Originally Posted by mav67
As I read somewhere on the forums, I decided to stick some reflective tape on my rims. I bought some 3M Scotchbrite self-adhesive which was red in color. The problem is that I don't find it very reflective at all! I pretty much need to shine a flashlight directly on the tape to get any reflection. Maybe it's a problem with the red color? I think I may need to try silver next time, which is a shame, red looks nicer on my bike.
I have worked with 3M when using reflective tape in underground mines. Forget the red. The white or silver variety is such a good retroreflector it is likely that the flashlight beam was being reflected back at the flashlight, not at your eyes. Try backing off 50 to 100 feet and hold the light close to the line between the tape and your eyes. 3M makes tapes with wider reflection angles for when the light source is at a poor angle to the tape. I have the bright silver type on my rims. My Cannondale has that tape on all of the frame members. As well as about 20 feet of it on my pick-up truck. Remember looking nice is not why you are doing this. If the silver looks bad get a second bike for day use. (see, another excuse to buy another bike
)