Your Portable Music [Archive] - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

lilred

08-13-2008, 06:55 AM

What portable music player do you use when you ride?

I'm looking to move into one with a lot more gigs. I've not owned an Ipod yet. I heard they could skip a bit when jogging, cycling, etc. Not to mention. the classic (most gigs) are so big. If anyone uses this one, how do you secure it while riding?

I'm not interested in hearing how unsafe they can be, I'm aware of the necessary precautions. And, it won't be used all the time.

I do greatly appreciate any and all input.

Thanks so much.

kermit

08-13-2008, 07:44 AM

I have an apple ipod nano, it's about one inch by one inch. I usually clip it on my jersey and only use one earplug. The cool thing about the apple is you open an itunes account and download or buy songs. I was not sure about the whole safety thing but tried it. I ride in a very bike friendly area and on a long ride the tunes really help.

Geonz

08-13-2008, 08:02 AM

My voice :)

alpinerabbit

08-13-2008, 08:08 AM

the voices in my head :eek:

smilingcat

08-13-2008, 08:31 AM

Sorry to be a party pooper but only time I use my iPOD nano is when I'm on a trainer. I also have iRiver player with FM radio. but that too stays on the trainer.

Road riding for me is still training. (I don't race) but I still train. I'm too busy about riding and all my concentration is on riding. I prefer not to have junk miles in my training.

If you ride leisurly, and you can hear the sound around you, AND you are aware of your sourounding, I see why not.

Besides, if I'm taking it easy, I want to hear the sound of water cascading over rocks, rustling of leaves in the wind, birds singing...

indigoiis

08-13-2008, 08:41 AM

A kid here just got seriously injured while biking with headphones on.

And a guy got killed on Rt 1 by a woman who passed another car and then came back too far in and went into the breakdown lane. If he hadn't have been wearing headphones, he would have heard her car and gotten out of the way.

When I first started out, I used a mp3 player until another bicyclist, as she passed me, yelled at me. I took out my plug and she said, "you're all over the road. You shouldn't wear those things."

I was very embarrassed and didn't ride with them again.

On the trainer I listen to tunes. What I've found works for rides is to play a CD I like right before riding. The tunes tend to stick in my head.

mimitabby

08-13-2008, 08:50 AM

i have lots of music in my head.

since most of the t threats to my life on the road are coming behind me, my ears are what i use to stay alive. I can't IMAGINE putting anything between me and my "early warning system"

tulip

08-13-2008, 08:54 AM

With cars and trucks on the road, I need my ears for safety. On the bike trail, I also need my ears to hear what's going on. Plus, I like to hear the sounds around me and be in the world as fully as I can. No music while riding here, but I love spinning classes with good tunes.

Becky

08-13-2008, 08:58 AM

Pedal Wench

08-13-2008, 08:59 AM

I'm not interested in hearing how unsafe they can be, I'm aware of the necessary precautions. And, it won't be used all the time.

I put one earbud on my shoulder, wrapped around my bra strap. It doesn't block the sound of anything, just adds a bit of motivation and keeps my training on focus by keeping me moving faster. I use a Samsung player that only has songs that are upbeat. It's so soft that I can't hear it when cars are approaching or when windnoise is too loud (on descents) but I hear just enough to get the beat of the song to keep me moving.

bluebug32

08-13-2008, 09:52 AM

I have a Sandisk Sansa 4GB player. It uses flash memory, not a mini hard drive, so no skipping. I like it, and the price was right, but I think I'd buy something bigger if I had it to do over again. Maybe 8 GB?

I don't ride with it except on the trainer. The other posts in this thread have pretty much stated all of the reasons why I choose not to.

