Reflectors on new bike rant
Discussion
Talk me down please - I'm really angry and don't know whether I'm right to be. Surely I can't be the first that has had this:
So I've just blown nearly £2k on a carbon road bike and extras (fisher cronus) and asked them during prep not to put reflectors on. Went in today to pick it up and - sure enough - all reflectors are on (plus I couldn't pick it up as they'd forgotten to order some of the kit). Now the only ones that really annoy me are the wheel reflectors. Surely tightening a bolt onto a thin piece of metal designed for longitudinal strength and lightness can't be good for it - I'm a heavy rider and these are lightweight radial wheels (front is radial anyway) so I'm a bit nervous anyway. Why I'm angry:
1. Specifically asked them not to fit any reflectors, which they said wouldn't be a problem then fitted them anyway
2. They screwed up the order
3. What business is it of anybody but myself whether I have reflectors (not the bike shop's fault admittedly)?
Now am I being unreasonable here? Right now I feel that what needed to be a special moment (picking up a new bike) has been sullied and hence I'll always remember that frustration (which won't be good for the motivation to ride it). Thoughts please?
So I've just blown nearly £2k on a carbon road bike and extras (fisher cronus) and asked them during prep not to put reflectors on. Went in today to pick it up and - sure enough - all reflectors are on (plus I couldn't pick it up as they'd forgotten to order some of the kit). Now the only ones that really annoy me are the wheel reflectors. Surely tightening a bolt onto a thin piece of metal designed for longitudinal strength and lightness can't be good for it - I'm a heavy rider and these are lightweight radial wheels (front is radial anyway) so I'm a bit nervous anyway. Why I'm angry:
1. Specifically asked them not to fit any reflectors, which they said wouldn't be a problem then fitted them anyway
2. They screwed up the order
3. What business is it of anybody but myself whether I have reflectors (not the bike shop's fault admittedly)?
Now am I being unreasonable here? Right now I feel that what needed to be a special moment (picking up a new bike) has been sullied and hence I'll always remember that frustration (which won't be good for the motivation to ride it). Thoughts please?
Vytalis said:
unreasonable here? Right now I feel that what needed to be a special moment (picking up a new bike) has been sullied and hence I'll always remember that frustration (which won't be good for the motivation to ride it). Thoughts please?
Stop being such a prig. An enthusiastic cyclist like you should know it's a legal requirement that bikes have reflectors. Is it anyone else's concern? Well I guess so if you remove them and someone knocks you off. Just go out for a good ride, work up a sweat and enjoy it for heaven's sake. 
Edited by RichB on Saturday 21st August 13:31
Vytalis said:
3. What business is it of anybody but myself whether I have reflectors (not the bike shop's fault admittedly)?
Now am I being unreasonable here? Right now I feel that what needed to be a special moment (picking up a new bike) has been sullied and hence I'll always remember that frustration (which won't be good for the motivation to ride it). Thoughts please?
I think you're being a bit over dramatic about it.Now am I being unreasonable here? Right now I feel that what needed to be a special moment (picking up a new bike) has been sullied and hence I'll always remember that frustration (which won't be good for the motivation to ride it). Thoughts please?
The shop has to fit reflectors. They are not damaging your wheels by being there, it will take 30 seconds for you to remove them.
Do you honestly think you won't want to ride the bike because looking at it upsets you over the shop fitting reflectors?
Edited by el stovey on Saturday 21st August 13:43
Thanks all - partly irritated by the 'big brother' thing and partly a bit precious about spokes - I had an ultralight wheel collapse on me mid roundabout in a timetrial about 15 years ago and ever since have taken an unhealthy interest in the integrity of my wheels - have you any idea how hard it is to clean skinsuits?
I shall follow your collective wisdom.
I shall follow your collective wisdom.
