Reddit mentions: The best bike reflectors

Most bike lights concentrate the beam straight ahead or behind and don't do much to make you more visible from the side, and when navigating city traffic it's often quite a good thing to be seen from the side. Wheel reflectors are good, and I really think are advisable on both wheels though I prefer spoke reflectors such as these they shine up brighter than most reflectors in headlights but are probably less noticeable than reflectors in daylight.

An even brighter alternative is wheel mounted lights, I recently tried one of these and liked it enough to get some more from my wife and brother. Pretty small and light and surprisingly bright, really makes you much more visible from the side. The best feature is that they turn on automatically when it's dark and they sense movement so it's one less thing to remember to do when you set off. Only had them for a few days so can't say anything about reliability but for £6 I'm happy to risk it.

Grab a pack of these https://www.amazon.com/Salzmann-Scotchlite-Spoke-Reflector-Bicycle/dp/B00DNG8DSY

These invisible during the day, but super bright at night. Combine them with some reflective tape on the frame, bright lights, maybe some tyres with reflective sidewalls when the time comes to change them, plus bright clothes and you're super safe!

These (as well as reflective tape on the frame) are definitely a great way to increase your visibility from the side. They look great!

Also, for anyone curious about the product, from the other user's comment history it looks like they're these: https://www.amazon.com/Salzmann-Scotchlite-Spoke-Reflector-Bicycle/dp/B00DNG8DSY

You could get a cheap reflective safety vest that you throw over whatever you currently wear.

I would also recommend adding reflective strips to your bike, especially on your cranks. It should help improve visibility from the side. You could also add these strips to your spokes or make your own.

For rear lights, there's a lot available out there. The two I have are the Planetbike Superflash and the PDW RadBot 1000. They're both very bright and have great flash patterns as well.

I fell in love with belt when I first tried a belt driven commuter, then tried on schindelhauer bike and got convinced that it would work fine with fixed gear. That being said I heard slippage used to be an issue which gates later fixed with their CDX system that has a recess in the middle of belt teeth that sprockets fill which prevents slippage. Personally have not tried non CDX system, but I imagine belt could easily slip without this recess on high torque. As of my experience I only have good things to say about it.

I was on the fence with those reflective decals, glad you like them

I find that they are always giving these away at bike events. I have gotten tons of free ones. Go to the urban cycling class - not only is there helpful info, they tend to give these away for free.

I always give mine away.

I am also a fan of spoke reflectors like these.
https://www.amazon.com/Salzmann-Scotchlite-Spoke-Reflector-Bicycle/dp/B00DNG8DSY

Easy to install and nearly invisible in the day time.

Great commuter bike! Switching out to more road-ish tires would be something that I would do but waiting until those knobbies start to show wear is fine.

Lights are a must. I run a flashing front and rear even when it's still light out. I'm also a big fan of reflective tape. In particular, I use this on all of my bikes:

Lightweights Power Reflectors for Wheels (86-Piece) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002KYFWQ6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_CUCKzbEMJRQR8

Congrats and have fun!

In the process of kitting out (or identifying kit for when I have the money) for my new (first full sized) bike and have settled on Cat Eye Rapid X (50 lumens).

You can get more powerful ones ( Rapid X2 and X3) but I'm generally anti bright lights as they're often too dazzling or even hurt my eyes when on other biked - pet peeve). Anyway I ramble, they attach by rubber/stretchy plastic band and come with a larger one for seat tube and smaller one to attach to seat stays or rack or anywhere else you fancy inc. one would assume the ability to orient them outwards/side ways for side viability should you want to (though they've got v v wide angle glow anyway).

Reckon I'd get a few for rack down tubes or seat stays each side vertically and and one horizontally to attach to the rear hanging light plate on the end of the rack to maximise the [strikethrough]Akira Neo Tokyo 2019 motorbike look[/strikethrough] visability (and a couple of front ones on the forks to sit either side of a Busch and Muller Eyro mounted centrally on the fork above the front wheel).

Also these wheel reflectors are a cheap and cheerful fix that I'll do, good at catching car headlights as lower down on the bike where they're generally pointing:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DNG8DSY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_6gZMDb3HDV559

https://youtu.be/_5xC7PI3dyI

Re: Cateye Rapid X, believe they were the first of their kind when they first came out quite a while back but the same/similar lights are sold by different brands. Cheap Chinese ebay jobs available too but not sure if the same or cheap lower quality copies, up to you if you want to risk.

Also going to get Tortec Mudguards that have a reflector strip which user reviews say is v good and helpful. Then some reflective rim tape to boot (and then potentially some 'diamond grade' reflective tape that's used on emergency vehicles to strategically place on points along the frame - yes I want my Neo Tokyo/Tron bicycle).