+1 for the Sansa. I have the 6GB, which can be cheaply expanded (I think they all can), into an 8GB. No skipping ever is nice. I can plug it into my car, and I bought a case with a clip so I can clip it to me while on the trainer (I've never taken it on the road, but have used it in the gym). I got mine from woot.com, kind of the Steep and Cheap of electronics.

sfa

08-13-2008, 10:12 AM

I have a classic iPod and have never had a problem with it skipping. Not sure how it would, really since there's nothing TO skip. I've never tried listening to it while riding, but I do while jogging, which is a lot more bumpy, and I plug it into my car's stereo system with no problems (unlike a CD that will skip on bumpy roads). If you're really concerned, though, get a player with a flash drive (like the iPod Nano, which is also nice and tiny) since it'll have no moving parts to bump around.

Sarah

BleeckerSt_Girl

08-13-2008, 11:28 AM

Aside from my feeling strongly about how unsafe it is to ride with earphones/earbuds....

I like to feel like I am a connected part of the world around me when i ride my bike. All the sounds stimulate me in many various ways- weird sounds, pretty sounds, sounds that jog my memory to my past, sounds that make me think and wonder. I love feeling so intimately connected to the world when I' am riding my bike! :)

MrsB

08-13-2008, 11:33 AM

Sometimes when Im out in the woods I will bring my sansa with me to listen to some tunes, but I have this little adapter case that is a speaker. I plug the sansa in and listen to it while its in my "under the seat" bag. I dont turn it up very loud but its just loud enough to get me moving when I need a jolt. Its just loud enough to cover up my cursing when Im doing a hill that Im huffin and puffin on. LOL

ttaylor508

08-13-2008, 12:29 PM

Another party pooper here...bicyclist are bound by many of the same laws as automobiles and it is illegal in many States to listen to an Ipod while driving. So you may find yourself getting a ticket by using one.

Here is an article worth some consideration: http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/police-warn-ipod-users/2006/02/15/1139890771660.html

batsheva

08-13-2008, 12:32 PM

i use a single bluetooth Jabra earpiece for Ipod when listening to music on a ride - doesnt go all the way into my ear so can still easily hear ambient road sounds and no wires to get tangled up in! works great. not a cheap fix though and i only know of one bluetooth transmitter and receiver that actually works with an iPod - most bluetooth earpieces do not--

lph

08-13-2008, 01:57 PM

I've been looking for a player with more capacity myself, the nano sure sounds nice and small. At the moment I have a Jens of Sweden that was oh-so-cool 5 years ago with the whopping capacity of, oh, 14 songs or so :rolleyes:

I wear Koss Plug earbuds and like them a lot.

SadieKate

08-13-2008, 02:15 PM

Another party pooper here...bicyclist are bound by many of the same laws as automobiles and it is illegal in many States to listen to an Ipod while driving. So you may find yourself getting a ticket by using one. [/URL]
Where is it illegal to use an iPod while driving? Mine is plugged into my stereo and isn't even visible.

Are you talking about the use of earphones covering both ears? I'm not getting into the debate of safety, just curious where these laws are that specifically prohibit the use of an iPod or MP3 player or whatever generic term they want to use.

kelownagirl

08-13-2008, 02:19 PM

I don't use an ipod when I ride either BUT hey everyone, she did politely ask not to be reminded about the safety issue. :):):)

I run with my ipod and I love the podrunner stuff (google it and download from their website). Often wish I could ride with it to keep my cadence steady.

Veronica

08-13-2008, 03:24 PM

I'm not interested in hearing how unsafe they can be, I'm aware of the necessary precautions.

People just can't resist. :(

I have a pair of Thump Pros. There is at least 4 albums on them. I wear them on training rides and runs, and on my 200Ks. The battery only lasts about 4.5 hours so on the 200Ks, I tend to use them only when I'm climbing.

I find music very motivating.

V.

mimitabby

08-13-2008, 04:00 PM

Another party pooper here...bicyclist are bound by many of the same laws as automobiles and it is illegal in many States to listen to an Ipod while driving. So you may find yourself getting a ticket by using one.

Here is an article worth some consideration: http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/police-warn-ipod-users/2006/02/15/1139890771660.html

that's quite the article!!!

