Bike mounted boombox

[westend]

I had this thread over in the "Wheels, Mud, Water, etc." section of the Forum but couldn't get any response. Let's try it here.....

My Daughter is getting on me about finalizing a small boombox system for bikes. I had made a larger one using 7" speakers and a T-amp, a while back. Her and her crowd liked it so much, they took it off the bike and moved it indoors. Hence, interest in a more moderately sized system.

My initial thoughts are too use the Shure or equivalent T-amp board, provision for batteries, jacks for phone or MP3 player input, headphone output, small 3" full-rangers mounted in a common enclosure. I'd probably have a power switch and a volume control, nothing fancy, toggle or rocker and metal knob.

I'd like to get some input on mounting locations---handle bar, frame post, etc.? Also some thoughts about maximum size. I plan to build this out of extruded aluminum T-rail and aluminum panel.

C'mon. two-wheelers, what would you like and how do you want it mounted?

 

[dumptruck]

Build it on a front or rear bike rack mount, I'd say, as that's the only thing that will be (almost) universally useable across frame types, and make it bipole, helps a lot with what little bass you'll have.

 

[westend]

Build it on a front or rear bike rack mount, I'd say, as that's the only thing that will be (almost) universally useable across frame types, and make it bipole, helps a lot with what little bass you'll have.

Yeah the first one I built mounted on a set of rear bike baskets. I want to make this new one a lot smaller. I think I may be able to squeeze this into a case size of 12" x 6" x 2"- 3". If I use extruded aluminum T-rail for the 2"- 3" side, any manner of clamps or attaching devices will slide into the rail.

Maybe a head tube mount with the speakers facing the rider? I had thought of mounting on the handle bars, the down tube, or the seat tube, but all of those have potential interference issues. Now that you've mentioned it, not all bikes have the same frame dimensions in those areas, either. Thanks for that.

I was looking at the 3" full-range drivers sold at Madisound or Parts Express, the HIvi, Peerless, Aurasound, Fountek, etc.. I was narrowing the field using poor bass frequency response and cone materials as excluders. If possible, I'd like to use a metal, graphite, or fiberglass cone. Those seemed to have assumed durability in an outside environment.

I already know this isn't going to be a bass monster, just a speaker system so that a young rider can share music with friends or listen to speakers instead of headphones. I'm thinking that if I nail it half-way, it might become a primary system for some of the collegiate crowd. If I get inquiries about thumping on two wheels, the Westend Bicycle Subwoofer will soon follow.

 

[Roy Skinner]

Have you thought of setting it up in a small motorcycle tank bag? If you are not familiar with them you should check them out. They could help a lot with vibration isolation and provide a cabinet for the components. J&M motorcycle audio may be good for ideas also.

 

[westend]

Have you thought of setting it up in a small motorcycle tank bag? If you are not familiar with them you should check them out. They could help a lot with vibration isolation and provide a cabinet for the components. J&M motorcycle audio may be good for ideas also.

I don't think a tank bag is going to work, not for this application anyway. You did get me thinking about vibration isolation though.

I looked through the J&M site. Man, if you get that Integrator setup you're wired up more than a patient in the ER. I'd also be crying if a helmet cable failed. At $50//cable, I guess a guy wants to careful with that.

I'd like to get something built that a 20 yr. old can operate. This means a good bit of durability and a minimum of tactile interface involved. Probably one mounting handle to turn or engage the mounting, an on-off switch, and a volume control. I would stock up on cases of 1/8" stereo cords to be sold, as my kids (20 somethings) treat them like small pieces of discardable rope. They were asking weekly, if i have any around but they've depleted Dad's inventory. :sigh:

 

[Roy Skinner]

J&M is mighty proud of their products. There are also other motorcycle relared ideas that may help. It seems that motorcycle audio is much more common than bicycle. You may be a bit of a pioneer.

 

[westend]

J&M is mighty proud of their products. There are also other motorcycle relared ideas that may help. It seems that motorcycle audio is much more common than bicycle. You may be a bit of a pioneer.

Yeah, J&M looks like some good stuff. And, yes, this is sort of breaking new ground.

There are scads of small bicycle mounted battery powered tuner/MP3 players from overseas. Most of them are cheap, cheap, cheap. What my goal is with this boombox is have a fairly good sound and make it durable enough for the intended use. I have to keep an eye on cost, also. My target market doesn't have enough money or inclination to pay high-dollar amounts for audio appliances. As it is, this may be a one-off for #2 Daughter so monetary pressure is not all that it could be. She will be the marketing arm and we will then see how the whole thing turns out.

Anyone else have some thoughts about this?

