Tips for choosing a bicycle speaker

A bicycle speaker is not just a gadget to brighten up your travel time. High-quality musical accompaniment makes it easier to tune in the desired mood, sets the tone in the choice of speed and makes the rider more visible on the road. But how to adapt a compact sound system to the format of outdoor activities? What features of the mounting and support of the bicycle column holder should be taken into account? How to choose a portable steering wheel speaker and not regret it?

To understand which options are suitable for travel, it is better to spend some time studying the technical capabilities of modern devices from the very beginning. A review of JBL speakers and others with a Bluetooth module will help determine the power and design of the bicycle acoustics.

The bicycle speaker is a comparative new phenomenon in the tech market. The following points are added to the usual capabilities of portable sound systems.

1. Vibration protection. Indispensable when driving on rough roads and in general when driving fast.
2. Sealed enclosure... It must be resistant to small stones or other possible road accidents.
3. Increased battery power. It should be sufficient to provide 8-10 hours of battery life.
4. High volume... Sound quality is very important, otherwise it will be impossible to hear musical chords in the whistling of the wind and the noise of cars.
5. A special mount that allows you to fix the sound system on the steering wheel. It must be functional, reliable and fairly durable.

These are the basic parameters that a portable bicycle column must meet. In addition, there are a lot of subtleties that have to be taken into account when choosing a device.

All commercially available bicycle speakers can be divided into 3 large groups according to the type of received signal.

1. RF... The most rare, but with a large reception radius - up to 100 m from the signal transmission source. Among their disadvantages are interference arising in the air, some difficulty in setting. But in general, for long trips and expeditions, this option is best suited.
2. Bluetooth. Speakers with a small range of reception range - up to 30 m. To establish a connection, a smartphone, tablet or other device must have a similar communication module. It is enough to turn it on and activate pairing. You can then play music or use the bike speaker as an external speaker while watching videos.
3. Wi-Fi. The most energy-consuming option in terms of battery consumption. Indeed, a smartphone or tablet acts as a signal source. The connection quality can also be unstable. But in general, many cyclists and cyclists are happy with this purchase.

Usually, special bicycle columns have a standard mount, but there are also adapters that allow you to turn almost any device into a bicycle column. In the traditional version, this can be a handlebar holder or a frame mount. Which option is more convenient, simpler, and provides better sound quality?

In the first case, the selected acoustics are fixed on the steering column using a simple bracket with a tripod screw, similar to those offered for cameras and DVRs.

The bike speaker is attached to the frame using a non-slip plastic or silicone device resembling a bottle cage - it can be easily mounted into the standard holes. But if they are not there, you will have to drill out. The screw mount is quite reliable, but it is convenient to carry the column on the frame only when 2 fixing blocks are available at once. For example, under the second bottle cage.

Among the models of bicycle acoustics on the market, you can pay attention to the following options.

• JBL Charge 3. Single-way mono speaker, waterproof housing, microphone for voice recording, in active mode it works up to 15 hours without recharging, no memory card support. The brand is considered the flagship of the market, pays great attention to the quality of assembly and material.

• Avantree cyclone... Model for mounting on a frame. Works with connection via Bluetooth, AUX, there is a slot for a memory card. The case is shock-resistant, the design is interesting.

• SVEN PS-465... A speaker with stereo sound, there is a calibration of low and high frequencies. Works via Bluetooth, supports USB connection, has a slot for memory cards. The stylish design of the case is complemented by a battery for 6 hours of autonomous work.

• Partner Rebel. An inexpensive speaker with a striking design. The sound is monophonic, control is push-button, there is Bluetooth, built-in flashlight, support for memory cards.

What additional features can a bicycle speaker provide? Among the most relevant options are solar charging - in this case, you will definitely not have to worry about replenishing the energy reserve. A built-in clock and alarm or timer can be helpful too.

Reception of radio frequencies is useful if you want to maximize the use of the speaker offline and just listen to the radio.This function is not available in all models, but if it is present, it will be easy to find out the latest news and enjoy music even in the absence of regular communication.

Portable bicycle speakers can be wired or wireless. Most often, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi protocols are used to connect to a smartphone. This avoids the need for a wired connection, it is more convenient and safe. But it all depends on the model of the device. For example, for Apple gadgets, you can only choose between Wi-Fi and AUX - the second method provides for a wired connection to the headphone slot, the column simply broadcasts sound through the speaker, but you do not need to configure anything.

Among the ports available in most bicycle acoustics options, USB and microSD slots. They allow you to connect external memory cards or flash drives, make it possible to play music pre-loaded onto media without connecting to other gadgets. In addition, the USB slot is often used for connecting a charger. And if there is no AUX cable, through it you can connect to any device directly and use your smartphone or tablet as a regular flash card, playing tracks from the device's memory.

In order for the speaker of portable music acoustics to reproduce high-quality sound, you will have to pay attention to the number of bands that are available to the user in the frequency range. Usually there are from 1 to 3. You can understand which option to choose by marking. For true fans of good bike sound, we recommend the three-band versions. The speaker formats encountered determine whether low frequencies are reproduced, and whether stereo sound can be heard in the speakers at all. All options on the market are divided into these.

1. Format 1.0... The simplest, supporting exclusively monaural sound. The playback quality is adequate, the power is also low.
2. Format 2.0. Speakers with stereo sound and realistic reproduction of all intonations. Middle class that allows you to enjoy music on the road.
3. Format 3.0. Bicycle speakers with a subwoofer to amplify low and high frequency sounds. A good solution for those who are not used to limiting themselves.

The number of speakers does not affect these parameters in any way. It can be 1 and give better quality than models, where there are 3 or 4 of them in the audio speaker.

When choosing a portable bicycle speaker it is worth paying attention to the following points.

1. Complete set... If a specialized device is purchased, it should already be with fasteners and everything necessary for installation on the steering wheel.
2. Power supply type... If trips often take place far from civilization and there is no access to electricity, you can purchase a bicycle station that runs on replaceable batteries. For everyday use, a model with a modern lithium-ion battery and charger is more suitable.
3. Available interfaces. Even a wireless speaker can only work via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. In case you don't have gadgets at hand, you should buy a model with a memory card and download your favorite tracks to the player.
4. Where the stand is attached. Most models can be fixed to the steering wheel or frame - the first option is definitely more convenient for switching tracks on the way.

For information on how to make do-it-yourself bicycle speakers, see the next video.