Your Portable Music

[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.

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

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]

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]

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]

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?

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

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]

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]

I think that's what it's called 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

[lph]

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.

[kiwi girl]

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]

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.....