Who doesn't wear fluro?

tangled_metal

Seems ppl didn't agree with my comments calling it a load of tosh. Possibly but in my defence, after reading it back again, I was not making my point clear. I was basically trying to put my view across that those bright colours is perhaps your way of being seen, but not the most important way. I use bright lights (not dazzling though), reflectives and safe riding style (such as riding in the primary when needed). My view is so long as you are seen. I doubt very much a driver will not see me clearly and from a safe distance from whichever angle I am viewed from, unless they are not looking (such as using a phone or chatting away to mate looking at them). Since being seen is the aim I do not feel the need to add a bright colour to my clothing, but am willing to consider improvements if justified. Due to limited budget and my perception on the limited returns on investment regarding visibility, i.e. What I have is highly visible, anything extra will only add a little bit more visibility at a cost that might not be worth it.

I have enough equipment in the way of lights, reflectors and other reflective to materials to be seen. Jeez I'm lit up with 2 lights front and rear, white front reflector, red rear one, yellow on the pedals (pointing front and rear), large white spoke reflectors, 3M reflective stickers across the bike so they can be seen clearly when riding from all angles and I have reflective patches on my shoes too. I also think that when it is raining the overtrousers and cag also have some reflective detailing on them (only worn when wet though).

I have a limited budget, a plain and simple fact. All my purchases have had to be very clearly prioritised. First a bike with rack and panniers otherwise I'd have nothing to ride. Then I put on my EL130 and TL135 (IIRC the right cateye codes) bought when I had more spare cash years ago. Then I recently got an EL300 front and an x-lite rear so I had two really good lights and the older EL/TL135 battery lights giving me quite bright lights with redundancy in case the lights fail, BTW the x-lite goes to flashing if the battery is low which is a clear indicator to recharge and is always enough to make my 30 minutes journey home.

My clothing is based on my normal outdoor clothing used for walking and climbing in the hills. It is black and other dark colours but I do not have enough money to buy decent cycling specifics with the bright colours a lot on here seem to deem essential. I got reflective stickers instead for bike and clothings. Nearly forgot I have ortlieb pannier with front and rear reflective patch on it and I have one freebie slapwrap which has been out but my 2 year old keeps hiding it so it gets used infrequently (who'd have thought a hi-viz slap wrap was so hard to see in a modestly sized house but it is).

Now I have been looking longingly at cycling cags with the intention of buying something designed purposely for cycling, a yellow flouro one too!! There is nothing at a price that I can justify at this moment that fits, has the features wanted or needed. I know from being outdoors in cold and wet when I've been working hard that poor fabrics/designs present their own issues. I have also read on here comments from posters who are regulars about how different colours are more visible in different conditions but that is a side argument others have had elsewhere. I personally tried to explain that I see other things as being more important such as lights and reflectives. BTW I also use my lights in the daytime in conditions with less than ideal conditions. Cloudy days, wet days, etc.

ai_1

That's a far more reasonable response in my opinion Tangled Metal. Sounds like you're well set up for night riding. If I was you I'd feel there was an opportunity for improvement with hi-viz colours in dim light but otherwise sounds good.
IMO there's no need to spend much on a whole set of hi-viz cycling gear. A windstopper covers most of the bases in one item and can be got fairly easily for £20-£30. My jerseys are all fairly bright colours and I'm happy with them on bright daytime rides throughout late Spring, summer and early autum. However, I find most of the time I'm wearing a windstopper over my jerseys anyway at the times when hi-viz is most beneficial - i.e. dawn, dusk and dull overcast days.....these all tend to correspond to cooler conditions.
You can also get PPE style hi-viz vests for a few quid but I'm not sure how comfy they'd be.

cougie

I have a fluo yellow with thick reflective stripes across tabard for running in. Its mesh and you don't know its there.

If they did a cycling one - say with the stripes at the bottom rather than the middle = you'd really not notice it.

ben@31

What you need for the commute to work is one of these....




http://www.instructables.com/tag/type-i ... led+jacket


.

Bozman

ben@31 wrote:

What you need for the commute to work is one of these....




http://www.instructables.com/tag/type-i ... led+jacket


.

