what's a good solution to wind noise? i've seen those things you put over your ears but i look dorky enough without them. it's so loud i can't carry on a conversation.
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wind noise
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Buy some round pieces of foam about the diameter of your index finger and half the length. Tape to your helmet strap in front of your ear using similar color duct tape as your helmet strap.
To quote Depeche Mode - Enjoy The Silence.
to test this, just put your finger in the spot noted above next time you are riding. You will amazed at the difference.
Just say "NO!!" to WCP!
"Want to get faster? Work harder, eat better, cut the crap. Instead of talking the talk, work the work" -
Try either a real lightweight headband type ear warmer or a small amount of cotton in your ears. You should still be able to hear enough to hold a conversation.
"Riding is about rhythm and flow. It's the wind in your face and the challange of hammering up a long hill. It's the reward at the top and the thrill of a high-speed descent. Biking lets you come alive both in body and spirit." -
Today it's gusting into the 40s. I can hear it indoors. I suppose I could wear earplugs or turn on some music.
Oh, you mean on the bike! Seriously, has anyone ever studied the different helmet models for wind noise? I suspect that if wind noise was documented and manufacturers competed to have quieter helmets, we would all benefit.
Ben
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CK: i've seen that before but i forgot about it. i'll give it a try.
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Quote// Buy some round pieces of foam about the diameter of your index finger and half the length. Tape to your helmet strap in front of your ear using similar color duct tape as your helmet strap.//
Of all people to suggest such an un-aero solution... shocked, I tell 'ya, shocked! Make sure the foam has the proper 3:1 aspect
;^)
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You may be able to cut into the foam and slide it onto the strap instead of using tape.
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Grow a thick beard. I get my beard trimmed once or twice a year and I always am amazed at how much wind noise I hear right after. Seriously.
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Whoa there, Kemosabe.....I didn't say I DID it. I just provided a solution. ;-)Of all people to suggest such an un-aero solution... shocked, I tell 'ya, shocked
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I try to ride with a following wind. Significant reduction in noise due to wind that way. ;>)
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Are you old enough for your ear hair to grow?
Life is too short to be small. - Disraeli
So, why not be petty? - The Short White Guy™ -
This time of year it's no problem. I've actually gotten out on the bike the last couple of days in low-to-mid 30 degree temps. In those conditions I wear a lightweight PI headband per Spud's recommendation. Just enough to keep the cold at bay while nullifying the effect of the wind noise. I can still hear the traffic coming from behind and all is right with the world. But when I turned into a vicious headwind, though I couldn't hear it as dramatically, it was still brutal!
When the temps drop into the 20s, I wear a fleece version which also allows me to hear that traffic behind me. Just say NO to mirrors! But at those temps, my eyeballs hurt like hell on the downhills, so wind noise is a non-issue by comparison. I'd like to find an answer to that little conundrum.
But why would you want to talk while riding? I don't get it. Riding is a solitary endeavor, best done all by your lonesome, lost in your own little world in deep thought. The thought of riding with others is revolting!
I ride alone in bad company ... -
Everybody here seems to be referring to wind noise as a problem related to the low temps. I find it a problem year 'round. I also believe it can contribute to tinnitus although I've read no studies confirming it.
I think this is the next big improvement to be made in bike equipment. Hopefully the helmet manufacturers will jump on this. And I'm sure there will be an adjustment period because it will no doubt go against our aesthetic sensibilities. But put it on the helmet of a successful pro team and it'll sell.
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+1 to Peter
IMO, it is not a temp related issue, it is just that the lower temps make one's ears more sensitive. I have thought of doing what CK suggested, but with a twist: sewing velcro loops to the helmet strap, and then gluing the velcro hooks to the strip of foam that would block the wind. I may actually do this someday.
For warm ears, I fortunately kept a pair of Performance badged 'ear muffs' from back in the day. These are fleece covered fabric panels that secure to helmet straps with velcro, cover the ears, and provide sufficient warmth (for me) just where it is needed. I don't wear balaclavas / earbands but do wear a bandanna to control sweat.
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a head band works great when it's cold but the new years day ride was in the mid 60's. i battled a head wind across the 3 mile bridge and the wind noise was pretty annoying. it was difficult to hear cars coming up behind me. i did ride alone but some guy did jump in behind me at one point and i wouldn't have known it if i didn't happen to look back. it was a great ride from the house out to ft. pickens at pensacola beach. about 40 miles round trip and almost all of it scenic. pull up ft. pickens on google earth. it's my favorite place to visit here and i've been here 15 years.