TsPoet

08-13-2008, 04:22 PM

I've been trying to find a decent set of tiny speakers, 'cause I don't want the headphone issues. I've tried an iride
http://www.active-tunes.com/
was happy with it at first, but it loses stamina after a few rides and starts cuttin in/out.
I still like the idea of soft speakers rather than headphones, though.

Veronica

08-13-2008, 04:44 PM

This is what Thom did - but you need a generator hub. :)

http://www.tandemhearts.com/wordpress/let-there-be-music/

Jen-Jen

08-13-2008, 05:29 PM

IGGY

08-13-2008, 05:36 PM

I have an iride that I use only on paved trails specifically for biking and walking. No cars. I haven't had problems with it yet. No skipping or anything. It attaches to the bike with a cage. I have a BIG 5th generation ipod, with video screen etc. I think that the whole shebang is heavier than my bike. When I don't use it, I just pop a water bottle in the cage. I would never use it in traffic.
Sometimes, I just need my tunes to motivate me, even if it's one song!

When I went to my lbs the manager asked me if I liked it, because he was considering stocking them due to customer request. The controller is a little hockey puck looking thing that attaches to your handlebars. (I'm sure there's a technical name, but I'm too tired to think of it.)

It also works great for bringing your ipod camping or to the beach, etc. It's basically a VERY sturdy, waterproof, etc. dock that attaches to your bike.

BleeckerSt_Girl

08-13-2008, 06:05 PM

Just my own opinion, but.....I can just envision bikers and joggers sporting popular new gizmos with little speakers that emit ambient music. Will these 'personal mini boom boxes' become the next "having to listen to other people's cell phone conversations" annoyance issue? Personally, I wouldn't want to have to hear other people's snippets of music on a regular basis as they pass me on the road or trail. I do enjoy my own trains of thought without commercial interruption or intrusion. :cool: I am already now noticing some motorcycle riders with music blaring out around them as they ride. At least they pass me really quickly and are gone in a puff of exhaust. ;)
It sort of reminds me of campground signs that state "no radios or CD players in the campground". Lots of people like to ride outdoors partly to enjoy the countryside, the sounds of nature, and to escape relentless electronic distractions.
Not trying to 'insult' anyone, just stating another point of view. :o

milkbone

08-13-2008, 06:49 PM

All other issues aside - I love my ipod nano, I use itunes and it's extremely easy to use, I use it in my car, the house, the gym and the trainer.
:)

Flur

08-13-2008, 07:06 PM

I have an iride that I use only on paved trails specifically for biking and walking. No cars.

I ride a lot on paved bike trails that are also used by rollerbladers. I've only seen a few people with headphones in on bikes, but many of the rollerbladers have them. As these people cannot hear me most of the time, I find that even though I have a really loud freewheel and have shouted "On your left", sometimes they still move to the left right when I'm passing. As the trails are skinnier than road lanes, the chance of collision is rather high. I've been lucky so far and I look for wires when I come up to people so I know what to expect, but I know that most of the cyclists that pass me aren't paying that kind of attention. Is it safer than wearing headphones on roads? Yes. But it's still not safe, especially for the other riders.

crazybikinchic

08-13-2008, 07:57 PM

I use my Ipod Nano when I run. I love it. I have a sleeve that it fits into and has a clip to clip to my shorts. It came with an elastic thing so that you can put it on your arm, but I found that very uncomfortable and it seemed to slide down. I have never had a problem with it skipping, but I have noticed that if you want to advance to the next song, it doesn't tend to want to when I am running. I have to be walking.

grey

08-13-2008, 08:10 PM

I own an iPOD an love it when I am working out. I went to the iHOME website and they have this wonderful iPOD player that is made for bikes! It attaches to your bike like a water bottle cage. No headphones needed so it is safe for you to use. One great big speaker and it even has a remote control that attaches to your handle bars.

It's listed under the portible audio and it the Bike to Beach Speaker. Item #iH85B. LOVE IT!!!!!