I've put the some black tape on the head tube, the rims and the pedals. Red tape is on the seat post. This is pretty close to our regulations (reflectors on the pedals should be orange, though).

Reflectors on the spokes and pedals are good because the additional movement draws attention. Before I used the rim tape, I had spoke reflectors, which are highly visible. You want to be seen from all sides.

Anything but the red tape is pretty much invisible in daylight and doesn't mess with the look of the frame. But normal white tape is brighter, which you should take into consideration. Find your own compromise.

I’ve got this one and it’s cheap and shockingly good. I’ve only used it for night road stuff but it’s definitely worthy of MTB. I’ll probably buy another for my helmet and it’ll definitely be enough for trail.

I highly recommend this as well! I use two of these synced to the same transmitter (one upside-down in front and one behind so they both point the "right" way) which help eliminate hesitance/uncertainty in drivers around me (several three/four-way stops on my commute) and especially help when I need to move to the left to turn. Only downside is you do have to reset/"turn off" after each turn by holding center button for like two seconds (or you can use forward arrow but the blinking pattern is less confusing I think). I think it would auto turn off after 30 seconds though. Also helps with nighttime visibility--I've had several positive comments from drivers and other commuters too on how unambiguous/helpful it is. You do not need a backpack (can clip to clothes/helmet straps/whatever), but I do wear one and just clip the front to my jacket or pants.

I'd recommend bike reflectors. Yes, they're not transparent, but they're cheap and could replace the headlights on the painting... but I haven't seen the dresser, so I don't know how well they'd fit.

http://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-3-Reflector-w-Bracket/dp/B00ZDT5T7C

Otherwise, if you're just looking for something like a lens you could go a little ghetto and go to the food storage aisle and look for some round, clear tupperware lids.

As others noted, there's no reason for your shoes or socks to touch the chain - so that's just a technique and control issue you need to work on.

However, chainguards are very helpful and don't typically require bolt holes etc., on the frame. However, some require you to remove the bottom bracket, which requires specialist tools and 20 minutes. e.g. this from Velo Orange is pretty smart.

Only a chainguard will protect pant/trouser legs though, short of rolling them up, tucking in socks (ruins socks), or getting clips - I like this style.

I realize you're probably looking for clothing, but in addition to the good recommendations you're bound to get here, try Lightweights. I swear by them for all of my wheels -- lighter than reflectors, and far more effective (anecdotally speaking). Apparently they make rolls of tape now, not just the little stickers for spokes.

https://www.amazon.com/Lightweights-Power-Reflectors-Wheels-86-Piece/dp/B002KYFWQ6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479480518&sr=8-1&keywords=lightweights

https://www.amazon.com/Lightweights-Stealth-Tape-100-Inch-Roll/dp/B001P3UR9U/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1479480518&sr=8-2&keywords=lightweights

Half my commute is after dark. I like putting a couple 3M reflective thingies on my spokes for side visibility and I have lights on the front and back of the helmet to make sure I'm seen over the top of cars.

The helmet light is especially nice for aiming right at cars waiting at side streets to make sure they see me. I've stopped cars in the act of pulling out in front of me several times by hitting them with the beam from my helmet light. I use an LED flashlight.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DNG8DSY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Those are the ones I got! Super easy to install, all they do is snap onto your spokes & you're all set!!

thanks! I used this stuff for the frame and lightweights reflector tape for the wheels.

The tape is super adhesive and reflective. Here is a picture without the flash.

Oh nice! So after I was struck by a pickup truck a family member gave me these spoke reflectors as a gift, I actually never knew how well they worked with reflection until I took a photo with the flash on! So it was great to see they work really well :)

I don't know if this was the exact brand they got, but these are set up exactly how mine are. They just snap right on!

It is easier to answer a question if you link to the product

In terms of how well they stick I don't know as I don't own that particular product however you mention they are not reflective and appear grey?

I have 3M Scotchlite spoke reflectors and they are grey in normal light and don't appear to reflect much light as shown here:
http://i50.tinypic.com/e84r9k.jpg

but when a light is shown on them from eye level they appear very bright:
http://i47.tinypic.com/33w5bua.jpg

Try and look at the reflectors at while shining a flashlight on them and see how reflective they are. Also remember the reflectors work on light being reflected back so light has to be shone on them to work properly and they are to be used in conjunction with lights at night.

Please check, https://www.amazon.com/Victagen-Headlight-Rechargeable-Waterproof-Mountain/dp/B06XXKQ9RG . If you have any question, you can contact us : info@victagen.com.

We will offer you help. Thanks.

These are great, I stick 3 of them on each wheel and they look great at night, invisible during day, and dirt cheap.
https://www.amazon.com/GOOTRADES-Bicycle-Wheel-Warning-Reflector/dp/B01KH1V8YS/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1537262032&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=spoke+reflectors&dpPl=1&dpID=51KFuRNMriL&ref=plSrch

http://www.amazon.com/Lightweights-Power-Reflectors-Wheels-86-Piece/dp/B002KYFWQ6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1451701506&sr=8-2&keywords=spoke+reflectors

Tires are Gatorskins. I've only had like 1 flat since getting the tires. They're great.

