J-McKech

The reflectors on my wheels, they are plastic with plastic screws, but the screws ONLY screw in and dont have a backing so the screwdriver can screw them out...How can i take them off without damaging the bike (if i have to break the reflector i will, but how?)
Thanks Guys

roadfix

You better get them off ASAP...... you don't wanna be seen in public with them!! Use needle nosed pliers to nibble small pieces off the tabs bit by bit. Just be careful with the spokes. Same goes for the spoke protectors!

jeff williams

I used vise grips ( large) putting the teeth on the edge\ not the flat and cracking- either side of spoke and pulled apart. g-luck.

pjbaz

Options as I see them:

1. Ride around with them and get laughed at...but you probably won't get hit by any cars.

2. Bring it to the LBS and pay them (using Dr. Evil voice here) "One Million Dollars" for something you can do in 4 minutes.

3. Use a hammer and bash the hell out of it...although that will wreck the wheel.

4. Buy a rotary tool (dremel) and use the cutting wheel...make sure you cut around the spoke, NOT through it.

PJBAZ :-)

fogrider

try a drill and drill out the screws.

Veganese

Why is everyone so adverse to reflectors?
Isn't visibility a good thing?
Its not like they add large amounts of weight so what's the beef?

jeff williams

hmmm- I use the 3m reflect tape 'cause it weighs nothing- spoke tension changes ( the ones I've seen you fit between 3 spokes)- big ugly crap on your wheels-
look real dumb on a mtb.

khuon

Along the same line of advice as the pliers, you can also try a crabcracker or nutcracker.

OneTinSloth

i usually slide the reflector up as close to the hub as possible, grab them on either side and twist until they break. it doesn't really harm the spokes, and you can be all like "RAR!!! HAIRY MAN!!!!!" afterward.

Croak

Thirded.

F1_Fan

Grab the "screw" around the outside with Vise Grips and unscrew. They will back out with a bit of force.

nuovo

Any bicycle that comes with reflectors is only masquerading as a bike. Please destroy the sinister counterfeit. Buy a real bicycle. That's all I have to say.

nuovo

One more thing. A torch would work well. Plus you get the added benefit of fast compaction -- a definite plus when carrying it to the recycler's, AFTER you get your REAL bicycle. Okay, now I'm finished. Doo, de-doo, de-doo.

Ryan

They have to put reflectors on a bike when its sold to you, its a law.

Aloner

. . . atleast in my state it is.

rancid_chicken

At the shop I work at, we just grab them and twist very slowly. Be very gentile on the wheels that have fewer spokes and twist slower.

Noone at where I work has broken a spoke or knocked a wheel out of true by doing this.

Phatman

yea, I asked the LBS guy once...they have to have like 6 or 8 on the bike when they sell it. I had 8 on mine...one on the h-bar, one on the seatpost (still there) two on each wheel and one on each pedal.

Veganese

Why does everyone hate reflectors so much? Is it an image thing?
Heck, if I thought dressing myself in X-mas light and glo sticks would keep me from getting hit by some freak in an SUV, I'd do it.

khuon

I have gotten varied explanations on this over the course of my bike buying experiences. One shop said they had to put or leave the reflectors on that came from the manufacturer no matter what. Others have told me that as long as the bike has not been modified, the reflectors need to be sold with the bike. That same shop said that the bike simply has to be sold with reflectors and handed me my bike with a zip-loc bag full of reflectors hanging from the handlebars. I've also been told that custom and frame-up builds do not have to be sold with reflectors as my last roadbike didn't come with any. I suspect there's a bit of truth in all this and one could probably come up with a composite explanation.

khuon

And that would probably be somewhat effective... while reflectors are not. They only provide a false sense of safety and a lot of people use them as an excuse for not getting proper lighting and visibility enhancement devices. Additionally, reflectors tend to work themselves loose and do nothing more than just cause more trail and road litter.

jeff williams

and in saying all, if you have no proper lighting devices -put 3m relect tape or reflectors on the SIDE, front and back of your bike.
If you were to be hit ( g-forbid ) @ night by a car- you can prob kiss any court settlement goodbye.

Dchiefransom

Reflector requirements depend on the state, and whether any law enforcment officer decides you need to follow the law. Last year when I went through the Vehicle Code for California, it required bicycles to have two reflectors that could be seen from each side of the bike, another one on the front, and another one on the back. It didn't specify that lights could subsitute. They might have changed it for 2004. A person I know on another forum was incensed at having to pay a fine while visiting Florida. A local cop wrote him up in broad daylight for missing his reflectors. I think it cost him $86. At least in my area the police have a bit more sense, and would wait until dark.
My commuter has everything but the front and back reflectors. I've even got the yellow reflectors front and back on the pedals. Most new bikes in the store come with two sided Shimano SPD pedals with a plastic insert that has the yellow reflectors, and the stores will usually give them to you for free. I have one red blinkie in the back and just got a space bar and second Cateye EL-300 from Performance with my Christmas gift certificate. I'll be adding another red blinkie in the back at a slightly different horizontal and vertical angle for better coverage.

rancid_chicken

On millitary bases you are required to have a rear reflector and a front headlight.

Where I live now, the TN state Troopers have said that they require just a rear reflector, but they do strongly believe in the flashing rear tail light.

dexmax

We don;t hate relfectors... Its just a...

Image thing

Plus....

We spend $$$$ to decrease on the overall bike weight and improve aerodynamics... Reflectors are xx grams and could ruin your aero ... And its the cheapest way to save on weight...

And, I don't race/ride at night, I don't see the need for reflectors...

And, jerseys are bright enough for drivers to see me... The rear part of cycling shoes are reflective, or at least some have reflective coating on them..

BTW, if you commute at night, you must have reflectors and/or blinking lights...

Croak

We pay so much for perimeter balanced wheels with machined sections with an aero profile. Why the heck would you go and add a huge chunk of plastic which unbalances the whole wheel.

What a ridiculous concept.

Quick the world is falling apart! Has anyone got any duct taoe?