Helmet noise

[Roper_imp]

Thanks for the article, Cormanus. I'm a bit skeptical, though. The article has inconsistencies and inaccuracies.

- The article: "This puts riding a bike a whole other realm as "wind noise" at highway speeds can measure up to 103dB, or comparable to a running chainsaw." The common measurement reported for chainsaw is 120dB. Besides, I use a chainsaw almost every fall for firewood. Riding at highway speed is nowhere near as loud. For the record: 100dB is 8x as loud as 70dB (normal radio/TV audio.) 120dB is 32x as loud as 70dB. (doubles every 10 dB.)

- The article: "But even the best helmets on today's marketplace provide little help when considering "wind noise" levels at normal highway speeds ... these helmets still produce wind noise readings of 110 to 116dB's, from 35mph to highway speeds." Wait--wearing a helmet actually increases wind noise from 103dB (reported early in the article) to 110-116dB? I'm not buying it.

I think IPS's marketing department is playing fast and loose with the facts. Regardless, I still wear earplugs and a full lid when I ride. And I have over-the-ear barriers for the chainsaw