Using phone while riding - possible?

rodgers73

I'm talking about using a wire or a Bluetooth, not the handset.

Is this possible? I assumed the wind noise would render any chat impossible. Unless something could be put over the mic to shield it?

peejay78

maybe get some sort of hermeneutically sealed test-pilot or astronaut helmet with an inbuilt telecommunications device. i'm sure that this, combined with an external oxygen tank piped into the helmet, would mitigate against the effects of wind viscosity and enable you to talk whilst cycling.

MrChuck

Why would you want to do that, just out of interest?

whyamihere

I love the fact that I can't hear/feel my phone ringing when I'm riding, as it gets me out of any obligation to answer. The only phone conversation I've ever had on a bike was while slowly rolling through a park, arranging another ride with a friend.

cougie

I've done it using my iPhone earphones whilst on a borisbike - was fine - I'd not bother with it - fine - but I'd not do it whilst out for a proper ride.

izza

I have no issues with using iphone on the road. Do not get complaints over wind noise with their OEM standard microphone.

WIth previous htc even had the advantage of knowing who was phoning me even with phone in back pocket.

SimonPieman

I dont own a mobile and have no wish to!! Freedom, very nice.

desweller

I'd probably crash if I were using my phone on my bike. Especially if the call were taking place while I was tired. Technically should be possible though. You might have to fashion a little spoiler for the microphone or something, to protect it from the airflow.

dilemna

Don't do it.

cornerblock

I always ride with my PA. She is amazing, no hands and still she still gets me a coffee when I want one.

weedy1

On my commute have seen a fair few chavs phoning and riding (on road) at the same time and not hands free either.
Really had had to don my cap to the lad who was texting whilst on the road.
Darwin in action?

Limburger

Come off it, you Luddites obviously haven't evolved to the extent of your Dutch brethren who can ride a bike, text/call or check their make up whilst their mate is perched on the rack at the back.

Even I can call and ride at the same time. Some of these kids bikes are in pieces with no brakes and buckled wheels and they manage. HTFU

balthazar

I've talked on my phone whilst riding before, but it's no fun and rather like when you decide to start eating something, a hill inevitably appears around the next corner.

weedy1- "Darwin in action"?! I guess you're referring to Darwin's theory of natural selection, and you're imagining that this behaviour is so dangerous that it reduces the likelihood of its participants living to sexually reproduce?

If so, then – Charles Darwin achieved rather more than just that. There's the coherent, complex theory of evolution. Sexual selection. Not just - "Darwin in action".

/petpeeve

desweller

balthazar wrote:

when you decide to start eating something, a hill inevitably appears around the next corner.

You go to some funny restaurants.

ColinJ

weedy1 wrote:

Really had had to don my cap to the lad who was texting whilst on the road.
Darwin in action?

In this case - definitely! :shock:

Richa1181

Contact Apple and see if they'll fashion a miniature time trial helmet for your bluetooth device! It will keep out the wind and minimise drag, I estimate 1 million sales in London in the first week alone!

nferrar

I have bluetooth headphones I use when riding solo, can answer calls just pressing a button on one ear piece. Just about works, it's mainly trying to talk whilst out of breath rather than wind noise that's the issue. Not something I do often but if I'm on-call it means either I stay inside or I go out and be able to answer my phone. Strangely I don't wobble all over the road nor do cars swerve to hit me just because I'm multi-tasking (although if it's going to be a long call I will pull-over and stop, again though mainly to avoid heavy-breathing ).

rodgers73

i'm planning a long trip (3 or 4 days touring) and wanted to be able to talk while doing so.

robz400

I use my iphone for music whilst riding and if the phone rings the standard apple headphones work perfectly. The last time my girlfriend called and could tell i was cycling!

Aapje

robz400 wrote:

I use my iphone for music whilst riding and if the phone rings the standard apple headphones work perfectly. The last time my girlfriend called and could tell i was cycling!

Perhaps the heavy breathing tipped her off.

"I'm not a stalker, honest"

robz400

Perhaps the heavy breathing tipped her off.

I was just thankfull she believed it was cycling that was causing it! Could have been awkward!!

paulbox

Not getting all righteous or anything… But what would happen if you were involved in an accident with a car/van whilst using your phone? I’m guessing that the insurance company of the vehicle involved would use the fact as a way of getting out of any liability. It’s very easy for the feds to prove that you were on a call.

Personally I’d rather pull over for a few minutes, even if you are on call I’m sure they would leave you a voicemail and you could call them back.

robz400

I would imagine that as its hand free it'd be of no consequence. Same as for drivers....

cougie

I must admit to having texted my rding buddies 3/4 of the way up a hill after I've dropped them - "where ARE you ?"

It was a very quiet road though -I'd not do it in traffic.

chris_phillips

Sony ericsson used to make a bike specific headset (wired) for the early handsets such as the T28, you could possibly pick one up on ebay for pretty much next to nothing. Hope this helps