Cycling clothes for visibility... or not?

24

Comments

  • peat
    peat Posts: 1,242
    Red is a pretty safe bet. It'll contrast against the landscape most of the year apart from a few days in Autumn.

    I despair at some of the boutique brands palettes of their autumn/winter ranges. You might aswell sell full camo gear.
  • fenix
    fenix Posts: 5,437
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ale-graphics-prr-camo-jersey/
  • photonic69
    photonic69 Posts: 2,774
    Fenix wrote:
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ale-graphics-prr-camo-jersey/

    Whoah!!! SMIDSY!!!!!

    Insane!


    Sometimes. Maybe. Possibly.

  • jgsi
    jgsi Posts: 5,062
    Aha, you are blaming Wiggle then.
  • JeemyW
    JeemyW Posts: 61
    Probably a little wiggle won't hinder visibility, amirite?
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,288
    JeemyW wrote:
    Probably a little wiggle won't hinder visibility, amirite?
    There was a TV show on after the TdF highlights a few years a go where one of the questions Graeme Obree was asked was, "Any tips on commuting?
    Answer, "Wobble. It make you unpredictable". :lol::lol::lol:
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Must admit I have thrown in some wobbles to put off unsuitable overtaking. If you're looking competent and riding straight as an arrow I think drivers do feel as if they can take more chances.
  • ChippedMug
    ChippedMug Posts: 12
    Peat wrote:
    I despair at some of the boutique brands palettes of their autumn/winter ranges. You might aswell sell full camo gear.

    Dark colors are all I've seen lately! From the nicer Italian brands to the made in USA trendy picks, it's all black or navy with a smattering of color, not noticeable if you're moving. That's why I started doubting my color choices... since like i said, I have to search high and low for not-black. Sometimes Rapha comes out with a brighter color, but I can't bring myself to get their stuff anymore. Too much faff.
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,288
    ChippedMug wrote:
    Sometimes Rapha comes out with a brighter color, but I can't bring myself to get their stuff anymore. Too much faff.
    Can't blame Wiggle. :lol:
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • cowboyjon
    cowboyjon Posts: 89
    shamrock134 wrote:
    I run 2 front lights, 2 rear lights with one steady, one flashing. Front flashing lights alone make it hard for motorists to judge your speed and distance in my opinion. Having two of each also provides redundancy. I also have a fully reflective rucksack, reflective Giro SPD shoes and a fabulous pink gilet.

    I've been commuting through Central London for 7 years and not died yet so something is working! :lol:

    I don't understand why brands feel they have to use reflectives so sparingly. I hope this is roughly what I look like to cars now...

    MP7Rj4Il.png
    D0j1Xqpl.png


    This guy gets it.
  • cowboyjon
    cowboyjon Posts: 89
    Just started cycling this year so my opinions may be a bit on the uniformed side but I also don't have the snobbish attitude towards kit that a lot of more experienced cyclists seem to have.

    I'm nothing if not a practical man and for me there has never been any question which colours I should be wearing.

    Hi-viz yellow all the way - at all times, in all conditions, in every season, on every road.

    I understand some cyclists wouldn't be caught dead 'looking like they worked for British rail' but that is very much a failing on their behalf.

    If I'm honest, all cyclists clothing looks lame as hell - there's not much to be done about it!

    I accept there may be levels to the lameness, but you ain't looking much more dandy in your day-glo red, your blues or your blacks so why not just go with the brightest option?
  • fenix
    fenix Posts: 5,437
    Railworkers wear fluo orange...

    I'm sure bright colours aren't going to do any harm - but I've still had a van pull out on me as I rode along in a fluo yellow jacket and a bright light on the front. If you assume drivers are idiots - you won't go too far wrong.
  • big_harv
    big_harv Posts: 512
    Cycle naked. That's going to draw attention. Not necessarily advisable in a Scottish winter.
  • stueys
    stueys Posts: 1,332
    I vary dependent on weather. In grey winter I tend to go with something with contrast or colour, supplemented with front and back lights. In sunny summer I’m quite happy wearing black gear. Basically I wear to the conditions. I always have a flashing varia light on the back of my bike, to be frank if a driver misses that then a bright stripe on my arm ain’t gonna make any difference.

