How to mount rear reflector if using a seat bag?
#1
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How to mount rear reflector if using a seat bag?
I've just bought an Apidura 17 litre seat bag, which attaches to my seat post, covering the entire post down to the the top of the seat stays.
Unfortunately, this obscures the red rear reflector (on the seat post) which is a legal requirement in my state.
I'm wondering what options there are for fitting a reflector elsewhere on the frame? I don't have fenders or a rack on this bike, which is why I have the seat pack.
There is no solid fitting on the seat pack itself for a solid reflector, so I'd need to mount it on the frame somehow - but the current attachment will only fit on a seat post. Other parts of the frame (seat post or seat stays) are either too fat or too thin).
Any suggestions on how to solve this? All of the rear reflectors I've seen are designed for the seat post.....
Thanks!
John.
Unfortunately, this obscures the red rear reflector (on the seat post) which is a legal requirement in my state.
I'm wondering what options there are for fitting a reflector elsewhere on the frame? I don't have fenders or a rack on this bike, which is why I have the seat pack.
There is no solid fitting on the seat pack itself for a solid reflector, so I'd need to mount it on the frame somehow - but the current attachment will only fit on a seat post. Other parts of the frame (seat post or seat stays) are either too fat or too thin).
Any suggestions on how to solve this? All of the rear reflectors I've seen are designed for the seat post.....
Thanks!
John.
#2
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The best suggestion I can offer is to buy a frame mounted rear reflector to one of the seat stays. They sell rear bike lights that mount on the seat stays so I'm certain that mounting a reflector there is a viable option.
#3
Senior Member
It appears to have a place where you can clip on a rear light / reflector.
https://www.apidura.com/product/saddle-pack-regular/
https://www.apidura.com/product/saddle-pack-regular/
#4
Senior Member
Most rear reflectors or lights include a provision to mount onto the seat stay. If you don't have one, your LBS could probably come up with it.
#7
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I put mine (tail light) in the little triangle at the top of the seat stays. It's not ideal because of the angle, but it should satisfy your legal requirements.
#8
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"Seventeen is the minimum, okay? Now, you know it's up to you whether or not you want to just do the bare minimum. Or... well, like Brian, for example, has thirty seven pieces of flair, okay. And a terrific smile."
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It's like 'pieces of flair' from the movie Office Space.
"Seventeen is the minimum, okay? Now, you know it's up to you whether or not you want to just do the bare minimum. Or... well, like Brian, for example, has thirty seven pieces of flair, okay. And a terrific smile."
"Seventeen is the minimum, okay? Now, you know it's up to you whether or not you want to just do the bare minimum. Or... well, like Brian, for example, has thirty seven pieces of flair, okay. And a terrific smile."
#10
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I had the same problem with the reflector getting covered up, so I removed the reflector and put some red reflective tape on the back of my underseat bag, and a couple of strips down each seat stay. I also have red reflective tape on the back of my helmet. This to compliment the three taillights I run at night, as well as the red blinky on the back of my helmet. Hopefully all the tape meets the legal requirement of having a red reflector at night per state law. If not, part of one of my taillights has a red reflective surface like a normal reflector.
#11
Senior Member
These little wire clamps w/rubber cushions are great items for fastening things to bike frame. You can get them at just about any hardware store.
20 Pcs 1/2" Rubber Cushioned Insulated Stainless Steel Cable Wire Clamp Holder | eBay
20 Pcs 1/2" Rubber Cushioned Insulated Stainless Steel Cable Wire Clamp Holder | eBay
#13
High Plains Luddite
I wish I could find the picture I saw online of a bicycle bell mounted on a hub, inside the spokes! Apparently it was to comply with a law somewhere that required bells on bicycles but didn't specify where the bells must be mounted.

#14
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Pretty sure most states require you to have a reflector or two (hence why every bike is sold with them.)
Pretty sure most of us ignore that law and take them off immediately. If a police officer pulls you over for not having one just play dumb and say it broke.
Pretty sure most of us ignore that law and take them off immediately. If a police officer pulls you over for not having one just play dumb and say it broke.
#15
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Thread Starter
I had the same problem with the reflector getting covered up, so I removed the reflector and put some red reflective tape on the back of my underseat bag, and a couple of strips down each seat stay. I also have red reflective tape on the back of my helmet. This to compliment the three taillights I run at night, as well as the red blinky on the back of my helmet. Hopefully all the tape meets the legal requirement of having a red reflector at night per state law. If not, part of one of my taillights has a red reflective surface like a normal reflector.
I don't have fenders on this bike, so a fender-mounted reflector isn't an option.
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I have a red LED on my seat bag, but the LED doesn't have a vertical adjustment so it's not aimed at the horizon.
#19
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Reflective tape that you can put on different parts of your bike. Including your seat bag.
#20
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Not a serious post, but I wonder if the law specifies a visible red rear reflector or simply a red rear reflector.
I wish I could find the picture I saw online of a bicycle bell mounted on a hub, inside the spokes! Apparently it was to comply with a law somewhere that required bells on bicycles but didn't specify where the bells must be mounted.
I wish I could find the picture I saw online of a bicycle bell mounted on a hub, inside the spokes! Apparently it was to comply with a law somewhere that required bells on bicycles but didn't specify where the bells must be mounted.

Unbeknownst to almost everybody, in 2016 Indiana legislature removed the code requiring a bell or other audible warning device on bikes. Not aware it was ever enforced.
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Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
#21
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#22
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If you only want reflector (at first I thought it's about taillight), those little red reflectors are not any good anyway, and there are many ways you could have better reflectors by using stick-on reflective tapes, reflective belts (wrapped around your bag), reflective yield sign triangles, or some reflective trunk bag covers.
#23
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Yes, rechecking my state's laws and it does say the rear red reflector must be visible at a distance from 100 to 600 feet to the rear of the bicycle when in front of a car's low beams. A lamp emitting a red light to 500 feet to the rear of the bicycle may also be used. Not sure what happens if it's visible further than 500 feet, I guess they haul you in.
#24
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Thread Starter
Thanks!
#25
Senior Member
Thread Starter
If you only want reflector (at first I thought it's about taillight), those little red reflectors are not any good anyway, and there are many ways you could have better reflectors by using stick-on reflective tapes, reflective belts (wrapped around your bag), reflective yield sign triangles, or some reflective trunk bag covers.