Other users have mentioned lights and vests, so I'll mention a very cheap, useful visibility enhancement: spoke reflectors.

Put these on the spokes of one half of each of your wheels. (By that, I mean for example on all the spokes of the top half of the wheel when it's at rest.) It will improve your visibility to drivers approaching from the side, and you will be immediately recognizable as a cyclist. The drivers will see reflective strips moving around in circles and immediately think "wheels".

(If you get these, take them off your bike when you clean and re-lube your chain. I learned the hard way that when they get oil/grease on them they lose a lot of reflectivity.)

If you want to do something crafty with your daughter, you could try to cut some of this 3m reflective tape into interesting shapes: http://www.amazon.com/3M-Scotchlite-Reflective-Silver-36-Inch/dp/B000BQRIV2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452464185&sr=8-1&keywords=3m+reflective+tape. My experience with that tape is that it is very reflective, but you'll want to replace it after a couple years.

If you want something reflective on the spokes, these work pretty well: http://www.amazon.com/Lightweights-Power-Reflectors-Wheels-86-Piece/dp/B002KYFWQ6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1452464201&sr=8-4&keywords=reflective+bicycle+spoke

Also, Vespertine makes some reflective flower pins and such. My wife has one, so I can tell you they are definately very reflective, but they are kind of silly expensive: http://shop.vespertinenyc.com/category/jewelry. I'm not sure exactly where I can just get a sheet of whatever they are made of to make my own stuff.

nice!

try out these. look much better and are way more visible

https://www.amazon.com/Salzmann-Scotchlite-Spoke-Reflector-Bicycle/dp/B00DNG8DSY

> I've pulled all my reflectors off my bike, as they're ineffective pieces of crap.

The ones to the front and back are too small to be of much use, but spoke reflectors are the shit.

Talking about these: Link and Demo

On the being seen issue I can highly recommend these reflectors from 3M. They fit over the spokes and even a dim light makes them highly visible, regardless of whether you're moving or standing still.

I got mine at a bike shop - they're sort of like this. There's also sew-on reflective tape (I like the retroreflective type that looks grey unless light is shining directly onto it because it's less flashy in the daytime).

In the UK we have some websites for female cyclists: velovixen.com and cyclechic.co.uk - they have some really cute gear, and it's not all pink haha.

For visibility I wear a Sugoi Zap jacket, and I bought these reflective vinyl stickers, which I've stuck all over my panniers and helmet and bike. I also have those slappy wristbands in high-vis, which are really useful on your wrists when signalling!

There are some affordable ones as well:

https://www.reddit.com/r/BicycleGear/wiki/edit/reflectors

Rear side flag reflectors

• Abstandhalter (German "Distance-keeper") (Amazon.de)
  
  
• The Whizzzz Windmill Bicycle Reflector (Amazon) --- Developed by the Finnish Red Cross
  
• Safety Wing Cycling Reflector (Amazon)
  
• Bicycle bike safety arm Lollipop flag red reflector handlebar cycle road spacer
  
  
• http://www.safetyspinner.com/
  
• http://takeyourlane.com/ *

Pick up some spoke reflectors. Adds an unbelievable amount of visibility, and even non-cyclists think it makes my wheels look cooler.

Something like this.

Second the "take the lane" approach. I commute in Houston, TX, and as much as I ride close to the curb (~2–3 feet away) most of the time as a courtesy to allow cars to go around, if the side of the road is dangerous for whatever reason, I simply ride in the middle of the lane. Right in the middle. This way no one can overtake you too closely 'cos they'll wait to pull into the next lane fully before doing so.

So far, I have not been beeped or harassed once! There have been a handful of drivers who 'angrily' overtake, revving as they go past, but because I'm in the middle of my lane they zoom past in the next lane, far away from me.

should

Also, yes to front and rear lights, and reflective stuff. I have a couple of dangly reflective strips that hang from my backpack which I made from some reflective 3M tape wrapped around a strip of several layers of electrical tape. Each is roughly 1 x 8 inches.

I also roll with these simple reflective spoke thingies.

It's called 'Lightweights Stealth Tape'. I'm pretty sure it's just a cut and repackaged roll of 3m reflective tape.

I got these off Amazon, they're individual so you can choose your spacing etc. Put on each side of wheel and on my helmet. They reflect very well. Different colours too.