There are a few folk on this forum who would go with that but... "We still need to be more visible!"

matt-h

i have a pair of fluro booties and that is it.
It looks crap when you've had it more than 6 months and i don't especially like the building site look on my bike.
i have to wear enough fluro during my working week

ai_1

matt-h wrote:

i have a pair of fluro booties and that is it.
It looks crap when you've had it more than 6 months and i don't especially like the building site look on my bike.
i have to wear enough fluro during my working week

What looks crap after 6 months? Fluorescent gear in general or your booties in particular?
My fluorescent windstopper looks the same today as it did when I bought it 3 years ago.

matt-h

Ai_1 wrote:

matt-h wrote:

i have a pair of fluoro booties and that is it.
It looks crap when you've had it more than 6 months and i don't especially like the building site look on my bike.
i have to wear enough fluoro during my working week

What looks crap after 6 months? Fluorescent gear in general or your booties in particular?
My fluorescent windstopper looks the same today as it did when I bought it 3 years ago.

My booties especially!
On the club run a number have Altura Fluoro - it looks naff
Just my opinion

Matt

dj58

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MFuSMz1zh0

johngti

DJ58 wrote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MFuSMz1zh0

Blimey that brought back some memories! I actually did paint my bike after seeing that advert. Looked pants. Probably should've used some tape...

cougie

We tried a lattice effect thing a la Colnago by wrapping string around the bike.

I don't think that's what Colnago do...

Dippydog3

Dippydog3 wrote:

No fluro here. Black rules!

Well it did, until we allowed one of the female contingent of our club to design our winter jerseys.

peat

Fluorescents are great for low light/murky days and everyday for that transition between day and night. Once darkness falls, it's all down to reflective.

There's no one garment that is ideally suitable for all conditions. This time of year, alot of colours can be used to offset yourself from the grey/dark green/brown of the surroundings, but in summer you need something that will make you stand out from tarmac and green leaves/bushes etc.

itboffin

nice video review of fluro vs reflective vs black as well as comparing the main types of lights ie cheap mid and expensive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZRXlrJ3Mi0

chris_bass

itboffin wrote:

nice video review of fluro vs reflective vs black as well as comparing the main types of lights ie cheap mid and expensive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZRXlrJ3Mi0

That was quite good actually, does show how well fluorescent stuff shows up in low light conditions, might have to get a few jerseys.

ai_1

Peat wrote:

....There's no one garment that is ideally suitable for all conditions. This time of year, alot of colours can be used to offset yourself from the grey/dark green/brown of the surroundings, but in summer you need something that will make you stand out from tarmac and green leaves/bushes etc.

There's no one garment which on it's own is ideal for all conditions but if we're just talking visibility then there is. Fluorescent clothing with reflective elements covers all the bases for clothing visibility. Include decent lighting on your bike and I think you've got the best of all worlds. It's not like reflectives only come on black clothing or interfere with the operation of lights.

A hi-viz windstopper covers most, if not all, dull or dark rides since those conditions tend to accompany cooler temperatures.

Druidor

Do not wear fluorescent colours but do have the bits of reflective markings on the clothes and I always ride with lights on the bike (day & Night), attached a light to my backpack for added visibility.

Been mulling over getting one of the ProViz REFLECT360 jackets @ £75 for the winter commutes when I can use the bike.

awavey

Chris Bass wrote:

itboffin wrote:

nice video review of fluro vs reflective vs black as well as comparing the main types of lights ie cheap mid and expensive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZRXlrJ3Mi0

That was quite good actually, does show how well fluorescent stuff shows up in low light conditions, might have to get a few jerseys.

but its video, and its important to remember what a camera sees & processes, isnt going to be the same as what human sight sees, reacts to and the brain processes. so its interesting for sure, but it only shows you how well fluorescent stuff shows up on a video camera vs reflective or black.

ai_1

awavey wrote:

Chris Bass wrote:

itboffin wrote:

nice video review of fluro vs reflective vs black as well as comparing the main types of lights ie cheap mid and expensive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZRXlrJ3Mi0

That was quite good actually, does show how well fluorescent stuff shows up in low light conditions, might have to get a few jerseys.

but its video, and its important to remember what a camera sees & processes, isnt going to be the same as what human sight sees, reacts to and the brain processes. so its interesting for sure, but it only shows you how well fluorescent stuff shows up on a video camera vs reflective or black.

There will perhaps be some differences but they will not be huge. The outcome will I believe be the same.

homers_double

Last night I rode 21km home in the dark wearing black gore windstopper tights and jacket and a black helmet. My shoes and gloves are also black.

I didn't get one beep or close shave all the way home because I was well lit.

