Why do people say to remove the wheel reflectors? Is it aesthetics or for some aerodynamic reason?
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Thread: why remove wheel reflectors
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07-08-2007, 07:36 PM #1
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why remove wheel reflectors
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07-08-2007, 08:19 PM #2
Faster, faster!
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Well, they do look a little lame on a fast bike, right? Also they're heavy, if you're concerned about weight. On low-spoke-count wheels, they can have a tendency to loosen up and slide around, making noise and generally causing distraction... If you're riding during the day, they aren't doing much good, and if you're riding at night, lights are mandatory anyway, so are the wheel reflectors really necessary, esp. given how bright good blinking tail-lights are, and the fact that you'll probably have additional blinkies/reflective clothing... (someone's going to disagree with this though).
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07-08-2007, 08:26 PM #3
Don't whine
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Visibility from the side is what I worry about. So I have reflective sidewall tires and kept the spoke reflectors. Very visible from the side, and have more surface area than if I mounted side blinkies.
(I was driving my car and saw a bike from the side that had reflective tires. That bike lit up in my headlights and was clearly a bike! Big round wheels glowing at me!)Last edited by KnottedYet; 07-08-2007 at 08:28 PM.
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07-08-2007, 08:31 PM #4
Biking Slowly Now
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The reflectors seemed to make my wheels wobble when I went fast down the hill, that's why I took mine off.
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07-08-2007, 08:54 PM #5
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I think it's largely a style issue.
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07-08-2007, 09:01 PM #6
Faster, faster!
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I actually like the idea of reflective tires. Probably not for regular roadbike since I don't ride it at night often, but I've seriously considered a pair for my commute bike and might spring for it this winter when it starts getting dark early. The side visibility issue is important. I just don't like those spoke reflectors
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07-09-2007, 04:12 AM #7
Head up. Shoulders down.
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It's really a personal style thing....sort of like removing the chain guard behind the cassette.
Originally Posted by farrellcollie
I wouldn't (couldn't?) put reflectors on my road bike...but as with Liza's, it doesn't go out in the dark.
My commuter has reflectors still, and reflective sidewall tires for the winter (not now).2007 Seven ID8 - Bontrager InForm
2003 Klein Palomino - Terry Firefly (?)
2010 Seven Cafe Racer - Bontrager InForm
2008 Cervelo P2C - Adamo Prologue Saddle
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07-09-2007, 04:41 AM #8
Slow and Steady
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I'm a Fred. I left my reflectors on. 90+% of my rides are during the day, but....occassionally I'm out very eary in the morning or in rain and fog. Not dark, but not full daylight. On those occassions, having the reflectors gives me just a boost of visibility.
However, since seeing the reflective sidewall tires (thanks TE for expanding my knowledge!), my next tires will be the reflective variety and I'll probably un-Fred myself of the wheel reflectors. But, not the rack, the rack reflector, the handlebar bag, the dork disk.....sigh....
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