Cycling in style with the FreeWheelin

I stumbled across an innovative answer to using your iPhone when biking via an earlier post courtesy of TUAW (The Unofficial Apple Weblog). The FreeWheelin Bluetooth accessory seemed to be a promising way to enjoy the audio capabilities of your iPhone or bluetooth-capable iPod without sacrificing your ability to hear ambient sounds around you, unlike most sound-isolating earbuds. While the idea sounded promising (and far safer than listening to audio with earbuds), I’m skeptical of new products without being able to review them firsthand, and thankfully the makers of the SoundRyder FreeWheelin have made that a reality.

The concept behind the FreeWheelin is a simple one: rather than block all sound via earbuds or earphones, the makers opt to place the audio gear on your helmet, mounted via a velcro-like (but considerably more secure) strips that adhere to the non-styrofoam surfaces. The accessory is divided into three sections; two for each speaker, and a third between them as the Bluetooth module and battery. The three sections are connected by a coiled, sturdy-feeling insulated cable. While the body of the three sections are housed in plastic, it does have a solid (but thankfully light) feel to it. The overall build quality of the FreeWheelin was better than I had expected, considering the recent introduction of the product.

After ensuring the battery was charged via the included USB cable, I installed the FreeWheelin on my biking helmet. The process took minutes; the device clung firmly in place when pressed to the anchoring strips. It took me almost as long to decide where to mount the unit as the process itself; the instructions state that the mounting strips should not be placed directly on styrofoam, but my favorite (and admittedly inexpensive) helmet’s sides and back are mostly unvarnished styrofoam. As you can see in the photos, the center module had to be placed on the top of the back of my helmet. The pairing process was equally as straightforward, and I was on my way.

Operation of the FreeWheelin was as easy as its installation. Holding the single power/pairing button turns on the device; once paired your phone should connect automatically thereafter when the device is powered up. I didn’t notice a change in the weight or distribution of my helmet; it sat as comfortably as ever.

Now for the golden question- audio quality. The sound volume was likely impacted by my placement of the speakers; they were situated higher than the demonstration photos I’ve seen thanks to the construction of my helmet. The overall quality of the sound was adequate, but not overwhelming; in particular I would have liked more bass response on some tracks (low end sound is notoriously difficult to reproduce in small speakers). Once I had the sound levels set properly (thanks to controls on both the device and my iPhone) I was satisfied with the volume, although in particularly noisy settings I feel they would have been at least partly overwhelmed. On a better quality helmet I suspect both the volume and quality would have been markedly better, but bear in mind the device isn’t intended for high fidelity. [NOTE: SoundRyder pointed out to me after writing this review that the sound quality can be noticeably enhanced by using the iPhone's equalizer settings, a feature that I don't regularly use. I can now attest that it can make a marked difference. If you still have issues, they suggest checking the volume of your tracks in iTunes. Right click on any song (or a selection of songs) and go to options. You should see a volume slide; this can be the source of underwhelming volume when your sound levels are hit and miss.] The device was engineered to allow outside sound to be heard, unlike high quality headsets made to enhance the experience of your music; this alone would prevent your music from being concert hall pure.

The unexpected bonus of the FreeWheelin is that it’s not just wireless headphones, it’s a fully functional two way Bluetooth headset. I was able to make calls and text messages via Siri with good sound quality on the receiving end; the other party noted only minimal wind noise. The addition of Siri makes the Freewheelin far more useful; not having to interact with the touchscreen is even more valuable when cycling than driving.

The makers of the FreeWheelin thoughtfully included a mounting rack for using the device in other settings than cycling. The clip mount neatly affixes to a car visor or similarly thin target, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of the FreeWheelin in just about any environment. 

Overall the FreeWheelin gets a thumbs up for overall usefulness. The only negatives I could find were the overall volume and quality of sound, but my test helmet was a worst case selection. It definitely earns my endorsement for its uniqueness; I have yet to see any other competing product on the market that offers anything even similar. While not a perfect product (and those are very rare), it provides distinct advantage to those that would like to enjoy and interact with their iOS device while on the go. The FreeWheelin is available now via the SoundRyder website for $149.95.

ADDENDUM: The FreeWheelin is more widely available than first reported- it’s being carried by The Helmet Man and the makers have a distribution deal with J&B Importers who share their impressive product with independent bike stores and chains. The organization has embarked on an aggressive campaign to get the FreeWheelin into a store near you.

As for future products, SoundRyder has disclosed that they have a version of the FreeWheelin in development for motorcycle helmets/full faced helmets; further improving the usability of my favorite iOS device. This is yet another unaddressed niche- while Bluetooth connections have become almost standard in many car makes, the lack of two wheeled options are as sparse for motorcycles as they are for bikes.

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Bluetooth Audio for cycling enthusiasts

An oft-discussed benefit of smartphones is their electronic Swiss Army Knife nature- one device is capable of doing so many different tasks for you. From my original first-gen iPhone to the highly-anticipated iPhone 5, the little rounded rectangle has served more functions that I would have ever thought possible.

While my iPhone’s audio entertainment isn’t used as often as other functions, it’s still a very valuable asset. Because I use my iPhone for work communication as well as personal, there are times that a simple MP3 player or radio not only wouldn’t offer as much it would be potentially problematic should I miss notification of an emergent situation. From mowing the lawn to exercising, there are times I’d like to listen to music, streaming audio, or a podcast without worrying if my iPhone will fall out of a pocket. There are numerous accessories to facilitate using the iPhone when active- from Arkon’s Forearm Holder to one of countless arm holsters, as well as all manner of wired and Bluetooth headsets designed for the iOS user on the go. While there are numerous combinations of these accessories to suit the needs of just about any iPhone owner, there’s one particular activity that I had never really found a suitable solution for- cycling.

