I have rear lights, and I already have some reflective stuff, but I want a big reflector on my rack. I've decided on the flat oval generic automobile/trailer reflectors.
Does the known general warning of red overcome the increased brightness of the orange/amber? I've been playing with them and I just can't decide.
Possible orange pros in my case: brighter overall (by a large amount) and adds another color to the rear of my bike (have white, 2 shades of red and yellow as of now)
Possible red advantages: Harsher warning color, red things along and on the road are things you know you want to avoid and being known that it is likely the rear of something (not sure that this is any real advantage in this case). I don't have any large patches of red right now, just some tape wrapped around the seat stays and rear rack supports, bar ends and blinkie(s).
More worried that orange, while bright, will blend in with other more common orange reflectors on and along the road.
Not going to do both at the moment and not terribly worried about any legal aspects.
The Human Car
04-19-08, 09:58 AM
Well if you want my 2 cents go with the orange. If you are worried about blending in with other roadside hazards put some reflective tape on the cranks and pedals so the fact that it is a bicycle stands out.
Recycle
04-19-08, 11:11 AM
I think your legal choices are red or both red and orange. Texas code requires a white light in the front and a red reflector or red light in the back to ride at night.
tdister
04-19-08, 10:32 PM
I've decided on Red for now. In experimenting tonight, my reflective triangle overwhelms either color. Brightness took a step back in ultimate importance. Red contrasts against the triangle better and offers the harsher warning color.
Orange is brighter but, when driving up behind it, it gave me less of a danger feeling. Like maybe it was a mailbox or driveway marker ahead and not a motor/bicycle/car/something that really needs my attn.
If you can decipher it, here is a pic of my current reflective setup. From top down: reflective triangle on camelbak (always on), white stripe on my trunk bag (often on, have reflective tape on seat clamp for when it isn't), new oval reflector, red/white reflective tape on rack/seat stays and, finally, my shoes (sitting on boxes) with reflective material on heels. The arch of white is tape on my wheel. Rediculous enough?
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee144/tdister3/perry.jpg
JoeyBike
04-19-08, 10:36 PM
You can never be TOO seen in my opinion.
Blue Order
04-20-08, 04:51 PM
I've decided on Red for now. In experimenting tonight, my reflective triangle overwhelms either color. Brightness took a step back in ultimate importance. Red contrasts against the triangle better and offers the harsher warning color.
Orange is brighter but, when driving up behind it, it gave me less of a danger feeling. Like maybe it was a mailbox or driveway marker ahead and not a motor/bicycle/car/something that really needs my attn.
If you can decipher it, here is a pic of my current reflective setup. From top down: reflective triangle on camelbak (always on), white stripe on my trunk bag (often on, have reflective tape on seat clamp for when it isn't), new oval reflector, red/white reflective tape on rack/seat stays and, finally, my shoes (sitting on boxes) with reflective material on heels. The arch of white is tape on my wheel. Rediculous enough?
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee144/tdister3/perry.jpgThe most effective location for reflective material will be on your arms and legs, because it's the motion of your extremities that will tip off drivers that you're a cyclist, and not a signpost.
DieselDan
04-20-08, 06:17 PM
US CPSC requires a red rear facing reflector.
seeker333
04-20-08, 09:25 PM
i recommend you supplement the reflective objects with some good quality flashers...