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Skinny, the guy that jumped in behind you, did he at least take his turn up front? One of my biggest peaves is when an uninvited wheel sucker clings to your wheel.
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he was only there about a quarter of a mile. i noticed him when i looked over at the fort. i signaled that i was turning and he went around.
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My biggest peeve with those who draft unannounced is this: In racing/group rides code, it is understood that the leader is riding for all. In other words, his actions are done in awareness of those behind. This influences how he approaches obstacles and dangers as well as traffic.
When I am riding alone, I don't ride that way. I ride for myself. Period. If someone jumps on my wheel, I may take them out dodging dogs, car doors, traffic, potholes etc. And in taking them out, I may suffer bike damage or crash as well.
This almost happened years ago in Seattle. I was riding through Magnuson (?) Park just north of Alaska Way headed south to work around 7 am. There was a left hand rather sharp turn after a straight. I just did a quick backdown on a pedal stroke to drop my speed for the turn (riding fixed) and heard a big commotion behind me. My tailgater didn't hit me but he was totally unprepared for my action. (I had never before seen any bikes there at that hour.)
Portland is even worse. I get brakeless fixies drafting me, apparently thinking that I am a cool draft since I ride fixed also. I fully expect to take someone out with real damage to both bikes some day. Worst is that my draftee will almost certainly be uninsured and have little money. I suspect if I sued for damages, convincing a judge or jury would not be too hard if I can establish that this person was riding just 24" behind me and therefore "tailgating". (In Oregon, bicycles are considered vehicles and subject to the same laws and rights except where noted.)
I don't mind these people not taking a turn. But they should announce their presence and if they want to just draft for a while, ask if that's OK. After all, they are placing a responsibility on me. To my mind, just common courtesy.
Ben
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Wind noise = check leading helmet strap. Often these can turn up just slightly than as pace increases they turn into serious local turbulance that washes backa cross the ears in the form of excessive wind noise. try adjusting so the leading strap lays flatter across your face.
Ok, no one mentioned this item - ear hair. More for the guys on the forum. My wofe is an esthetician who from time to time checks my face over for any potential pre-cancer indicators. Well she recently said something like - "No wonder you can't hear me on the tandem. Those ear hairs must be vibrating like bi-plane rigging!" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bi-plane
Let's just say that once you clean up any ear hairs things get a lot quieter! But you also need to listen more closely to your stoker.
Third-option, small ear plugs. take a set of 30 dB foam inserts and cut them in-half, in terms of length. Insert the resuced length plug well into ear but still so you can remove the sucker when you need to. Walla, everything gets quieter but surprisingly the wind noise is MUCH quieter than conversation. Something to do with tone and frequency.
Fourth option - enjoy not having anyone talk to you. There are some times in a 2-up paceline where this comes in handy.
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Wind noise is almost completely a function of straps. A few years ago somebody actually made plastic wings that clipped to helmet straps to quiet them. I can't believe what passes for a helmet strap on $250.00 helmets these days. I wonder why they can't use just a small Kevlar cord where it passes by the ears?
Found the wind blockers
For all the good they've done me, I might as well have stuck them up my arse. - Mark Renton -
Those look nice, JS. Thanks for posting the link. I can relate to the statement about how nice and quiet a tailwind is on the bike. I Like the quiet better than the push. The ear covers they sell are similar to the Performance 'ear muffs' I have, which work pretty good. I also tried those 180* ear muffs, but IMO they are not good on the bike due to helmet clearance.
/I wonder why they can't use just a small Kevlar cord where it passes by the ears? / Just a guess: a cord may cause lacerations in a crash, whereas a wide strap is less likely to.
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If the wind noise gets too bad I just ride slower
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Turn your head 90º and look at the view. The noise disappears. Of course, you might too.
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... late to the party here...
the issue is wind noise from riding a bicycle being a problem on a regular basis? (vs just a hella-windy day)
I must be fortunate to have never heard or experienced this issue [not on a motorcycle with say 10,000 RPM + up to 100 mph wind noise] riding over 200 days/yr. Are you riding along the Columbia Gorge - that insanely windy place where all the portland windsurfers go?
They make about a jillion types of ear plugs that I'm betting Mr. Google can assist with. I bought a 50-pack for R1 motorcycle riding.
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