I have a bike buddy who has one. He finds it great for long solo rides, and he's turned it up some so we could all hear it if we stayed pretty close to him (yeah, not single file) toward the end of some long rides. It does help, and it does let you keep your ears open for the road. It's not very loud so ... I'd take this over the earbuds, any day. Cars and Billy Bob in his big truck scare me. :eek:

TsPoet

08-13-2008, 08:51 PM

Just my own opinion, but.....I can just envision bikers and joggers sporting popular new gizmos with little speakers that emit ambient music. Will these 'personal mini boom boxes' become the next "having to listen to other people's cell phone conversations" annoyance issue? :o

Lisa
(you and I always disagree ;) )
That actually was a huge concern of mine. But a bigger pet peeve to me is when people have their headphones so loud I have to listen to their distorted mess. But, I put my speakers on the top of my seat and play it very softly (remember I ride a recumbent, so on top of the seat means by my head). I made darned sure no one else can hear it, at least not for more than a fraction of a second while I pass them - er, I mean they pass me.
I would recommend a similar tact for anyone using speakers on their bike - on the HB pointed up at them and soft. I can't hear mine in traffic at all, only on bike trails or quiet roads, and that's fine by me.

BabyBlueNTulsa

08-14-2008, 04:59 AM

lilred-
I joined the iPod craze last year (late, mind you!). I got the 8gig iTouch for my all-purpose mp3, video, photo, wifi, personal data organizer use. :) I sometimes bring it out with me on my solo rides. I just pop it in my rear jersey pocket and away I go... I always keep the music low enough that I can still hear my own bicycle-noise. That keeps it just as safe or safer than driving with your stereo music on in the car. IMO I've never been surprised by a car or passing cyclist with the volume the way I keep it.

I do not ride with it on a group ride though. Even though I think I could still ride safely, the others in a group will immediately judge you and your earbud wire(s). Its just plain rude in a group ride to use one. So... better to just listen to the group huffing n puffing, foul language up hills, etc etc.. Hee hee... I can usually play at least one song just in my head on a group ride. LOL

P.S. No skipping or jumping. The iTouch is the same size as an iPhone. Its a little bulky I guess as iPods go, but it doesn't bother me on rides.

HoosierGiant

08-14-2008, 06:15 AM

http://www.cyclesound.net/

I've been lusting after one of these for quite some time. I've gone as long as 30 miles on some of our lonely country roads without seeing a single vehicle. When I'm out there all day, I NEED some music!!!

blueskies

08-14-2008, 07:19 AM

On Sunday, we chatted with a guy who had a full on ghetto blaster tied to his handlebars. He had what looked like a couple pieces of a sawed off broom handle tied underneath to give it a nice sturdy base. He was cruising to the Beatles ...back in the USSR, you don't know how lucky you are...

It was quite the sight.

evangundy

08-14-2008, 10:47 PM

I use a "Creative" Zen Stone Plus - mp3 with built in speaker, 2GB right now has about 10hrs worth of songs on it (still room for more) but the battery lasts about 19hrs. size 2.2" x 1.4" x 0.7" and weight is 0.2 Lbs. There is a 4GB version too. Comes in assorted colors. I also bought a stretchy arm band accessory for it, and wrap that around my handlebars, so the player is right in front of me. Volume just loud enough for me to hear, others have said they can only hear it if it is extremely quiet just as they pass me. Long solo rides that have long hills just seem easier if there is music in the background.

Let's see if this link works :-)
http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=214&product=17437

Edna

DDH

08-14-2008, 10:52 PM

I have a zune and it's very easy to use just like the ipod's. Music is easy to buy and download and you can buy cards with preset amounts on it if you don't like to use a credit card on the computer.

slmdunc

08-15-2008, 08:45 AM

Not sure why someone would tell you that an iPod could "skip," because it's digital. There is no physical surface which can be bumped in order to skip. I run with an iPod nano or shuffle. No biking with iPod for me. Good luck in your quest.:)

bluebug32

08-15-2008, 10:07 AM

In the reviews I read of the ipod, it said that skipping was possible, though I've never actually heard of this happening to anyone. I decided to not get an ipod more because of the expense and the fact that it converts all of your files.

sfa

08-15-2008, 10:54 AM

I decided to not get an ipod more because of the expense and the fact that it converts all of your files.

