Bike stuff that bugs you more than it bugs most people
01-13-21, 09:50 AM
#451
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I've seen reflective vests mentioned, but I can't seem to find one of those around here that I would want to wear on the bike, they're all too flappy.
01-13-21, 10:04 AM
#452
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Right there with you. My winter jacket is black, mostly because I hate buying clothes online and that's all that the LBS had in stock
I've seen reflective vests mentioned, but I can't seem to find one of those around here that I would want to wear on the bike, they're all too flappy.
I've seen reflective vests mentioned, but I can't seem to find one of those around here that I would want to wear on the bike, they're all too flappy.
Lightweights Power Reflectors
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01-13-21, 10:24 AM
#453
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Reflective tape has come a long way since I was a kid. I'm sure you could add these or stuff like these to you favorite jackets and shells.
Lightweights Power Reflectors
Lightweights Power Reflectors
That could work since that jacket doesn't get washed super regularly
01-13-21, 11:49 AM
#454
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If I have to ride in good/dark clothes I wear Sam Brown Reflective Belt. They fold up to nothing so you can stow them in a pocket when not needed, I don't know what they are called in the US. I found reflective tap peels off after a few weeks
01-14-21, 09:45 PM
#455
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can't hurt... unless you get the drivers wondering what you are and end up driving into you as they just stare at you. 
only partly kidding... I've had people do that when I've been riding a recumbent. I think the term is "target fixation". I had to give them a signal to get back on their side of the road.
I've also had a teenage kid nearly run me over as he stared at my tail light one night. <sigh> He hit my pannier and came back to check on me.
Be visible, and keep a close eye on the idiots around you.
Steve in Peoria
(target fixation is what killed Lieutenant Murphy in my squadron in the Marines. He pulled up too late on a bombing run and flew into the ground)
only partly kidding... I've had people do that when I've been riding a recumbent. I think the term is "target fixation". I had to give them a signal to get back on their side of the road.
I've also had a teenage kid nearly run me over as he stared at my tail light one night. <sigh> He hit my pannier and came back to check on me.
Be visible, and keep a close eye on the idiots around you.
Steve in Peoria
(target fixation is what killed Lieutenant Murphy in my squadron in the Marines. He pulled up too late on a bombing run and flew into the ground)
Last edited by seypat; 01-14-21 at 09:54 PM.
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01-14-21, 11:14 PM
#456
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I outgrew the need to pass everyone in front of me 20 years ago. If you are the masher I speak of, take no offense. Personally I am mostly entertained watching Cyclists ahead of me.
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01-18-21, 09:43 AM
#457
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So much of the cold weather clothing on the market seems to be black.
I expect tights and booties to be black, but I see black jackets and just wonder why it can't be offered in something more visible. Cold weather implies overcast weather or night riding and makes high visibility a priority!
Lights certainly help, but being able to see the rider's torso makes it more obvious what the other road user is about to encounter.
Steve in Peoria (and I hope that this is something that bothers more than just a few folks)
I expect tights and booties to be black, but I see black jackets and just wonder why it can't be offered in something more visible. Cold weather implies overcast weather or night riding and makes high visibility a priority!
Lights certainly help, but being able to see the rider's torso makes it more obvious what the other road user is about to encounter.
Steve in Peoria (and I hope that this is something that bothers more than just a few folks)
GREAT for low light riding. Not so good for driving...
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01-18-21, 12:49 PM
#458
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My wife bought me a Proviz jacket, which I quite like. The thing is so reflective that it is quite distracting when I am driving while wearing it. Every oncoming vehicle causes the jacket to dazzle my eyes...
GREAT for low light riding. Not so good for driving...
GREAT for low light riding. Not so good for driving...
To keep with the thread's theme... I guess I'd say "It bugs me when my clothing is so visible that it blinds me".
Steve in Peoria
01-18-21, 01:30 PM
#459
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Doubtful you could wear one of these and a chest strap HRM at the same time. The main strap on the vest occupies the same area that the HRM strap does. You would need to go to an arm band HRM. I hear they're all the rage now, anyway.
01-18-21, 02:23 PM
#460
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Bad bike photos.
It's a digital world. Take a moment and think it all through. It shouldn't be that hard.
It's a digital world. Take a moment and think it all through. It shouldn't be that hard.
01-18-21, 03:13 PM
#461
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01-21-21, 07:44 AM
#462
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People in the elevator at work commenting that I rode in to work on a particularly wet / cold / snowy / hot / dry / humid / or any adverse weather day... "So, you rode in today". 1) How could the helmet on my head possibly have suggested this? 2) You already know I ride in every day.
Last edited by southpawboston; 01-21-21 at 07:50 AM.
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01-21-21, 09:07 AM
#463
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It's easily bad depictions of bikes: lazy illustrators and sculptors who don't want to use reference so they draw weird frame angles, missing tubes (chain stays especially), brake levers but no brakes, hubs that look narrow and pinched, handlebars sprouting out of the top of the fork with no stem, drivetrain on the left, etc. The more respected the artist, the angrier it makes me.
Example: Note the bent fork, 0 cm length stem, cranks that aren't opposed, drivetrain not hooked up to the rear wheel, and the seat stays and seat tube meeting somewhere in the middle of the saddle.
Graphic designers aren't off the hook either. This has to be one of the most tone-deaf things I've seen. Clearly they wanted something to jazz up the plain bike box, and wanted a tire tread pattern. Unfortunately, whatever vector art program they were using only had a pattern brush with car tire tread. Cars running over a bike is not a good look, but what can you expect from Huffy?
Example: Note the bent fork, 0 cm length stem, cranks that aren't opposed, drivetrain not hooked up to the rear wheel, and the seat stays and seat tube meeting somewhere in the middle of the saddle.
Graphic designers aren't off the hook either. This has to be one of the most tone-deaf things I've seen. Clearly they wanted something to jazz up the plain bike box, and wanted a tire tread pattern. Unfortunately, whatever vector art program they were using only had a pattern brush with car tire tread. Cars running over a bike is not a good look, but what can you expect from Huffy?
Some of mine have already been mentioned (uni crown forks, kickstands on bikes that aren't designed for transport, clamp on derailleurs, etc.). The thing that puts me off are gratuitously stupid (I'm supposed to be judgmental here, right?) frame designs. Yes, I mean you, Flying Gate, soft ride, y-foil, swing bike, and the like. I'm also no fan of Bio-pace and other non-round chainrings. I can't tell how many otherwise nice bicycles I've come across for sale and had to factor in the cost of replacement chainrings as I'm trying to determine if it makes sense to buy them.
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01-21-21, 01:47 PM
#464
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01-21-21, 02:37 PM
#465
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It's funny when there's a pharmaceutical commercial and they needed a smiling couple on bikes, but the poor models aren't good riders and they sort of weeble-wobble over the road. I suppose it could be the director telling them that if they don't wiggle the handlebars back and forth it doesn't look as if they're riding the bike.
