Reflectors - to keep or not to keep? [Archive] - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

Flur

08-25-2008, 08:11 PM

I'm fixing up my old bike that I've had since I was a teenager and I'm making it a commuter. It's still got the spoke reflectors and front and rear reflectors. My husband says they're dorky and I agree, but I do want to be as reflective as possible as the days get really short here and there's a good chance I'll be riding around at dusk or after dark. I'll be getting front and rear lights so I'm thinking the front and rear reflectors can go, but I'm wondering about the spoke reflectors. I have tires with reflective sidewalls, so I guess I don't really need the spoke reflectors, but I would think every little bit helps. So what do others do? Does the protection of the spoke reflectors override the dorkiness, or do they really not add value?

Grog

08-25-2008, 08:26 PM

Keep all the reflectors you already have (including the front and rear) and add more, like reflective stickers on your helmet and/or fenders, and wear reflective clothing...

Being a dork is GREAT compared to hearing "I didn't see her!" as your soul is escaping your body after being hit by a driver who could perhaps have caught a glimpse of you in time if you were more dorky and had more reflectors.

KnottedYet

08-25-2008, 08:31 PM

Becky

08-26-2008, 02:59 AM

I hate those big clunky plastic reflectors. I say ditch them. But replace them with reflective tape or whatever. I really like Lightweights for Wheels: http://www.lightweights.org/store/product.php?productid=1&cat=0&page=1. Easy to install, super-light, and they cover the entire wheel, not just a section.

Check out your local auto parts store too. You can often get reflective tape there.

crazycanuck

08-26-2008, 03:34 AM

Another vote for ditching the reflectors..!!! Just be as visible as possible.

I like the lightweights & need to get meself some!

-1 for looking like a dork

kacie tri-ing

08-26-2008, 03:37 AM

I am a vote for being as visible as possible! New reflectors or dorky reflectors!

Pax

08-26-2008, 03:44 AM

A friend of mine rides with Hokey Spokes (http://www.hokeyspokes.com/) and you can see her a mile away!

Aggie_Ama

08-26-2008, 03:45 AM

My husband says reflectors are nerdy- on the regular roadies. We both have front, rear and spoke reflectors on our commuters. I also have some decorative reflective tape I got from my SS that I will eventually put on (I have been a bit lazy).

7rider

08-26-2008, 04:20 AM

I agree that relectors are dorky and don't have them on my "good" road bike or my mountain bike.
BUT.....
I don't really care about the dork factor on my commuter and err on the side of "as much visibility as possible" with that bike. Reflectors are on that bike.
If the bike is pretty much to be used as a dedicated commuter, and you intend to commute at dusk and after dark, I would say keep the reflectors ON ....

Tri Girl

08-26-2008, 04:26 AM

I, too, vote for keeping the reflectors. My commuter bike is totally "dorked out." Front and rear, spokes, and reflective tape wherever I could put it (on the cranks, around the hubs, on the rear seat stays, etc). It doesn't look too dorky in daylight, but at night I'm lit up like a Christmas tree. I always err on the side of being "too" seen if there's such a thing.

amy

08-26-2008, 06:13 AM

I'm actually of the opinion that all the reflector options look a bit dorky... including the lightweights. But will I use them? Absolutely!! And at least right now, my commuter bike and my cool road bike are one and the same. So, I'll just have to take the judgments when I zip around on my dorked out road bike.

SadieKate

08-26-2008, 06:28 AM

Are you talking about those cheap rectangular plastic reflectors that span a few spokes and were on the bike in the shop? Trash them. I've seen the damage (and heard about more) when they slip and jam the rear wheel.

Lots of reflectors are good but not the type that cause sudden and unexpected stoppage.

Tape on your helmet can be applied tastefully and is up high where it shows.

I have reflective sidewalls also and they're probably the best for visibility and for motorists to actually be able to identify the moving object as a bicycle.

Eden

08-26-2008, 06:30 AM

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that there are probably better things these days than those old reflectors (reflective technology has come a long way recently).... why not get rid of them and put on something less dorky and more effective.

The reflective side wall tires you put on are very good. I went out with a bunch of people last year and we tested various lights and reflectors. We did find that for the most part reflectors still rule - they are brighter and more noticeable than lights (in fact #1 best light up the night item...... dorky orange traffic triangle!).

One light we did find quite good (and this was a surprise) was a tirefly - the kind that replaces your valve stem cap and blinks as it goes around. Hokey spokes sound more fun than plain old reflectors. How getting about getting really creative and using ultra reflective 3M "Diamond Grade" to make some reflective spoke cards. It comes in 4 or 5 colors and can be easily cut - in fact you can get precut reflective stickers right here on this web site. (though I'll bet most fixie riders would think it totally uncool ;)...)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3072/2639002524_2752574cbc.jpg?v=0

Serendipity

08-26-2008, 06:54 AM

I'm in favour of anything that increases my chances of being visible to drivers when I head out for the early morning commute, dorky or not!