What does it convert them to?

BabyBlueNTulsa

08-15-2008, 11:33 AM

It does not convert all the files - it converts SOME - but that's only for the iTunes library - not the original library you upload it from.

Pedal Wench

08-15-2008, 11:34 AM

What does it convert them to?

about to ask the same question. If you're worried about iTunes and iPods using AAC files, it should be noted that for the same bit rate, AAC sounds considerably better than MP3.

Also, only the HDD-based iPods can skip. Nanos and Shuffles are both flash-memory systems which can't skip.

Kvixen23

08-15-2008, 03:22 PM

lph

08-16-2008, 01:05 AM

kiwi girl

08-17-2008, 02:06 AM

My ipod Nano is my favourite toy. I have a 4gb - it doesn't hold all my music but it is pleanty big enough to have a range of music, podcasts and audio books when travelling. I use it cycling (one ear bud only) and running and have never had skipping isues.

BleeckerSt_Girl

08-17-2008, 05:04 AM

I just hope that all these people who are starting to put speakers on their bikes are going to be considerate enough to keep it turned way down so that others around them who may not wish to hear their music while riding are not going to have to hear it anyway whether they like it or not.
I get so weary of having other people's music forced on me wherever I go- bank, Post Office, 'public' TVs, restaurants, stores, supermarket, offices, dentist.....
When I go out on my bike, one of my greatest pleasures is to hear the natural sounds around me as ride- it one of the few times I can be outside and enjoy peace and quiet and mother nature.
I can just envision riding down a lovely country back road listening to the birds and crickets, deep in thought and personal enjoyment....and then hearing rock music coming up behind me from a distance, slowly approaching..... :mad:

Dogmama

08-17-2008, 05:34 AM

I can just envision riding down a lovely country back road listening to the birds and crickets, deep in thought and personal enjoyment....and then hearing rock music coming up behind me from a distance, slowly approaching..... :mad:

Agree 100%

I use my bike time for training my body & relaxing my mind. Are our own thoughts so distressing that we must ALWAYS be entertained?

OTOH, I use my MP3 in the gym to drown out the awful rock music, conversations, grunts & groans. Also, it tells people that I'm not there to socialize. I want to work out & get out.

Wow, I'm really a grump this morning! Time to ride!

BabyBlueNTulsa

08-17-2008, 05:45 AM

I don't know about you guys, but I'm never riding slow enough to hear the crickets. I hear "whhhhooooooooossshhhh"!

Just kidding.

I know what you mean. I don't always use mine - even on solo rides - but I do enjoy taking my music with me at times. I don't think of it as being entertained as much as I think of it as 'enhancing' my mental state so I can enjoy the ride more. It sometimes help to set my cadence or help me forget the pain in my hip (it tries anyway).

I never miss the joy of being out in nature..with or without my iPod..I always enjoy the 360 views and the feel of the wind on my skin. Maybe its just that I live in a medium-sized city and REAL nature is usually further away than I can usually ride out to.

wackyjacky1

08-17-2008, 07:59 AM

I think that's what it's called:confused: It's about an inch by an inch....I clip it to my jersey and only use my right ear plug b/c traffic is to my left and behind me. I do care about my safety and that of my fellow riders but sometimes I too need that little extra push that a good tune gives me:)

That sounds like the iPod Shuffle, which is what I have. Mine is 1 gb, but I believe you can get a 2 gb version now. I use it when I'm out walking (my large, lazy bee-hind does not do the running thing :D ). 1 gb will hold about 215 songs. I love it the darn thing. :)

I've thought about using it when I'm on the bike, but I'm super paranoid about not being able to hear everything going on around me.

lph

08-17-2008, 08:38 AM

I can just envision riding down a lovely country back road listening to the birds and crickets, deep in thought and personal enjoyment....and then hearing rock music coming up behind me from a distance, slowly approaching..... :mad:

Maybe the idea is more palatable if you imagine dulcimer music, instead ;)

Joking aside, the places I would use speakers are hardly oases of zen-like tranquility in the first place, because of traffic. People on leisurely rides tend to ride completely different places - as do I when I want to enjoy peace and quiet.

