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Permalink Reply by Elwood Gruschow on February 12, 2020 at 2:33am

The title asks what I look for in a Bluetooth Speaker, not what I think are the important features.  Answering the title; what I look for in a Bluetooth (cycling) Speaker is the OFF button.

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Permalink Reply by dav on February 12, 2020 at 12:37pm

See that.  Riding with my music brings me such joy that I completely dismissed that some people just like the sound of the street.  Not me.  I'm a music-rider-guy. I used to listen to podcasts w/ headphones, but I noticed that after my ride I had no memory of what the podcast was about.  So if I'm not going to give it my full attention I'll choose music as my background/soundtrack to my ride.  Maybe I'll try a few miles without anything playing.

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Permalink Reply by Brian S on February 17, 2020 at 4:55pm

From time to time, I've used my cell phone at top volume.  I have a small bag that hangs from my handlebars that I can put my cell phone it and hear music.  It doesn't blast others; it is ok to sing a long for most stretches; it totally does not work when underneath the el.

(I have found audiobooks from the library to be a great alternative to the radio/podcasts. I have listed to quite a few books over the years, and while I was initially a skeptic, I've grown to love them.)

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Permalink Reply by Ron S on February 19, 2020 at 2:56am

Not sure if this would work for you but earbuds with transparency mode might be an option. You can play music but still hear sounds around you. 
I have Jabra’s and use them at the gym but not for riding. I really like them. 

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Permalink Reply by Ernesto Lube on February 19, 2020 at 3:16am

Clear loudness. In the summers, it clears the way on the Lake Front Path when pedestrians are walking on the bike lanes. 

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Permalink Reply by JeffB on February 19, 2020 at 6:25am

I tried my SoundLink on the bike, but found it difficult to hear over the street noise.  Plus I don't like pushing my music on the people around me. And I don't trust that strap.

I like my Jabra Elite 25e headphones.  I know a lot of people don't like headphones in general while riding, but I've never had an issue hearing cars approaching behind me.

But if you want to be more aware of your surroundings, maybe check out bone conduction headphones (https://www.reviewgeek.com/5631/the-best-bone-conduction-headphones/). I tried some in a Fleet Street store and they sounded pretty good.

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Permalink Reply by David Barish on February 20, 2020 at 4:56am

The op asks what  we are  looking for  in a bluetooth speaker.  I  see posts at the extremes- wear  earphones to don't  listen to tunes. The former is  dangerous on  a bike and the latter  is a  lifestyle choice that  has already been made by the op.  So,  let's have at it and  advise about speakers.  I  occasionally,  but  not always,  use one.  Yes, a speaker  does  contribute to the  sonic environment and  yes, we need to find balance when we use them-- loud enough to hear and soft  enough to  not  be that guy/gal.  I  have  a Boombot from Boombotix.  https://boombotix.com/.   I did not  pay a lot and  it works decently. The clip is great if you are  using  a  shoulder strap for  a bag. However, it doesn't  hang great simply on a shirt or  jersey and I  have rigged it up  to  the brake cables facing me on my handlebar.  I used  to use it  at home but was  recently gifted with a JBL Charge 4 for the  house. There are  plenty of other  portable speakers  out there.  What are they?

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Permalink Reply by Gort 12-mile Pinklegneep on February 26, 2020 at 4:41pm

the goblins that live inside it and sing the songs

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