Reflectors
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 8
Bikes: Trek Madone 4.5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Reflectors
I think it's a good idea to keep the reflectors on the front and back of my new bike, but what about the reflectors on my wheels? I'm training for a tri and haven't seen a lot of bikes with anything on the wheels? Advice?
#2
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,796
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1392 Post(s)
Liked 1,324 Times
in
836 Posts
I do not use wheel reflectors. You might either try to find tires with reflective sidewalls or put some reflective tape on your rims. Front and rear reflectors are far less helpful than good lighting systems.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: in bed with your mom
Posts: 13,696
Bikes: who cares?
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
only freds leave their wheel reflectors on the bike, and you will be able to ride substantially faster without them.
#4
Arrogant Safety Nanny
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Santa Maria, CA
Posts: 554
Bikes: 2007 Trek 7.2 FX, 2008 Trek Madone 5.2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Check the laws in your state. I didn't know which Kansas City to look up the laws for . Where I am (California) the following is required at night:
-Front white light visible from 300 feet from the front and sides
-A rear facing red reflector visible from 500 feet when illuminated by lawful high beams
-White or amber pedal, shoe, or ankle reflectors facing front and rear
-A white or amber reflector facing each side on the front half of the bicycle (not required if reflectorized tires are used)
-A white or red reflector facing each side on the rear half of the bicycle (not required if reflectorized tires are used)
In California the front reflector is not required.
Even though a rear light is not required by law in California, I think everybody should use at least 2 rear lights. Occasionally lights will run out of batteries or break, and it is possible for the rider not to notice when a rear light has stopped working. Having 2 lights fail on a ride is much less likely than one light failing. I use a minimum of 4 rear lights and 3 front lights on my commute, but I'm a light fiend like that . Note that California law does not make an exception to the required rear reflector no matter how many rear lights one uses, so if you do add one or more rear lights check your local laws before removing any rear reflector.
So by California law, one could remove the spoke reflectors, as long as you substitute by using tires with reflectorized sidewalls or put additional reflectors on your frame.
3M makes black reflective tape that shines white when hit by light. If you have black areas on your frame or black rims you could apply some of that tape in those places.
Of course if you just ride during the day, the law doesn't require any visibility equipment at all.
Here's a picture of my current commuter rig. The rear spoke reflector fell off, but since I have the reflective material on the frame I'm still legal. I also added some reflective tape on the rim between the spokes on the rear tire just to be safe .
-Front white light visible from 300 feet from the front and sides
-A rear facing red reflector visible from 500 feet when illuminated by lawful high beams
-White or amber pedal, shoe, or ankle reflectors facing front and rear
-A white or amber reflector facing each side on the front half of the bicycle (not required if reflectorized tires are used)
-A white or red reflector facing each side on the rear half of the bicycle (not required if reflectorized tires are used)
In California the front reflector is not required.
Even though a rear light is not required by law in California, I think everybody should use at least 2 rear lights. Occasionally lights will run out of batteries or break, and it is possible for the rider not to notice when a rear light has stopped working. Having 2 lights fail on a ride is much less likely than one light failing. I use a minimum of 4 rear lights and 3 front lights on my commute, but I'm a light fiend like that . Note that California law does not make an exception to the required rear reflector no matter how many rear lights one uses, so if you do add one or more rear lights check your local laws before removing any rear reflector.
So by California law, one could remove the spoke reflectors, as long as you substitute by using tires with reflectorized sidewalls or put additional reflectors on your frame.
3M makes black reflective tape that shines white when hit by light. If you have black areas on your frame or black rims you could apply some of that tape in those places.
Of course if you just ride during the day, the law doesn't require any visibility equipment at all.
Here's a picture of my current commuter rig. The rear spoke reflector fell off, but since I have the reflective material on the frame I'm still legal. I also added some reflective tape on the rim between the spokes on the rear tire just to be safe .
#5
Conservative Hippie
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Wakulla Co. FL
Posts: 4,271
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Only one of my bikes still has the stock wheel reflectors. All my trailers still have them. None of my bikes has front nor rear reflectors. All the bikes but the one with the wheel reflectors has reflective tape on the rims. All my bikes have reflective tape on the frames, forks and seat stays.
At night, no reflector is a replacement for active lights and redundant active lights.
If your state requires a CPSC certified, red, rear reflector in addition to lights; the Cateye TL-LD500 covers this. Which is why I use these as my redundant taillights and as my primary taillights on my trailers. Enough though FL doesn't have the reflector requirement.
At night, no reflector is a replacement for active lights and redundant active lights.
If your state requires a CPSC certified, red, rear reflector in addition to lights; the Cateye TL-LD500 covers this. Which is why I use these as my redundant taillights and as my primary taillights on my trailers. Enough though FL doesn't have the reflector requirement.
