugs would work, but I still want to hear what’s around me too.
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A buddy got me into Cat Ears recently, too. My tinnitus is such that I've been seeking ways to prevent it getting worse, no matter how dorky I may look. They certainly help sometimes, but can't do much when there's a strong side- or tailwind.
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I had some cotton from pill containers and made my own.
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Ingenious solution or adaptation of someone else’s solution.
Just to reiterate, the cat ears reduce but do not completely attenuate sound. The helmet straps need to be snug to your face to get the maximum result. I may mean tightening down the clasp under your chin.
Just to reiterate, the cat ears reduce but do not completely attenuate sound. The helmet straps need to be snug to your face to get the maximum result. I may mean tightening down the clasp under your chin.
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They're a great product. I tried them about 10+ years ago and they helped wind noise and let me listen to music through my ear buds at lower volume. I gave them to a friend who wears hearing aids and he loved them, and unfortunately I've never replaced them. At the time, the big decision was white for a fairly stealthy look, or black for the Elvis sideburns look.
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I’ve used both CatEars and Slipstreamz, and they work a little— as in, under certain conditions— but neither worked well enough to earn a permanent spot in my cycling kit.
It would be nice to have a good solution to the annoyance of wind noise, though.
It would be nice to have a good solution to the annoyance of wind noise, though.
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I bought the CatEars as I get a lot of wind noise mainly when I listen to music using earbuds. For me I did not see any wind noise reduction when I used them. Glad they only cost $16.
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Sorry to hear that. They are not a panacea, but they help.
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Yup... My first search did not produce what I expected! This is a timely thread as I was just complaining about wind noise yesterday and wanted to continue looking for a solution
Has anyone tried the slimmer AirStreamz? https://www.amazon.com/AirStreamz-Cy...dp/B06VY6MH3Y/
Has anyone tried the slimmer AirStreamz? https://www.amazon.com/AirStreamz-Cy...dp/B06VY6MH3Y/
They are a little dorky (who cares) and can get a bit warm on hot days (not super great but not a deal breaker).
In short, worked for me, recommended!
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Oh, the point of this, I tried them. They did absolutely nothing. I’m glad they’ve worked out for you and my buddy “Fred”. I’d love to have something to cut out the wind noise.
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Might have responded to an earlier/other thread, same topic.
Have a substantial amount of tinnitus, which is exaggerated by wind noise...
Tried 'Car ears' , and another similar product (can't remember name) out of OZ, as a workable solution (other than foam ear plugs which I have been using for decades).
no substantial wind noise reduction noticed on either of these.
Just finishing a week of trying 'WindBlox' - with frequent adjustments and attempts on 3 of my 6 six helmets (1 pr moved around...) not the full over-ear covers, the helmet strap add-ons...
They are comfortable, and do help a small amount, but not enough.
very slight improvement... but not enough to be used alone, without ear plugs.
back to ear Plugs - ones I prefer : Howard Leight - Laser Lites, box of 100 pr, has lasted forever...
I can hear most outside sounds like vehicle traffic, bike bells, speech within 5-8 feet, but hard to make out conversation (which is FINE...).
I don;t wear ear plugs when in a close riding group... so maybe I keep the WIndblox on one helmet I might use just for group rides...
Ride On
Yuri
Have a substantial amount of tinnitus, which is exaggerated by wind noise...
Tried 'Car ears' , and another similar product (can't remember name) out of OZ, as a workable solution (other than foam ear plugs which I have been using for decades).
no substantial wind noise reduction noticed on either of these.
Just finishing a week of trying 'WindBlox' - with frequent adjustments and attempts on 3 of my 6 six helmets (1 pr moved around...) not the full over-ear covers, the helmet strap add-ons...
They are comfortable, and do help a small amount, but not enough.
very slight improvement... but not enough to be used alone, without ear plugs.
back to ear Plugs - ones I prefer : Howard Leight - Laser Lites, box of 100 pr, has lasted forever...
I can hear most outside sounds like vehicle traffic, bike bells, speech within 5-8 feet, but hard to make out conversation (which is FINE...).
I don;t wear ear plugs when in a close riding group... so maybe I keep the WIndblox on one helmet I might use just for group rides...
Ride On
Yuri
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I ride with another American in the local cycling club in my village here…most of them are 40+ former footballers with wrecked knees, but with a lot of money to blow on serious kit and serious bikes. Anyhow, fellow American shows up with a set on his straps and he gets instantly savaged by the guys….he refuses to take them off. I give him brig props. He looks like a Fred between those things, his frame bag, and his mismatched 1990s era kit, but he doesn’t care. And his FTP, verified, is north of 350…so he can do what he wants.
Oh, the point of this, I tried them. They did absolutely nothing. I’m glad they’ve worked out for you and my buddy “Fred”. I’d love to have something to cut out the wind noise.
Oh, the point of this, I tried them. They did absolutely nothing. I’m glad they’ve worked out for you and my buddy “Fred”. I’d love to have something to cut out the wind noise.
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OK, I'm not usually bothered by wind noise at an air speed below 15 mph. Over 20 is where I want wind noise reduction to kick in. And remember, 10 mph into a 15 mph headwind is 25 mph airspeed. So what's the benefit to the Catears again?
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Your a big boy. You can do your own research.
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Noise
I purchased the medium version. I was quite surprised at the effectiveness.
My buddy spotted me wearing them, so I installed just one side on his helmet.
He was guessing their purpose and had decided they were to stop the straps rubbing.