If having reflectors fitted and then removed is going to weaken the wheels to the point they're going to become safety issue, then you want to be looking into some stronger wheels! I'd wager riding over a white line at speed will probably put more strain through the wheels than the fitting of a reflector.
"What business is it of anybody but myself whether I have reflectors?" That would be just about every other road user. Think about a motorists view of a cyclist emerging from a side road (Give Way Line) ahead on the left. Cyclist is turning left in same direction as motorist. If it is dark then the ONLY indicator of cyclists presence may be reflected light from the wheel reflectors.
The regulations may also apply to persons supplying a second-hand bicycle, depending on how you read the regs, but the problem I see regularly is that, if ALL bicycles are supplied by law with wheel reflectors, how come you never see them on the cool kids rides (BMX/Downhill/etc). As I ride a lot after dark, I like to have reflectors/lights, etc, but I had to ask for them when I bought my last bike - "we din't think you'd want them fitted". One question regarding the subject of rear facing reflectors on pedals, though. If it's a legal requirement to have them, how do you comply with the law if you run Look/SPDs? The supply of the bike is dealt with in the link in this thread, but the use of the bike on the public highway is governed, amongst others, by the RVLR's. What does this have to say about minimum safety lighting and reflectors/bells?
The regulations may also apply to persons supplying a second-hand bicycle, depending on how you read the regs, but the problem I see regularly is that, if ALL bicycles are supplied by law with wheel reflectors, how come you never see them on the cool kids rides (BMX/Downhill/etc). As I ride a lot after dark, I like to have reflectors/lights, etc, but I had to ask for them when I bought my last bike - "we din't think you'd want them fitted". One question regarding the subject of rear facing reflectors on pedals, though. If it's a legal requirement to have them, how do you comply with the law if you run Look/SPDs? The supply of the bike is dealt with in the link in this thread, but the use of the bike on the public highway is governed, amongst others, by the RVLR's. What does this have to say about minimum safety lighting and reflectors/bells?
- Edit: Having visited the ctc website, I consider myself to have been educated. Many of the things I thought were required in law turn out not to be, although I'll be keeping my bike exactly as it is.
Edited by yellowjack on Sunday 22 August 01:14
To answer my own question:
"The Pedal Cycles (Safety) Regulations (PCSR) ensure that every new bicycle is sold with several extra reflectors, not required by RVLR, but (strangely) does nothing at all to facilitate the fitment of front and rear lamps. These additional reflectors are found on the sides of the wheels, clear white or coloured yellow, and there's also a "white" reflector on the front of the bike. You are at liberty to remove the surplus side and front reflectors, which in any case are of dubious benefit, but be sure to fit the necessary front and rear lamps."
From the ctc website (http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=4071)
"The Pedal Cycles (Safety) Regulations (PCSR) ensure that every new bicycle is sold with several extra reflectors, not required by RVLR, but (strangely) does nothing at all to facilitate the fitment of front and rear lamps. These additional reflectors are found on the sides of the wheels, clear white or coloured yellow, and there's also a "white" reflector on the front of the bike. You are at liberty to remove the surplus side and front reflectors, which in any case are of dubious benefit, but be sure to fit the necessary front and rear lamps."
From the ctc website (http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=4071)
Edited by yellowjack on Sunday 22 August 00:47
Vytalis said:
Surely tightening a bolt onto a thin piece of metal designed for longitudinal strength and lightness can't be good for it - I'm a heavy rider and these are lightweight radial wheels (front is radial anyway) so I'm a bit nervous anyway.
do you have a bike computer pick up?!...
Its a legal requirement BUT a good bike shop should have noted down that you didnt want them fitted.
I help out in my friends bike shop and I wouldnt have put reflectors on a TT bike TBH.
If your worried about the wheels get them checked at the shop after a couple of rides, it should be free!
I help out in my friends bike shop and I wouldnt have put reflectors on a TT bike TBH.
If your worried about the wheels get them checked at the shop after a couple of rides, it should be free!
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