Music whilst cycling

[rustyabarth]

What are peoples views on the topic? When i was a lad and at school i used to bike everyday with my walkman at maximum volume, now can see the dangers of doing so but what are peoples views on it?

Thanks

[tobinen]

Rule 62 applies

[M3John]

tobinen said:

Rule 62 applies

This ^

Along with the more important fact that I'd find it very dangerous indeed !

[S10GTA]

tobinen said:

Rule 62 applies

I've created a new rule. I believe it supersedes all other rules, and therefore shall be known as #1; Stop quoting the fking rules.

They were funny once, now they are not.

[rustyabarth]

Thanks guys. Was thinking along those lines, not being able to hear vehicles wouldn't be nice plus the wind whistling past my ears is quite a nice indicator of speed as bike computer has decided im doing 57 mph everywhere!

[kazste]

I always ride to music, best solution ive found is to have one earpiece in on my left ear. This leaves closest ear to traffic free to listen out for danger.

understand its not as safe as no music but so far with safety checks and such I havent had a problem.

[Steve Evil]

I'm looking at getting a set of these:

http://road.cc/content/review/124592-aftershokz-bl...

Guy at work has a pair of the wired ones and whilst you can hear the music, you can still hear conversation and everything else around you. Quite weird, but a great bit of kit.

[otolith]

I'm sceptical of how much benefit you get from hearing traffic in most situations - even if you know something is approaching from behind, there isn't much you can do about it if the driver is going to be a dick, and you shouldn't be making any manoeuvre that requires knowledge of what's around you without having a look first. The only time I really rely on hearing to know that I have to do something is when I'm on narrow single track roads and want to let traffic by me.

[WinstonWolf]

I nearly always ride with music playing. A pair of Budfits holds the standard iPhone speakers in place but far enough out so you can still hear what's going on.

Besides, a bit of Metallica is always going to help on those tough to crack segments

[JEA1K]

I did for a while but haven't done for a few months now. I used to ride with v low volume if on a long solo ride ... a few times forgot to put phone on aeroplane mode and I received calls which got right up my nose ... do they not know I'm busy?!

[Madness60]

I cycle listening to music normally with just one earphone in but on roads I know to be safe and quiet I may go for both earphones in, however in busy bits of town/road I'll unplug.

[TwistingMyMelon]

I commute and listen to headphones when rides on my own, one headphone in my left ear, House music or funk and soul.

This is on roads I know on my own, I wouldn't do it in big cities urban areas

I find it safer, as it takes the edge of sudden noises and helps me concentrate

The wind and traffic noise are far louder anyway than most headphones, esp in one ear

[paranoid airbag]

I tried it once, couldn't hear anything but wind noise above about 10mph. Bit pointless then.

Then again, if I needed to hear well, I'd have to forgo a helmet - above 25 or so they've always made a noise on my head exactly like someone following ridiculously closely - to the point where I've genuinely turned round preparing to hurl abuse at someone, to find there's nobody there. And yes, it's not there bareheaded.

(runs away tittering in the full knowledge I'm trolling, but I am telling the truth)

So, um, I don't really care either way.

[anonymous-user]

S10GTA said:

I've created a new rule. I believe it supersedes all other rules, and therefore shall be known as #1; Stop quoting the fking rules.

They were funny once, now they are not.

[M3John]

Steve Evil said:

I'm looking at getting a set of these:

http://road.cc/content/review/124592-aftershokz-bl...

Guy at work has a pair of the wired ones and whilst you can hear the music, you can still hear conversation and everything else around you. Quite weird, but a great bit of kit.

I tried these at a show a few months back and thought they were about the best of both scenarios if one has to listen to some music whilst cycling. They are very good indeed !

http://www.amazon.co.uk/AfterShokz-Sportz-S2-NEW-G...

[TwistingMyMelon]

I know when the rain is getting unbearable when it gets in my headphones and stops them working!!

[Kell]

I've always been against the idea. Figuring that the more senses you have in your favour, the better.

But in reality, I always shoulder check before I move off line anyway so I'm not sure how much advantage I gain by already knowing there's something behind me.

However, I think there's a world of difference between the country roads I cycle on at weekends and my twice daily London commute. I wouldn't even consider it in London, but I think it might make a solo ride in the country a little more bearable.

That said, I've tried it once or twice and really, really didn't like it.

[benny.c]

I'd never listen to music on the road but on bridleways, separate cycle paths etc I do from time to time. I use in ear jobbies which cut out most of the wind noise.

[Daveyraveygravey]

TwistingMyMelon said:

I find it safer, as it takes the edge of sudden noises and helps me concentrates

You what?! I personally would never ride with headphones. I cannot believe you could argue it is more safe...
I love music and I love being in the bubble you get listening to music on headphones but I keep it separate from my cycling. Most of the safety arguments against riding with headphones can possibly be disputed but to claim the opposite?

[WinstonWolf]

Daveyraveygravey said:

TwistingMyMelon said:

I find it safer, as it takes the edge of sudden noises and helps me concentrates

You what?! I personally would never ride with headphones. I cannot believe you could argue it is more safe...
I love music and I love being in the bubble you get listening to music on headphones but I keep it separate from my cycling. Most of the safety arguments against riding with headphones can possibly be disputed but to claim the opposite?

It isn't a bubble with the right earphones, it's no different to driving with music on