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-   -   Best spoke reflectors and valve lights available? (https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/1030503-best-spoke-reflectors-valve-lights-available.html)

Distinguished 09-17-15 06:37 PM

Best spoke reflectors and valve lights available?
 
Valve Lights (LEDs):

https://www.google.com/search?q=bicycle ... jHHBeuM%3A

https://www.google.com/search?q=bicycle ... BQC0w7M%3A

Spoke Reflectors:

https://www.google.com/search?q=spok...PeJ_m4sceAM%3A

https://www.google.com/search?q=spok...MHVMn0rQNOM%3A

-----------------------------------

If you've tried either type of item, can you post a link of a brand of valve light or spoke reflector that you would recommend for someone riding year round in all-season weather in central Massachusetts--snow, wind, rain, ice, -10 to 90 degree F climate.

Thanks. I'm hoping to avoid gimmicky copies of these items, which usually happens with low-cost accessories. (:

dscheidt 09-17-15 06:55 PM


Originally Posted by Distinguished (Post 18173264)
Valve Lights (LEDs):

https://www.google.com/search?q=bicycle ... jHHBeuM%3A

https://www.google.com/search?q=bicycle ... BQC0w7M%3A

Spoke Reflectors:

https://www.google.com/search?q=spok...PeJ_m4sceAM%3A

https://www.google.com/search?q=spok...MHVMn0rQNOM%3A

-----------------------------------

If you've tried either type of item, can you post a link of a brand of valve light or spoke reflector that you would recommend for someone riding year round in all-season weather in central Massachusetts--snow, wind, rain, ice, -10 to 90 degree F climate.

Thanks. I'm hoping to avoid gimmicky copies of these items, which usually happens with low-cost accessories. (:

They're all crap. Get proper lights, and people will see you, and you'll be able to see. valve stem lights are ninjas.

Distinguished 09-17-15 10:12 PM


Originally Posted by dscheidt (Post 18173306)
They're all crap. Get proper lights, and people will see you, and you'll be able to see. valve stem lights are ninjas.

I already have front & rear lights on my bikes, and front & rear lights on my helmet. I want quality valve lights and spoke reflectors for greater side visibility...and because I think they look cool. (:

vol 09-17-15 10:31 PM

How about spoke light? Simple and very visible.

Eric S. 09-18-15 02:07 AM

1 Attachment(s)
One night while driving (gasp) a bicycle crossed the road with good ol' fashioned basic wheel reflectors and they really got my attention. I have quite a few of these around to put on whatever bike I may grab to ride after dark.

Cost roughly $5 on eBay.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=477919

Jim from Boston 09-18-15 04:57 AM


Originally Posted by dscheidt (Post 18173306)
They're all crap. Get proper lights, and people will see you, and you'll be able to see. valve stem lights are ninjas.

One set of valve stem lights had the cute name, Tireflies. The problem I have seen with valve lights is that there is no way to easily turn them off during the day to conserve the batteries. I have occasionally seen on the road an apparent strip of spoke lights that may be useful, and they look cool.

chefisaac 09-18-15 05:45 AM

A solution: By truck runner lights. I have the on my commuter and can pick from like 20 different colors and four different speeds and it is remote controlled. They are awesome.

GovernorSilver 09-18-15 06:22 AM

Thinking of getting these - one reason is there's an upcoming Halloween group ride and one of the patterns is skulls.

Monkey Light Bike Lights

ItsJustMe 09-18-15 02:37 PM

Eric S has it right - those standard old school reflectors will be more visible than any of the other crap you're likely to find.

DiabloScott 09-18-15 02:50 PM


Originally Posted by vol (Post 18173642)
How about spoke light? Simple and very visible.

Agreed. My commuter:
https://vimeo.com/76819233
Reflectors may appear brighter when perpendicular to car lights, but these have a larger angle of visibility.

CrankyOne 09-18-15 04:32 PM

Schwalbe Marathons with reflective sidewalls.

caloso 09-18-15 04:35 PM

Scotchlite tape. Lighter, more aero, doesn't rattle.

fuzz2050 09-19-15 03:59 PM

I actually kind of like the Nite Ize See'Ems. They are small and inconspicuous, but give you that distinct two wheeled bike look. And don't look as dorky as most other spoke lights, or reflectors.

Then again, those Monkey Electric light take dorky so far beyond they become cool again.

chriskmurray 09-19-15 05:34 PM

1 Attachment(s)
I prefer the reflective tape from Fiks Reflective on my rims, plastic reflectors tend to snap off and for those who hate the look of reflectors, the black tape blends into the rim during the day but when lights hit it at night they light up nicely. http://www.ridewithfiks.com/collections/reflective-bicycle-wheel-stripes/products/reflective-wheel-stripes

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=478245

fietsbob 09-20-15 09:14 AM

WABAC*, In NL, I got a ring of wire with a tube of reflective plastic around it.

It laced in between the spokes to form the same sort of reflective ring. but was above the rim, so not as subject to getting dirty
from the aluminum and such from braking and road grime as the sidewall inlay tape.

*Mr Peabody's famed time machine.

ItsJustMe 09-21-15 07:21 AM


Originally Posted by chriskmurray (Post 18178192)
plastic reflectors tend to snap off

How? I've never ever had a reflector snap off. I've been commuting on mediocre to bad pavement and gravel road including some bad washboarding and potholes for 12 years now, not to mention years as a kid bombing around a farm and over very rough terrain, with cheap plastic reflectors, and I've never had one come off.

chriskmurray 09-21-15 09:22 AM


Originally Posted by ItsJustMe (Post 18181307)
How? I've never ever had a reflector snap off. I've been commuting on mediocre to bad pavement and gravel road including some bad washboarding and potholes for 12 years now, not to mention years as a kid bombing around a farm and over very rough terrain, with cheap plastic reflectors, and I've never had one come off.

Bikes can get banged around in racks, some plastics can get brittle, etc. All I know is I have had a number of customers come in looking for a better reflector option after having a couple break off.

jorglueke 11-08-16 11:12 AM


Originally Posted by fuzz2050 (Post 18178025)
I actually kind of like the Nite Ize See'Ems. They are small and inconspicuous, but give you that distinct two wheeled bike look. And don't look as dorky as most other spoke lights, or reflectors.

Then again, those Monkey Electric light take dorky so far beyond they become cool again.

They might be distracting enough to cause accidents :P

Darth Lefty 11-08-16 11:33 AM

My latest tires came with reflective sidewalls

noglider 11-08-16 02:02 PM

Reflectors and lights each have distinct advantages, so it's best to use both.

fietsbob 11-08-16 02:37 PM

A non rim brake will have the reflective sidewall ring get less dirty and so be more visible .
Of course you could take the time to clean the tire side wall reflector- ring Off regularly Too..



'/,

timvan_78 11-10-16 09:08 PM


Originally Posted by fietsbob (Post 19178351)
Of course you could take the time to clean the tire side wall reflector- ring Off regularly Too..



'/,





aint nobody got time for that!

no motor? 11-11-16 11:27 AM


Originally Posted by chefisaac (Post 18173973)
A solution: By truck runner lights. I have the on my commuter and can pick from like 20 different colors and four different speeds and it is remote controlled. They are awesome.

Got a picture of that? It sounds interesting.

Reynolds 11-15-16 12:26 PM


Originally Posted by dscheidt (Post 18173306)
They're all crap.

Spoke reflectors are much maligned IMO. When driving at night I notice them from quite a distance.


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