In fact, I'm waiting for my order to come that is a whack of items to do just that - front light, rear light, the reflector things for the valves, a reflective triangle to put on my backpack, ankle strips, etc. etc. I suspect that by the time I get myself and my bike all decked out with those things, I'm going to bear a marked resemblance to a Christmas tree on wheels...:o

But, I'd rather be a visible dork, than the alternative....

Aggie_Ama

08-26-2008, 07:14 AM

Eden- Do those Tireflys fit presta valves? I like those in a totally Fred Commuter way. :p

kfergos

08-26-2008, 07:34 AM

I vote for more reflectors everywhere. Don't get rid of the front/rear ones, or replace them with "cooler" ones if you want to. But keep reflectors and add more -- reflectors can actually be BRIGHTER than your blinky lights when car headlights hit them.

Eden

08-26-2008, 07:43 AM

Eden- Do those Tireflys fit presta valves? I like those in a totally Fred Commuter way. :p

Looks like you need an adapter, but they can be fit to presta valves. I think there's more than one brand of valve stem light too.

We (the group of us testing night time equipment) figured that a little tiny LED like that wouldn't be very visible so we were all very surprised at how eye catching it really was. Over all lots of reflecting materials seemed to be the best way to go. LED blinkies no matter how bright were no where near as effective. Some things that really stood out: reflective piping on jackets- go figure.., reflectors on places that move - someone had a bunch of tape around the bottoms of their shoes- really visible.

Really, I probably wouldn't keep the standard old fashioned wheel reflectors. The old ones have been far surpassed in reflective technology and the new ones are made to be thrown away...... The reflective side walls that the OP already has on are already far better.

PscyclePath

08-26-2008, 07:53 AM

Eden- Do those Tireflys fit presta valves? I like those in a totally Fred Commuter way. :p

Ama:

The TireFlys are made for Schrader valves... but you can add a Schrader-to-Presta converter, and they'll work just fine.

As for the side reflectors in the wheel spokes, I usually take mine off as being more trouble than they are worth. They can loosen or break spokes, tend to unbalance the wheel, and can turn sideways and get hung up in the fork or the rear triangle. They are designed for wide-angle reflectivity only when at the top or bottom of the wheel. So, when the bicycle is stopped, the time they might actually be useful, they aren't real reliable. Even then, they can get hidden behind a pannier or your leg when you're stopped.

So, I routinely take mine off, and replace them with a reflective vest on me, ScotchLite 3M tape on my helmet, and the TireFlys. The TireFlys don't mess up the spokes, and they are active lights -- not reflectors -- so they attract more attention and don't depend upon your being "in the crosshairs" of a crossing motorist's headlights in order to work.

Tom

Zen

08-26-2008, 08:59 AM

They're not on your bike now, right?

Gather your reflectors and a flashlilght.
Take them out at night and see how good they are.

I'm not one to give a rat's butt whether I look "cool" or not.

How cool will you look in that hospital gown?

I'll wear a flashing chicken on my head if it keeps me visible in the dark.

Serendipity

08-26-2008, 09:14 AM

I'll wear a flashing chicken on my head if it keeps me visible in the dark.

Zen, that is just too funny! And a visual that I can't get out of my mind! LOL

Pax

08-26-2008, 09:54 AM

Zen, that is just too funny! And a visual that I can't get out of my mind! LOL

I'm trying to figure out if the chicken IS a flashing light or if the chicken is wearing a raincoat and flashing passers by. :p

spokewench

08-26-2008, 09:59 AM

In some areas, it is the law to have reflectors on your bike; and this is so that if your blinky gives out, you still have some kind of reflectorized stuff on your bike so people can see you in the dark.

spoke

crazycanuck

08-26-2008, 04:13 PM

K..I have lights on the back of my helmet, the bottom bracket(??) & my clothing has reflective stuff on it.

My rides are often on a purpose built bike path that goes nowhere near the road so I don't need them on me bike. I've not seen that many people in Perth with reflectors.

Same with a bell. UGH.

newfsmith

08-26-2008, 05:41 PM

In some states, reflectors are optional if you have lights. Others require DOT reflectors, still others require specific colors, sizes, and locations. Remember, if you are not in compliance with your local laws and are involved in an accident, that can mean that you may be found to have been negligent. If you are going to ride with the cars, why make the drivers' lawyer's job easier?

