drlogik 

I know this is a controversial topic and I'm not intending to open up whether riding is safe or not while listening to music. Rather, I'm opening a topic on what headphones folks do use if you listen to music.

Back in the day when the Sony Walkman first emerged in 1979 (I still have my original Walkman), I started cycling and cross-country skiing with my Walkman and headphones. I loved it but found that cycling with them just was a little too dangerous because I couldn't hear traffic well. I rode for years not listening to music.

That was up until about 6 months ago when I bought a pair of AfterShoks headphones. It changed everything for me. I can listen to music, provided it is not blaring in my ears, and can still hear traffic, dogs barking and people talking.

I loved the wired ones so much that I bought a pair of the wireless AfterShoks. I really like them!

For folks who listen to music, what headphones do you use?

02Giant 

I don't use them but, I am seriously considering it. For me it would be one ear only.

bobwysiwyg

I know you are trying to steer clear of the safety issue, but I would be concerned about true head phones, that cover the ear(s). I occasionally use some ear buds, but they don't interfere with ambient sounds.

Juggy_Gales

I am buying a stereo bluetooth headset..
you could listen with one ear if you like so you can still hear traffic

MauiKai

IMO, wearing headphones on public roads is fine if the volume is low enough to hear traffic. Personally, I dont wear them on public roads even with the volume turned down since I have a dedicated bike path within a few minutes of my home.

However, I have a simple iPod with Sony headphones that insert into my ear and I turn up the volume to max when on the bike path because I am rarely passed and when I have to make any turns I give a glance over my shoulder because I know someone might be going even faster.

The earphones that insert are best for me because of weight, aerodynamics, sound quality and comfort. They cancel out most other noise interference and let's me focus on cadence and power output.

Kedosto

Bluetooth earbud in one ear only. I use a Plantronic Voyager which when paired with my iPhone can receive calls by simply saying "answer." Podcasts, music, etc resumes automatically once the call ends. 7 hours max run time. Works for me.

-Kedosto

caloso

Earbud in one ear. I generally listen to podcasts or the Giants on the MLB app.

rydabent

Why not just enjoy the bike ride?

Bmach

Music makes the hills seem less steep.

Yellowbeard

I like cheap earplug-style earbuds. The more ambient noise they block the better because I can listen at lower volumes and to be honest I never liked the sound of buses and dump trucks roaring past anyway. $10 Panasonics are fine, tucked under my helmet straps.

Some humans also enjoy music. Headphones can also be added or removed mid-ride at said humans' pleasure.

rseeker

Same here, earbud in one ear. I might notice the loss of one channel with music, but I just listen to podcasts of people being interviewed or discussing* something, and one channel is fine. I'm using cheap $7 earbuds so it's no crime if it gets rained on, and anyway I lost the other earbud after I slammed it in a car door (oops) and cut it off. I'm using this with a cheap dedicated MP3 player, very small and light, clipped to my collar, protected under my parka this time of year.

I put the bud in my right ear and leave the left for road sounds, but if I can't tell what I'm hearing I'll drop the earbud out for a minute and use both ears to figure out what's going on.

If I get to a quiet natural area I might leave it out, but traffic sounds bring me down, I'd rather listen to something that feels better.

johnje

Klipsch R6, if they got lost/broke I'd buy another pair. If I'm in traffic (e.g., downtown Seattle) they come out, otherwise both ears and loud. I would not ride without music, tried it for a while, being left to my thoughts is disturbing.

Ironfish653

$20 Bluetooth earbud setup from, Target, I think. They're a little bulky, but they have volume/pause controls right on the pod, so you don't have to futz with your phone, just tap your temple.
I wear one bud, in the right ear (curbside) and tuck the other end in to my jacket / jersey.

Commuting or solo riding only, no-no on group rides.

kevindsingleton 

Who says we don't? Maybe we enjoy it, even more.

Flip Flop Rider

apple ear buds

adam carolla podcast, classical music, talk radio. often will be riding and laughing

can still hear everything else

fietsbob

GF worked in USPS mail sorting with her walkman playing KLCC, jazz , college station..

Daniel4

If you're going to wear headphones or earbuds, use them only to reduce traffic noise- don't try to listen to anything in them. I tried it once and had to crank up the volume way up. I didn't realise how high the volume was until I put my earbuds back on in the gym.

Today, if I want to listen to something, I carry a radio in my chest pocket or side pocket of my bike bag. It serves to warn pedestrians as I'm approaching too because they can hear my radio.

BobbyG

Ditto. Earbud, one ear only, spoken word podcasts only.

indyfabz

****

texaspandj

I absolutely love music and it enhances everything, including cycling. I wear both buds
at a volume that I can't hear my labored breathing and drown out most other noise. If I could safely listen at a louder volume I would. I'm just afraid I may damage my hearing. I'm not worried about hearing traffic on FM roads where I do my training rides. Now if I had to commute or ride only in a heavy trafficking city I probably wouldn't wear ear buds at all.
The only time I don't use my insert type earplugs is on the mup, in which case I listen to a cylinder speaker in my bottle holder or my phones speaker.
BTW my nephew had some Bluetooth style buds I'm willing to try and hopefully Santa will bring me some as I've been a good boy.
Regardless of which type you use the absolute best thing is to only listen to Good music.

f4rrest

Music in one ear would annoy me to no end.

fietsbob

stick to the trainer...

pickettt

I like the Bose QC30.....with NO MUSIC, just noise cancelling. The headphones block out wind noise, and I can hear traffic better.

Kapusta

I have been very interested in the AfterShoks. Would like to try them sometime.

Otherwise, I have never tried a set that sound good that let me hear well enough to be out and about with, be it on bike or just walking around town. Music in one ear I find really annoying.

My open-back Grado headphone let me hear very well, but are not something I want to walk or bike around with.

reidconti

I haven't yet, but I'm getting a hankering to listen to podcasts on my commute to work like I was when I was driving.

I've got some Jaybird X3s but they isolate too much and I don't want the other half hanging from a cable. Am considering the AirPods if I can confirm they'll actually stay in my (one, non-traffic-side) ear.