Author Topic: Yet another solution to bicycle wind noise while riding  (Read 9934 times)

Danneaux

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Yet another solution to bicycle wind noise while riding
« on: December 21, 2012, 08:55:42 AM »
Hi All!

Wind noise while riding drives me nuts when I'm trying to hear the sound of a car approaching from the rear. It seems my outer ears are perfectly designed to send the passing breeze tumbling and roaring noisily past my ears unless I turn my head sideways...and then I can't see. Thanks goodness for my eyeglasses-mounted rearview mirror!

I've investigate a number of bicycle helmet-strap wind deflectors marketed over the years and made a few of my own, but always found them lacking in some way.

Now, there's another approach, described here: http://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/article/cat-ears-wind-noise-reduction-first-look-35984/?ns_service=mail&ns_robot=partner-Adestra&ns_campaign=4034&ns_source=Adestra&ns_mchannel=email-n&ns_linkname=Cat-Ears%20wind%20noise%20reduction%20%E2%80%93%20First%20look&ns_fee=0&ns_recipient=oleksandr.korenukhin%40renault-trucks.com&ns_mail_uid=58&ns_mail_job=5079

And available here: http://www.cat-ears.com/

Looks like Wiggo has it right with the long sideburns...who knew they helped him better hear competitors closing behind?

Thanks, Cedric, for the tip to the BikeRadar link.

Best,

Dan. (...who may soon embrace a new look: From Batman to Bradley Wiggins or Elvis, Thankyouverymuch)

il padrone

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Re: Yet another solution to bicycle wind noise while riding
« Reply #1 on: December 21, 2012, 11:28:43 AM »
Less hirsute solution.

Matt2matt2002

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Re: Yet another solution to bicycle wind noise while riding
« Reply #2 on: December 21, 2012, 01:59:48 PM »
Less hirsute solution.

Looks like a home made job could be on the cards here.
Nice idea
Never drink and drive. You may hit a bump  and spill your drink

bikepacker

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Re: Yet another solution to bicycle wind noise while riding
« Reply #3 on: December 21, 2012, 04:56:08 PM »
I have an ear problem that has to be carefully managed in cold weather. I'm afraid this solution would not help me at all. Much prefer my windstopper headband.
If you want to be happy learn to be alone without being lonely.
If you want to enjoy the world see it from the saddle of a bike.
If you want to experience beauty camp alone in a spectacular place.
If you want release your anxieties cease excuses and take actions.

Matt2matt2002

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Re: Yet another solution to bicycle wind noise while riding
« Reply #4 on: December 21, 2012, 06:35:42 PM »
I have an ear problem that has to be carefully managed in cold weather. I'm afraid this solution would not help me at all. Much prefer my windstopper headband.

A ha. Another head band fan!
Cannae beat a good head band to keep the ears warm in winter.
Never drink and drive. You may hit a bump  and spill your drink

swc7916

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Re: Yet another solution to bicycle wind noise while riding
« Reply #5 on: December 21, 2012, 06:46:04 PM »
Wind noise generally doesn't bother me, but cold air hurts my ears.  For moderately cold temps we use Helmuffs, which are triangles of a synthetic fleece kind of material that velcro's onto the helmets straps and cover your ears.  In really cold weather I wear a Gore head cover under my helmet (it also covers my ears.)

Danneaux

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Re: Yet another solution to bicycle wind noise while riding
« Reply #6 on: December 21, 2012, 06:51:39 PM »
Quote
Cannae beat a good head band to keep the ears warm in winter.
Riding to beat the band, Matt?  :D

All the best,

Dan.

il padrone

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Re: Yet another solution to bicycle wind noise while riding
« Reply #7 on: December 21, 2012, 09:49:03 PM »
Wind noise generally doesn't bother me, but cold air hurts my ears.

Wife has the same sort of problem. She just rolls up a couple of cotton wool balls and puts one in each ear to keep the cold out.

Danneaux

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Re: Yet another solution to bicycle wind noise while riding
« Reply #8 on: December 21, 2012, 10:49:38 PM »
Judging by the way hair is growing in/on my ears with the passing years, I'll have the ultimate DIY set of these soon.

CatEars, indeed!

Hair. Grows where you don't want it, not where y'do.

Best,

Dan. (...whose hair seems to have slipped)

jags

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Re: Yet another solution to bicycle wind noise while riding
« Reply #9 on: December 22, 2012, 03:10:14 PM »
Judging by the way hair is growing in/on my ears with the passing years, I'll have the ultimate DIY set of these soon.

CatEars, indeed!

Hair. Grows where you don't want it, not where y'do.

Best,

Dan. (...whose hair seems to have slipped)
;D ;D ;D very good

martinf

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Re: Yet another solution to bicycle wind noise while riding
« Reply #10 on: December 23, 2012, 09:17:23 AM »
Wind noise generally doesn't bother me, but cold air hurts my ears.  For moderately cold temps we use Helmuffs, which are triangles of a synthetic fleece kind of material that velcro's onto the helmets straps and cover your ears.  In really cold weather I wear a Gore head cover under my helmet (it also covers my ears.)

Also not bothered by wind noise. For cold weather ear protection I have a thin Merino bonnet that fits under the helmet, for lower temperatures a thin balaclava made for motorcycle use (best to remove this before visiting the bank).

And for very cold weather (-15°C and thereabouts, extremely rare here in South Brittany) I use the balaclava and a thick wool bonnet, combined with an old hard-shell fibreglass/polystyrene Bell helmet with the pads removed.