Headphones for Cycling
Discussion
Uriel said:
Do all the naysayers also object to motorcyclists riding about the roads wearing earplugs specifically to block out noise?
The reason it is FAR more important for cyclists to hear is because other vehicles tend to overtake cyclists all the time.In a motorcycle you are rarely overtaken.
What is behind you matters A LOT as a cyclist.
Not so much for a motorcyclist.
Also as above, motorcyclists can often see behind them using mirrors. Cyclists mostly can't.
walm said:
Uriel said:
Do all the naysayers also object to motorcyclists riding about the roads wearing earplugs specifically to block out noise?
The reason it is FAR more important for cyclists to hear is because other vehicles tend to overtake cyclists all the time.In a motorcycle you are rarely overtaken.
What is behind you matters A LOT as a cyclist.
Not so much for a motorcyclist.
Also as above, motorcyclists can often see behind them using mirrors. Cyclists mostly can't.
I say better to get used to looking over your shoulder or looking in a mirror than relying on your hearing and getting caught out that one time in a hundred. I have been overtaken many times by completely silent bikes going much faster than me. Didn't bother me because I could see them coming.
M
BliarOut said:
markoc said:
Uriel said:
Do all the naysayers also object to motorcyclists riding about the roads wearing earplugs specifically to block out noise?
Not quite the same is it though. As a cyclist I'm reliant on background noise etc to inform me of my own safety. Now I'm no motorcyclist but I wouldn't have thought they have the same consideration given the noise their own machine is making - plus they have mirrors, which the majority of push bikes do not sport when leaving the factory.My recomendation for the OP - the biggest fixed headphone cans you can find, preferably glow in the dark with red flashing lights on to earmark to anyone around you that they need to be twice as aware of you as you won't have a chuffing clue what is behind you.
You can be binned for cycling without due care and attention as well as driving, and I'd wager that wearing headphones puts you squarely in this box.
HTH.
surfymark said:
OK but if you are going along in a straight line, not making any sudden movements etc and constantly checking then it is no different to any other vehicle.
Agree.But you are not describing any cycling I have ever done.
The road bends, and you have to move out to overtake parked cars, slower cyclists etc...
surfymark said:
If you are relying solely on what you can hear you would not know.
For sure.I keep my eyes and ears open!
In any case this debate is pointless. It's like helmets. We all make our own decisions, thank goodness.
I hope you find some excellent earphones!
markoc said:
Uriel said:
Do all the naysayers also object to motorcyclists riding about the roads wearing earplugs specifically to block out noise?
Not quite the same is it though. As a cyclist I'm reliant on background noise etc to inform me of my own safety. Now I'm no motorcyclist but I wouldn't have thought they have the same consideration given the noise their own machine is making - plus they have mirrors, which the majority of push bikes do not sport when leaving the factory.My recomendation for the OP - the biggest fixed headphone cans you can find, preferably glow in the dark with red flashing lights on to earmark to anyone around you that they need to be twice as aware of you as you won't have a chuffing clue what is behind you.
You can be binned for cycling without due care and attention as well as driving, and I'd wager that wearing headphones puts you squarely in this box.
Big difference, in my opinion.
Blimey, I shouldn't have said anything........
Re question, Sennheisers are awesome, and have come down in price of late, you won't go wrong with the in ear ones as they give a wide soundstage and great bass and they will draw you into the music.
Nobody has mentioned anything on the volumes oddly. If you are in work/office/home/garden then if its quiet you won't have it that loud. As soon as you're on the road, plane, bus etc then it's alot louder than you think, and in long term that can cause damage.
I am an experienced cyclist too, and maybe there is a time and a place for them. In the countryside with little going on then you are at no huge advantage. But on an A road, B road, town centre, etc then that sense however subtle or even when you don't think you use it is your insurance and step that you can take to minimise the risk of you ending up in trouble with something that a Bandaid or Nerofen won't fix. Lot's of people cite there is no real issue, and they have had no real issue, but an element of that could be luck and circumstance. Riding in town isn't easy or that safe, but everybody has a choice what they do and the approach they take, just the same as the idiots that cycle with no lights in the dark that you still see about. The real bummer is when someone gets hurt that need not be.
Or, just get a whacking great 80's style ghetto blaster and strap it to the front of your bike?
