Categories: Accessories and GearEtiquetteLa Vie VelominatusTechnologyThe Bikes

The Reflective Bike of Authority

Black reflective tape on the Rain Bike

Everyone knows you need at least three road bikes – two if you’re absolutely determined to make a point about minimalism. Bike Number One is reserved for good weather and events, and the Rain Bike for inclement weather. Just like our guns need to be pampered and rubbed down whenever we’re off the bike, any time Bike Number One isn’t being used as a weapon of Mass V-struction, it should be pampered and polished lovingly. Best to leave the dirty work of training in Rule #9 conditions to a dedicated, loyal workhorse with less expensive componentry. It isn’t so much that a bike can’t handle getting wet – don’t be ridiculous – but rather that everything wears more quickly; road grit gets into the drivetrain, water seeps into bearings, and brake pads and rims wear like butter on a grindstone.

I find myself in the enviable position of having my repaired Cervélo R3 holding rank as my current Rain Bike. Having such a steed at hand any time the rain falls makes riding in bad weather all the more enjoyable. I did make some modifications to it, however. For starters, the cassette and chain are both Veloce instead of Record; not only are the less expensive, they appear to be more durable as well. As for hoops, a pair of Mavic Open Pros can’t be beat for durability and reliability.

But perhaps the most important modification centers around making the bike elegantly hi-vis. In addition to Lezyne flashers front and back for visibility, I have also applied strips of black 3M reflective tape to the chain stays, seat post, crank arms, down tube, and head tube. When a light isn’t shining on the tape, you can’t even see its there, but under the shine of a car’s headlights, the bike springs to life.

Riding in bad weather is all about durability and safety; the bike should be outfitted with reliable parts, and the rider should take care to be safe and visible. So whenver you’re riding in Rule #9 conditions, remember these safety tips:

Assume the cars around you do not appreciate the dangers of being on a bicycle in the rain. If you find yourself being followed by a car at a point where it is unsafe for them to pass, either be assertive and take the lane to prevent them making a move that could put you at risk, or pull off the road completely to allow them to pass.
Ride with confidence and make predictable movements. Always signal clearly when making turns. Make eye contact with drivers at intersections and clearly indicate your intended direction of travel.
Always assume cars around you do not see you. Use flashers in any low light situations and give plenty of room to allow for increased stopping distance.
When riding at night, the use of both a helmet mounted light and handlebar mounted light helps drivers realize you are a bicycle and not a motorcycle. I’m not sure why this is, but experience has proven this to be the case.
Avoid riding through puddles, especially ones you can’t see the bottom of; potholes can be bigger than they appear or hidden completely by standing water.

Riding in bad weather means you’re a badass, but it also means cars are less likely to see you or expect to find you out on the road. In accordance with two of the V Tenets of the Velominati, we are to Look Fantastic at All Times, and Return Home Safely To Ride Again Tomorrow. My Reflective Bike of Authority plays nicely in both respects.

Vive la Vie Velominatus.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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View Comments

KW says:

Mar 31 2014 at 1:31 pm

@meursault

The R3 isdead, long live the R3

Will try that tape, thanks Frank.

Put in a few km's yest and was talking to my friend about how cars pass you and how it reflects the personalities. His theory on those that rev too much as they pass is a bully thing. You are smaller and slower and therefore we need to know this as they I pass. I dunno, but it is interesting how many personality types are driving along.

I always think that those that drive unnecessarily large and/or loud vehicles must be compensating for something. So, whenever someone guns it when passing me (when it's really not necessary) I always have a little grin and wonder what it must be like to have such a small...downtube shifter, if you will.

(No offense intended to any of the Community that ride DT shifters!)
unversio says:

Mar 31 2014 at 1:43 pm

@KW

@meursault

The R3 isdead, long live the R3

Will try that tape, thanks Frank.

Put in a few km's yest and was talking to my friend about how cars pass you and how it reflects the personalities. His theory on those that rev too much as they pass is a bully thing. You are smaller and slower and therefore we need to know this as they I pass. I dunno, but it is interesting how many personality types are driving along.

I always think that those that drive unnecessarily large and/or loud vehicles must be compensating for something. So, whenever someone guns it when passing me (when it's really not necessary) I always have a little grin and wonder what it must be like to have such a small...downtube shifter, if you will.

