Wind noise and what do you do about it?

[simplemind]

I ride with a semi-aero helmet (Protone) andI still get significant wind noise. I also sometime ride with a bone conduction headphone (Trekz) that allows me to hear my surroundings, which is mostly wind noise.
How do YOU cope with the noise? :confused:

[AngryScientist]

after spending any amount of time on an indoor trainer.....i enjoy it!

[sandyrs]

after spending any amount of time on an indoor trainer.....i enjoy it!

+1

[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. (https://www.cat-ears.com/product-page/classics-i)

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0f13a6_c3defa3fe6f54bd7a1c2b573a9457645~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_498,h_420,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/0f13a6_c3defa3fe6f54bd7a1c2b573a9457645~mv2.jpg

[ergott]

They work. I use them and don't care what anyone might say (though I don't have a visor like that dude). I can hear conversations (in a group) and cars much sooner. It also takes away some of the mental fatigue of a long day riding.

[oldpotatoe]

I ride with a semi-aero helmet (Protone) andI still get significant wind noise. I also sometime ride with a bone conduction headphone (Trekz) that allows me to hear my surroundings, which is mostly wind noise.
How do YOU cope with the noise? :confused:

I ride so slow, I have no wind noise..:D

[wallymann]

They work. I use them and don't care what anyone might say (though I don't have a visor like that dude). I can hear conversations (in a group) and cars much sooner. It also takes away some of the mental fatigue of a long day riding.

concur, cat-ears do work...but the look isnt for everyone...i'm pretty vain, so i bailed after last season.

i may just start riding with earplugs a-la the motorcycle, after a minute your hearing adjusts so you can hear as good or better than bare ears w/ associated wind roar.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/images/item/woodworking/safety/22r7255s1.jpg

[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.

[bobswire]

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. (https://www.cat-ears.com/product-page/classics-i)


I'm not bothered by wind noise but it interferes with hearing approaching vehicles coming up from the rear or talking to another cyclist. Those look like something worth a try though I'll try and make a set of my own. I have the velcro. Thanks for the idea.

[simplemind]

after spending any amount of time on an indoor trainer.....i enjoy it!

I "hear" you! When I broke my hand on the mtb a few years ago, I couldn't wait to hear the wind again!

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. (https://www.cat-ears.com/product-page/classics-i)

Thanks for the link, I've never seen anyone with these... I can just hear people calling me "Muffin"!


They work. I use them and don't care what anyone might say (though I don't have a visor like that dude). I can hear conversations (in a group) and cars much sooner. It also takes away some of the mental fatigue of a long day riding.

Yeah, an actual user! I'm guessing they attach to the helmet strap. I'm not sure if it's the helmet strap or the headphone that is the culprit, so I have further investigation to do.

I ride so slow, I have no wind noise..:D

LoL, it only affects me when I go downhill!

BTW, the good thing about the TREKZ is they don't go in the ear so you can hear approaching vehicles and conversation...and wind!

[berserk87]

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. (https://www.cat-ears.com/product-page/classics-i)

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0f13a6_c3defa3fe6f54bd7a1c2b573a9457645~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_498,h_420,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/0f13a6_c3defa3fe6f54bd7a1c2b573a9457645~mv2.jpg

My wife made me a set of these in a few minutes with 2 pieces of felt and some velcro. They do cut the wind noise by about half, maybe.

[Tickdoc]

I ride so slow, I have no wind noise..:D

HA! that, and I can't hear anyways, so even if there is noticeable noise, I don't notice it.:D

[SlowPokePete]

d-e-l-e-t-e

SPP

[BLD 25]

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. (https://www.cat-ears.com/product-page/classics-i)

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0f13a6_c3defa3fe6f54bd7a1c2b573a9457645~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_498,h_420,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/0f13a6_c3defa3fe6f54bd7a1c2b573a9457645~mv2.jpg

This reminds me of those huge sideburns that Bradley Wiggins had for awhile!

[simplemind]

This reminds me of those huge sideburns that Bradley Wiggins had for awhile!

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

[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 (http://www.slipstreamz.com/products/the-spoiler).


Pic from website:
http://www.slipstreamz.com/images/products/buy-spoiler.jpg

[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]

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


http://richardjonesjournalist.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/7081302069_79f1169b6a_o.jpg?w=300


General Ambrose Burnside: Civil War General/Cycling Innovator

[dgauthier]

What??

[Mikej]

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

[William]

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. (https://www.cat-ears.com/product-page/classics-i)

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0f13a6_c3defa3fe6f54bd7a1c2b573a9457645~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_498,h_420,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/0f13a6_c3defa3fe6f54bd7a1c2b573a9457645~mv2.jpg


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


http://www.beardlifestyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/fluffy-sideburns.jpg




EDIT: Some beat me to it!! :crap:




William

[nate2351]

Weird, I love the wind noise.

