In search of...single headphone/earbud for mp3 player

[Ciao]

Hi gang... searched the forums but couldn't find an answer...

I've been using my UltimateEars earbuds while cycling (I'm only using it in one ear, with the other "bud" coiled up so its out of the way) and would really like to find a set made for cycling - with just one earbud and a semi coiled cable so that it flexes when I turn my head.

Any recommendations?

[alpinerabbit]

a) buy a cheap mono set and chop it off...

b) don't ride with even a single. please. I know opinions vary but this is mine. it distracts you from traffic.

[Ciao]

Thanks... but I neeeed mine. It allows me to ignore the whining of my body... My body whines all the time :D but it's just a big fat liar.

I've found that a great quality headset allows me to keep the volume low. But what I'm missing is that bit of coil that we see on the pro's versions that gives your head freedom of movement....

... the search continues. :D

[Tuckervill]

You can have some custom ones made:

http://outside.away.com/outside/gear/200510/made-to-order-gear-1.html

But I second the thing about not wearing them when you're riding. It's just dangerous.

Karen

[Veronica]

But I second the thing about not wearing them when you're riding. It's just dangerous.


Do you listen to music in the car while you drive? Talk to the passengers? Eat? Drink?

Those are all distractions too. :)

V.

[Tuckervill]

Yeah, but I'm protected by an airbag and couple hundred pounds of steel and plastic in my car.

Karen

[Veronica]

But the folks on the side of the road that get hit when a driver is distracted by those things aren't protected by anything.

I don't really like it either when I come upon a cyclist, runner, walker, whatever... who can't hear me because they have their earphones in. But it's not my choice to make. I wish they weren't so self centered as to think they are only ones out there, but whatever... maybe they need to shut out the world for a while. “Don't judge any man until you have walked two moons in his moccasins.”

AND I love wearing my Thump Pro sunglasses when I ride or run. Music does make running and climbing easier.

V.

[KnottedYet]

I was under the impression the pros are listening to their coaches/team while wearing those single coil-y earbuds, not their iPods.

What are they listening to?

[VeloVT]

Not to totally threadjack...

I can't imagine listening to music while riding. I don't listen to music when running outside either (though I can't live without it if I'm planning on spending over 30 min on the treadmill). Partly because for some reason I just don't get bored outside, but partly because I *do* value my ability to hear a car from some distance.

But...

My BF doesn't have great hearing. I would love to find a good two-way radio that would allow us to communicate while riding. Not in a way that would be overly distracting... but would allow us to point out landmarks, discuss route changes, and alert one another to cars back and/or glass or potholes up with better accuracy than shouting into the wind (we usually ride in areas that don't really allow riding side-by-side). Any good solution, to my mind, would leave the traffic-side ear free.

???

[Grog]

Not to totally threadjack...

I can't imagine listening to music while riding. I don't listen to music when running outside either (though I can't live without it if I'm planning on spending over 30 min on the treadmill). Partly because for some reason I just don't get bored outside, but partly because I *do* value my ability to hear a car from some distance.


I also have stopped listening to music while running. Not so much for the cars. But for possible people walking in my path. Especially when I run in the woods at not-so-busy times...


But...

My BF doesn't have great hearing. I would love to find a good two-way radio that would allow us to communicate while riding. Not in a way that would be overly distracting... but would allow us to point out landmarks, discuss route changes, and alert one another to cars back and/or glass or potholes up with better accuracy than shouting into the wind (we usually ride in areas that don't really allow riding side-by-side). Any good solution, to my mind, would leave the traffic-side ear free.

???

Let us know if you find something! That would be pretty cool.

[lph]

Hi folks!

If Ciao has searched the forum, she has most certainly uncovered all the arguments against riding with earphones. We're big girls ;) and can make up our own minds about this, so maybe we can stick to trying to answer her question? This discussion is so far low-key, but does tend to get a little volatile. Thanks :)

On the two-way radio thing - some rock climbers doing long routes use small two-way radios that they tape to one strap of a shoulder harness or backpack, voice-activated, so you can mumble down into your shoulder and your partner will hopefully hear you. Might work on the road too.

[Andrea]

I was under the impression the pros are listening to their coaches/team while wearing those single coil-y earbuds, not their iPods.

What are they listening to?

The earbud is connected to the "race radio," which allows the rider to communicate/receive communication from his/her team and coach (or whoever is in the ground crew that is helping them during the race).

[Ciao]

Thought I might open a can of worms... :p ... Thanks LPH.

Ok, first, for Liza & Grog - What you want is made for motorcyclists. Check out your local motorcycle store and ask to see their 'intercoms'.
Thanks for the article, Karen. I'm using a pair of Ultimate Ears - although not the custom buds formed for my ear canal. :) Wish I was, mine are incredible, but the custom version are even more so.
What I did find that's interesting is the Slipstream: http://www.slipstreamz.com/content.asp?subID=8 but it doesn't solve my original needs.
XYZ that's exactly what I want - just the cable with earbud from a race radio (might need to swap the end, and hoping the sound quality is good) ... but you'd think that I'd be able to find it online? nada.

Thanks again for all the help. (e Baci!)

[Andrea]

Race radio earbuds also have a "push to talk" button that hangs near your chin, so they probably aren't what you really want for listening to music

...unless you have a follow car with a radio :D

[Ciao]

hehe :cool: wouldn't that be nice?!

[ladyicon]

Here is a link to a site that I found. http://www.scansound.com/single-stereo-earbud.htm

[Miranda]

I hope I'm totally understanding your situation, but is the issue mainly the movement with the earplug?:confused:

I use the right ear plug of my the set that came with my ipod. I use my shuffle on my bike, not the full deal. I can easily use the raised control buttons on the shuffle wtihout the need to look at the ipod screen. It's about equal to taking your hand off the bike to grab a water bottle by feel alone.

I slip the ear plug under my helmet ear straps and turn my head any direction I would on the road to asure I have enough slack in the cord to not pull it out. I then weave the cord down the front inside of my jersey and underneath my sports bra. I tuck the extra ear phone up thru the sports bra, and just let it rest in the cleavage area under the fabric. The shuffle clip goes slight to the right center waist band seam of the shorts. I clip part of the extra cord there as well. None of it hangs loose outside the jersey.

I have also used NextCare 3m micropore paper tape to secure my cords together, and taped it to my skin. I have very sensitive skin, it's the only medical tape I can wear vs regular bandaids etc. Found at the drug store by bandaids, $3 for an entire roll. You could tape it on your neck at the collar line concealed with the appropriate amount of slack. Tears easily by hand, but won't tear up electronis or skin. Lastly, the tape at first will not seem like it will stick. The glue is body heat activated. Once on your person, it will stick well. Along that same line, it comes off easier when the skin is cool. But still does no damage either way. FWIW.

[Ciao]

Here is a link to a site that I found. http://www.scansound.com/single-stereo-earbud.htm
Thanks, I'm going to give them a call to see about the cord... guessing it's traditional. Curious about the audio quality too - $5 seems crazy low.

Hi Miranda, thanks for the suggestions... I wear mine under the helmet strap too and just coil the other bud, letting it hang inside my jersey (or stuff it in a pocket). That all works fine. But you're right, I need to ensure that extra slack. I just can't imagine actually taping it to my bod - ouch! - and so I was looking for a chord with a coil built in.

Thanks everyone for the ideas. I'm pooped out and think I'm going to punt on this - it's enough trying to figure out the new bike... maybe I'll just pull a McGyver, strip an inch of coiled cord off an old phone and run my line through it sometime later.