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The Aleck Punks system attaches easily to the helmet straps and functions like headphones, but with the ears left uncovered to maintain the necessary awareness on the road. Thanks to an app, the Punks can also serve as a communication system between cyclists. Review of a product that isn’t entirely convincing.
By Guillaume Judas – Photos: ©3Bikes.fr
Since July 1, 2015, it has been illegal to ride on public roads while wearing earbuds, earphones, or headphones. This new law naturally applies to cyclists as well, even though many cyclists choose to continue riding with earphones in their ears. If you violate this rule, you are subject to a fixed fine of €135.
Introduced last spring, the Punks are designed to get around this problem for those who want to keep riding while listening to music. Unfortunately, they are also prohibited in France while cycling. Just like bone-conduction headphones, this type of device is covered by an updated decree from the Council of State.
They are small and lightweight (5.5 x 2.7 x 1.2 cm / 15 g each), and they attach easily to most helmets, on the strap that goes in front of the ear. The two wireless earbuds connect to a smartphone via Bluetooth, allowing you to listen to a playlist, the radio, or podcasts. They deliver high-quality, crystal-clear sound regardless of outdoor conditions, even in windy weather. With an IP65 rating, they’re dust- and rain-resistant. They recharge via a dual USB-C cable in one hour. According to the manufacturer, a 10-minute charge provides an additional hour of battery life. I’ve never used up the entire battery life, but I was able to log 8 hours of workouts with music without needing to recharge them.
The Aleck Punks system is linked to a smartphone app, which is essential if you want to access the (brief) user manual, despite the beautifully designed packaging. Everything is in English, which may pose a problem for some users, especially those who aren’t used to this type of connected product. The instructions are as concise as the number of buttons on the earbuds. In fact, there is only one switch per earbud, and the length of the press or the number of presses determines the function, such as powering on, adjusting the volume, skipping a track on the playlist, or answering or rejecting a call.
That’s because the Punks system offers several communication modes in addition to music. This makes it possible to receive a call and answer it via a microphone built into the earbuds. But it’s also possible to communicate through the app via group chats with unlimited range—meaning anyone connected to the group via the app can participate in conversations, no matter where they are. The app also provides real-time location tracking for group members. Aleck Punks are priced at €164.95 for one pair of earbuds and €307.95 for two pairs. The app is, of course, free (for iOS and Android) and requires no subscription.
A mixed review
On the road, I appreciated the Aleck Punks’ good battery life, which lets you go on several rides in a row without having to recharge them. I also enjoyed riding to music, which helped pass the time and made long solo rides feel less grueling. The system delivers good-quality stereo sound, though it doesn’t block out external noise. You can hear cars approaching from the side or behind, and you can even clearly hear a conversation. Of course, not being completely cut off from the outside world means you don’t appreciate the finer details of the music you’re listening to quite as much. And in strong winds, it’s not always easy to follow a podcast clearly. On the other hand, the earbuds’ water resistance is a major plus: I was caught in a heavy 30-minute downpour, and the Punks continued to work perfectly.
However, I quickly gave up on using the earbud buttons, except for turning them on. They’re easily accessible and the earbuds connect quickly to the smartphone, but I found it impossible to keep track of the actions controlled by each of the two buttons. In an effort to create an overly minimalist system, Aleck ended up complicating things. I would have preferred clearer controls, such as an ON/OFF button and another button to adjust the volume or answer a call, for example. On the phone, while the sound quality on the receiving end isn’t an issue, the same can’t be said for the microphone, which doesn’t perform well while driving. As for using the app, I didn’t find it practical. In fact, for members of a group to be located, they all need to be connected to the app at the same time. Similarly, to communicate while driving, each member must remain connected for the entire duration of the trip, regardless of the earbuds’ battery life—or even the phone’s.
In short, while I find the earbud system for riding with music reliable and a good way to stay focused on the road, I have more reservations about the value of group communication that isn’t always reliable and requires you to stay connected at all times. Because if the connection is lost (depending on the terrain), you have to stop and manually reconnect to the app. With only two buttons, an extremely simplified user manual, and an app that isn’t necessarily very intuitive, I’m not sure the Punks system will appeal to riders who aren’t very tech-savvy. And this is all the more true given that, as we know, regulations in France are quite strict regarding this type of device.
The ALECK PUNKS earbuds at a glance… Pros: battery life, fast charging, high-quality sound without cutting you off from the outside world, waterproof design Battery life: 12 hours of playback/talk time – Dust and water resistant: IP65 – Materials: ABS reinforced with polycarbonate – App language: English – Weight: 15 g each – Size: 12 mm thick – Diameter: 32 mm – Warranty: 1 year – Price: €164.95 (one pair), €307.95 (two pairs) Contact: aleck.io |
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