[simplemind]

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).


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


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

[bobswire]

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.

http://i66.tinypic.com/iw648z.jpg

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]

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!

http://resources.jvc.com/Images/02/55/25521.JPG

[FlashUNC]

Saw your ears off. More aero anyways.

[Bwana]

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.

[2metalhips]

I'm a long term serious cyclist, 40+ years, I have tinnitus, I sometimes wonder if wind noise contributed to it. I tried the Cat Ears and they work ok when properly adjusted.

[teleguy57]

[QUOTE=Black Dog;2129953]I use slipstreamz (http://www.slipstreamz.com/products/the-spoiler).

How are they working for you? Did you do the whole unthread-and-twist-the-straps thing?

[Black Dog]

Saw your ears off. More aero anyways.

Thats how Van Gogh won his tour...marginal gains and all.

http://www.freakingnews.com/Pictures/2/Van-Gogh-Paintings.jpg

[Black Dog]

[QUOTE=Black Dog;2129953]I use slipstreamz (http://www.slipstreamz.com/products/the-spoiler).

How are they working for you? Did you do the whole unthread-and-twist-the-straps thing?

Yes, you have to do the strap twist thing. The plastic clips don't do much more than keep the strap stiff and stop it from flapping. They do work well.

[drewellison]

[QUOTE=teleguy57;2130202]

Yes, you have to do the strap twist thing. The plastic clips don't do much more than keep the strap stiff and stop it from flapping. They do work well.

I suffer from tinnitus and wind noise seems to aggravate it. On my last helmet, I did the twist strap thing and made sure the front straps were tight enough to stay fairly snug in front of my ears, and that alone made a noticeable difference in wind noise. I have a new helmet and I haven't gotten around to doing it to that one yet.

[OtayBW]

The wind noise itself, for me, wasn't the problem. On solo rides, I block it out completely - don't even notice it.
Yup. I never noticed it and never even heard of such a thing as too much wind noise. :confused:

[simplemind]

Thanks for all the comments! My Cat-Ears should arrive soon and I'll report back. In the meantime, I'm letting the sideburns grow out! :D

[bobswire]

Thanks for all the comments! My Cat-Ears should arrive soon and I'll report back. In the meantime, I'm letting the sideburns grow out! :D

My homemade ones worked fine as a wind noise abatement and as a bonus kept my ears (since they stick) from getting as cold on yesterdays ride. It has been a couple of years since I cycled around Crystal Spring Reservoir and I don't think I've ever seen the water level that high. The shared path road was partially closed 3 miles in because of the water level over riding the road (it was beautiful never the less).

http://i66.tinypic.com/2rh1zeu.jpg

[fiamme red]

https://cyclingtips.com/2017/08/listen-cyclists-risk-hearing-loss/

[dpk501]

I ride with a semi-aero helmet (Protone) andI still get significant wind noise. I also sometime ride with a bone conduction headphone (Trekz) that allows me to hear my surroundings, which is mostly wind noise.
How do YOU cope with the noise? :confused:

https://www.etymotic.com/consumer/hearing-protection/erme.html

Use the ER-9 (9db) I find the 15 and 25 too much.

[Dead Man]

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. (https://www.cat-ears.com/product-page/classics-i)

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0f13a6_c3defa3fe6f54bd7a1c2b573a9457645~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_498,h_420,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/0f13a6_c3defa3fe6f54bd7a1c2b573a9457645~mv2.jpg

http://media.liveauctiongroup.net/i/21084/22735759_9.jpg?v=8D28033E11EA2B0

[dddd]

Believe it or not, I've been reinstalling this same old pair of Hell-Muffs on my new helmets for over 20 years, and I have over 100 races on them by now.
In this picture I am not using my usual cycling shades, which I would wear over the hell-muffs and which hold them up at the top so they don't slip down.
They are installed with Velcro and really stop the wind noise, even at 50mph.

I'm usually the first one in a fast-moving group to hear any car approaching from behind. They only seem hot when the air speed is low, and as old and worn as they are they breath especially well.

I remember having to attend classes at NASA instructing us wind tunnel staff in the prevention of hearing loss, and I guess it stuck.
As a former motorcyclist and racer I always used earplugs, even when it was illegal to do so on public roads.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5768/22119169305_4976fd1408_c.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3734/12420445294_9f9fe22c4b_c.jpg

[bobswire]

Believe it or not, I've been reinstalling this same old pair of Hell-Muffs on my new helmets for over 20 years, and I have over 100 races on them by now.
In this picture I am not using my usual cycling shades, which I would wear over the hell-muffs and which hold them up at the top so they don't slip down.
They are installed with Velcro and really stop the wind noise, even at 50mph.

