Commuting - add-on Reflectors for Topeak bags

I finally got the two bags I wanted (a Topeak trunk bag and a topeak wedge under-seat bag) for my bicycle. Each of these has a little loop that is designed to attach a topeak-branded LED blinker.

The bike already has a nice blinker on the back, so I'm not going to put another one one. However, I would like to get a high-quality reflector that will attach securely to the loop on the back of these bags. Does anyone know of one that will work? For reference, you can see the loop in this picture: http://www.nycbicycleshop.com/262-389-large/topeak-bike-seat-bag-aero-wedge-clip-medium-60-80ci.jpg

Thank you for any input,

No responses after a few days - is this a stupid question? If it is, please feel free to let me know (I am still very new to this and can take the criticism). I still can't seem to find a reflector that will work in this situation.

It's some sort of Holiday after the end of the Mayan world calender ran out..

There are self adhesive reflective tapes , and if the fabric is a PVC coated on the outside ,
stuff that goes on Raigear for the Fishing workers sticks good.

You might kludge an Iron on combination on cloth faced coated on the back fabric.

I could easily dig around in the old relectors in the LBS
and use a few bits and Pieces from the hardware store , and make something work,

so I am puzzled by those who cannot do simple Mechanical combinations .

Designing improvised solutions, as I see the Bins of stuff in the Store..

I finally got the two bags I wanted (a Topeak trunk bag and a topeak wedge under-seat bag) for my bicycle. Each of these has a little loop that is designed to attach a topeak-branded LED blinker.

The bike already has a nice blinker on the back, so I'm not going to put another one one. However, I would like to get a high-quality reflector that will attach securely to the loop on the back of these bags. Does anyone know of one that will work? For reference, you can see the loop in this picture: http://www.nycbicycleshop.com/262-389-large/topeak-bike-seat-bag-aero-wedge-clip-medium-60-80ci.jpg

Thank you for any input,

Not aware of any reflectors designed for that sort of mounting. But also not sure you should go reflector-only anyway -- two tail lights are better than one, run one steady, one blinking. The blinker gets noticed, the steady light makes it easier for drivers to track your position and speed. Get a second light with a good built-in reflector, e.g. PDW RadBot

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0030BQ3XO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=joshputnashom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0030BQ3XO

+1 on the Radbot. Great light and built-in reflector.

I thought about the OP when it was first posted but didn't know of any reflector-only products that met that description.

http://www.amazon.com/Portland-Design-Works-Radbot-Light/dp/B0030BS30K/ref=pd_sim_sg_4

Here is an even brighter version of the Radbot. This is the one I have. I would recommend it, as well as the one solid and one flash approach that jputnam mentioned.

I recommend 3M or similar reflective tape.

maybe a trouser tie strap with reflective material on it slipped through that blinkie mount?

http://www.amazon.com/Portland-Design-Works-Radbot-Light/dp/B0030BS30K/ref=pd_sim_sg_4

Here is an even brighter version of the Radbot. This is the one I have. I would recommend it, as well as the one solid and one flash approach that jputnam mentioned.

:thumb:This ^^^^

Answering the OP question first.
I would go to the L.B.S. ( L.ocal B.ike S.hop/S.tore ) you have the best experience with and ask them if they have any "take off" ( customer request remove ) rear reflectors that they could let you have.
Or go to any "auto parts store" or the auto parts section of any/most "Big Box" Mart and choose a D.O.T. ( D.epartment O.f T.ransportation ) approved reflector that best matches your needs.

As most/all traffic regulations require a rear red reflector attached to the bike to be legal on the road ( admittedly rarely enforced at best ), I just left the C.P.S.C. ( C.onsumer P.roducts S.afety C.ommission ) reflectors required on all new bikes sold in the U.S. on my bikes. Although most people Remove/Discard them soon after taking possession of their new bike as they are not considered fashionable and/or weight saving.

http://www.amazon.com/Portland-Design-Works-Radbot-Light/dp/B0030BS30K/ref=pd_sim_sg_4

Here is an even brighter version of the Radbot. This is the one I have. I would recommend it, as well as the one solid and one flash approach that jputnam mentioned.

As others have already stated the PDW Radbot is unusual in that it has a built in red reflector that REALLY works ( unlike many other lights that I have used ). I feel this to be an important advantage of the radbot design.

I also feel that you should give some serious thought to adding a least a second (minimum 1 watt visible in daylight) rear blinky to your inventory of safety equipment ( I personally roll with 3 night and day ).

As you have stated that you are a newbie. It is extremely important that you make sure that the rear light or lights, that are on your bike are properly aimed, since virtually all popular tail lights have a very tightly focused (read "small") bright spot.
Careless mounting of the light/lights can make a huge difference in how bright you appear to overtaking traffic.

I saw the post and didn't reply initially because I didn't know of any reflectors that come from a factory with a clip that would attach to that kind of mount.

I understand the desire to utilize the provided mount and agree with those suggesting lights, but I think both lights and reflectors have their utility. I suspect the OP probably already has lights mounted and is looking to add a reflector in addition to this.

The one suggestion I have in addition to the proposed repurposing a reflector with some sort of hardware is to check ebay. A number of the reflectors I've mounted I scored on ebay, some vintage, some newer. Reflectors used to be more popular, it's quite possible there used to be manufactured just what you are looking for and someone is selling it on ebay.

If you don't have an LBS that you have a rapport with or are comfortable asking for "take off" reflectors, I'd recommend seeing if there is a bicycle co-op or bicycle recycler* in your area. Not only with they have plenty of reflectors that you can attach something to them to attach them to your bag, but they'll likely have some interesting older reflectors. Your LBS should have plenty of reflectors though, many people dislike them and ask for them to be removed, and I suspect some bike shops remove them from some bikes before putting them on display so as to make them look cleaner. In fact, LBS' are so used to removing them, I had to ask for my reflector back off a rear wheel of mine that died and they had removed and were mounting a new rear wheel while I shopped for accessories! They were surprised when I asked for my reflector back, but I had purchased an extra long on as part of a set of amber and red ones!

Here in Seattle we seem to have two different places that I'd describe as bicycle recycler (in addition to the famous Recycled Cycles), there's a place I noticed called "Bicycle Pull-A-Part" and another place downtown that has bins of parts pulled off bikes. It's possible there may be something like this in your neck of the woods.

As most/all traffic regulations require a rear red reflector attached to the bike to be legal on the road ( admittedly rarely enforced at best ), I just left the C.P.S.C. ( C.onsumer P.roducts S.afety C.ommission ) reflectors required on all new bikes sold in the U.S. on my bikes. Although most people Remove/Discard them soon after taking possession of their new bike as they are not considered fashionable and/or weight saving.

I pull the CPSC reflectors because they're designed to ensure only a small part of the reflector is usefully-aimed.

The three facets aimed in different directions on CPSC reflectors are reasonable for sloppily-aimed reflectors on kids' bikes, they help ensure the reflector is still somewhat visible even when it's badly aligned. But on a well-maintained bike, having all of the reflector facing traffic is more effective.

FYI, in this photo, the overexposed red in the center is the Radbot reflector, not the Radbot light. It's a very good quality reflector.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8201/8206707046_a700f8cd7b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jputnam/8206707046/)
Rainy Day Conspicuity - Rear (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jputnam/8206707046/) by joshua_putnam (http://www.flickr.com/people/jputnam/), on Flickr

I'd second the Nathan reflective trouser straps- nice to have just in case.
If you interested in running a strip of Reflexite V92 looped through there and taped to itself, I'd be happy to send you some. I have the 1" wide in silver and gold on hand.