Reflectors - to keep or not to keep?

[kfergos]

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]

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

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]

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

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]

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]

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]

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.

[spokewench]

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]

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]

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]

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.

BOTH!

[Grog]

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.

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

[Flur]

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]

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

[Flur]

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 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]

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...