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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frank says:

Mar 31 2014 at 3:08 pm

@Overijse

What was supposed to be the bike to ride the 2011 Dirty Kanza 200, turned into my work commuter when I was transferred to Belgium before the race. I tried riding my number 1 to work but the 'tank' aka Salsa steel (heavier than $hit) is much better suited. While Belgium has 1,000s of kms of bike lanes, they aren't exactly awesome for a road bike. So a 700Ã—50 Schwalbe Big Ben tire gobbles up the path.

I know this bike has many rule violations but it is damn comfortable, especially when it is 5 deg C and raining and dark while riding to work both ways.

Looks like a perfect bike for Heck of the North. Interesting gearing; what do you have rigged? Is that a MTB drivetrain on STI? And what are the front ratios? Marko is looking at building a Fat Bike with drop bars for the Aerohead 135 and is wondering about gear combinations.

I know its a different scenario but I top out my 46x12 on my CX bike on fast bits of trail, so having a single ring seems too limiting, but a double might be good enough.
frank says:

Mar 31 2014 at 3:10 pm

@brypeter

What about fenders/mud guards @Frank? I too commute daily in Cascadia (Mukilteo to Seattle). I'll chant Rule #9 on occasion just to keep sane. Keeping my toes and back/butt as dry as possilbe though is key.

Not a fan of mudguards. But I did commute all winter last year from Seattle to Kirkland on my rain bike without fenders. I was very cold some days, but for the most part it was fine. Mudguards to me are ugly and an implicit infraction of Rule #9.

That said, they're not against The Rules.
RedRanger says:

Mar 31 2014 at 3:11 pm

@frank thats a double upfront and it looks like xtr rear d.
frank says:

Mar 31 2014 at 3:12 pm

@wiscot

Great piece! I finally rode #2 bike this weekend as the roads were sufficiently dry to warrant it. Otherwise, I've been plugging away on my mongrel winter/rain bike with judiciously applied red reflective tape. Where do you get the black stuff?

Just got the 3M stuff off Amazon. Tried getting it from local Marina supply stores, but none of them could get it.

Is buying from Amazon the same as buying local if you live in Seattle?

http://www.amazon.com/3M-03614-Scotch-Mount-Molding-Tape/dp/B002JOVUO0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1396303874&sr=8-4&keywords=3m+black+tape
frank says:

Mar 31 2014 at 3:14 pm

@meursault, @wiscot

All you need is one car at the wrong time; doesn't matter too much the personalities of volume of traffic!

Seattle, though, does generally have very cyclist-aware traffic.
Beers says:

Mar 31 2014 at 3:16 pm

When riding rule 9, I think that every driver is just as distracted as usual, but now with impeded vision because their windscreen is foggy, or the windscreen wipers aren't working properly or the rain is heavy enough to impede vision in between each swipe.

Basically, bright lights and ride super conservative. Plus avoid paint markings, manhole covers etc as much as possible, and if you must, ride straight over with no turning or braking.
frank says:

Mar 31 2014 at 3:19 pm

@KW

I ride DT shifters, but they are enormous, and the young girls run - screaming.

@Conrad

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.

No argument here mate. I hate mud guards of any kind, shape, or color.

@Nik

Can a rain bike be called a Nine Bike?

Plus One badge to you, matey. And into the Lexicon with it, too.

@RedRanger

@frank thats a double upfront and it looks like xtr rear d.

I mean the size, genius.
Beers says:

Mar 31 2014 at 3:24 pm

@frank

@Overijse

I know its a different scenario but I top out my 46Ã—12 on my CX bike on fast bits of trail, so having a single ring seems too limiting, but a double might be good enough.

I'm thinking a 50 or 46 with a 10-42 cassette might become a pretty good option, although ugly and larger gear gaps harder for cadence. Lighter, fast as a std road combo on the top end, easy as a compact 50 x 28 combo for the hills...
RedRanger says:

Mar 31 2014 at 3:47 pm

@frank glad to be of service. But like I keep saying, STI will work with mtb mechs.
DeKerr says:

Mar 31 2014 at 4:15 pm

@frank

@wiscot

Great piece! I finally rode #2 bike this weekend as the roads were sufficiently dry to warrant it. Otherwise, I've been plugging away on my mongrel winter/rain bike with judiciously applied red reflective tape. Where do you get the black stuff?

Just got the 3M stuff off Amazon. Tried getting it from local Marina supply stores, but none of them could get it.

Is buying from Amazon the same as buying local if you live in Seattle?

http://www.amazon.com/3M-03614-Scotch-Mount-Molding-Tape/dp/B002JOVUO0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1396303874&sr=8-4&keywords=3m+black+tape

I think you meant:

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Scotchcal-Reflective-Striping-5-Inch/dp/B00063XI64/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8

Unless the moulding tape is what was used to fix the R3?