The Cat-Ears family of wind blocking devices for your bike helmet.

Cat-Ears

Removing the noise of the wind, allowing you to hear what's around you. 

There is a product developed for every type of rider including other family members. Cat-Ears provide wind noise blocking without blocking sound waves. From the casual rider to the elite athlete.  Safety is the key. Here's a look at the line of Cat-Ears designed by Rick and Heidi Weissner. 

Hears (Here is) the Cats meow broken down.  (Puns intended)

To start off with Ear Covers are the only product that attach to both the down strap as well as the strap that runs to the back of the helmet.  They help keep your ears warm during cool or cold rides while blocking the wind noise but allow sound to travel through them. These are a must have in the winter months and very early morning rides before the sun rises. 

Cat-Ears Ear Covers

Next up the Classic I are made of a faux fur material that is 1/2 inch thick, dampening and deflecting wind noise. They are designed to fit 1/2 inch helmet straps. They are 1 3/8 inch wide and 2 1/2 inches long. 

Cat-Ears Classic I

 Next are the Classic II, also made of a faux fur material that is 1/2 inch thick, dampening and deflecting wind noise. They are designed to fit 1/2 inch helmet straps. They are 1 1/4 inch wide and 2 1/4 inches long. A major difference with these is the back side (the side facing the riders face) is fleece and not the faux fur material.  Some riders don't like the feel of the faux fur on their face, so for some this could be added comfort. 

Cat-Ears Classic II 

The Strap Wraps are for your casual rider that travels at a lower speed. They attach to your helmet strap with Velcro just like any of the other Cat-Ears products.  These have a scalloped edge on the outside facing the ear, diverting the wind away from your ear.  Very comfortable and they wick sweat. 

Cat-Ears Strap Wraps

The Classic Pro is once again made with the faux fur that is 1/2 inch thick, dampening and deflecting wind noise. They are designed to fit 1/2 inch helmet straps. They are 1 1/8 inch wide and 2 inches long. They are right and left specific, and are packaged in such a way to let you know before attaching them to your helmet straps. When attached the front edge seems to point upward. 

Cat-Ears Classics Pro

Once again "The Classics"  I, II, Pro are designed to fit 1/2 inch helmet straps.  The difference with all of them is their size. They all provide the maximum wind noise reduction by reducing wind noise approximately 40 to 60 percent. 

All Cat Ears are available in numerous colors.  So check them out on their site.  Pick a set to match your bike or maybe your helmet, or maybe your cycling kit.  It's up to you. 

Here you can see how the product is used. Very easy and comfortable. 

Making You Safer by Hearing What is Around You

When out cycling on the roads or riding with friends, its often difficult to hear what is around you due to the sound of the wind blowing past your ears. The photos and video below are two different products on the market, made by two different companies with safety in mind.  Both devices attach to a bicycle helmet's strap that runs just in front of the ear, thus diverting the wind sound from entering your ear. For either of these products to work properly your helmet and straps must first of all fit correctly.The first is from a company Cat Ears, which has many different models, some with a fabric covering the ears to also protect them from the cold. Cat Ears also has a line that is reflective and bright colors for younger riders increasing their safety while riding. So the name come from the hair seen on the inside of the ears of a feline.  The hair removed the wind noise so they can pick up on the sound their prey makes.  In the recording industry faux fur is places over microphones to help remove wind noise.  I have set of Original "Classic I" which resemble Elvis sideburns.  In my first ride with them I was able to hear a clicking noise my chain was making, chattering as I was pedaling along.  I stopped made a quick adjustment and off I went.  The Cat Ears do exactly what they say they do.  Even at some faster speeds I was hitting, the noise of surrounding traffic was more noticeable.  If I was to tip my head, say to look down at my pedals or water bottle, the wind obviously went around them and the wind noise was noticeable again.  

The video below is just to show how it looks attached to the helmet strap. 

(side note: After my ride I was hungry and had a crazy urge for a peanut butter, banana and bacon sandwich, not sure why?... thank you very much) 

The second a similar type of device I used and tested out was the Wind-Blox. The Wind-Blox also attach to the helmet strap the same way except does not have a furry feel.  The are comfortable riding just in front of the ear, also diverting the air around the ear opening quieting the wind noise.  

 I am working on testing theses at higher speeds and look forward to even testing them out on my aero helmet to quiet the wind noise allowing me to hear other cyclist, competitors and vehicle traffic.  Also, I have yet to get out on the trails on my mountain bike to test these out, but if they work great on the road I can only image they will be awesome out there.   

X-1 Audio Waterproof Cases

I have been using X-1 by H2O Audio waterproof headphone systems for years now. A great way to enjoy music without having to worry about sweat or water damaging your electronics.  I was using Surge headphones attached to a swim belt in which my iPod 3rd generation Nano was safely inside a case providing me numerous hour of enjoyable quality workouts in the pool. With wanting to do flip turns, the cord which ran along my back, I was afraid would get in the way.  So I decided to get another waterproof case from X-1. 

The case I got was the Interval 4G system which holds the 4th generation iPod shuffle and attaches to the goggles strap.  Out of the way from swinging arms while swimming.  I now use the other case I have for running on the treadmill or riding my bike on the indoor rollers.

I had the custom ear molds made at Gold Canyon Hearing, helping to make sure the ear phones stay in place.  The smallest bit of water still gets in my ears, but the custom molds totally help with ear issues with water in the ear. The set up is awesome. I fire up a good playlist and away I go.  Swim workouts are very enjoyable and the music helps me stay focused.  Really the only drawback is losing track of time and laps.  Summer has unofficially come to an end with Labor Day and so has my season pass to the local pool.