#6
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 8
Bikes: Trek Madone 4.5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thank you all! I sure don't want to be a "fred" (am I that old... or that young?) and I hope not to ride at night too much. But, a life with work and kids is going to require some evening training, so I'll take all this into account. I appreciate the words.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Outside..somewhere
Posts: 433
Bikes: Fuji, Specialized, Cannondale, Columbia
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Outside..somewhere
Posts: 433
Bikes: Fuji, Specialized, Cannondale, Columbia
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If you want reflectors to the sides you also might consider some reflector tape in the form of pin striping. You can pick it up at most automotive supply stores. It's easy to apply and you can do some creative designs. As posted above 3M has various types one of which is the black. Here's a link to a sight that has some of the stuff : https://www.identi-tape.com/index.html
#9
www.chipsea.blogspot.com
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: South of Dallas, Texas
Posts: 1,026
Bikes: Giant OCR C0 road
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Night or day, I most often ride my CF road bike. I have a lot of reflective tape on it and use blinkies after dark. I do not have spoke reflectors on this bike.
I have a single-speed I use in bad weather, with fenders. On that bike I took the spoke reflector off of the rear wheel and put it on the front wheel opposite the other reflector. (To balance out the wheel!) In the dark and rain or fog they can be seen sooner from side angles as they have better reflectivity than tape.
Keep in mind that reflectors are marginal for visibility. Much depends on the light source and angle to the motorist's eye. Do keep your reflectors clean.
Best is to have a positive light source on your person or bicycle. Reflectors are extra!
I have a single-speed I use in bad weather, with fenders. On that bike I took the spoke reflector off of the rear wheel and put it on the front wheel opposite the other reflector. (To balance out the wheel!) In the dark and rain or fog they can be seen sooner from side angles as they have better reflectivity than tape.
Keep in mind that reflectors are marginal for visibility. Much depends on the light source and angle to the motorist's eye. Do keep your reflectors clean.
Best is to have a positive light source on your person or bicycle. Reflectors are extra!
#10
Devilmaycare Cycling Fool
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Wynnum, Australia
Posts: 3,819
Bikes: 1998 Cannondale F700
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Wheel reflectors serve no useful function whatsoever. They should be removed forthwith, and replaced with spokey-dokes.
#11
Still Around
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 285
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Actually I like wheel reflectors for they do show up well to motorists at (or approaching) intersections who may be turning into the street I am already proceeding on; the sooner motorists are aware of my presence, the better. Wheel balance, weight, or efficiency considerations? Pshaw!!
#12
Banned
My winter commuter has spoke reflectors on both front and rear wheels, and I'm sure there has been at least a couple of times this winter that they more than made up for their disadvantages. My summer bike doesn't have any spoke reflectors though, since it has areo type wheels that have reflective decal tape on them, plus it would "freddisize" the bike, and ruin it's sleek appearance.
#13
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,796
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1392 Post(s)
Liked 1,324 Times
in
836 Posts
Reflective tape really does work. When I was doing a lot of day and night commuting in Los Angeles, I had alternating strips of orange dayglow and red/white striped reflective tape on my trusty old Armstrong klunker, and folks commented that they could really see me coming or going.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: northern California
Posts: 5,603
Bikes: Bruce Gordon BLT, Cannondale parts bike, Ecodyne recumbent trike, Counterpoint Opus 2, miyata 1000
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Most every time spoke reflectors come up someone worries about a smart lawyer spotting your "violation" and claiming it reduces the liability of your opponent in a lawsuit. Anyone ever seen an actual case? If I were in an area where the Law had a ----on for cyclists I'd have all the stuff even remotely required. Even in the day time.
#15
Still Around
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 285
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Better yet, can any of the lawyer wannabes point out examples of a bicyclists' reflector violations [B] used in a successful defense by a motorist or an insurance company in a civil lawsuit, or insurance claim?
Last edited by iltb-2; 01-31-08 at 08:19 AM.
#16
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
Most every time spoke reflectors come up someone worries about a smart lawyer spotting your "violation" and claiming it reduces the liability of your opponent in a lawsuit. Anyone ever seen an actual case? If I were in an area where the Law had a ----on for cyclists I'd have all the stuff even remotely required. Even in the day time.
#17
Still Around
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 285
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
And maybe even go through some details that the law doesn't require - like helmets. But what some grasping character might do, doesn't necessarily amount to diddley, and I hardly think a sensible person would limit their actions based on what a mythical shyster might do.
#18
:)
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: duluth
Posts: 3,391
Bikes: '07 Pista, '09 Fantom Cross Uno, '8? Miyata, '67 Stingray, '0? Zoo mod trials, Tallbike, Chopper, '73 Schwinn Collegiate, '67 Triumph Chopper, '69 CB350, '58 BSA Spitfire, '73 CB450
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I rock reflectors on my main ride. Actually, I think all my bikes except for MTB and Track bike have them.
#19
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
No, the email notifications don't hide posts from people on my ignore list...
The problem is, shysters aren't sensible, and they'll do everything they can to screw the person on the other side of the aisle.
There are a few lawyers that are in the profession to help people, yes -- but I'm willing to bet that they're partly trying to help protect people from the jackholes who also passed their bar exams.
There are a few lawyers that are in the profession to help people, yes -- but I'm willing to bet that they're partly trying to help protect people from the jackholes who also passed their bar exams.
#20
Still Around
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 285
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The problem is, shysters aren't sensible, and they'll do everything they can to screw the person on the other side of the aisle.
There are a few lawyers that are in the profession to help people, yes -- but I'm willing to bet that they're partly trying to help protect people from the jackholes who also passed their bar exams.
There are a few lawyers that are in the profession to help people, yes -- but I'm willing to bet that they're partly trying to help protect people from the jackholes who also passed their bar exams.