Wheel Reflectors

Dave31 · Mar 1, 2011

All right, who uses the wheel reflectors? 99% of people I know pull them off immediately.

I usually use wheel lights so i have always pulled mine off. But all my wheel lights took a dump on me so I left the reflectors on my new bike.

Growing up as a kid, if you left your reflectors on your BMX bike the other kids would give you a hard time, I think thats why I want to take mine off.

2door · Mar 1, 2011

Personally I hate the looks of the things but all it takes is to see a bike cross your path at night and the way headlights reflect in them to show how they can be a real safety plus.
I have one on the front wheel of two bikes and none on one.
Tom

bairdco · Mar 1, 2011

most of the bikes i buy were made before wheel reflectors existed. for that matter, the same with pedal reflectors (those actually became a US law in the 70's.)

i've got a box of them, and i usually pull them off new pedals, too.

i don't ride much at night anyways, so i don't worry about it, and i think they're ugly, too.

Dave, didja ever get some of those lighted pedals i linked to you a while ago?

city of angels · Mar 1, 2011

i found some led reflectors at walmart around 6 bucks they come in a variety of colors

The_Aleman · Mar 1, 2011

I used to remove mine because a bike "expert" friend of mine told me they caused wheels to go out of balance, and in extreme cases, cause a wheel to go out of round. I found they actually help balance if they are opposite the valve stem. I need to find a set for my bike, since it doesn't have any.

bairdco · Mar 1, 2011

if you're that serious about them, Aleman, hit me up. like i said, i've got a pile of them.

littleman456 · Mar 1, 2011

I always take mine off because one: I think they are ugly and two: the few bikes that I have bought new, they were always the first thing to brake (I beat the crap outa my bikes

)

Goat Herder · Mar 1, 2011

I always seamed to notice that the spokes that these are attached to on older bikes were loose. I don't use them my self. The safety makes seance to me tho. I noticed they always seamed to make a wheel balance wrong at high speed for me.

biknut · Mar 1, 2011

How bout just make the whole tire a reflector?

professor · Mar 1, 2011

I use them - the more visible I am the better I like it.
Dorkey is not out of my league - makes one look safe.

bairdco · Mar 2, 2011

one other note of interest, front, back, wheel and pedal reflectors are all required on production bikes by federal law (in the USA created by the Consumer Product Safety Commision [CPSC].)

for a very informative article about reflectors, lights, accidents, and the false, yet widely believed, "safety" that reflectors give, read this:

Bicycle Lights, CPSC Requirement History

seriously, read it. it's long, but pretty interesting.

rohmell · Mar 20, 2011

I always use wheel reflectors, they make the MB more 'bicycle-ish' looking and the police never bother me.

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Wheel Reflectors

Dave31

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2door

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bairdco

a guy who makes cool bikes

city of angels

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The_Aleman

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bairdco

a guy who makes cool bikes

littleman456

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Goat Herder

Gutter Rider

biknut

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professor

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bairdco

a guy who makes cool bikes

rohmell

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