 

[dodog]

Handlebar mounting a box may be best. You could use velcro straps so that the unit is easy to get on and off (maybe some sore of gel-pad between bar and box for cushioning). You could repurpose something like this:

http://www.axiomgear.com/products/gear/bags/handlebar-bags/atlas/


Another option would be to mount below the seat. This type of system has a base that you mount to the seat, the bag just clicks in for attachment (has an adjustable velcro strap to add further attachment to the seat post). You could use the seat mount and repurpose the bag and/or hack it to use the click attachment. Here is an example of a bag (FWIW, I use this on my bike for work. It's big enough for keys/wallet):

http://www.axiomgear.com/products/gear/bags/seat-bags/sierra-lx/


This may be the easiest to mount/sfuff though (speakers on the sides?):

http://www.axiomgear.com/products/gear/bags/granfondo-series/smart-bag-touch/


Disclaimer: I have no relation to Axiom and their products, I just use them for my own bike.

 

[Roy Skinner]

Have you looked at having the speakers self amplified and connected to the source via blue tooth? That may give you more flexibility with mounting. Most kids these days use their phones or tablets as their music source.

 

[bonsai]

The Tripath AMP6 sold at www.41hz.com is excellent! Works excellent and sounds better then many more expensive $$ amps

Many make boom boxes with these amps

http://www.41hz.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?17-AMP6-and-AMP6-BASIC

 

[gadget73]

you guys are fancy. When I was a kid, I rigged a simple am/fm portable mono radio that was probably a 6" cube to my bike simply by hanging it on the handlebars. I pulled the brake lever off, slid the handle of the radio on, and put the brake back on. It powered off one of those tire-driven light generators that were available. I had some zip cord from a trashpicked lamp running from inside the battery compartment to the generator. Just reach down and engage the gen to power the radio. I used to flip the bike over at the beach and crank the pedals to listen to music during the summer.

 

[dodog]

you guys are fancy. When I was a kid, I rigged a simple am/fm portable mono radio that was probably a 6" cube to my bike simply by hanging it on the handlebars. I pulled the brake lever off, slid the handle of the radio on, and put the brake back on. It powered off one of those tire-driven light generators that were available. I had some zip cord from a trashpicked lamp running from inside the battery compartment to the generator. Just reach down and engage the gen to power the radio. I used to flip the bike over at the beach and crank the pedals to listen to music during the summer.

Sorry, I couldn't find the english version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7kgzgcqe5s

 

[westend]

The Tripath AMP6 sold at www.41hz.com is excellent! Works excellent and sounds better then many more expensive $$ amps

Many make boom boxes with these amps

http://www.41hz.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?17-AMP6-and-AMP6-BASIC

I'll have to take a look at these and see what the power requirements are.

you guys are fancy. When I was a kid, I rigged a simple am/fm portable mono radio that was probably a 6" cube to my bike simply by hanging it on the handlebars. I pulled the brake lever off, slid the handle of the radio on, and put the brake back on. It powered off one of those tire-driven light generators that were available. I had some zip cord from a trashpicked lamp running from inside the battery compartment to the generator. Just reach down and engage the gen to power the radio. I used to flip the bike over at the beach and crank the pedals to listen to music during the summer.

Yeah, I had one of those wheel-driven generators, too. I think we were well along the start of transistor radios by the time I wanted any music to accompany my travels.
Today, no one likes the drag of a generator on the wheel (although they're still sold). The push is toward low weight and simplicity. Cost doesn't seem to be too much of an object for the modern two-wheeler, either.

Handlebar mounting a box may be best. You could use velcro straps so that the unit is easy to get on and off (maybe some sore of gel-pad between bar and box for cushioning). You could repurpose something like this:

http://www.axiomgear.com/products/gear/bags/handlebar-bags/atlas/


Another option would be to mount below the seat. This type of system has a base that you mount to the seat, the bag just clicks in for attachment (has an adjustable velcro strap to add further attachment to the seat post). You could use the seat mount and repurpose the bag and/or hack it to use the click attachment. Here is an example of a bag (FWIW, I use this on my bike for work. It's big enough for keys/wallet):

http://www.axiomgear.com/products/gear/bags/seat-bags/sierra-lx/


This may be the easiest to mount/sfuff though (speakers on the sides?):

http://www.axiomgear.com/products/gear/bags/granfondo-series/smart-bag-touch/


Disclaimer: I have no relation to Axiom and their products, I just use them for my own bike.

All good, we'll need to talk more on this two wheel stuff. I didn't know you were a cyclist.
BTW, still trying to find time to get my saw set up for aluminum cutting. I'll have to do that soon since I am dreaming up more aluminum projects, more than I can actually make happen.

 

[Rick Vestal]

Oh Oh! I have an idea!

