KnoxBreezer

Spent the last three evenings applying reflective vinyl pinstripes and High-Intensity Retro-Reflective (Conspicuity) tape to the Breezer.

I used a combination of both white and black 1/4 inch pinstripes on the frame, fenders, and fork. The 1" silver High-Intensity stuff I cut into strips and secured in four places to each rim between spokes. Another 3" strip was applied to each crank. I also cut a small square and affixed it to the backside of my Take-a-Look mirror (you can see it in the pics below below the bike).

The black pinstripping is effective, but really not as bright compared to the white stuff. You can notice the difference in the pictures, the stripes appearing bright white from all angles are white pinstripes, while the "yellowish" reflected light is all from black pinstriping. Granted when light shines straight on the black stuff lights up pretty good, but my goal in this application was to cover as many angles as possible and have several rotating or moving reflectors to draw attention. Ohh, and there are some of those Nathan brand super bright yellow stickers on there too.

Any suggestions? I guess I should take a regular daylight picture as well for comparison. The black pinstripes sure do dissapear on the black frame during the day!

Dead Extra #2

Looks good. It would also be nice to see a picture taken in the dark.

How's the Breezer treating you?

CastIron

Rule #1 of reflective bits: The car has to aimed at you to be seen.
As reflective bits go, you're doing pretty good.
I'd suggest: Lots-o-blinkies, reflective bits on the narrow side of crank arms (different colors on opposite sides of the same arm), refelctive material on the shoes. I put SOLAS tape all the way around the hard edge of the soles.

oboeguy

That seems pretty good to me: it looks like you have all the angles covered, plus put stuff on moving parts like the rims (nice touch there, I've done the same on my folder).

AndrewP

I dont think you need care about reflectors showing to the side. If the car can see them it is too late. You can put a decent sized piece on the back of the saddle, and also on the backs of the cranks. You could double the number of reflectors on the rims.

dalmore

I disagree. Good clean reflectors start to "glow" noticablly in my eyes long before the object is in the light where I can see it. But, lights would be better still. Granted, most car drivers only see the bike from the side when the bike is crossing their path of travel. So yea it may be too late if they see you from that angle no matter what lighting conditions. All the more reason to be lit up. That half second of braking from the car may be enough to get you out the path...

While I agree with your point that lights would be better, that's not necessarily true that reflective bits only help when the car is aimed at you. Sure, that's when refelctors help most. But reflectors reflect all light so it could reflect light from another source, not just the car's headlights. And it doesn't have to be a direct light source. When I open my garage on sunny days, my reflective safety vest "glows" from the shadows. There is no light hitting it except whatever light is reflected off the white concrete - well beige concrete - driveway. Granted, again, lights would be better still.

KnoxBreezer -I like the reflectors on the helmet but don't forget the reflective anklets and safety vest. Should you happen to fall off the bike, you want to be seen ...

What kind of tape did you use? And how was the application?

KnoxBreezer

The tape type is linked to the suppliers in my original post. I think I got the recommendations off another similar thread in this forum. With shipping I think I'm out maybe a total of $35 for reflective bits. I have plenty left over for my wife's bike and any future bike reflective needs. I got 1/4" black and white pinstripes, as well as a 1" x 10' section of that High Intensity stuff in "Silver."

Application was easy, took me a couple evenings to get it all on (working an hour or two each night). I'm a bit compulsive, so if I take the fenders off in the future (for repairs or servicing) I may retape the white pinstripes to get them "perfect." Putting the tape on while everything was attached to the bike was a bit of a challenge, but it's serviceable and relatively straight.

A night I always wear ankle reflectors. In all season's but summer I have a hi-vis yellow jacket/vest, and in summer I always keep one of those nathan reflective triangle things (the kind with the belt you can just clip on real quick).

Tape seems to be working, had a late night ride home yesterday after a free concert in downtown. I got a "Git a Caaaarrrr!" from some redneck woman as she cut me off to park steet side at the Greyhound station....

Right now, I'm still in love with the Breezer. Sure it's a bit heavy, but it rides like a caddy, and the upright position has been treating me nicely. I'm not worried about weight on my city bike. If I pick up a six pack on the way home, doesn't that negate the $$$ I'd spend to try and keep my bike weight down? The built in generator lights are bright, the nexus hub is a dream.

dalmore

Cool Thanks, I missed the links in the first post.

ghettocruiser

These guys in cars DO have their headlights on, right?

The classic pitfall of retro-reflective materials the world over.

Nucks

Hi,

I'm in Canada and I notice that the second link company will only ship internationally for orders over $100. (I don't understand this restriction because shipping 10' of this stuff to Canada is extremely easy) Anyway, I think $100 would be overkill so does anyone know of a source for this stuff that will ship to Canada in reasonable quantities?

Cheers,


James

eyefloater

Hey, Uptown 8 w/ the Arkel bags. Nice setup. We sell a lot of the gear you use at my shop. That looks like a great commuting bike for around town. One suggestion ... I'm not sure if it has a loop for it, but maybe try attaching a small blinkie to the back of your helmet. That'll put it in a nice high location for better visability.

Off the top of my head, Bell Metros are designed to fit a light in the back but you could always get creative and find a new way to mount one on your's.