Originally Posted by
Leisesturm
I saw a Trek road bike the other day that was (factory?) painted completely in Hi-Viz neon green/yellow. I don't know... not my taste, but I would absolutely take that over a 'normal' paint job festooned with a multitude of reflective patches. Gag! A Hi-Viz jersey or jacket are going to send way more light back to a drivers eyes than any amount of frame reflectors. But, you probably aren't convinced. C'est la vie.
The tape is actually black. It is applied over top of factory lines on the frame. During the day it simply blends in, and at night it adds some extra visibility. While I do wear Hi-Viz items, I wanted the little bit extra from the frame itself.
Originally Posted by
Leisesturm
I'm sorry, however, I can't let you waltz away on the "patch kit with glue" thing. What's up with that? Have you tried glueless patches? I'll bet you haven't. Even the crap ones do a decent job. The ones from Park Tools are as good as a new tube. Better actually, you get a dozen of them for half the price of a new tube! I've had them hold air for so long that I got another flat in the same tube somewhere else. Glue on patches are headed for the same fate as that which befell CRT televisions and computer monitors.
I haven't had a flat in many years, so I've been unable to try them out. The best that I've heard of any glueless patches are that they'll get you home so you can put a better patch on.
Originally Posted by
Leisesturm
Also... not all of us have someone in a position to "bail us out" on the other end of a cell phone connection. Some of us have to be self-sufficient. And that's ok. Builds character. When you've walked two miles in the rain with a cracked frame you can have a little more perspective on life when you run out of ketchup on Fish and Chips night.
I'm actually not in a position to have someone bail me out. My phone exists simply so I can call someone who might be expecting me (work, roommate, etc.) and tell them that I won't be there on time. Two miles in the rain wouldn't be an issue. However, the time it takes to walk 15-20 miles could be an issue.