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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Ccos says:

Apr 2 2014 at 8:49 am

Of course, then there's racing in the rain. A whole new set of circumstances. A five + nine bike?
cognition says:

Apr 2 2014 at 9:35 am

@frank

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.

And here I thought that you should just convert it to a track bike for your next hour record attempt.
frank says:

Apr 2 2014 at 9:54 am

@Ccos

Of course, then there's racing in the rain. A whole new set of circumstances. A five + Nine Bike?

Always race on your #1. Just don't forget to clean it.
Dan_R says:

Apr 2 2014 at 12:21 pm

I love the new lexicon term. My Nine Bike is of course my previous #1, the '06 Marinoni Super Vectra with durable 105 Group-San. Last year the #1 was the Cipollini Bond with Dura-Ace & Miche Supertype demo bike.

This season, I will building this baby up...

Right now, it is displayed with the 38mm Carrefour clinchers, but I think it will be sporting my own pair of the V Special Edition Arenberg 60s. Makes sense, n'est pas?
Teocalli says:

Apr 2 2014 at 12:27 pm

@Dan_R The other point behind having bike num 1 and 9 bike is you have to fill in num's 2 - 8.
Dan_R says:

Apr 2 2014 at 12:32 pm

@Teocalli

@Dan_R The other point behind having bike num 1 and 9 bike is you have to fill in num's 2 - 8.

I guess technically speaking, I have around fifty in the stable. Although 40 of them are for sale....
Teocalli says:

Apr 2 2014 at 12:43 pm

@Dan_R ha ha! Indeed.
Minnesota Expat says:

Apr 2 2014 at 9:04 pm

@teleguy57

I do have a small pump by SaveDaily Deals">garden sprayer which I keep filled with water, and any bike ridden in Rule #9 conditions gets a quick spray upon arrival back home, then a bit more of a cleaning once I can feel fingers/toes again.

Brilliant. Of course, if south Texas actually had weather (besides heat, humidity, wind and sun), I'd be heading over to Home Depot, er, scratch that, I mean my LBS, tomorrow for a pump garden sprayer!

But Selling my old ride, a Trek 1000 upgraded with a Neuvation wheel set, was a condition for buying my 2014 Cannondale EVO. But now I'm thinking the Trek 1000 is a perfect Nine Bike commuter. It'll need some 25's, a little tread, and some small discreet fenders.

Yeah, I know snow. Like Frank, I grew up skiing the snow and ice of Minnesota and cycling the dirty, slushy, salty snow of springtime. In fact, a good friend and Minnesota neighbor, a Belgian hardman no less, just posted his first bike commute ride of the season!

Top 'Durable Person' Chosen (Wins Trip With GearJunkie Crew!)

Our "Durable Person" project with CORDURA® Brand asked readers to submit a photo of an individual "doing something durable" (read: wild, tough, crazy, admirable, or extreme). We received hundreds of submissions and highlighted the top images in two posts last month. After sorting through the entries and vetting photos our judge panel made the tough decision to pick the four individuals below.

Grand by SaveDaily Deals">Prize: One entry floated to the top. Christian Franken of St. Paul submitted the durable selfie (above), taken on New Years Day, in below-zero air after a 20K ski near Lake Superior. "It was a perfect still winter morning," he said. "I was skiing and looking for fox tracks in the new snow." He was also pushing himself, training and honing his classic skiing skills for the races on his circuit each season.

Franken, a native of Belgium who moved to the U.S. 25 years ago, has a background in mountaineering. He has climbed major peaks like Mount Blanc, Kilimanjaro, and Mount Kenya. Now 52, and with two sons, he focuses in XC skiing, cycling, canoeing, orienteering, and other endurance sports. "I love to go out and explore anywhere," he said.

Daym. What is it about Belgians?
Barracuda says:

Apr 2 2014 at 9:13 pm

@Teocalli

@Dan_R The other point behind having bike num 1 and 9 bike is you have to fill in num's 2 - 8.

Yes, there it is !

Time to start working on numbers 2 through 8.
seth says:

Apr 3 2014 at 8:46 pm

@frank "Lightweights" makes reflective decals that (side by side) are brighter, lighter, and thiner than the 3M tape (black or silver). Can get it at amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=bl_sr_sporting-goods?ie=UTF8&field-brandtextbin=Light+Weights&node=3375251

If you are doing significant night riding I definitely recomend the 86 Piece wheel tape for your spokes. Little bit of a learning curve putting them on. Bike #2 has them full time and they are on Bike #1 training wheels. You can tastefully put leftover pieces on cable sheaths or quick release levers. It is surprising how reflective this stuff is. They also make colored tape that you can match to your helmet or other parts of your bike. Spoke tape might not look super pro but you will definitely be recognized as a bicycle. I do at least two rides per week after the kids are in bed so the trade off is worth it.