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

[Rincewind]

Hey Xbud I went with the BlueAnt Interphone F4.  They say it has "Full digital signal processor to reduce wind and road noise."  I would rate the sound as acceptable, but somewhat "tinny."

[wbrisett]

Someone mentioned recently that iTunes has a native MP3 converter, but I can't seem to find that option.  

It's hidden.... Or more correctly, not as easy to find as most people want. Open the preferences, In the General Tab about mid-way down there is an option that asks what to do when you insert a CD. Click the Import Settings button in that section. There you can set iTunes to the format you want CDs imported as. If you want MP3 files, then set it to MP3. Close the preferences and you're set for future items. OK, now the cool thing.

Let's say you have 100 songs that are already in AAC format, but you want them in MP3 format. Now that you have set your import to MP3, you have a new option. You can select the songs in the Library (not playlists!), then choose Create MP3 Version from the Advanced menu.

Your AAC versions are still in your library, and you now have MP3 versions.

HINT: If you want to delete the AAC versions, wait until all files are converted. These files are still selected in iTunes and you can simply press the Delete key to delete the AAC versions and leave the MP3 versions.

Wayne

[vanderpm]

I was thinking about the vibration issue, and my hard drive mp3 player survived nearly 100,000 miles in a (very bouncy/shaky) semi, as well as plenty in a couple of different cars, and  the normal abuse of getting tossed into bags and whatnot.

Also, instead of buying a new iPod, you can replace the hard drive for much cheaper. They use a standard laptop drive. You should be able to find tutorials online, and if you plug it into your computer, format the drive, and then use iTunes to "repair" the new drive.

Found a couple tutorials:
http://joshhighland.com/blog/2005/12/24/replacing-the-hardrive-of-an-ipod/
http://ipodhowtovideo.com/video/videoharddrivereplacement.html

[bomber]

Hard-drive-based Pod live in a pcket -- as I've gained weight, er, experience, I have become a close to ideal damping material.

[greywolf]

I have an onboard AM/FM/WB/CD / setup with Mp3 plugin .

[tigertom1965]

I have a Zumo 550 with mp3s onboard. I have a 32 gb sdhc but even though my Zumo will see it anymore than 2GB on the card in songs and it takes forever to actually start playing them or forever to start trying to give directions.
I had like 600 songs and 3GB but it was took way to long to start playing so I cut it back to just over 2GB and 540 songs. This is well within the 1000 song limit of a Zumo.
I do use a Scala Cardo but the Zumo is not stereo sound. It has been ok for the 1hr rides I take but I am looking for better sound for my longer trips I plan to take. It sounds just fine if you also have earplugs in. Without the earplugs the wind noise drowns the sound out. I cannot wear earphones (Always falling out and always have ear pain) and would constantly be getting off the bike and forgetting to remove the earplugs anyway so that is not an option.

[Guy]

I had a hard drive Ipod (maybe 4th gen?) that rode in my pocket, and I had a remote that plugged into the Ipod, and the transmitter went onto my brake reservoir. Sadly, the Ipod still went tits up on me. Now, I generally listen to nothing, although I do have a shuffle, but mostly I enjoy listening to the voices in my head

[dm_gsxr]

20 Gig Classic iPod. The battery's hosed so I have a battery pack and can plug it into the accessories jack on the dash when I'm not charging anything else.

I use an Autocomm and a Boosteroo to boost the sound volume in the helmet.

This year I have the iPhone and iPad (I brought my laptop with me last year if folks recall ) so I'll be juggling some additional electronics. I may leave the iPod behind and just use the iPhone or even the iPad for music and leave the iPhone for quick pictures.

Carl

[HipGnosis]

+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.

Does the clip use a standard USB cable or a proprietary one?

[HipGnosis]

http://Woot.com has the 4Gb Clip+ for $20 today!

[Guy]

This year I have the iPhone and iPad (I brought my laptop with me last year if folks recall ) so I'll be juggling some additional electronics. I may leave the iPod behind and just use the iPhone or even the iPad for music and leave the iPhone for quick pictures.

Carl

How are you going to get around the IPhone/gloves interface problem?

[Squareman357]

How are you going to get around the IPhone/gloves interface problem?

I don't get around it.  I just make sure my playlists are structured so that I don't have a bad song in the bunch that I want to skip.  I DO have some songs on there I might not like as much, but I only hear those when I'm local.  When I'm on the road I have a bunch of playlists that only play what I like, so I never really need to change my music on the iPhone.  If I want to change a playlist, I can do that at a gas stop.

[mcgillicuty]

I have sirius satellite radio on my concours for long trips its great. I also throw in the ipod for back up

[chornbe]

Mostly I use the Zumo, but sometimes the iPhone's iPod.

[Sputnik]

Does the clip use a standard USB cable or a proprietary one?

It uses a standard USB cable.

[wibornz]

Droid listening to internet radio and 16 gigs of music if I drop the 3g network. Sent to the helmet via stereo Bluetooth xbi.  

I use the Druid to replace my GPS and my XML radio on my bike.

[KodiakRS]

I use the Druid to replace my GPS and my XML radio on my bike.

Does it have a built in GPS receiver or does it triangulate based off cell towers?  My MP3 player is dieing, my cell contract is almost up and I'm interested in getting a GPS, and I would love to kill 3 birds with one stone.  

[wibornz]

It has both.

[Powder Addict]

Does it have a built in GPS receiver or does it triangulate based off cell towers?  My MP3 player is dieing, my cell contract is almost up and I'm interested in getting a GPS, and I would love to kill 3 birds with one stone.  

It has both.

It does, but you’re going to run the battery down if using the GPS for an extended amount of time.  It does work fantastically however.

My Droid with JVC airpocket ear buds provides me with the tunes I crave while riding.  

[Poweranger]

It does, but you’re going to run the battery down if using the GPS for an extended amount of time.  It does work fantastically however.

My Droid with JVC airpocket ear buds provides me with the tunes I crave while riding.  

+1 The GPS on the droid does work fantastically. I have the powerlet plug on my tankbag so I can charge the cell or anything else while riding.  

[Poweranger]

Droid listening to internet radio and 16 gigs of music if I drop the 3g network. Sent to the helmet via stereo Bluetooth xbi.  

I use the Druid to replace my GPS and my XML radio on my bike.

Ted how are you mounting the Droid to use the GPS while riding? I am still trying to decide which ram mount to use.