(RydeSafe Reflective Decals -... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ARS82HS?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share)

Thanks everyone. I'm thinking I may do a wrap of tape around the shaft and then some of these on the blades. https://www.amazon.com/RydeSafe-Reflective-Decals-Hexagon-Yellow/dp/B00ARS82E6/ref=sr_1_11_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1521740606&sr=8-11-spons&keywords=yellow%2Breflective%2Bstickers&th=1

I think these are the good ones:

https://www.amazon.com/Salzmann-Scotchlite-Spoke-Reflector-Bicycle/dp/B00DNG8DSY

Imo spoke reflectors are better as you don't have to turn them on and they don't require batteries

Salzmann 3M Scotchlite Hi Vis Spoke Reflector Bicycle Clips - 36 Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DNG8DSY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_v7SxCbKK6GHDZ

Looks like these are a similar product available stateside.

I can't afford expensive lights (just a cheap red back light and headlamp) so I just use A LOT of reflective decals on my bike. Lights up like a christmas tree in headlamps.

http://www.amazon.com/RydeSafe-Modular-Kit-Small-Black/dp/B00ARS81VA

I use these and they work very well

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002KYFWQ6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

There are different widths
1/4" By 37.5' Black Reflective Pin Stripping Tape https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000B58EIE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_wAksybN6FVAT7
It comes in different colors. With black you can not see it on my board in the daytime.

this is the one that I have on the Marbel that is a Little brighter and made by 3M it is only 100 inches. Which was long enough for the deck and the 107mm flys.

My plan's also to just put some reflective tape. My spokes and parts of my bike are black so something like this will probably work well while being inconspicuous.

I did a quick search on Amazon for "reflective clothing tape" and found These and these

Sidewalk riding can be dangerous, no one is expecting you to be riding there and driveways can be around blind corners. Sometimes it's your only choice depending on where you live and the level of bike infrastructure

As far as reflective items go, check out these lightweights they work great on wheel spokes and are cheaper than a vest but still increase visibility.

Also worth considering.

Yes I did found some here, but I don't get how would they stay in place and not slide up and down the spoke.

Scotchlite spoke reflectors, you can get them cheaper if you shop around.

desktop site: click it

Here are some iron on reflectors. Try looking up reflective cycling strips.

Here you go

Mounted a cheap 700 lumen bike light onto my helmet and attached the taillight using some velcro tape, then covered the sides using some reflective stickers from RydeSafe. Visibility from all angles! Also have some shredlights that came with my board for extra visibility.

Helmet: Triple 8 Certified Sweatsaver

Bike Lights: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DZQJ28L/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Reflective Stickers: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ARS82HS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here you go

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001P3UR9U/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1419299145&sr=8-1

Trinx KA2007 folding bike.

• I added some of this type of spoke reflector for a little more visibility since a lot of my riding is at night or evening.
  
  
• I got one of these bags for the rear rack, it's got the reflective stripes on the side and a strap to clip one of my rear lights onto.

This is another option. I use these spoke reflectors . My rims also have reflective tape.

These plus judo lessons, to learn how to fall without stiff-arming.

RydeSafe Reflective Decals - Hexagon Kit - Large (White) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ARS82GO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_PyOmDb2WX451K

http://www.amazon.com/RydeSafe-Reflective-Decals-Hexagon-Large/dp/B00ARS82HS/ref=lp_9015496011_1_1?srs=9015496011&ie=UTF8&qid=1454245776&sr=8-1

https://www.amazon.com/Salzmann-Scotchlite-Spoke-Reflector-Bicycle/dp/B00DNG8DSY

I bought these.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DNG8DSY/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_F-vxDb6D8EEXB

http://www.amazon.com/Salzmann-Reflector-36-Scotchlite-Reflective/dp/B00DNG8DSY

Really not a bad idea. Especially if you're riding around cars. I wear a rear blinker on my helmet, a massive headlamp on the front, and have reflectors stuck to my helmet and board.

Just get the cheap Chinese lights, they work fine. Get one for your helmet and one for the bars. If you are worried about the batteries you can get a LiPo Guard Battery Charge Charging Pouch Case.


Here is an example of the lights I am talking about

For the wheels:

Lightweights for Wheels... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002KYFWQ6?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

For my helmet

LiteMark Reflective Black Variety... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072Y1RDYX?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Vest

The 247 Viz Blaze Reflective Vest... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075RD1ZQZ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Black reflective tape roll (they have all sorts of color though)

Lightweights Stealth Tape, 100-inch Roll, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001P3UR9U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_jHtpDbRBYNQVG

Ankle bands

Leg Shield Reflective Ankle Bands... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L0H4GJ8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Wrist bands

Reflective Wristbands (Pair) -... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0128J7U80?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

There's these, but they're a bit stupidly expensive IMHO.

https://road.cc/content/review/228444-flectr-zero-aero-wheel-reflectors

I just use these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Salzmann-Scotchlite-Reflector-Bicycle-standard/dp/B00DNG8DSY/