You do not need high viz/flourescent clothing in the dark, you need decent lights.

ai_1

homers double wrote:

Last night I rode 21km home in the dark wearing black gore windstopper tights and jacket and a black helmet. My shoes and gloves are also black.

I didn't get one beep or close shave all the way home because I was well lit.

You do not need high viz/flourescent clothing in the dark, you need decent lights.

Have you read the previous posts by any chance? :roll:

homers_double

Nope, who reads the middle pages anyway?

:roll: right back you dirty little keyboard warrioir.

ai_1

homers double wrote:

Nope, who reads the middle pages anyway?

:roll: right back you dirty little keyboard warrioir.

Indeed

1st: An anecdote about your 21km ride home last night without dying does not constitute evidence that dressing in black is the best choice. Then again neither does testimony that you and/or all of your friends have cycled in black all your life. I know people in their 80s who've smoked all their life. Do you think this means smoking is not detrimental to health?

2nd: It's already been discussed a fair bit in this thread, although I'm not sure there's consensus, that fluoro clothing is most beneficial in low light, (i.e. overcast, dawn & dusk) and less so in darkness. No-one is suggesting it's a replacement for lights or reflectives.

homers double wrote:

....I didn't get one beep or close shave all the way home because I was well lit....

Did you ask the drivers if that was the reason?
It's a fair guess, but again not evidence.

chris_bass

awavey wrote:

Chris Bass wrote:

itboffin wrote:

nice video review of fluro vs reflective vs black as well as comparing the main types of lights ie cheap mid and expensive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZRXlrJ3Mi0

That was quite good actually, does show how well fluorescent stuff shows up in low light conditions, might have to get a few jerseys.

but its video, and its important to remember what a camera sees & processes, isnt going to be the same as what human sight sees, reacts to and the brain processes. so its interesting for sure, but it only shows you how well fluorescent stuff shows up on a video camera vs reflective or black.

true but i think the people making the video would have mentioned it if the video made something stand out much more or less than it did in real life

cougie

homers double wrote:

Last night I rode 21km home in the dark wearing black gore windstopper tights and jacket and a black helmet. My shoes and gloves are also black.

I didn't get one beep or close shave all the way home because I was well lit.

You do not need high viz/flourescent clothing in the dark, you need decent lights.

True enough.

I saw a few riders out at the weekend. Top to toe in black with no lights on. OK it was daylight - but even so. It wasn't bright - it was dull and showery. I wasn't wearing my dark lenses. It doesn't kill you to put a flashy light on the back of the bike.
(and it might stop some fool killing you)

cadseen

New video out by Proviz about the importance of being seen.

See Thread
viewtopic.php?f=40052&t=13006120

tjbr

It has its uses at certain times of the day, contrasting colours can work better though.

Day time - Contrasting colours with clear lines which differ from the background colours e.g. black and white clothing components preferably on the top half with reflective elements somewhere in case the light levels dip due to clouds/rain.

Sunrise/dusk - Fluro on top half/arms and bag cover with plenty of reflectives on clothes, sides of wheels, and decent lights, flashing and constant.

Night/dark - Avoid where possible, if required clothing colour not relevant as it cant be seen in low light, maximum reflectives, reflectives on clothes, sides of wheels, and substantial light, dipped for road ahead, additional flashing and constant lights as needed.

Dressing head to toe in fluro with no lights is dangerous, sometimes it actually blends into an autumn backdrop if there is bright sunlight. In low light it does very little to protect at normal traffic speeds.

type:epyt

cadseen wrote:

New video out by Proviz about the importance of being seen.

See Thread
viewtopic.php?f=40052&t=13006120

Not even going to waste my time watching the video but the key is not 'being seen' but drivers 'looking/paying attention' ...

I'm not interested in riding in the dark arguments because I organise my rides not to ... but in the event of poor visibility caused by the weather at this time of year I have Femto lights on my bike ... If that's not good enough then I die/get hurt (whistling a B*witched song as I hit the tarmac).

If one of your first 3 thoughts whilst getting ready to go out on the bike is visibility you should find a new hobby (or take the chat to the commuting forum).

arthur_scrimshaw

cadseen wrote:

New video out by Proviz about the importance of being seen.

See Thread
viewtopic.php?f=40052&t=13006120

That's at least the second post you've made today about this jacket, are you by any chance involved with the Co?

homers_double

There was a regular commuter on my way home with a high viz band around him, you know the one which crosses over the chest, couldn't see it for shizzle