Mini Review: Moldex Earplugs

[vifferman]

So I go in to Action Bike Wreckers for a 'quick WOF' on Saturday, and firstly it's not quick (slept in later than I intended to, so I have to wait 25 minutes) and secondly, it fails. (The "looks OK" front tyre is apparently not).
So, I pop up to Cycletreads, discover they also do WOFs now to get a replacement Storm for the front.
And new brake pads.

So, while I'm waiting, I see some colourful little containers of earplugs, and pop one on the counter with my job sheet. Sadly, they didn't throw them in for free, so I paid the $5.50.
I though, "This'll be great: they're more tapered than my orange 3M ones, so they'll be easier to insert, and they have a handy container!

This morning, I decided to try them out, for the 5 minutes or so I spend on the motorway. These things are teh shit!
Firstly, insertion was a breeze.
But.... I noticed than instead of the world gradually disappearing into a raccoon coccoon of woolly silence, things seemed to get louder!
They seem to attenuate certain frequencies, especially the higher-end ones (e.g., wind noise)!

I dunno if it's because they're so tapered, or the type of foam used, but they were worse thena useless. The left one worked a bit, but I think this was because when I pulled it out, it was (ewww!!) covered with ear wax, which probably sealed it more than the right one.

On the plus side, at least the case might be useful to put my 3M plugs in....

Oh - and the new tyre was great: rejuvenated the handling.
The new brake pads? Hmmmmm..... I'm reserving judgement. So far they (Ferodo) are worse than the SBS ones they replace. Hopefully they'll get better as they bed in.

[erik]

I'd recommend going to NZ Safety and getting some X-Treme and/or Sparkplug earplugs. Both are class 5 and work really well, better than the (class 4) 3M 1100 ones. The X-Treme ones are a bit smaller and firmer, the Sparkplug ones are a bit softer and similar size to the 3M's.

[vifferman]

Thanks, Erik.
I'm actually quite happy with the 3M earplugs, as they are reasonably comfy and cut out all the wind noise. I have a suspicion that part of the reason the mouldy ones weren't effective is they're much more tapered, so there's less contact area, and they're not as snug fitting. They were much easier to put in though.
Originally i was going to buy a pair of the reusable ones with attenuators, like the ones made by Alpine, but they had a such a crap review in WebBikeWorld that it put me off.

[slofox]

I had PlugzforLugz make me up a pair a week back and would have to say they are the bee's knees...they don't squirm their way out of my ears like the ear buddies did, having been made to fit my own ear'ole (comfortable!) and they really do attenuate the sound levels. I can still hear the growl of the Two Bros zorst, but if you get into a cruise mode with a neutral throttle setting the world goes very quiet indeed...there is still some wind noise and you do not lose awareness of what is going on around you, so the blare of the approaching train horn is audible...
Only downside is cost ($75.00) but then what's your hearing worth?

[Blackbird]

The new brake pads? Hmmmmm..... I'm reserving judgement. So far they (Ferodo) are worse than the SBS ones they replace. Hopefully they'll get better as they bed in.

Sorry to hear that Ian as one of my riding partners from the Shore stuck some Ferodo in his 'bird and thought they were on par with SBS, which weren't sparkling in the first place. My views on SBS were similar to his so I went for EBC HH last time and all I can say is WOW - absolutely excellent! The only downside is that a full set for the 'bird was about $280 so i got them sent from the UK for $200 delivered. Support local business wherever I can but not at that price difference

[vifferman]

I'll see how they go; if they're as good as the SBS they'll be fine, as I found the SBS provided good, progressive retardation and excellent feel. I'm not sure if I want something super-aggressive, and after going from "just a $30 WOF" to spending $480 all up, I don't think I needed another $200-odd on top of that!
The annoying thing is they didn't ask me if I had a preference for pad brand/type, and the stand seemed to have a fair assortment of SBS, Ferodo, EBC and some other brands. I saw some EBC HH but dunno of they had any to fit the VFR, because it never got to the discussion stage!
I'm sure the Ferodo will be OK, going by comments on the VFR forums, but once again EBC HH are the pads most often recommended.

[CookMySock]

Try blutack. Roll up a ball of it about the size of your thumbnail and mold it in your outer ear. Quiet! Comfy! Cheeeep! Put some lick on your fingers beforehand makes things easier, as it does.

Steve

[babyB]

I'd recommend going to NZ Safety and getting some X-Treme and/or Sparkplug earplugs. Both are class 5 and work really well, better than the (class 4) 3M 1100 ones. The X-Treme ones are a bit smaller and firmer, the Sparkplug ones are a bit softer and similar size to the 3M's.

yep agrees. i too use and prefur the 'sparkplugs' , way better than 3m ones. comfy and quiet

[NordieBoy]

Originally i was going to buy a pair of the reusable ones with attenuators, like the ones made by Alpine, but they had a such a crap review in WebBikeWorld that it put me off.

