Headphones anyone?

[jimboalee]

All the time. My last bike was pretty crap and made loads of scary noises as I was riding along. You know the rule, if there's a red warning light, change the bulb. So I listened to loud music to drown out the squeaks and grinding noises. Now I'm accustomed to having tunes on I get a bit bored without.

I have deep in-earcanal types and occasionally can't hear traffic behind, but in the rush hour I always find it to be good practise to just assume that there's a homicidal maniac in a futuristic death-tractor just behind me and ride accordingly, whether I can hear said maniac or not.

Plus 150+ bpm Techno makes for a great training aid, pedalling to the music gives a nice steady 75 and up cadence.

He will score more points killing you than killing a 'sensible' cyclist.
You will be catagorised as 'Mentally challenged'.

 

[martynjc1977]

Listen to music all the time, don't see any difference in listening to music on the bike or the car, as bentmikey says i can still hear whats going on around me, far better than a cager. Also above a certain speed all you can hear is wind noise anyway and that drounds out traffic sounds anyway.

 

[jonredhornet]

I almost always wear headphones, but I tend to listen to spoken word podcasts, ebooks or debates and at a low volume so I can hear what is happening around me. I wouldn't feel as confident cycling with loud music in my ears ... even though I love music.

 

[Glow worm]

Always have the music on and have never had any problem hearing traffic. I have the music on medium volume (16 or 17 out of 25) on the iPod which is just about right for me. (Used to have the radio on all the time until the Dutch authorities closed down my favourite station (Arrow Classic Rock) as it was almost non-stop music blasting in on a high power channel from Holland. As someone else pointed out, the sound of the wind can block sound out anyway.

 

[colinr]

far better than a cager

I assume from "cager" that you don't drive, so let me assure you that being able to hear traffic when cycling is a lot more useful than when in a car which is a) big and noticeable to other drivers and has lots of mirrors for looking behind a lot more easily than turning your head every few seconds.

Though I'd say carelessness is far more dangerous than listening to music regardless of vehicle.

 

[blazed]

Yep this is my playlist when training.

You dont really need to be able to hear anything when riding.

 

[dodgy]

Jimbo, are you trying to get a rise out of someone? Reckon your words are a little harsh.

 

[BentMikey]

I assume from "cager" that you don't drive, so let me assure you that being able to hear traffic when cycling is a lot more useful than when in a car which is a) big and noticeable to other drivers and has lots of mirrors for looking behind a lot more easily than turning your head every few seconds.

Though I'd say carelessness is far more dangerous than listening to music regardless of vehicle.

That assumption would be wrong, as is your logic. If you're not looking back regularly, then you're not cycling as well as you could be either.

 

[dodgy]

So next time you come on here with a mechanical related querie, don't be surprised if you are blanked.

I personally won't choose to 'blank' him because he chose a whimsical posting style.
So don't worry if he posts asking for help, you don't decide who is and who is not supported around here.

 

[4F]

I have never worn headphones and have never got bored on my bike that I would consider wearing them. IMHO even with noise reduction etc I consider hearing to be an important sense and would not want to impair it in the slightest.

This subject is like the helmet debate, there is never a winner.

 

[karlos_the_jackal]

Wear earphones, only 1 in though and they are not noise cancelling, sometimes i forget there in and dont actually listen to the music anyway, then sometimes certain songs get me back in the zone

 

[jimboalee]

What about my whimsical writing style?

1/ Ignoring squeaks and grinding noises is not a good idea.

2/ If Nigel has the intelligence or experience to make a reference to 'Homicidal maniac', he must know about them, so why does he risk his life on a bike?

The next question is:- "Why do any of us risk our lives on a bike when we know there might be two tons of Chelsea tractor hitting us up the rear wheel any second now?"

Wear your earphones, play loud music, ignorance is bliss, it's a quick death.

 

[BentMikey]

And yet even with headphones my awareness of what's coming from the rear is likely better than most on here. Why? Because I'm on a recumbent and have a mirror, which makes it easy to look back every few seconds. Even with that music on I was able to see three dodgy overtakes coming, and correct for the drivers mistakes. On video, last Wednesday.

 

[4F]

And yet even with headphones my awareness of what's coming from the rear is likely better than most on here. Why? Because I'm on a recumbent and have a mirror, which makes it easy to look back every few seconds. Even with that music on I was able to see three dodgy overtakes coming, and correct for the drivers mistakes. On video, last Wednesday.

BM but what we want to know is if you were wearing high viz at the time of these alleged dodgy overtakes ?

Nice to see you back

 

[hackbike 666]

It is one of these 'issues' like mudguards, helmets, triple chainsets or hi vis. Do whatever floats your boat. If you don't like them - fine, but please do not get religious about it and try to convert the perceived heathen.

Agreed.