wind noise
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Do you know of any products that can block out wind noise? I do a lot of ridding on open country roads, where you are lucky to hear anything cos of the wind noise. I’ve avoided a few close calls with cars/trucks passing that I didn’t hear coming. I tried ear plugs, but they block out everything and are just as bad. Any ideas?
Originally posted by ges24
Do you know of any products that can block out wind noise? I do a lot of ridding on open country roads, where you are lucky to hear anything cos of the wind noise. I’ve avoided a few close calls with cars/trucks passing that I didn’t hear coming. I tried ear plugs, but they block out everything and are just as bad. Any ideas?
I find the big trucks really make the most noise and you can hear them comming and your ready for it.
The worst are those sport bikes. The sneak up on you with stealth quietness and then when they suddenly pass you all you can hear is the deafening scream of a racing exhaust. It scares the crap out of me.
No help for wind noise though.
Maybe a bent with a full fairing :)
I have developed a habit of turning my head slightly sideways often. This helps a lot.
I will probably end up with carpal tunnel syndrome in my neck from repeatitive motion.
Originally posted by ges24
Do you know of any products that can block out wind noise? I do a lot of ridding on open country roads, where you are lucky to hear anything cos of the wind noise. I’ve avoided a few close calls with cars/trucks passing that I didn’t hear coming. I tried ear plugs, but they block out everything and are just as bad. Any ideas?
A beanie hat (or indeed any type of hat) that goes low enough to cover your ears works wonders. It drastically reduces wind noise but doesn't have too much of an effect on your ability to hear other stuff, like traffic.
Originally posted by jhuskey
I have developed a habit of turning my head slightly sideways often. This helps a lot.
I will probably end up with carpal tunnel syndrome in my neck from repeatitive motion.
I do the same thing!
Helmet mounted mirror.I have been wondering why not many ppl are using it?But I found it to be really useful in detecting of any traffic approaching from behind.
Originally posted by giantbike
Helmet mounted mirror.I have been wondering why not many ppl are using it?
Because they look silly. I know that's a dopey reason, but hey, you asked.
:)
Originally posted by lokstah
Because they look silly. I know that's a dopey reason, but hey, you asked.
:)
I agree. It's probably a great idea and I'm sure it increases your safety on the bike but it just looks to dorky. It's a ridiculous reason yes, but unfortunately our sport of choice places much emphasis style.
Originally posted by mjw_byrne
A beanie hat (or indeed any type of hat) that goes low enough to cover your ears works wonders. It drastically reduces wind noise but doesn't have too much of an effect on your ability to hear other stuff, like traffic.
Dont do much for keeping your head cool.
Thanks for the ideas. I was thinking of try some kind of hearing aid device, with earplugs to block out the noise and a mic (shielded from the wind) to pick up the traffic noise. I can’t find anything like is on the market, but I think I’ll try and make one of my own. But like you say I could look like silly, so I’ll hide it all under a skull cap.
True, if it's warm out I just put up with the wind noise. But it's very effective if you can take the extra heat, if you do it right you can still hear everything around you pretty well but the wind noise is deadened so much you can easily hear the sound of the tyres rolling, even over 20mph.
Originally posted by meehs
I agree. It's probably a great idea and I'm sure it increases your safety on the bike but it just looks to dorky. It's a ridiculous reason yes, but unfortunately our sport of choice places much emphasis style.
Yes, agree a mirror is a great idea which will increase your safety and the safety of your fellow riders. I've used a CycleMate on the helmet for several years, and a brake-hood mounted one before that. Would not go back to riding without one.
The confidence from knowing when it's clear back, or what's behind in traffic, is great. Also, I'm safer on club rides when I know who's sucking my wheel, and can instantly glance up to see if anyone is passing on my left.
You state you're sure a mirror would increase your safety, but you aren't using one because of "a ridiculous reason"..... apparently this reason is good enough for you.