Zen

08-26-2008, 07:02 PM

I'm trying to figure out if the chicken IS a flashing light or if the chicken is wearing a raincoat and flashing passers by. :p

BOTH!

Grog

08-27-2008, 06:24 AM

I'm trying to figure out if the chicken IS a flashing light or if the chicken is wearing a raincoat and flashing passers by. :p

You just have to think about *where* the flashing light would be on the chicken.

Flur

08-27-2008, 07:32 AM

So the law here states that if riding at night I must have rear red reflector, but that a tail light is preferred (based on how it's worded it's not clear to me if this is an either/or or the reflector is required regardless). So this would mean I need to keep the rear reflector. BUT I'm putting on a rack and plan to have a rack bag, things bungeed to the rack, etc. that might block view of the reflector where it is currently placed. I've found a light/reflector combo that I can mount on the seatpost higher up than were the current one is, but does anyone know where I could find a reflector that I could mount on the back of the rack? Does tape or stickers work well there?

Also, the law states that I must have reflectors on ALL SIDES of my pedals. Hmm, I've never even seen that before. That kinda kills my plan to use BMX pedals (unless I put reflective tape on them), and would rule out clip-ins for all night riding. I'm guessing almost no one follows this law...

Any thoughts about putting red reflectors on the seat stays? Is the angle right for showing up at night? My bike is red, so they'll probably blend right in during the day.

newfsmith

08-27-2008, 11:28 AM

There are brackets for mounting lights & reflectors on seat stays, they just get banged up more.

Flur

08-27-2008, 04:29 PM

So I've ordered the rack and a 360 degree tail light that attaches to the rack, and a tail light that attaches to the seatpost, and when I get my rack bag I'll be putting a light on that too, along with reflector tape. I've decided to keep the front reflector and I also ordered a DiNotte 200L headlight and a cheapy headlight that I can set to blink, and I ordered this crazy bag (http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodTK_1402.html) and a little light to go on it. I also got the firefly bottle light so that one of my bottles can light up. Oh, and I ordered two knogs. Not sure what I'm going to do with them yet, but I'm sure I'll put them somewhere. I'll have to get my DH to take a pic of me once the bike and I are all geared out!

Flur

08-27-2008, 04:30 PM

There are brackets for mounting lights & reflectors on seat stays, they just get banged up more.

Oh, I should have been more clear. I was thinking reflective stickers on the seat stays...

Eden

08-27-2008, 05:26 PM

Oh, I should have been more clear. I was thinking reflective stickers on the seat stays...

Reflective sticker on the seat stays are *very* effective. One of the guys last year had orange reflective tape on his front fork and seat stays. He was probably the most visible thing all night. - Oh yeah, we also noticed that colored reflective tape was better than plain silver, which can just look like a reflection.

kacie tri-ing

08-28-2008, 03:37 AM

I love those hokey spokes! Talk about visible! I showed my DH those, and he was ready to order me tons of them (I commute in the dark every morning).

Happy commutes!

Aggie_Ama

08-28-2008, 03:50 AM

My husband thinks his commuter bike doesn't need anymore lights or reflectors. It is far from looking like a Christmas tree *sigh*. He can be such a PITA!!!!

SadieKate

08-28-2008, 05:56 AM

That's why the reflective sidewalls are so nice. Stealth reflectors.:p

kfergos

08-28-2008, 06:21 AM

How getting about getting really creative and using ultra reflective 3M "Diamond Grade" to make some reflective spoke cards. It comes in 4 or 5 colors and can be easily cut - in fact you can get precut reflective stickers right here on this web site.

Where can you get the uncut 3M reflective tape? My experience with pre-cut reflective stickers is that they just don't stick very well on rounded surfaces (such as bike tubes) or of course fabric. Is the 3M diamond grade stuff stickier than the pre-cut stuff, too?

SadieKate

08-28-2008, 06:31 AM

Um, you know TE does sell stuff? :p

http://www.teamestrogen.com/product/gear/on-your-bike/c0-c60-c61-p0.html?sorter=price-desc

Becky

08-28-2008, 06:44 AM

Um, you know TE does sell stuff? :p

http://www.teamestrogen.com/product/gear/on-your-bike/c0-c60-c61-p0.html?sorter=price-desc

Thoe Fun Reflectors stick quite well, almost too well! Clean the area first with something like isopropyl alcohol, and those things won't move!

kfergos

08-28-2008, 06:46 AM

Um, you know TE does sell stuff? :p

http://www.teamestrogen.com/product/gear/on-your-bike/c0-c60-c61-p0.html?sorter=price-desc

:eek: Really?!!