I'm usually the first one in a fast-moving group to hear any car approaching from behind. They only seem hot when the air speed is low, and as old and worn as they are they breath especially well.

I remember having to attend classes at NASA instructing us wind tunnel staff in the prevention of hearing loss, and I guess it stuck.
As a former motorcyclist and racer I always used earplugs, even when it was illegal to do so on public roads.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5768/22119169305_4976fd1408_c.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3734/12420445294_9f9fe22c4b_c.jpg

Cool Pederson, did you race that against standard race bikes or other Pederson's? I meet a guy in GG Park San Francisco a few years ago riding one of those and we was dressed in old style period clothes. Looked like a fun bike though I didn't ride it.

[dunamis]

https://cyclingtips.com/2017/08/listen-cyclists-risk-hearing-loss/


This article is definitely worth a read. I'm concerned about hearing loss because I've lost a bit already.

“If you think about riding downhill at say 30 miles an hour [48km/h] into a 10-mile-an-hour headwind, that’s 40 miles per hour [64km/h]. That’s 108dB of sound. That’s very routine for people to get,” Dr Seidman said. That’s louder than a jackhammer working just a metre away.

I'm keen to try a DIY solution. Might jump on the sewing machine and knock something up. Earplugs are too dangerous because you can't hear the traffic well enough.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ergott]

I've ridden with plugs and I currently ride with the catears. The difference is that ear plugs lower the volume of everything, not reduce the wind noise. The catears actually address the issue and are safer. I never notice them when I'm riding, just a slightly thicker helmet strap in front of your ears.

The other day I went for a ride and forget to reinstall them after washing them. That reminded me just how much they work.

[zap]

Edit


“If you think about riding downhill at say 30 miles an hour [48km/h] into a 10-mile-an-hour headwind, that’s 40 miles per hour [64km/h]. That’s 108dB of sound. That’s very routine for people to get,” Dr Seidman said. That’s louder than a jackhammer working just a metre away.



Hitting 40mph (ignoring any headwind) is pretty routine. I can tell you that it sounds nothing like a jackhammer. I can easily hear a vehicle coming from 6.

Christ, what's deafening are moded motorcycles.

[saf-t]

The difference is that ear plugs lower the volume of everything, not reduce the wind noise.

This. That's why the plugs exist in the first place.

[dddd]

Cool Pederson, did you race that against standard race bikes or other Pederson's?...

The guy that you met in SF wasn't me, but I have raced a couple of times in GG park there.

I've never seen another Pedersen at any of the road, cx or mtb venues that I've raced at with my Pedersen. I've done ok in crits, hillclimbs, cx, dirt criterium and mtb races, though typcally in a B-class field.

But, pictures or it didn't happen, right?
BTW, thanks for asking, it's always fun to share these photos!

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2370/1871048380_55f986ab2e.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2087/1870220299_54cd86ca90_z.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7185/6917354749_7a1f4b21d4_z.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8029/8021637833_86b3a506fb_z.jpg

[tylerbennett]

I ride with a semi-aero helmet (Protone) andI still get significant wind noise. I also sometime ride with a bone conduction headphone (Trekz) that allows me to hear my surroundings, which is mostly wind noise.
How do YOU cope with the noise? :confused:

I think you need to use a custom earplugs to prevent the hearing damage. Headphone won't help you to protect your hearing. That is why you need to use custom earplugs. It will give you full hearing protection from the wind and engine noise. If you don't use any hearing protection then you will be suffering from tinnitus.
Please visit the following websites and get more information

https://www.bigearinc.com (https://www.bigearinc.com/)

https://www.hearingdirect.com/blog/how-to-deflect-wind-from-hearing-aids.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAqFtwJ0vDM

[simplemind]

I think you need to use a custom earplugs to prevent the hearing damage.

Thanks Tyler

[OtayBW]

Is this really a thing? I mean, have I been having surreptitious hearing loss after all these years? I hardly ever notice wind noise. Now, if I were subbing for Pete Townsend in the next Who concert at Wembley Stadium, I could understand, but.....? :confused:

[berserk87]

Is this really a thing? I mean, have I been having surreptitious hearing loss after all these years? I hardly ever notice wind noise. Now, if I were subbing for Pete Townsend in the next Who concert at Wembley Stadium, I could understand, but.....? :confused:

I would imagine that it can be. I can recall plenty of rides during which I could not hear the voices of the other riders due to the wind. Never thought about it much at the time, but that can't help your hearing get any better.

Think about how loud ambient music has to be to not be able to hear the folks next to you.

[tylerbennett]

You are welcome Simplemind.

[jmoore]

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/

I like the look of these. I am going to try a set.

I have 100 sets of cheap foam earplugs for mowing the yard and shooting. These look much better.

[19wisconsin64]

Excellent thread! Doubt this would happen, but it would be great if there was a rating system for straight-ahead wind noise protection for helmets. While some helmets are quieter than others using those fuzzy-looking ear protectors does lower the sound decibels.