Originally posted by lokstah
Because they look silly. I know that's a dopey reason, but hey, you asked.
:)
Lokstah: I know you were speaking generally--not necessarily about your rationale, so my comments aren't directed toward you, but what you say is absolutely correct, and maybe just a little sad.
I took a good deal of--well...abuse in another thread for even raising the possibility that etiquette and courtesy are two-way streets--that cyclists and car people could each do a little better toward peaceful co-existence. I stand by that sentiment.
Not a day goes by--whether I'm on two wheels or four--that I am not stuck behind cyclists casually riding well outside the bike lane, and into the car lane, blissfully unaware that I'm approaching. I'm trying to be objective here. This could really put some drivers off regarding bicyclists (yes, all bicyclists).
I certainly don't understand it, but I hope a few will consider exactly what you said and decide if it's really the image we want to portray.
How's your Klein riding, by the way??
Originally posted by neil0502
Lokstah: I know you were speaking generally--not necessarily about your rationale, so my comments aren't directed toward you, but what you say is absolutely correct, and maybe just a little sad.
I took a good deal of--well...abuse in another thread for even raising the possibility that etiquette and courtesy are two-way streets--that cyclists and car people could each do a little better toward peaceful co-existence. I stand by that sentiment.
Not a day goes by--whether I'm on two wheels or four--that I am not stuck behind cyclists casually riding well outside the bike lane, and into the car lane, blissfully unaware that I'm approaching. I'm trying to be objective here. This could really put some drivers off regarding bicyclists (yes, all bicyclists).
I certainly don't understand it, but I hope a few will consider exactly what you said and decide if it's really the image we want to portray.
How's your Klein riding, by the way??
You're lucky to have bike lanes where you live. We have none. I completely agree with you about the fact that motorists and cyclists need to try to comprimise in order to live peacefully together. And I for one never "ride blissfully along" with blatant disregard for traffic from behind (or in front, or adjacent, et al). When I'm riding in traffic (which I do often) I am giving 100% to pay attention to all of the traffic around me (if you don't you're in serious trouble). I always ride on the shoulder if there is one (note that it's not an actual bike lane). But if there is no shoulder, as cyclists we do have a right to a share of the traffic lane! And this is something that motorists don't seem to understand.
I have read plenty of cycling publications that recommend that the safest way to ride in traffic is to take-up enough of the traffic lane that cars have to pass you as they would pass another (slower) car, by going into the oncoming lane (when it's clear). I like to try to stay over far enough that cars can get around me but sometimes they pass so close that I've had mirrors clip my elbows. This is illegal! Cars are required by law to give cyclists adequate space when passing. Unfortunately there are many motorists who feel that as a cyclist you have no business being on the road at all.
You don't need a mirror in order to be a safe cyclist. I consider myself a very experienced bike commuter and it's second nature for me to glance back often and always have an ear open to what's going on behind me. You have no choice but to be very alert, corteous and defensive. BUt in order to survive you also have to be somewhat assertive in order for motorists to notice you and give you your fair share of the tarmac.
I agree with you that it's a two-way street but with all due respect I feel that it's motorists that need to be more tolerant and respectful of cyclists. I commute by bike whenever possible and almost every single day there's someone yelling something like "get off the road" or "use the sidewalk" (which of course is illegal). Often times these are motorists in the oncoming lane, for whom me riding on the opposite side of the road has absolutely no impact on their commute whatsoever! I just ignore it now (I used to be partail to flamboyant gesturing).
I also drive a car when I have to (of course) and when I do I give cyclists all of the courtesy and repect that I wish all motorists would give me. Incidently, when biking, sometimes you just know when a motorist is a fellow cyclist.
Very well said.
I am, incidentally, that cyclist in the car that swerves (safely and legally) nearly alll the way to the opposite shoulder to give you a safe berth as I pass. Kind of the functional equivalent of a two-foot tall "Cannondale" sticker in the back window!
