Brian 
Kai Klostermann@brianb I put my pixel buds in "transparent mode". That works well.
Kevin B
chfkch 
DMNK@brianb
I ride mostly gravel or road bike, small groups or alone: I very, very rarely use headphones and then mostly on gravel/farm tracks or quiet backroads. And always just with one earpiece in (right side, away from traffic) while also using a Garmin Varia (radar device to notify of traffic from behind). Reason being the awareness you mentioned. I have often thought about trying out some kind of bone-conducting headphones — haven’t seen a real need so far, though.
I ride mostly gravel or road bike, small groups or alone: I very, very rarely use headphones and then mostly on gravel/farm tracks or quiet backroads. And always just with one earpiece in (right side, away from traffic) while also using a Garmin Varia (radar device to notify of traffic from behind). Reason being the awareness you mentioned. I have often thought about trying out some kind of bone-conducting headphones — haven’t seen a real need so far, though.
Zorro@brianb nope. I did got the first year but not for the last decade. Mainly for safety but also to be present. Do the thing. Just the thing.
Obscuredavid@brianb
Never. I know when vehicles are coming up behind me, and generally whether they're big or small. (Also if it's a boy racer with a noisy exhaust.)
Never. I know when vehicles are coming up behind me, and generally whether they're big or small. (Also if it's a boy racer with a noisy exhaust.)
Fietser Steve@brianb I honestly can't think of a reason to use headphones on a bike.
Carl Johnson@brianb Never. Wouldn't even consider it. I ride on the road primarily, and need to be able to hear car tires rolling. I see many people doing it on the paths, and it may be pleasant but definitely makes them less aware of surroundings.
Author J. R. Damon@brianb Bluetooth speaker is the way to go 🎵
Tevis@brianb No, both because I rely on my ears to hear cars approaching and because I cycling is an opportunity for me to unplug.
adamrice@brianb Another vote for Aftershokz.
megakitsu@brianb right ear only and on low
edd@brianb Generally speaking no, but I have taken some meetings with my Shokz headphones on my bike, but not when I need to talk a lot because of wind noise.
DoctorOctothorp@brianb I velcro a bluetooth speaker to my headset. The volume is set low enough that road noise from cars is louder.
Also works for taking calls. "Hello! What? I can't hear your! Hello? I'll call you back later!"
M. Forester@brianb I use one wireless earplug in my right ear (away from the street).
I find that it doesn't distract me much, but I have also always been a very careful biker.
I find that it doesn't distract me much, but I have also always been a very careful biker.
@brianb pro tip is to not close your eyes and bang during a guitar solo. 😁
CraigMorgan@brianb Yes some do have a transparent mode.
commie lib (not a joke)@brianb I personally haven’t been able to tell the difference between what a 2 ton vehicle about to pass me and what one about to hit me sounds like. All you can do is look, signal, and do what you’re supposed to.
szakib@brianb Please keep being aware of your surroundings. It's much safer that way.
Jonas@brianb I tried bone conducting headphones for a while. They didn't fit well with goggles and broke. New ones are damn expensive and also road noise is annoying.
With in ears the honk of the unpaitient car driver behind me is slightly quieter and i can better ignore it.
With in ears the honk of the unpaitient car driver behind me is slightly quieter and i can better ignore it.
Charles Hartman@brianb In my experience, music is motivating from a workout point of view, but immersive and thus dangerous (i.e. you lose awareness)... podcasts are safer, but have the downside of not letting you mind wander... when I resist the headphones and listen to nothing except my own thoughts I get the best of both worlds, I am active physically while I rest and restore mentally.
vandenberglegs@brianb I have at times. Awareness wasn't really affected at all, cars and trucks are loud and can be heard clearly as long as the earbuds aren't super loud. However, I realised that listening on long rides reduced my enjoyment of the ride for some reason.
James Wells@brianb
A bit on the pricey side, but I strongly recommend the Bose Frames Tempo. They are not headphones, but sports sunglasses with built-in speakers and polarized lenses.
The sound quality is decent, up to about 25ish MPH (40ish kmh), and I can still hear the traffic around me.