BleeckerSt_Girl

08-17-2008, 09:31 AM

Maybe the idea is more palatable if you imagine dulcimer music, instead ;)

Joking aside, the places I would use speakers are hardly oases of zen-like tranquility in the first place, because of traffic. People on leisurely rides tend to ride completely different places - as do I when I want to enjoy peace and quiet.

You sound like a considerate and thoughtful person. :)
I appreciate your comment about dulcimer music, but personally I only want to hear nature sounds when I'm out in beautiful natural surroundings.

I can sort of understand the music thing more if you are already riding in loud situations full of ugly manmade noise anyway. However, I tend to feel there is way too much noise in today's modern world , and that adding more doesn't really make things better. Those are just my own feelings though.

I love music (and I play music in public settings) and I actually do understand why some people like to work out with music. :o I just don't like to have to hear other people's music when I don't want to, or when it distracts me from my own peace and thoughts.
The conflict comes because of the inherent danger of wearing earbuds in traffic vs. the annoyance factor to others of having speakers that pump the music into the surrounding space instead. It's a dilemma for sure.

lph

10-07-2008, 01:53 PM

ooh, ooh, ooh, just got my i-ride bike stereo and can't wait to get it up and running :) The battery cap was missing though but the nice people at active-tunes are going to fix. It feels kinda plastic fantastic but the sound was amazingly loud. And I like that you can switch off the speakers fast with a single button if you need to, and angle the speakers towards or away from you depending on "how many people you want to play for". I think this could be a real boost on long training rides with a friend or two. I don't think it'll hold up to the gravel roads I ride in the woods though.

Had to revive this thread just to tell y'all that, after a long wait during which the (very) nice people at active tunes tried multiple times to send me stuff but were confundled by the weird Norwegian characters in my name, it finally arrived TODAY. And not only did they send me a battery cap, it came with an entire new stereo attached to it, holder kit and all :)

And, get this, they included 2 more separate stereos, because they "felt bad I had to wait"... how amazing is that? :)

I have kewl christmas gifts this year...:rolleyes: :D

SadieKate

10-07-2008, 02:19 PM

On the MS150 last month, our string of 6 was spinning along the rural roads when I suddenly heard really weird noises and asked "what's the awful noise?" Turns out it was one of the riders we were passing and she immediately switched off her speakers. Oops . . . .

only kinda.

Misandal

10-07-2008, 02:48 PM

I just got a Sansa Clip that I use when I'm bored to death training indoors. :( It's extremely small but still has a display. Rechargable battery with good life so far. I'm really liking it.

GraysonKelly

10-07-2008, 05:29 PM

I have a Creative Zen. It is literally the size of credit card, has 4 gigs of memory and I got it at walmart for $87. I've had no trouble with it at all and I LOVE it on my rides. I also use it at the gym, walking to work, walking the dogs, just about anything. It's awesome!!!
I use sony earphones, I forget what they're called exactly but they hook behind your ear. It's awesome! My sis liked mine and jsut got one for herself. Mine's black, but the 4 gig comes in red as well. The 2 gig comes in black and pink. I bought an armband for it at Circuit City which is pretty much the only place I've found that carries accessories for it otherwise there's tons of stuff online to order.
Oh, it also has memory card slot that I've loaded with pics and videos that I watch on my breaks at work.
It's awesome!
Gray

kfergos

10-08-2008, 06:03 AM

I have an iPod nano, but I've never used it on my bike to date. Mostly I just sing to myself in my head. :rolleyes: The nano has never skipped in my years of using it, even when I took it running.

I like the idea of putting your earbuds in your bra straps or near your head somehow, so you have the music near your ears but you're not totally blocking out ambient noises. Also earbuds usually aren't so loud, even at their loudest, that you'd be forcing your music on other people.

Aint Doody

10-08-2008, 11:56 AM