Re question, Sennheisers are awesome, and have come down in price of late, you won't go wrong with the in ear ones as they give a wide soundstage and great bass and they will draw you into the music.
Nobody has mentioned anything on the volumes oddly. If you are in work/office/home/garden then if its quiet you won't have it that loud. As soon as you're on the road, plane, bus etc then it's alot louder than you think, and in long term that can cause damage.
I am an experienced cyclist too, and maybe there is a time and a place for them. In the countryside with little going on then you are at no huge advantage. But on an A road, B road, town centre, etc then that sense however subtle or even when you don't think you use it is your insurance and step that you can take to minimise the risk of you ending up in trouble with something that a Bandaid or Nerofen won't fix. Lot's of people cite there is no real issue, and they have had no real issue, but an element of that could be luck and circumstance. Riding in town isn't easy or that safe, but everybody has a choice what they do and the approach they take, just the same as the idiots that cycle with no lights in the dark that you still see about. The real bummer is when someone gets hurt that need not be.
Or, just get a whacking great 80's style ghetto blaster and strap it to the front of your bike?
Mr Will said:
surfymark said:
Mr Will said:
NitroNick said:
Mr Will said:
I can still hear what is going on around me, which is vitally important (for obvious reasons!)
What are the obvious reasons? If you ride cautiously and stay out of the way of vehicles, indicate when appropriate to do so and look around you frequently to see where the traffic is then I dont understand why it is so important to be able to hear when cycling.
in-ear phones don't cut off the sound completely.
M
not this type:
The latter sort are designed to cut out external noise, which I don't see as an advantage when cycling.
) and don't cancel out background noise so I get the best of both worlds IMO 
I'd recommend something like the Sennheiser OMX70 - which 'hook' over your ears, but are not the 'in-ear' type. As they are the 'sports' range they are sweat-resistant and you can rinse them under the tap if they get sweaty/muddy etc
I use them so I can get my full-face DH helmet over them (normal headphones get pulled out by the padding in the helmet when i put it on)
I always cycle with a helmet on be it DH riding or cycling on the road, and these types work fine with normal helmets and sunglasses / riding glasses
I use foam 'buds' rather then the rubber bungs so I can hear ambient noise just fine - you loose a bit of bass response without the headphone 'sealed' against your ear, but they still sound good.
I use them so I can get my full-face DH helmet over them (normal headphones get pulled out by the padding in the helmet when i put it on)
I always cycle with a helmet on be it DH riding or cycling on the road, and these types work fine with normal helmets and sunglasses / riding glasses
I use foam 'buds' rather then the rubber bungs so I can hear ambient noise just fine - you loose a bit of bass response without the headphone 'sealed' against your ear, but they still sound good.
I cycle regularly with crummy apple earphones in that are always falling out, used to have a cheap pair of Sony’s that were great. I like the idea of the Sennheisers but I have been warned of counterfeits doing the rounds on Amazon and Flea bay.
As far as cycling with earphones go, I Cycle a 10 mile stretch of the A10 which is almost entirely straight - the traffic is so loud that the music won't even drown it out!
If you run over a cyclist from behind, surely it doesn’t matter how much attention they were paying to the road - you were behind them and knew they were there? if they move in to your path - you were either too close or overtaking. Give cyclists time and space and you (or your missus) won't flatten them.
Sorry to ramble. But my point to the OP was watch out for fakes online!
As far as cycling with earphones go, I Cycle a 10 mile stretch of the A10 which is almost entirely straight - the traffic is so loud that the music won't even drown it out!
If you run over a cyclist from behind, surely it doesn’t matter how much attention they were paying to the road - you were behind them and knew they were there? if they move in to your path - you were either too close or overtaking. Give cyclists time and space and you (or your missus) won't flatten them.
Sorry to ramble. But my point to the OP was watch out for fakes online!
mxspyder said:
I cycle regularly with crummy apple earphones in that are always falling out, used to have a cheap pair of Sony’s that were great. I like the idea of the Sennheisers but I have been warned of counterfeits doing the rounds on Amazon and Flea bay.
I've got Sennheisers, and they're musically excellent, and stay firmly wedged in your lughole... but... there's a fair bit of wind noise, they hurt after a while, and the wire is a bloody nuisance as it snags on everything.walm said:
The reason it is FAR more important for cyclists to hear is because other vehicles tend to overtake cyclists all the time.