Growing up in Florida necessitates owning a bike. I can recall riding my bike to school as far back as elementary school, and like many facets of life I never outgrew my enjoyment of cycling. The ride may have changed- from a one-speed discount store dirt bike with a banana seat to a name-brand hybrid road bike- but the enjoyment hasn’t. Unfortunately, listening to one of my iPhone’s audio functions while cycling isn’t as straightforward as it is in other tasks. First, there’s the matter of how to hear your music. The choices are numerous, but you have to winnow out any that aren’t compatible with wearing a helmet (speaking as someone that’s been hit by a car twice, I strongly urge those that aren’t required to wear a helmet by law to do so out of common sense). Full-sized, over the ear headphones are out, and some earbuds designed for active use may not be easy to wear with the helmet’s straps that typically pass by or under your ears.

The second issue is the construction of the earbuds. Most earbuds are designed to provide passive noise isolation; they improve the listening experience by screening out competing sounds from your environment, usually via foam pads that fill your ear canal. While for typical usage this design works well, for cycling it creates a significant danger: the inability to hear your surroundings while riding could easily prevent you from reacting to threats like approaching cars.

An article from TUAW (The Unofficial Apple Weblog) reviews a new product that just might offer the best possible solution for the cyclist that wants to use their iPhone while riding. The FreeWheelin Audio System provides a way to add stereo bluetooth speakers to your existing cycling helmet, freeing you from both cables and sound isolating earbuds. 

The article goes into depth on the advantages (being able to hear your surroundings while still offering stereo sound) and disadvantages (ambient noise can drown out your audio, others nearby can hear what you are playing) but gave an overall positive review. The concept sounded less than elegant, but the photo posted of the combined FreeWheelin setup and helmet wasn’t as unsightly as I had thought it would be. One question left unanswered was if the audio system provided a microphone for answering calls or giving Siri commands.

The product page for the FreeWheelin Audio System was apparently down as I was writing this; multiple attempts to bring it up were unsuccessful. TUAW did mention the retail price of the FreeWheelin as $150; not exactly pocket change but not beyond the price of other high-end Bluetooth stereo headsets I’ve seen. The idea is intriguing; I hope this idea spawns more innovation in audio solutions for active iPhone users.

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iPhone 5 rumor roundup

With September 12th and the assumed announcement of the next generation of iPhone just around the corner let’s take a quick pause and peruse some of the rumors bubbling through the pundit-sphere.

MacRumors brings us a couple of tidbits, one welcome and another possibly not so welcome. First, there’s their own iPhone 5 rumor roundup, covering everything from a comparison between the current iPhone 4s and a physical mockup of the iPhone 5 (if that is what it ends up being labeled) showing a noticeably thinner and longer chassis with a bottom-mounted headphone jack and the smaller redesigned docking port to a discussion of the expected hardware features.

MacRumors also passed on a report from iLounge stating that Apple will be the sole provider of cables and adaptors for the new smaller docking port on the next iPhone. Adaptors for the older iconic 32 pin connector used by all previous (non iPod Shuffle) devices are said the be available for $10 each or in three packs for $29, and new USB cables going for $19 each. Considering how much less expensive current third party cables and adaptors are this is a significant markup even if Apple’s manufacturing quality is markedly better.

My friends at MobileFun listed a partially whimsical look at iPhone 5 rumors on their product blog, including the recently reported new design in earbuds (sorry, guys- I disagree with your position on this one, they look legit to me and the enclosed earbuds with the iPhone are lowest common denominator).

Lastly, the iPhone isn’t the only device getting a refresh. Rumors and evidence abound that most of the current iPod lineup may get new models, we may be seeing the iPad Mini soon, and there’s a slim chance we may get the next generation in Apple TV as well!

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Roam and listen in safety with AIRbudz

There’s a new Kickstarter campaign ongoing brought to us courtesy of The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) for a very worthy idea: AIRbudz. AIRbudz isn’t a stand alone accessory, it’s a modification of something that iOS and other portable media device users rely on regularly- their earbuds. The creator of AIRbudz is an avid runner, but had two issues: she relies on listening to music while running to keep her energized and on pace, yet most earbuds block surrounding sound by design making running or biking more dangerous. AIRbudz works with your existing earbuds by replacing the removable cushions that fit in your ear canal. The new cushions have air channels regularly spaced allowing surrounding sounds to mix with the audio  you’re listening to via your device, providing perfect balance of enjoyment of your audio while being more aware of your surroundings. 

I’ve run afoul of exactly these sorts of problems while biking- my hometown’s streets aren’t the most cycle-friendly, but all of the high quality earbuds I own are designed to passively isolate you from outside sound. While this is perfect for home use, it’s a potential danger on the road. Speaking as someone who’s had more than one unwanted encounter with car fenders AIRbudz is a fantastic idea, and I hope you’ll join me in supporting it.

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Cordcruncher- another ‘why didn’t I think of that’ product

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) posted today about an ongoing Kickstarter campaign to fund the production of a product that should have been thought of long ago. The CordCruncher is a fantastic idea: it eliminates the problem of tangled and knotted headphone cords by sheathing them in an adjustable elastic sheath that is both functional and decorative. The only downside to this new accessory is that they don’t appear to have iOS style headphones with an inline microphone and controls. If the Kickstarter campaign is successful hopefully they’d expand the product line to include these features.

I’ve used a very wide range of headphones for my iOS devices, from $5 bare bones Skullcandy earbuds to top of the line $150 V Moda sets. All of them at some point have tangled and/or knotted; an annoyance at the least and possibly detrimental to the lifespan of the earbuds. This Kickstarter campaign will end April 20, so check them out.

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