Wind noise.

[Gary E]

It's not a massive issue but I'm becoming more aware of the wind noise when riding (maybe I'm getting faster ). I also have quite large ears

Simply turning your head to one side virtually stops the noise and makes for a much more pleasurable ride and also makes it easier to hold a conversation with a fellow rider.

Now obviously I'm not suggesting that looking to one side is a good way to ride a bike but I was wondering if there's anything out there to help?

I'm not keen on wear a buff/headover as it'll just make me sweat unless it was really thin (in which case would it keep the noise out?).

 

[MattHB]

I often wear a buff because I sweat a lot. A thin one will deaden the wind noise.

 

[Gary E]

I quite like the idea of a simple headband. Altura make a few but they all seem to be thermal ones for riding on cold days. I want something that I won't even realise I'm wearing (never said I was easy to please )

 

[Pauluk]

I use buffs in winter but they don't make me sweat fortunately. I have a good wind proof hooded one as well for when its really cold. Yes they do reduce wind noise but still allow good hearing. As a walker and a cyclists I think they are great bits of kit, really versatile.

 

[02GF74]

i am not sure about wind noise but when i used to do loads of road miles in winter, to stop getting ear ache i would make my own ear plugs from toilet paper (unused obviously). Tear off a piece, roll it then moisten it before pushing inside ear - I found it stopped ear ache due to wind but did not mute out surrounding sound whereas proper earplugs would - not a good idea to ride without hearing what is around you,

 

[Archie_tect]

I suffer from wind noise but usually after I've stopped, once the restraint of the lycra's released.

 

[byegad]

I used cotton wool in my ears because I noticed the same thing. An ear test confirmed that I was losing the top end of my hearing range and my Tinnitus, which I've had for 25 years had suddenly got worse. After investigations for something more serious, they gave me a hearing aid for my Tinnitus ear and the wind noise isn't so bad now.

 

[Archie_tect]

After driving my VW Beetle on non-stop journeys from Leeds to Dundee in the late 70s I discovered what permanent threshold shift means.

I have been meaning to design little ear wind deflectors which clip onto your helmet which keep your ears warmer because they're protected from the cold wind yet you can still hear especially as they would focus the noise of what's coming up behind you!
Eh, what do you think.... pardon?

 

[Fnaar]

I suffer from excessive wind.

 

[Globalti]

This suggestion is half serious: modern cars have an outer door seal, which is treated with flock to absorb wind noise and prevent whistling sounds in the event of an air leak. It's the same solution as the fluffy cover you see on TV microphones. Now just imagine if you could have a couple of fluffy covers for your ears:

 

[asterix]

I suffer from excessive wind.

Yeah, we noticed!

..but more seriously, when I ride without a cycle lid wind noise is not a problem. More importantly I can hear traffic behind which I very often can't with a lid. I'd suggest cycle helmet design needs a tweak and note that Archie-tect is stepping up to the plate on that one.

 

[Globalti]

On a more serious note, consistent wind noise in your ears means you're doing all the work. Buffeting in your ears means you are riding in the turbulent air behind the rider in front and he's doing all the work.

 

[Archie_tect]

Turbulant air... now that's a euphemism if ever there was....

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

After driving my VW Beetle on non-stop journeys from Leeds to Dundee in the late 70s I discovered what permanent threshold shift means.

I have been meaning to design little ear wind deflectors which clip onto your helmet which keep your ears warmer because they're protected from the cold wind yet you can still hear especially as they would focus the noise of what's coming up behind you!
Eh, what do you think.... pardon?

Good thinking. I'd say that's got to be worth a try. I wonder if it would affect the directional aspect of hearing though - less wind noise with slightly amplified sound deflected in from the side might make sounds seem to be closer and coming from a different direction.

 

[Archie_tect]

Any heightened awareness of approaching vehicles can't be a bad thing and you'd quickly become used to the difference.