Your Portable Music

[TsPoet]

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]

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

http://www.tandemhearts.com/wordpres...here-be-music/

[Jen-Jen]

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!!!!!

[grey]

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.

[evangundy]

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/prod...&product=17437

Edna

[DDH]

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]

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]

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]

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?

[IGGY]

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]

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. 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.

[milkbone]

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.

[TsPoet]

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?

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.

[Flur]

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]

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.