A while back I wrote about what I considered to be 7 Non-Bike Products Essential for Bike Commuting. Some might disagree, but I find listening to podcasts while I commute to be enjoyable. Those that disagree cite safety reasons. I completely agree that safety should be a high priority and I would never ride with sound in both ears. So one essential commuting item for me is an earbud.
At first I just put in one earbud and tucked the other one into a pocket. Eventually I just hacked one earbud off because no matter how I tried to tuck the one I was not using in, it invariably would end up getting tugged and would cause problems. My solution certainly worked, but I was sacrificing one channel of sound.
One reader of the post commented about a product called One Good Earbud that seeks to solve the one channel issue. I reviewed the One Good Earbud site and after exchanging messages with the owner, he generously agreed to send along a few samples for me to test out.
I will spend a few weeks trying them and will write a review when I am done. Big ups to Kevin who runs One Good Earbud. If you are a One Good Earbud owner please feel free to comment on your experience.
I am pretty sure you can get both channels of sound with a piece of tinfoil to bridge the sections of the plug. Otherwise, you can buy mono to stereo adapters for a couple of bucks.
Posted by: Ruben | 10/06/2011 at 01:50 AM
After reading your post, I had one of those "why didn't I think of that" moments. One good ear sounds like a great idea for bikers. I can't wait to read your review. I hope it works!
Posted by: Jen | 10/06/2011 at 05:19 AM
I use Koss KS-75. They are designed to let ambiant noise through so that you can hear your surroundings and the music. I have found I prefer this to using only one ear bud.
Posted by: Austin Morgan | 10/06/2011 at 06:45 AM
Do one thing at a time is my personal rule. When I listen to music I listen and when I ride I listen for the truck that wants to run me down.
"I did not see him" the driver said.
"I did not hear him" the biker said as they pried the earphone from his ear.
Posted by: Oldfool | 10/06/2011 at 09:53 AM
@Oldfool:
"the truck that wants to run me down" -- If you really live in a place where people want to kill you, you should find a new place to live.
But this is brilliant. Also, for those with smartphones, there are one-ear bluetooth headsets that mix the audio from both channels into one ear.
Posted by: Donny | 10/06/2011 at 12:20 PM
Pedestrians don't see us.
Motorcyclists understand us (sort of...).
Everyone else is actively attempting to kill us.
I'm making it into a shirt.
However, when I get up in the morning to commute to work I simply cannot get pumped enough to get my pace up. So I pump Foxy Shazam into my right ear (left ear = closer to traffic = more crucial).
As much as I want a pair, I have trouble shelling out 5 bucks for a pair of earbuds much less 20 for half a pair (= joke. i know theyere more than that).
So im gonna make my own and make an instructable. sorry kevin, price aint right.
Posted by: Carl | 10/08/2011 at 02:57 AM