(No offense intended to any of the Community that ride DT shifters!)

In my area (The South), unnecessary revving means you are dealing with a red-necked 4wheel-drive truck. Assuming that red-necked trucks have one purpose and that is to drive thru mud and swamps -- deer hunting. So I started flashing the "sign of the camo" with the latest Giro DND gloves. It only works on half of the red-necked trucks though. And you have to continue to hail for at least 3 seconds for it to register.
Darren H says:

Mar 31 2014 at 1:44 pm

Wise words Frank, I always assume drivers can't see me, but have never used 3M tape before - definitely something to consider for next Winter.
Ccos says:

Mar 31 2014 at 2:08 pm

@unversio

@KW

@meursault

The R3 isdead, long live the R3

Will try that tape, thanks Frank.

Put in a few km's yest and was talking to my friend about how cars pass you and how it reflects the personalities. His theory on those that rev too much as they pass is a bully thing. You are smaller and slower and therefore we need to know this as they I pass. I dunno, but it is interesting how many personality types are driving along.

I always think that those that drive unnecessarily large and/or loud vehicles must be compensating for something. So, whenever someone guns it when passing me (when it's really not necessary) I always have a little grin and wonder what it must be like to have such a small...downtube shifter, if you will.

(No offense intended to any of the Community that ride DT shifters!)

In my area (The South), unnecessary revving means you are dealing with a red-necked 4wheel-drive truck. Assuming that red-necked trucks have one purpose and that is to drive thru mud and swamps "” deer hunting. So I started flashing the "sign of the camo" with the latest Giro DND gloves. It only works on half of the red-necked trucks though. And you have to continue to hail for at least 3 seconds for it to register.

Ah, the redneck. Yes thanks to them I can quickly ID the "woo-woo-woo" of a thrown longneck bottle. Unfortunately my move from the homeland to New England has shown me the universality of that particular subspecies. That said we have had those rare nirvana rides where all the drivers are super nice too (giving us plenty of space, stopping to allow us to make left turns, etc). I'd try the camo trick but it just doesn't match the kit too well.
Mike_P says:

Mar 31 2014 at 2:18 pm

@Overijse you simply have to explain that chainring and gearing!
wiscot says:

Mar 31 2014 at 2:34 pm

You boys need to come and ride with me in my part of SE Wisconsin. Seriously, I have maybe 2-3 encounters with asshole drivers a year here. And we have big trucks - this is serious hunting country. Most drivers are extremely polite - wait to pass, wave at me unbidden. Of course, I try to be overly polite too.

Now when I lived in Indiana, it was a whole lot of the opposite . . .
frank says:

Mar 31 2014 at 2:34 pm

@Ccos

As a side note, I felt the need to apologize when demoting my former #1 bike to rain bike. Makes it more of a badass though.

Well, from November to April, the Rain Bike sees more action than the #1; in fact, kilometer for kilometer, I bet the Rain Bike sees more action year-round.

@Mike_P

Great public service article @Frank. Liking the idea of that reflective tape if it's almost invisible in normal light.

You can't even tell when there's no light shining on it.

By the way, I'm so pleased to hear that you managed to resurrect your beloved R3 and having ridden my new model for some time now (remember Cervelo replaced my cracked frame) I completely understand why you decided not to go for a later model. Totally different feel (that I'm not chuffed with).

Ruckus Carbon Repair fixed it; it was only a few hundie, too. You'd never know anything happened.
Conrad says:

Mar 31 2014 at 2:37 pm

Good article. I would like to bring one point up for debate: lame plastic fenders that rattle around and fall off on a regular basis may be in violation of rule #65. If I lived in Arizona I might feel differently but around here the potholes literally grow noticeably larger in the course of 1 rainy day. 32mm tires and properly mounted alloy fenders are necessary on the rain bike. I use automotive reflective tape too.
Nik says:

Mar 31 2014 at 2:40 pm

Can a rain bike be called a Nine Bike?
unversio says:

Mar 31 2014 at 3:00 pm

@Ccos

@unversio

I'd try the camo trick but it just doesn't match the kit too well.

You have to wear all black to make it work.