In a motorcycle you are rarely overtaken.
What is behind you matters A LOT as a cyclist.
Not so much for a motorcyclist.
Also as above, motorcyclists can often see behind them using mirrors. Cyclists mostly can't.
Spot on - you're out of synch with most of the traffic on a bike, either slower or faster but never the same. I missed having my morning and evening current affairs fix when I switched from car to bike for my commute but can't stand having the traffic sounds muffled. I use one earphone for the best of both worlds.In a motorcycle you are rarely overtaken.
What is behind you matters A LOT as a cyclist.
Not so much for a motorcyclist.
Also as above, motorcyclists can often see behind them using mirrors. Cyclists mostly can't.
So, I'll keep watching this for an inner ear recommendation.
mxspyder said:
I cycle regularly with crummy apple earphones in that are always falling out, used to have a cheap pair of Sony’s that were great. I like the idea of the Sennheisers but I have been warned of counterfeits doing the rounds on Amazon and Flea bay.
...
Sorry to ramble. But my point to the OP was watch out for fakes online!
I got my Sennys from Amazon, via one of their 3rd part sellers. Indigostarfish. IF they are fakes they are bloody good ones. The sounds is very good IMO. I think 95% of the fakes are on eBay though....
Sorry to ramble. But my point to the OP was watch out for fakes online!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-CX-300-II-Preci...
FYI these were my alternative choice.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-MDREX85LPB-In-Ear-Hea...
Just a thought, is it illegal for deaf people to cycle?
Over the years I've tried various styles of head/earphones and without a doubt the Senheiser in ear ones are the best. I've tried over the ear, over the head, normal ear buds and the all shake free at some point. Also over the head and behind the ear doesn't work with a helmet on.
Never had any issues listening to music while working as a cycle courier in Edinburgh. Today's riding is all off road for leisure so less of an issue anyway.
Over the years I've tried various styles of head/earphones and without a doubt the Senheiser in ear ones are the best. I've tried over the ear, over the head, normal ear buds and the all shake free at some point. Also over the head and behind the ear doesn't work with a helmet on.
Never had any issues listening to music while working as a cycle courier in Edinburgh. Today's riding is all off road for leisure so less of an issue anyway.
I go away for a couple of weeks and come back to the cycling equivalent of a barryboy discussion....
What earphones???? EARPHONES???? CYCLING?????
Get pedalling you raving lightweight.... the only people that should EVER have any form of earphone should be those delivering papers or a full team communication headset.
Anyone else should be putting proper effort in and be properly focussed... earphone... BAH!!!!
That aside, and leaving the fact I think the sort of idiot that'll wear them in town is usually a singlspeed nu meedja type who deserves a shortened lifespan, I'd say the Seinnheiser running range are best as they will not block sound completely. Any proper in-ear buds are dangerous due to the background sound that is removed.
One you've found the right earphones to wear post up the next one and we'll recommend what wicker basket you can fix to the front and a chain guard so you don't get chain lube on your frock...
What earphones???? EARPHONES???? CYCLING?????
Get pedalling you raving lightweight.... the only people that should EVER have any form of earphone should be those delivering papers or a full team communication headset.
Anyone else should be putting proper effort in and be properly focussed... earphone... BAH!!!!
That aside, and leaving the fact I think the sort of idiot that'll wear them in town is usually a singlspeed nu meedja type who deserves a shortened lifespan, I'd say the Seinnheiser running range are best as they will not block sound completely. Any proper in-ear buds are dangerous due to the background sound that is removed.
One you've found the right earphones to wear post up the next one and we'll recommend what wicker basket you can fix to the front and a chain guard so you don't get chain lube on your frock...
dubbs said:
I'd say the Seinnheiser running range are best as they will not block sound completely. Any proper in-ear buds are dangerous due to the background sound that is removed.
This is a good point. I use Sennheiser PMX70 which are the 'around the neck' type and found them very good for all sports. They sit firmly in place and have great sound quality but I can still hear traffic around me. Can't do without music on long lone rides, random clicks from the bike would drive me insane!
I believe there is also a train of thought that says if you listen to music you're more likely to look around you rather than rely on your ears...what with all the Prius' around and all...
Dan
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