    The only time I wear fluro yellow is commuting through London at night, lots of lights and distractions so I don’t trust a back light to be as instantly visible.
  • chris_bass
    chris_bass Posts: 4,913
    cowboyjon wrote:
    Just started cycling this year so my opinions may be a bit on the uniformed side but I also don't have the snobbish attitude towards kit that a lot of more experienced cyclists seem to have.

    I'm nothing if not a practical man and for me there has never been any question which colours I should be wearing.

    Hi-viz yellow all the way - at all times, in all conditions, in every season, on every road.

    I understand some cyclists wouldn't be caught dead 'looking like they worked for British rail' but that is very much a failing on their behalf.

    If I'm honest, all cyclists clothing looks lame as hell - there's not much to be done about it!

    I accept there may be levels to the lameness, but you ain't looking much more dandy in your day-glo red, your blues or your blacks so why not just go with the brightest option?

    hi-vis yellow isn't always the best option:

    WindowsLiveWriterHighVisibilityClothingRequirements_78FB3061436090_00dee33ca1_b_thumb.jpg
    www.conjunctivitis.com - a site for sore eyes
  • Maglia_Rosa
    Maglia_Rosa Posts: 72
    If I'm honest, all cyclists clothing looks lame as hell - there's not much to be done about it!

    I’m sorry but I have to disagree with that statement. I own some nice kit, I tend to buy brands from abroad as there isn’t a great wealth of choice in the UK other than Rapha but so many people are wearing that now. Brands like Maap (Australia) Pas Normal Studios (Denmark) make some great kit which most certainly don’t look lame.
  • mw22
    mw22 Posts: 78
    Chris Bass wrote:

    hi-vis yellow isn't always the best option:

    Completely agree - I almost had a head on with another cyclist who had the sun behind him and was full yellow hi viz. I suspect black wouldve contrasted far better in that instance.
    Road: Kuota Kebel
    TT: Canyon Speedmax
    Work: Norco search
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,288
    mw22 wrote:
    Chris Bass wrote:

    hi-vis yellow isn't always the best option:

    Completely agree - I almost had a head on with another cyclist who had the sun behind him and was full yellow hi viz. I suspect black wouldve contrasted far better in that instance.
    Not having that. If the sun was directly behind him then he'd be a silhouette. No hi-viz comes close to the brightness of the sun.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • cowboyjon
    cowboyjon Posts: 89
    Chris Bass wrote:
    cowboyjon wrote:
    Just started cycling this year so my opinions may be a bit on the uniformed side but I also don't have the snobbish attitude towards kit that a lot of more experienced cyclists seem to have.

    I'm nothing if not a practical man and for me there has never been any question which colours I should be wearing.

    Hi-viz yellow all the way - at all times, in all conditions, in every season, on every road.

    I understand some cyclists wouldn't be caught dead 'looking like they worked for British rail' but that is very much a failing on their behalf.

    If I'm honest, all cyclists clothing looks lame as hell - there's not much to be done about it!

    I accept there may be levels to the lameness, but you ain't looking much more dandy in your day-glo red, your blues or your blacks so why not just go with the brightest option?

    hi-vis yellow isn't always the best option:

    WindowsLiveWriterHighVisibilityClothingRequirements_78FB3061436090_00dee33ca1_b_thumb.jpg

    Oh come on!

    First of all, look at the filter that is being used to try and prove your point! Check out the skin tones if you need proof that picture has been heavily altered!

    Secondly, they are all standing static, directly in front of apparently bright yellow grass and leaves, with the sun shining bright enough to give Bob Marley a sun tan. How often does a moving cyclist find himself in those conditions.
  • cowboyjon
    cowboyjon Posts: 89
    Maglia_Rosa wrote:
    If I'm honest, all cyclists clothing looks lame as hell - there's not much to be done about it!

    I’m sorry but I have to disagree with that statement. I own some nice kit, I tend to buy brands from abroad as there isn’t a great wealth of choice in the UK other than Rapha but so many people are wearing that now. Brands like Maap (Australia) Pas Normal Studios (Denmark) make some great kit which most certainly don’t look lame.

