Bike Music Player

[wbrisett]

After having killed a couple of hard drive based music players, I thought I would see what others use on their bike(s).

[Mr.Black]

It sits gently in my tank bag or pocket (3GS) and streams A2DP to the chatterbox XBi2. There is a way to have headphones instead of the speakers that come with for 40 dollars that I dont have today.

[Squareman357]

Voted Flash Based iPod, but it's actually my iPhone.  Guess that amounts to the same thing.

[vanderpm]

For the short trips I've been taking on my bike so far, just the wind. But I've got a hard-drive-style iPod and for longer trips I can see that being useful.

I'll probably mod a thin/low profile set of headphones and put the small speakers in my helmet between the soft foam and the harder styrofoam, or just get some good earbuds that don't stick out. (I like the Koss "plug", but those have been harder to find locally and my last set just died)

[wbrisett]

But I've got a hard-drive-style iPod and for longer trips I can see that being useful.

I'm a music junkie... Always have been... I have an intercom that I can plug an iPod/mp3 player into without any problems. But I'm after 6 years, I'm on my 3rd hard drive iPod. Because they get bounced around on the bike, I'm guessing they do the best they can, but eventually I always end up reformatting (low-level), and then reinstalling the iPod software and music. When this gets to a point where I loose my music on a trip it becomes a bit too much... I'm considering adding the 16 GB flash iPod to my collection just so I no longer have to worry about the hard drive. The only down-side is I have to decide what music to put on it before a trip (of course I also have to manage my music on my 160 GB iPod because I don't have enough room for all my music).

Wayne

[vanderpm]

I don't know how you have had your ipod mounted on your bike, but I'd probably either have mine in an inside pocket, or an arm strap, which I think would help negate the damage a hard drive would take from bike vibration.

Like I said, music during a ride hasn't been a major priority yet, because most of my rides have been <100 miles so far, but I plan on getting out for longer trips as the summer goes on.

[Rincewind]

I killed one Hard Drive device that way and learned my lesson quick.  Only flash-based drives for me on the bike from now on!  I use the iPhone, but may switch to Zumo after this week.

[Squareman357]

Maybe it's the location where it's riding?  I have a 40 GB Creative Zen Xtra Jukebox that has logged thousands of miles on the road, probably close to 80K total across a bunch of bikes, in a tank bag, and it's still going strong, never needed a reformat.  Only reason I switched was because the little 4 GB w/ 16 GB MicroSD and then my 16GB iPhone were less bulky and took up less room in my gear, AND that there was no support for it in Windows 7, otherwise I'd still be using it.  I still have it too.  It usually rides on top of wires and cables and chargers and whatnot...so I dunno if that makes a difference.

[Rincewind]

Maybe it's the location where it's riding?

Could easily be - mine was mounted to the handlebars, which in retrospect is probably the worst place for a hard drive.  

[Sputnik]

I use a Sansa Clip Plus, with some JVC erabuds.


http://www.sandisk.com/products/sansa-music-and-video-players/sandisk-sansa-clipplus-mp3-player-.aspx

Excellent reviews, cheap, 8GB flash memory, awesome sound, and I won't be too choked if I break it or lose it on a bike trip.

This thing is tiny....clip it to your collar, t-shirt, whatever...

[xbud]

 I have been using my Blackberry listening to Slacker Radio on the road, once I lose the signal I use the Flash Based music, works well and sounds good.

[Last1Out]

+1 on the Sansa Clip, but you either have to use ear buds or run it through an amplifier such as a Starcom or Autocom. It just doesn't have enough power on its own for hearing it through helmet speakers when your on the highway, the wind noise will drown it out. But it's a sweet little gizmo.

[wbrisett]

I should point out that I do have a Starcom unit (actually two, but when I'm doing LD riding with my wife, we move a unit to her bike).

Wayne

[naustin]

Zumo + Starcom.  

[Skee]

I use the iPhone, but may switch to Zumo after this week.

I use Zumo.  A 4 MB card full of songs can still get boring after awhile.  Guess I could swap cards.

You may miss the variety.  That's the big advantage I see of a phone.

Sound quality may favor Zumo, esp with Etymotic Isolator buds.

[Rincewind]

I use Zumo.  A 4 MB card full of songs can still get boring after awhile.  Guess I could swap cards.

You may miss the variety.  That's the big advantage I see of a phone.

Sound quality may favor Zumo, esp with Etymotic Isolator buds.

I have a 16GB card on the way.    That's not quite the ~23GB of tunes I have on the iPhone, but I should be alright.

My BT headset can only pair with the Zumo or the iPhone, not both (apparently) - so I'll use the Zumo.  

[naustin]

Here's the real question: Given the convenience and ease of the Zumo as primary music device - How do you get your music coverted to MP3 and onto an SD Card?

I'm using an app called Note Burner, but itunes won't let me burn more than can fit on one CD at a time, so to fill up a 2GB SD card I have to "Simu-Burn" damn near 20 play lists.  I"ve been working on refreshing my play list, and updating the card takes a whole day of screwing around.

I can't imagine a 16GB card.  I'd have to start in November to have it ready by June!

If Zumo could play AAC, my life would be alot better.

[Mastros2]

My phone has a great mp3 player on it.  I have a 8gb card with a few songs on it.  Also, I have one item (phone) and one charger.  Very simple.

[Rincewind]

Here's the real question: Given the convenience and ease of the Zumo as primary music device - How do you get your music coverted to MP3 and onto an SD Card?

I'm using an app called Note Burner, but itunes won't let me burn more than can fit on one CD at a time, so to fill up a 2GB SD card I have to "Simu-Burn" damn near 20 play lists.  I"ve been working on refreshing my play list, and updating the card takes a whole day of screwing around.

I can't imagine a 16GB card.  I'd have to start in November to have it ready by June!

If Zumo could play AAC, my life would be alot better.

I get all my music as MP3's, or rip them to MP3 format before feeding to the iTunes converter.  

To do what you need, you may need to get a third party converter program (I'd check download.com).  Someone mentioned recently that iTunes has a native MP3 converter, but I can't seem to find that option.  

It's a micro-SD card actually - smaller than my pinky nail!    The one I just received has a USB and SD adapters (Duracell).  

[xbud]

 Hey Rince, what BT Headset do you have?  I have been shopping and for some and can't find any that block the wind noise as well as sound good. TIA