Hehe seriously...they sell only stickers, not actual rolls of hard-core reflective tape like you see on semi trucks and so forth. Much as I'd like to put red reflective hearts on my bike, I think something more eye-catching might be good... :D

BethG

08-28-2008, 07:03 AM

Flur

08-28-2008, 07:21 AM

After reading the posts in this thread and a number of others that came up in my search, I've concluded that to be seen it's good to have a lot of both. That's the route I'm going.

I know that 3 hokey spokes per wheel are needed to have consistent color all the way around the wheel, but I would think one is enough to been noticeable to drivers. Has anyone tried with just one per wheel?

SadieKate

08-28-2008, 07:25 AM

:eek: Really?!!

Hehe seriously...they sell only stickers, not actual rolls of hard-core reflective tape like you see on semi trucks and so forth. Much as I'd like to put red reflective hearts on my bike, I think something more eye-catching might be good... :DNo, they don't. They sell long strips of 3M Tape under the Joglite brand. I know so. I've bought it from them and it's still listed on the website.

Try looking at "view all" or page 2.

SadieKate

08-28-2008, 07:26 AM

Here: http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodJL_49040.html

And here: http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodJL_49060.html

SadieKate

08-28-2008, 07:30 AM

After reading the posts in this thread and a number of others that came up in my search, I've concluded that to be seen it's good to have a lot of both. That's the route I'm going.Except for hokey spokes, lights don't show very well from the side. I've seen riders that looked liked Xmas trees from front and rear from the lights, but turned to cross the road and disappeared. I agree, you need both.

I think you have to judge how much of each to place front/rear and on the sides based on your riding conditions. No street lights can mean fewer lights are needed but reflectors don't work. Lots of street lights may mean you need more of everything.

Eden

08-28-2008, 07:49 AM

Reflectors may be brighter than a light, but they're only visible if light from something else hits it. At the right angle.

Not saying scrap them, but if you're on a road at night, lights/flashers are the way to go.

http://sheldonbrown.com/reflectors.html

I don't think anyone is saying go out without any flashers and while it is true that reflectors only work at a certain angle a number of reflectors at different places on a bike are WAY more effective than any flashing light I've ever seen. Flashers tend to only be very visible in no light situations. If you ride like me, mainly in city conditions with street lights and lots of cars, flashers tend to disappear - even the ultra bright one. And of course it also runs true that flashers are also only visible if they are placed well, not blocked and many are only viewable from certain angles.......the same as reflectors.

A bunch of us tested lots of our own different set ups last year, both in true dark (well as close as you can get in a city) and with car/suv headlights, with the headlights behind and from the side - many of us were quite concerned about being visible to cars not just from the front and rear, but especially from the side. We made some surprising observations. I'll tell you flashers alone really don't cut it. I was quite surprised at how dim my very bright flashies looked from even a modest distance (I have 4 - 2 Knogs on my messenger bag, a very bright taillight and Cateye led front flasher). Even the Planet Bike Superflash is nothing compared to well placed reflectors.

Eden

08-28-2008, 07:55 AM

Where can you get the uncut 3M reflective tape? My experience with pre-cut reflective stickers is that they just don't stick very well on rounded surfaces (such as bike tubes) or of course fabric. Is the 3M diamond grade stuff stickier than the pre-cut stuff, too?

There are places online of course that sell it. I'm not sure the diamond grade comes as tape - it comes as sheets and pieces that are about 4x6 or maybe 3.5x5 (which is what made me think of spoke cards). My husband got some sheets at the hardware store in the mailbox/house number section. It is very sticky. He has some on the seat stays of his bike and it hasn't budged. I have some on my buddy flap and fender that has stuck for a whole year fine too.

We have a fabric store around here that sells technical fabrics. (like Cordura, nylon for making tents - Gortex type materials, neoprene) They also have a huge selection of reflective items. They have iron on, sew on and self stick tapes and sew in reflective piping.

dex

08-28-2008, 09:19 AM

We have a fabric store around here that sells technical fabrics. (like Cordura, nylon for making tents - Gortex type materials, neoprene) They also have a huge selection of reflective items. They have iron on, sew on and self stick tapes and sew in reflective piping.

Ok, slightly off-topic. Sorry, but...

Where?? I just had a conversation this morning over breakfast where someone was wondering where they might be able to buy those kinds of fabrics. Specifically, we were talking about tents.

Becky

08-28-2008, 09:24 AM

Ok, slightly off-topic. Sorry, but...

Where?? I just had a conversation this morning over breakfast where someone was wondering where they might be able to buy those kinds of fabrics. Specifically, we were talking about tents.

Doesn't Seattle Fabrics sell all of that stuff? I was there once, several years ago though, so my recollection may be a bit fuzzy.