2-3 mins later he stops and declares “wind noise, no wind noise”.
So in a blind taste test, one out of one users approves!
Barry
My buddy spotted me wearing them, so I installed just one side on his helmet.
He was guessing their purpose and had decided they were to stop the straps rubbing.
2-3 mins later he stops and declares “wind noise, no wind noise”.
So in a blind taste test, one out of one users approves!
Barry
#24
Miles to Go
My experience is similar to others with tinnitus.... I installed the Wind-Blox last week, and so far they seem to help a little, but not enough.
I have tried using regular foam earplugs, but they block too much. I have a set of earplugs with three different filters OTW, and plan to start with the filter than provides the lowest attenuation.
I have tried using regular foam earplugs, but they block too much. I have a set of earplugs with three different filters OTW, and plan to start with the filter than provides the lowest attenuation.
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yeah, like most things, these ways to attenuate wind 'noise' are personal evaluations.
i certainly think it's worth trying any and all to see what might work for each of us. given the cost, the longterm improvements and noise reduction are worth the efforts.
I have not yet tried the 'WindBlox' full ear 'covers', but I have seen 2 riders who were using them. At 1st I thought they were ear warmers, because it was 'winter'. But after a while I relaized they were only lycra/spandex fabric.
I'm gonna 'McGiver' something similar from some spandex I have - give it a try... and report back... my noise reduction requirements are pretty high... it's not just 'tinnitus, I do have some significant hearing lose in the higher audible frequencies... get something cobbled today ! LOL!
Ride On
Yuri
EDIT: so I just came back from a ride using my McGivered FULL EAR COVERS - like the Windblox full ear covers
made from some spandex I have lying around, only one, relatively thin layer... I'm too embarrassed to post a pic, it's pretty 'Green Acres' looking, but very functional, with no loose ends to interrupt wind flow... and the helmet strap fit snug around the head, so no air intrusion under the strap/cover.
They worked pretty well. Wind noise attenuation was much better than just the helmet strap version, but less 'well' than ear plugs.
Still, here's what I found, on relatively still air sections (so 'apparent' wind speed at the speed of bike) at 10 & below mph wind noise was very low, much lower than without any attenuation. At 12 mph, wind noise became obvious, but not worrying. At 15 it was quite noticeable, about what would be 'without' attenuation at 10 mph. At 17 it wasn't much more than 15. At 20 mph it was annoying again - which happens usually at 15 mph...
it was a sizeable improvement over the helmet strap models.
also, they weren't hot, in spite of some very strong sun... fabric is black spandex...
I think I can 'improve on them, by adding another fabric layer inside. I think 2 layers would work better than just one thicker fabric layer. More attenuation because 2 separate layers might better break up the turbulence reaching the ear... ? gonna give that a shot, will report back...
This is very interesting...
A consideration: is it kookie ? too kookie ? prolly not too kookie for me... LOL!
I really didn;t notice any dis-comfort from the actual wear/use - when I wasn't trying to 'note' the wind noise level, I quickly stopped 'noticing' them...
but coming back into an 8 mph headwind, they didn't attenuate enough - hence adding another layer to see if that can improve the function...
more upcoming in a few days...
i certainly think it's worth trying any and all to see what might work for each of us. given the cost, the longterm improvements and noise reduction are worth the efforts.
I have not yet tried the 'WindBlox' full ear 'covers', but I have seen 2 riders who were using them. At 1st I thought they were ear warmers, because it was 'winter'. But after a while I relaized they were only lycra/spandex fabric.
I'm gonna 'McGiver' something similar from some spandex I have - give it a try... and report back... my noise reduction requirements are pretty high... it's not just 'tinnitus, I do have some significant hearing lose in the higher audible frequencies... get something cobbled today ! LOL!
Ride On
Yuri
EDIT: so I just came back from a ride using my McGivered FULL EAR COVERS - like the Windblox full ear covers
made from some spandex I have lying around, only one, relatively thin layer... I'm too embarrassed to post a pic, it's pretty 'Green Acres' looking, but very functional, with no loose ends to interrupt wind flow... and the helmet strap fit snug around the head, so no air intrusion under the strap/cover.
They worked pretty well. Wind noise attenuation was much better than just the helmet strap version, but less 'well' than ear plugs.
Still, here's what I found, on relatively still air sections (so 'apparent' wind speed at the speed of bike) at 10 & below mph wind noise was very low, much lower than without any attenuation. At 12 mph, wind noise became obvious, but not worrying. At 15 it was quite noticeable, about what would be 'without' attenuation at 10 mph. At 17 it wasn't much more than 15. At 20 mph it was annoying again - which happens usually at 15 mph...
it was a sizeable improvement over the helmet strap models.
also, they weren't hot, in spite of some very strong sun... fabric is black spandex...
I think I can 'improve on them, by adding another fabric layer inside. I think 2 layers would work better than just one thicker fabric layer. More attenuation because 2 separate layers might better break up the turbulence reaching the ear... ? gonna give that a shot, will report back...
This is very interesting...
A consideration: is it kookie ? too kookie ? prolly not too kookie for me... LOL!
I really didn;t notice any dis-comfort from the actual wear/use - when I wasn't trying to 'note' the wind noise level, I quickly stopped 'noticing' them...
but coming back into an 8 mph headwind, they didn't attenuate enough - hence adding another layer to see if that can improve the function...
more upcoming in a few days...
Last edited by cyclezen; 07-13-22 at 07:26 PM.