Wind noise and what do you do about it?

[benb]

Maybe check to make sure your straps are adjusted correctly, they really add a lot of extra wind noise if they can move/vibrate in the wind.

That guy in the picture has his glasses over the strap, IME that reduces noise as it makes it a little harder for the straps to vibrate.

I used to religiously wear earplugs motorcycling. They really do help your situational awareness a lot as they filter out wind noise but not much else. But I think they are pretty overkill for cycling and would make it harder to have a conversation if you're riding with someone else.

[Tony]

I have used these for years kayaking when rolling in the drink is inevitable. They work great on the bike! I use them on cold rides. They are comfortable and the vented models allows you to hear but really reduces wind noise.
https://www.proplugs.com/

[Black Dog]

I use slipstreamz.


Pic from website:

[Formulasaab]

When you say "how do you cope" are you asking how do you manage to hear things that aren't wind noise or how do you deal with the constant noise? Those are different issues.

For hearing things other than wind noise, I turn my head sideways a little. That changes the windflow enough that I can hear what is going on around me. This is useful for conversing with riding buddies or hearing cars coming up from behind or around oncoming corners.

For "dealing" with the noise as a constant companion... I don't mind it. It is feedback to me and just adds to my relationship with my surroundings.

[Mark McM]

Originally Posted by simplemind

Now there's an idea...grow your own Cat-Ears!

General Ambrose Burnside: Civil War General/Cycling Innovator

[dgauthier]

What??

[Mikej]

Try some clear tape - folded over and stuck to itself.

[William]

Originally Posted by chiasticon

one dude in the local club wears these. says they help a lot. I've never been bothered by wind noise, but here's a link if you're interested in them.

Why pay for that, just do what I did and grow your own!!







EDIT: Some beat me to it!!




William

[nate2351]

Weird, I love the wind noise.

[simplemind]

Originally Posted by Formulasaab

When you say "how do you cope" are you asking how do you manage to hear things that aren't wind noise or how do you deal with the constant noise? Those are different issues.

You're right, my issue is constant wind noise, and because I'm half deaf in one ear, white noise aka wind is even more of an issue in hearing conversation and approaching vehicles (and passing cyclists).

Originally Posted by William

Why pay for that, just do what I did and grow your own!!

At least with Cat-Ears, you (and spouse) don't have to live with it!

[bobswire]

Originally Posted by simplemind

You're right, my issue is constant wind noise, and because I'm half deaf in one ear, white noise aka wind is even more of an issue in hearing conversation and approaching vehicles (and passing cyclists).




At least with Cat-Ears, you (and spouse) don't have to live with it!

I took some felt and attached it to velcro and then folds around strap creating wind break. I left it wider than I think it needs to be but will test and cut down as need be. Leaving it wide would help in very cold weather though.



My sister had the felt and I had the velcro. If you're a cyclist velcro is as important as gaffers tape is to Indy racers.

[wallymann]

Originally Posted by ergott

re: earplugs

I road with earbuds in but no music or anything playing. Does lower overall volume you are subjected to, but doesn't reduce the wind buffeting in comparison to surroundings. Still better than nothing, but just as hard to explain to the unplugged buddies.

i tried earbuds (sans music) with the clip that goes around the ear and they made the wind-noise worse!

[FlashUNC]

Saw your ears off. More aero anyways.

[Bwana]

Originally Posted by FlashUNC

Saw your ears off. More aero anyways.

What?

[berserk87]

Maybe the problem being discussed here is not merely wind noise, but being able to hear things over the noise.

I had my wife make me some "cat ears" a couple of years ago because I was having trouble hearing other riders in a group, over the wind noise. They seem to re-route the wind over the ear-hole a bit - so the wind was not as loud and I could hear conversations on a social ride. I only wore them a few times because they felt ridiculous.

The wind noise itself, for me, wasn't the problem. On solo rides, I block it out completely - don't even notice it.