Make it the shape of a water bottle,... Water bottles are exactly 3" in diameter so PVC should be easy to source, as well as a single 3" speaker. Threaded bottom for batteries and it'll fit into any water bottle bracket.

Edit: Dammit. I thought I was a genius so I went searching and it's already been done...

http://www.scosche.com/mobile-speaker

 

[dodog]

All good, we'll need to talk more on this two wheel stuff. I didn't know you were a cyclist.
BTW, still trying to find time to get my saw set up for aluminum cutting. I'll have to do that soon since I am dreaming up more aluminum projects, more than I can actually make happen.

My bike is primary mode of transportation. That is, until the snow arrives. Given the warm winters we've had the last 4 or so years, I've been able to ride to/from work for about 9-10 months out of the year. "My" car (my wife has to drive to work and take kids to school so she gets the nice one) is a 1992 Saturn. It leaks some fluids, the paint chips off, it's kind of loud, etc., but it keeps going and I only have to fill it up once every two weeks to a month.


I have some other projects in mind for you but I haven't sprung the trap yet.....

No hurries on the project, I'm still waiting on some parts from China.

 

[dodog]

Oh Oh! I have an idea!

Make it the shape of a water bottle,... Water bottles are exactly 3" in diameter so PVC should be easy to source, as well as a single 3" speaker. Threaded bottom for batteries and it'll fit into any water bottle bracket.

Edit: Dammit. I thought I was a genius so I went searching and it's already been done...

http://www.scosche.com/mobile-speaker

I was thinking of those Pringles speakers that came out for free with mail-in. This idea is much better though.

 

[bonsai]

I mentioned the 41hz.com site

Here is an excellent Bike Boombox!!!
http://www.41hz.com/forums/content.php?286-Project-AMP-9-Basic-BoomBox

http://www.41hz.com/forums/showthread.php?3050-Boom-box

 

[bonsai]

You could ride into a club or fair and turn it into a dance club! BOOM BOOM BOOM!

41hz is out of sweeden... Lots of boomboxes and stuff for outdoor festivals.

"Time to Festival" they say.

I run the amp6 in this little system in my kitchen... MP3 speakers basically. Sound is as good as can be. Tripath is excellet

 

[westend]

Oh Oh! I have an idea!

Make it the shape of a water bottle,... Water bottles are exactly 3" in diameter so PVC should be easy to source, as well as a single 3" speaker. Threaded bottom for batteries and it'll fit into any water bottle bracket.

Edit: Dammit. I thought I was a genius so I went searching and it's already been done...

http://www.scosche.com/mobile-speaker

Ya, that is a damn elegant way to do it. I might have to look into that further. I have no qualms about ripping off a design after I lost the patent rights on the "black band-aid" . If it wasn't for Johnson&Johnson, I'd be retired now.

My bike is primary mode of transportation. That is, until the snow arrives. Given the warm winters we've had the last 4 or so years, I've been able to ride to/from work for about 9-10 months out of the year. "My" car (my wife has to drive to work and take kids to school so she gets the nice one) is a 1992 Saturn. It leaks some fluids, the paint chips off, it's kind of loud, etc., but it keeps going and I only have to fill it up once every two weeks to a month.


I have some other projects in mind for you but I haven't sprung the trap yet.....

No hurries on the project, I'm still waiting on some parts from China.

Hey, nothing wrong with having a low carbon footprint! In my collegiate years I used a bike for commuting, it was less hassle than driving and parking.

Looking forward to those traps.

I mentioned the 41hz.com site

Here is an excellent Bike Boombox!!!
http://www.41hz.com/forums/content.php?286-Project-AMP-9-Basic-BoomBox

http://www.41hz.com/forums/showthread.php?3050-Boom-box

I bet that boombox sounds great!:yes: Cool to see that a nice DC brick can be had for power, too. I hadn't thought about something that nice. I wonder if a guy could power it up with one of the cordless tool Lithium batteries and have a whole charging system off the shelf. :scratch2:

I actually built a bigger boom box using 7" woofers, the Parade Bike. The youngins' liked it so much, it started this project. I'd like the next iteration to be smaller.

 

[doucanoe]

Hey Lance, I'm not sure how dead set on buying something in particular, but I have a pair of potentially interesting 3" "full range" drivers sitting here doing nothing. I picked them up from Jerry thinking I would try them out for a little bookshelf pair for the bedroom but have yet to get around to doing anything with them. They were originally offered up as a full range closeout from Parts Express and folks were building them into 1/2 cu-ft cabs or something like that. I have the notes around here somewhere.

Paper cone I believe, but are heavy little buggers and have neoprene surrounds.






You are more than welcome to give them a go if interested.


RC