Just had a shufty at the review.
Looks like they didn't fit his ear canal properly.
They come with instructions on how to trim them to fit.

I like mine as I can get them seated consistantly unlike foamies where 9 times out of 10 one will be noiser than the other.

[vifferman]

Thought I'd try them again this morning, before throwing them in the rubbish. This time, bearing in mind that they are more tapered and skinnier than the 3M ones I'm used to, I pushed them further into my ears: past the point where they just nudged my brain as they pushed it out of the way, until the point where their tips just barely touched.
Then I held them in, while they expanded and filled the rest of my skull with their foamy squishiness.





silence







All I could hear on the motorway, as I slalomed around the moving chicanery of cars'n'trucks'n'hippos, was the gentlest of slight sussurations of the wind around my helmet, and a faint and somewhat annoying cakemixer whine from the cam gears.

Fortunately/unfortunately/fortunately, I can't get them out now, as I left my tweezers at home, and we aren't allowed sharp objects like pencils or wits in the cubicle farm, so it's very quiet at work.
I think I'll suck up the last vestiges of the sleeping tablet I had last night, and have a wee snooooozzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

[Pixie]

Only downside is cost ($75.00) but then what's your hearing worth?

This is an invalid justification.
If you can find disposables or reusables that fit (everyones ears are different)
then they will serve just as well as $75.00 custom plugs.
Also,you can reduce the noise too much to be safe on the road.

Moldex Rockets silicone reusable ear plugs are $5.00 from NZ Safety - do not by earplugs from chemists or bike shops - you'll be ripped off in a big way.

[vifferman]

Like I said, I was all set to get a set of reusable earplugs, until I read the WebBikeWorld review which said their performance was generally inferior to the disposable plugs.
$75 would buy a huge pile of disposable earplugs, especially if you're 'frugal' like me and wash and re-use them.

As for "too much quiet", it's like anything else: something to be aware of and compensate for. I'm aware on my bike I have restricted vision and head mobility due to my helmet, and wearing earplugs is the same: I make an allowance for restricted hearing, and look around more. Or go faster so I'm ahead of the traffic....

[gatch]

I use "peltor nitro" plugs, provided they are inserted properly they are fantastic. You can use a 9inch grinder at full noise and not feel the smallest discomfort.

Can send them to yall for $5 a pair

[kasper]

The best ear plugs i can recommend are EarPro Sonic Defenders Large

I get mine from
http://www.tacticalsolutionscorp.com.../ROOT/Tactical

They are fully adjustable to fit your ears, and they are affordable. they last for 6 months. (just make sure to wash them)

I use them whenever i am doing rides longer than 30 minutes. I once had an headset earbud in one ear and a defender in the other. when i stopped off for a break it was such a weird feeling being able to hear clearly in one ear and not the other.

I also use them when i go Techno clubbing, I am the one right up around the speakers.

one of the great things about them is that you can adjust them to block out ALL noise (16dB NRR with stoppers in) or have them set so that you can hear conversation level frequencies.


here is the sites info
================================================== ======

Description

Sonic Defenders™ protect your hearing—without interfering with your ability to hear routine sounds and conversation. Safe sound levels are allowed to pass through, while potentially harmful noises (above 80dB) are reduced via a proprietary design that incorporates the patented Hocks Noise Braker filter. When even more hearing protection is required—without the need to hear routine sounds or conversations—Sonic Defenders’ attached stopper can be inserted.

Made from a soft, hypoallergenic polymer and ergonomically shaped for a great fit, Sonic Defenders can be worn comfortably all day. And their low-profile design means they can be worn while wearing a helmet, mask, hat, or while using a phone, headset, or supplemental ear muffs.

Each set is packaged in a convenient carry case.

Features:

* 9dB Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) with stoppers out; 16dB NRR with stoppers in
* Lowers potentially dangerous noise levels above 80dB
* Hear safe sound levels as if you weren't wearing ear plugs
* Ergonomic design conforms to natural shape of ear for comfort and earpiece retention
* Made from soft, hypoallergenic, medical-grade polymer
* Low-profile design lets you keep them in place while wearing mask, helmet, hat, or while using phone, headphones or supplemental hearing muffs


--Kasper

[Mamba]

I dunno if it's because they're so tapered, or the type of foam used, but they were worse thena useless. The left one worked a bit, but I think this was because when I pulled it out, it was (ewww!!) covered with ear wax, which probably sealed it more than the right one.

On the plus side, at least the case might be useful to put my 3M plugs in....




The best plugs i have tried are EARSOFT, and are a class 4, while 3M ones are only class 3.

Depending on the bike you ride, you can get away with either, the only thing is that ERSOFT is suited for higher DB rating. Up to 105 DB in fact, while 3M only up to 95DB.

You can get them from any Protector Safety Shop, and are very cheap.

Let me know where you leave, and I'll let you know where the closest one is