Probably the older you get, the more you adopt a "functionality over fashion" approach. Having reached that age and mentality, I can attest to the effectiveness of the silly looking fuzzy mini-mutton chops that fit on your helmet straps. They work.

[Mark McM]

I think you need to use a custom earplugs to prevent the hearing damage. Headphone won't help you to protect your hearing. That is why you need to use custom earplugs. It will give you full hearing protection from the wind and engine noise. If you don't use any hearing protection then you will be suffering from tinnitus.

The problem with earplugs and headphones is that they reduce situational awareness by blocking all sounds equally well - so you can't hear vehicles or other riders. Instead, it might be best to use devices that just block wind noise, such as Cat-Ears (https://www.cat-ears.com/) or Windblox (https://www.wind-blox.com/), or Slipstreamz (http://www.slipstreamz.com/).

[ergott]

Is this really a thing? I mean, have I been having surreptitious hearing loss after all these years? I hardly ever notice wind noise. Now, if I were subbing for Pete Townsend in the next Who concert at Wembley Stadium, I could understand, but.....? :confused:

Damage can also a function of duration of exposure, not just absolute decibels.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hearing-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20373072

(sorry for the poor formatting in copy, paste)

Maximum sound-exposure durations
Below are the maximum noise levels on the job to which you may be exposed without hearing protection, and for how long.

Maximum job-noise exposure allowed by law
Sound level, decibels Duration, daily
90 8 hours
92 6 hours
95 4 hours
97 3 hours
100 2 hours
102 1.5 hours
105 1 hour
110 30 minutes
115 15 minutes or less
BASED ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, 2008

[pdmtong]

Excellent thread! Doubt this would happen, but it would be great if there was a rating system for straight-ahead wind noise protection for helmets. While some helmets are quieter than others using those fuzzy-looking ear protectors does lower the sound decibels.

Probably the older you get, the more you adopt a "functionality over fashion" approach. Having reached that age and mentality, I can attest to the effectiveness of the silly looking fuzzy mini-mutton chops that fit on your helmet straps. They work.

The problem with earplugs and headphones is that they reduce situational awareness by blocking all sounds equally well - so you can't hear vehicles or other riders. Instead, it might be best to use devices that just block wind noise, such as Cat-Ears (https://www.cat-ears.com/) or Windblox (https://www.wind-blox.com/), or Slipstreamz (http://www.slipstreamz.com/).

yup...these work in the same manner like a faring on a roof rack - disrupts the airflow. who cares what they look like - they work and if you need them, get them.

[OtayBW]

Damage can also a function of duration of exposure, not just absolute decibels.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hearing-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20373072

(sorry for the poor formatting in copy, paste)

Maximum sound-exposure durations
Below are the maximum noise levels on the job to which you may be exposed without hearing protection, and for how long.

Maximum job-noise exposure allowed by law
Sound level, decibels Duration, daily
90 8 hours
92 6 hours
95 4 hours
97 3 hours
100 2 hours
102 1.5 hours
105 1 hour
110 30 minutes
115 15 minutes or less
BASED ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, 2008
Interesting! Now, we need to know what a ~typical sound level is for i) screaming down a canyon at 40-55mph, and ii) tempo riding for several hours! :) I have no idea...

EDIT: Just found some info here: https://cyclingtips.com/2017/08/listen-cyclists-risk-hearing-loss/, suggesting that sound levels may be higher than (I) expected.

Solution: i) stick something in yer ears, or ii) ride less. :confused:

[BobY04]

I wear my custom filtered earplugs that I also use for motorcycle riding and they look like this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WH5t__iUcHI). I got them from Big Ear (https://www.bigearinc.com/the-best-motorcycle-ear-plugs-and-how-to-choose/). They got a lot of other kinds of earplugs so you better check them out.

[Octave]

+1 for the custom-fitted earplugs. Get something that filters out all resonances, rather than selective frequencies. I've never had a problem hearing cars/animals while wearing them, but they definitely cut down on the fuzz.

As soon as the temps drop I wear caps that cover my ears. Then, come springtime, I'm always shocked at how loud riding can be.

[oldpotatoe]

+1 for the custom-fitted earplugs. Get something that filters out all resonances, rather than selective frequencies. I've never had a problem hearing cars/animals while wearing them, but they definitely cut down on the fuzz.

As soon as the temps drop I wear caps that cover my ears. Then, come springtime, I'm always shocked at how loud riding can be.

I wear a hat that covers ears during cold weather and when I can ride w/o or with a cycling cap, I actually enjoy the 'noise'..and if I'm having something going on with the bike, I can hear it. Maybe I don't go fast enough to have wind noise be a problem, but to me, it isn't any problem.