Reflective Clothing/Add Ons

[Mr Scruff]

Been reading a few threads where visibility at night is mentioned but no definitive answer.

Feeling especially conscious of how visible (or otherwise) I am at night now. More so than previous years for some reason!

I've been wearing by DHB flashlight jersey in the gloomier evenings but now it's colder I've switched to either a Gore C5 or DHD Trail jacket.

Wanting to add visibility - do any of the 'stick on' reflective tapes actually work. I mean properly work, as in they'll survive the frequent washes that winter MTBing brings? I don't want to replace either jacket as they're both fabulous pieces of kit.

So, reflective tape that works?
Or cheap gilet of some type?
Any other suggestions?

Already have 2 front and rear lights, plus a helmet light

[troc]

Maybe a gilet from proviz would be a good option.

My wife stuck a load of reflective tape to an old goretex jacket for cycling and it worked but wasn’t particularly wash-proof.

[alock]

I bought a set of the reflective black stickers for a few pounds.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M0LNEPW/

They're obviously not as good as real reflectors, but they are fairly bright and easy to mount, so visible from the sides, e.g. on the forks, and around the cranks.

[mooseracer]

https://www.provizsports.com/en-gb/reflect360-arm-...


I use these around my ankles, very reflective and the pedaling movement accentuates that.

[JayRidesBikes]

troc said:

Maybe a gilet from proviz would be a good option.

My wife stuck a load of reflective tape to an old goretex jacket for cycling and it worked but wasn’t particularly wash-proof.

This would be my advice - I've just bought a Pro Viz gilet myself based on the fact that we did our first dark group ride of the year on Monday, I dropped back to pick up some guys at the back of the group and noticed the two guys up the road wearing pro vis type gilets were really really visible when the car headlights lit up their gilets, you couldn't miss them.

[trails]

I wear a hi-vis gilet with reflective bits on it, but these are really good. Only run one or two spokes per rim but coupled with the wheel movement they are highly visible.

Also this stuff on my frame/cranks/whatever; very effective without making my black bike look crap.

Edited by trails on Wednesday 3rd November 10:33

Edited by trails on Wednesday 3rd November 10:34

[Harpoon]

We have a couple of these for winter running as none of the lanes round our village are lit

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Salzmann-50021-Vis-for-Sp...

We still use head torches and rear lights but the big panels stop a lot of drivers in their tracks whilst they try to figure out what their headlights just lit-up. They are mesh, so dry quickly and don't make you boil over so could double up nicely for cycling as well.

[JayRidesBikes]

trails said:

I wear a hi-vis gillet with reflective bits on it, but these are really good. Only run one or two spokes per rim but coupled with the wheel movement they are highly visible.

Also [url]this|url[/https://reflectivesupplies.co.uk/products/test-product?variant=261077166] stuff on my frame/cranks/whatever; very effective without making my black bike look crap.

They look pretty smart, I've just ordered a pack off Amazon for £3, coming tonight - will give them a whirl on tomorrows ride.

[mie1972]

Ive used spoke reflectors and also reflective tape in the past also.
Best to have them on something that actually moves - ie wheels/feet/pedals/arms etc

Got a Proviz Switch Gilet at the moment - silver/bright one side for night and fluro green for daytime. Good but only for 5 degrees or less, too hot otherwise.

[defblade]

I like active lighting more than reflective (although the Proviz stuff is amazing)... I picked up a pair of these snapbands from Aldi the other day, £4.99. Also available in pink. The low review score appears to be from different products??
Anyway, for a fiver you've got a day-glo band, reflective graphics and a nice bright yellow/green light that runs around the whole band. 2 flashing modes, or steady - I run it steady as I want the ankle movement to be seen clearly.

Not sure if the batteries are very replaceable (tho it says they're standard CR2032s), so I'm just using one at a time on my offside ankle, because I'm tight
I think they'd be a little bit uncomfortable/rigid/heavy to use on wrists, and frankly that much light on my hands would annoy me in the dark.

[zax]

I think it helps when lights and reflectors suggest strongly what vehicle type I am rather than make me look like a UFO or a mobile disco, so reflective patches on the moving parts (heels and sides of the boots, bottom of the pants) to catch the eye, top/jacket either totally reflective or wearing a reflective strap of some sort, gloves are reflective so night time hand signals and thankyou waves are visible... Another vote for the spoke reflectors here too, especially helpful with side visibility where lights may not be obvious. Helps to show movement and direction of travel.

[troc]

Here in Holland it’s been a legal requirement that bikes have a reflective strip around the tyre circumference for decades. It’s a lifesaver for those times students dressed in black on black bicycles with faulty lights jump the traffic lights at junctions.

This is over and above the usual pedal reflectors and whatnot.