I'm always happy to do it; less happy to have to do it when the guy on two wheels isn't playing fair. I think we agree totally there. As long as I think I'm doing my part, I have no problem asking Ol' three-tons in the rolling thunder SUV to do their part, too.
Minneapolis is a _great_ city, by the way. What gives with the "no bike lanes" thing? You sure they're not there, but still buried in snow. It is only April, you know ;)
Originally posted by meehs
I agree with you that it's a two-way street but with all due respect I feel that it's motorists that need to be more tolerant and respectful of cyclists. I commute by bike whenever possible and almost every single day there's someone yelling something like "get off the road" or "use the sidewalk" (which of course is illegal). Often times these are motorists in the oncoming lane, for whom me riding on the opposite side of the road has absolutely no impact on their commute whatsoever! I just ignore it now (I used to be partail to flamboyant gesturing).
I also drive a car when I have to (of course) and when I do I give cyclists all of the courtesy and repect that I wish all motorists would give me. Incidently, when biking, sometimes you just know when a motorist is a fellow cyclist. [/B]
Originally posted by ges24
Do you know of any products that can block out wind noise? I do a lot of ridding on open country roads, where you are lucky to hear anything cos of the wind noise. I’ve avoided a few close calls with cars/trucks passing that I didn’t hear coming. I tried ear plugs, but they block out everything and are just as bad. Any ideas?
Ear Plugs come in different decibel protection grades, try the lowest ,softest spongiest ones you can find, cut them in half so they're not so long (they don't blow out of your Ear that way) and don't push them far into your Ear Canal...you'll need to experiment a little but it works great!
I think mine are made by 3M.
Originally posted by neil0502
Very well said.
I am, incidentally, that cyclist in the car that swerves (safely and legally) nearly alll the way to the opposite shoulder to give you a safe berth as I pass. Kind of the functional equivalent of a two-foot tall "Cannondale" sticker in the back window!
I'm always happy to do it; less happy to have to do it when the guy on two wheels isn't playing fair. I think we agree totally there. As long as I think I'm doing my part, I have no problem asking Ol' three-tons in the rolling thunder SUV to do their part, too.
Minneapolis is a _great_ city, by the way. What gives with the "no bike lanes" thing? You sure they're not there, but still buried in snow. It is only April, you know ;)
I had no doubt that you were one of the motorists who does give cyclists the same respect as they (should!) give you. You are afterall a fellow cyclist! :)
I should clarfiy about the bike lanes thing. There are some bike lanes downtown Minneapolis and they're pretty good. However, once you get outside of the center of the city there are no bike lanes. My commute is north of the city and there are no bike lanes there. The state is slowly implementing more bike lanes, which is great!
We're finally snow-free! However it was only 36 degrees Fahrenheit for my ride to work this morning. No one yelled at me though!
You make an excellent point that it's up to cyclists as well as motorists to ensure that they can exist safely together.
Originally posted by neil0502
Very well said.
I am, incidentally, that cyclist in the car that swerves (safely and legally) nearly alll the way to the opposite shoulder to give you a safe berth as I pass. Kind of the functional equivalent of a two-foot tall "Cannondale" sticker in the back window!
I'm always happy to do it; less happy to have to do it when the guy on two wheels isn't playing fair. I think we agree totally there. As long as I think I'm doing my part, I have no problem asking Ol' three-tons in the rolling thunder SUV to do their part, too.
Minneapolis is a _great_ city, by the way. What gives with the "no bike lanes" thing? You sure they're not there, but still buried in snow. It is only April, you know ;)
Oh yeah and I forgot to mention, San Diego is a great city too! My sister used to live there and I used to look forward to going down to visit her at least once a year. In fact, if I could choose any city in the USA to live in, I'd definately choose San Diego. And I've travel to a LOT of cities around the country. You're lucky! GREAT mountain bike trails there too!
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