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For biking look at bone-conductive headphones - they sit outside your ear and work great for podcasts while still keeping your ears open.
by PascLeRasc 9y ago
For biking look at bone-conductive headphones - they sit outside your ear and work great for podcasts while still keeping your ears open.
- cbeley 9y agoOh, I never even thought to look at that option. Any idea how sound quality compares to headphones like that vs. something like the pixel buds? Though, I'd feel more comfortable listening to music with bone-conductive headphones than the pixel buds.
- falcolas 9y agoThe sound is quite different. I would never use them for music, but for the spoken word they seem fine. One problem they have is that low, intense frequencies (most modern pop and electronic music) can actually cause them to bounce on your skull, which is quite uncomfortable.
- maxxxxx 9y agoPersonally I wouldn't recommend any type of headphones for biking unless you are on a super safe bike trail. I have been saved multiple times by hearing noises.
- cbeley 9y agoWith the bone-conductive headphones (And the Pixel buds to a large extent), you do hear everything around you. From what I started reading on the bone-conductive headphones, it'd be no different than having a speaker mounted on your bike in terms of being able to hear around you.
- maxxxxx 9y agoHaving a speaker on your bike also seems to be a bad idea. Biking is dangerous and you should be aware of your surroundings.
- cbeley 9y agoDoes that mean you are against stereos in cars too? Hearing your surroundings while driving is also important.
- maxxxxx 9y agoI would argue it's more important while biking. If someone cuts you off while you are in a car you can risk a collision but with the bike it doesn't help not being at fault while you are dead. So hearing cars is very helpful. I try to bike with the assumption that nobody sees me and I have to be ready for anything. Same with a motorcycle. Always assume to not be seen and always be aware of your surroundings.
- PascLeRasc 9y agoI had the "nobody sees me" philosophy for a while and ended up with a few accidents with drivers not using turn signals, not giving right of way at an intersection, or just running red lights. The worst was crashing into the side of a bus that ran through an intersection and then getting into an argument with the bus driver while I'm bleeding and concussed. I now bike as if every driver has a mild incentive to hit me if they can so I don't trust turn signals, I run through red lights if it's clear for me, go down one way streets the wrong way to avoid traffic, flip off drivers who tailgate me when they can pass, etc. I'm "that cyclist" but it's what you have to do to survive. Zero accidents or even close calls so far this year.
- cbeley 9y agoAt this point I'm just happy when drivers use turn signals. I have a 6 mile one-way bike commute through the city. It's rare I have a whole drive with everyone signaling properly. Thankfully, bike infrastructure here in SF has dramatically improved over the years.
- PascLeRasc 9y agoYeah, I'd just use them on an isolated bike trail, never with traffic.
- derekp7 9y agoI wonder how the neckband speakers that Bose has would work for biking? These wrap around and put speakers down by your shoulders, so they aren't for private listening, but they also aren't in your ear, so I would think that they'd be good for still hearing your surroundings too.