That is so cool! Probably unbalances the wheel a tad more than ordinary reflectors... but so cool!

FWIW, anything that can make me be seen is GOOD.

My bent came without reflectors and I added them on. But I also have blinkies mounted on the side for my night/dark rides. I have them mounted on the seat tube as that is the closest in diameter to a handlebar.

I've heard a number of comments at work from people. Generally, something like "did you see that weird bike with all those lights on it?" (I run of 3 rear blinkies - when I don't use the panniers and 5 when I do use them - each on a different blinking mode.) And usually after they find out it was me, I learn they'd seen the bike from over 1/2 mile away. Security at work can see me in the cameras from over a mile away..... makes it kinda hard to sneak in/out of work when it is dark out.

As far as the law goes, Pennsylvania requires front, rear and side reflectors. It specifies minimum distance that they can be seen from. But all of them can be replaced/substituted with appropriate colored lights as long as they meet the visibility standards.

This thread has raised some very valid points. Much of my riding is on MUP's but like all of us I do cross streets on a regular basis.

I've always removed my plastic reflectors and for a lot of the reasons noted here about them possibly working loose I sure don't intend to replace them. However as I was reading this I was thinking about the colored reflective tape sold down at my local outdoor store (MEC as it turns out) and I think I'll be doing the same adhesive soft spoke reflector trick that was shown a few posts above this. Most of my rims are flat box section types so I have my doubts about rim mounted patches being that visible from the side. On the disc brake rims this isn't an issue and a couple of swatches of adhesive reflector is on the shopping list.

Thinking back to my driving I do remember seeing those two "rolling" reflections coming back at me and there's no doubt that they really stand out.

In New York you are required to have front, back and a reflector on each wheel.

And then there are these from REI...
https://www.rei.com/product/774213

Holy S***! You guys are advanced.

I like the soft reflector idea from rivendell. Thank you GV27

You're probably right itsjustme. The one I had was a brick.

AEO: I dont think that would come off

Every post here is good. Thank you all I'll go and replace that tape on the spokes. Probably that soft reflector/velcro idea. hmmm.

Spoke reflectors definitely trump reflective tape on the frame as, though the tape may be brighter, the unique circular motion of the spoke reflectors really draws attention from drivers (at least that's my experience driving), and from angles where spoke reflectors are visible it's almost always the first thing I notice about a cyclist... the light moving around in such an exotic pattern is hard to not pay attention to, and that's a good thing.

That said, I might take the liberty of some reflective tape on my rim (disc)... that might work better.

In point of fact, CPSC approval only means it's legal to sell the bike. It doesn't mean you've got a reflector that necessarily meets your legal obligations for actual road use. In my state, the actual minimum legal requirement is:

The thing that will matter, is whether it's visible from all distances up to 600 feet when directly in front of low-beam headlights. CSPC, DOT, whatever, it must meet that real-world performance test. Obviously, keeping the reflectors clean is a key aspect here


Regarding the topic of wheel reflectors:

As an LBS mechanic, I haven't seen any reason to worry about them affecting the wheels, unless you have one swing sideways and hit the frame, in which case it wasn't installed correctly. I've used wheel reflectors on light wheels at up to 57mph without a problem, although I did lose one (they were the end-clip type, not the center-locking variety). Try to stay below 55mph, OK?

For visibility, although wheel reflectors only show up in certain circumstances, they do scream "BICYCLE" and attract the eye when they show at all, so why not I also like reflective-sidewall tires and reflective tape betwen the spoke holes of the rim. For active lighting that shows up from the sides, those Nite-Ize SpokeLits and the eGear Guardian amber blinkies are worth looking at, too (I have the Guardians zip-tied to the fork legs facing sideways). Flat-bar bikes can also get some side visibility from the Trek "Beacon" bar-end blinkies, which primarily aim rearward but are also visible from the side.

A problem I have with tape on the rims and with tires with reflective sidewalls is that they don't have the apparent motion that a spoke reflector does. they just look like circles. a spoke reflector is moving, and is clearly moving. That attracts a whole lot more attention.

I've kept them on or added them to bikes I have. I figure the more visibility, the better.

A while back, I was assisting at a 48-hour bike race, and that included driving the sag wagon the opposite direction from which all the racers were going. One thing I was surprosed at was how non-distinctive a bike headlight is. I'd see a bike headlight off in the distance and see it for several seconds before realizing it was a headlight of any kind. They're not the same size as car headlights, and not paired like car headlights. Anyway, the more light you reflect, the better.

This is why I only put reflective tape on part of my rim. The theory is that it hopefully provides that same on/off effect that the spoke reflector does. That in conjunction with spoke lights, reflective tape all over my frame and other parts and I'm hoping I'm covered. I know, it's dorky, but that's ok with me.

Nice!

I'm not much of a night rider.. so i remove the "dork plate" as well as all reflectors... im sure it would be a different story if i rode at night

The law in California is that a new bike can't be sold without them, but they're not legally required on your bike. I too prefer the tape to the spoke mounted reflectors.

But everyone here needs to realize that people bike under different circumstances, and that traffic patterns differ mile by mile and county by county. What is good advice in some areas is crappy advice in others.

Somebody said that lights will be visible from the side...wrong the reflectors are more visible. The attached picture the bike has a PB blazer and a second 145 lumen light on the front and a blaster on the back. Its possible the Blaster was caught between blinks but both the head lights lights are on I assure you.

Front wheel has some reflective stickers on the rims...I'm not impressed. I have some "Light weights" I plan to try on the spokes as well as some stealth tape to put on the frame. I alos have a Topeak MTX truck bag and a Nathan Brand Vest on.

I'll be interested to see what your take is on the Light Weights, I almost bought a set but wasn't convinced they would be all that great.

why? Afraid the four ounces the complete set of reflectors weigh might keep you from winning the Tour on the way to work? Reflectors show up in sunshine, too, you know. Or the rain. Or fog.