Passionate about cycling and music? Wondering how to seamlessly blend the two?
Firstly, it’s crucial to note that combining music and cycling can be a risky venture. Contrary to their intended purpose, earphones do not needed solely for music; instead, they serve as a means of communication within your cycling group on the move. This is essential because there will always be individuals riding either faster or slower than you, and during cycling, having support for breakdowns, punctures, or any other assistance becomes paramount. Using a phone to communicate while riding can be more hazardous than using earphones, but it’s advisable to use earphones judiciously. Here are some dos and don’ts for using Earphones for Cycling, along with brand recommendations to meet your cycling needs.
Don’ts:
- Avoid using music during the ride: Listening to music through earphones while cycling is not an ideal practice. If it’s unavoidable, there are numerous options available in the market.
- Avoid noise-cancellation earphones: In a world filled with options like AirPods Pro, Bose Quiet Comfort, and Sony XM5 wireless earbuds, choosing noise cancellation can be advised for cycling. Being aware of your surroundings is crucial, and noise cancellation may pose a life-threatening risk.
- Avoid over-the-ear headphones: Steer away from headphones completely covering your ears, obstructing important sounds like horns. It’s essential to stay attentive during your ride.
Dos:
- Use wireless/Bluetooth earphones: In the era of True Wireless Stereo (TWS), using wired earphones can be inconvenient. Wireless Bluetooth earphones are a better choice, as they won’t dangle or get entangled in your bike.
- Opt for cheaper earphones: Since using headphones for music is not advisable, and the riding environment might not provide an optimal music experience, it’s wise to use cheaper earphones. Losing them during the ride or in adverse weather conditions won’t be a significant loss.
- Choose neckband earphones: Neckband earphones are ideal, sticking comfortably to your neck with ample battery life. They are easy to remove and put back on when receiving a call. Brands like Boat, Noise, Redmi, or similar low-cost options are suitable in India.
- Consider bone conduction earphones: Specifically designed for exercise, cycling, and running, these earphones do not block the ear canal, allowing for environmental awareness. Although pricier, brands like Shokz, WeCool, Sansui, and others are worth the investment.
- Explore open-ear earphones: Functioning on a simple principle with the speaker placed next to the ear canal, these earphones are cheaper than bone conduction options and allow clear sound transmission.
- Utilize wireless speakers: If listening to music is essential, pocket-friendly wireless speakers are a great alternative, especially when riding in a group.
- Enable auto-answer: Keep the automatic answer feature on your earphones to make calls hands-free without waiting for acceptance.
Do let us know in the comment which kind of earphone are you using to communication with your group on the go?
Also check out What are the health benefits of cycling?