    LOL.
  • jgsi
    jgsi Posts: 5,062
    So what's your stance on ProTeam kit?
    You've been cycling all of 5 bloody minutes and you are very opinionated already - so success, you are a cyclist.
    :roll:

    Let people wear what they want -- END OF.
  • cowboyjon
    cowboyjon Posts: 89
    JGSI wrote:
    So what's your stance on ProTeam kit?
    You've been cycling all of 5 bloody minutes and you are very opinionated already - so success, you are a cyclist.
    :roll:

    Let people wear what they want -- END OF.

    I think I'm entitled to my opinion as much as anybody else in here.

    My opinion on Pro-team kit is the same as my opinion on all bike kit - it all looks naff as hell.

    Sorry I've been cycling for 5 minutes. I'll endeavour to persevere and hopefully one day reach your high standards, though I doubt one day I will wake up and change my mind regarding the cosmetic appeal of people wearing spandex.

    For the record, nobody is saying what anybody else MUST wear, the op has asked for opinions and they have been given.
  • frisbee
    frisbee Posts: 691
    Apparently in the whole history of driving only one single motorist has thought, "maybe I should pull over", while being blinded by low winter sun.
  • DeVlaeminck
    DeVlaeminck Posts: 9,094
    Made the mistake of buying a gabba in black and as a result only wear it on bright sunny days. I tend to save the hi-viz for dusk and dawn simply because I don't like the look but there's a middle ground of bright kit that doesn't look like a rail worker.

    I also tend to use a bright rear light - if I've remembered to charge it - since being rear ended by a car a few years ago.
    [Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]
  • Tetragrammaton1
    Tetragrammaton1 Posts: 72
    DeVlaeminck wrote:
    Made the mistake of buying a gabba in black and as a result only wear it on bright sunny days. I tend to save the hi-viz for dusk and dawn simply because I don't like the look but there's a middle ground of bright kit that doesn't look like a rail worker.

    I also tend to use a bright rear light - if I've remembered to charge it - since being rear ended by a car a few years ago.

    Amen brother.
  • ChippedMug
    ChippedMug Posts: 12
    Big Harv wrote:
    Cycle naked. That's going to draw attention. Not necessarily advisable in a Scottish winter.


    While not a comfortable idea I know for the men, at least your bits go out. Mine go in. But you're right, drivers would see me and probably even turn the other way. :lol:


    What about a light-up vest? There's an American brand here I keep seeing ads for and I'm tempted. Another thing to wrangle off when I have to pee, but if that's the only con...
  • jgsi
    jgsi Posts: 5,062
    Still missing the point.. Roadcc have a vid of fluo rider with lights on roundabout - invisible rider series.
    Drivers use SMIDSY as an excuse, they see you, they just dont give a F u CK.
    https://road.cc/content/news/251511-near-miss-day-211-another-invisible-cyclist-roundabout
  • First.Aspect
    First.Aspect Posts: 17,135
    Chris Bass wrote:
    cowboyjon wrote:
    Just started cycling this year so my opinions may be a bit on the uniformed side but I also don't have the snobbish attitude towards kit that a lot of more experienced cyclists seem to have.

    I'm nothing if not a practical man and for me there has never been any question which colours I should be wearing.

    Hi-viz yellow all the way - at all times, in all conditions, in every season, on every road.

    I understand some cyclists wouldn't be caught dead 'looking like they worked for British rail' but that is very much a failing on their behalf.

    If I'm honest, all cyclists clothing looks lame as hell - there's not much to be done about it!

    I accept there may be levels to the lameness, but you ain't looking much more dandy in your day-glo red, your blues or your blacks so why not just go with the brightest option?

    hi-vis yellow isn't always the best option:

    WindowsLiveWriterHighVisibilityClothingRequirements_78FB3061436090_00dee33ca1_b_thumb.jpg
    This is the same as concluding that HD is crap, based on an advert you watched on your SD telly.
  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    Statistically, the person least likely to be knocked off their bicycle is a policeman in uniform.
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • awavey
    awavey Posts: 2,368
    SloppySchleckonds wrote:
    Statistically, the person least likely to be knocked off their bicycle is a policeman in uniform.

    statistically that maybe just because they dont ride that often, I ride past a police station everyday on the commute, its actually the road I turn off at, often in stuff that resembles hi-viz but isnt :) trust me it doesnt make a difference whether people think you might be in the police force or not to how they treat you as a cyclist on the road.

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