tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post958744442877997272..comments2024-03-18T08:41:35.438-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: Pretty-Bright! Three Reflective Vests for Plain Clothed CyclingVelouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-5826103133651075512013-11-26T11:48:21.276-05:002013-11-26T11:48:21.276-05:00Hmm pretty cool. Acrylic but could be worth experi...Hmm pretty cool. Acrylic but could be worth experimenting with.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-11499661407385963452013-11-26T11:33:59.418-05:002013-11-26T11:33:59.418-05:00Your wish is Schachenmayr Lumio's command! Kn...Your wish is Schachenmayr Lumio's command! Knit On:<br />http://www.knittersreview.com/article_yarn.asp?article=/review/product/130912_a.asp<br />Love MaryMaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12435314548777428233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-16500012540908024782013-11-26T09:27:02.131-05:002013-11-26T09:27:02.131-05:00A second here for Wowows range of products. While ...A second here for Wowows range of products. While their clothing range is conventional compared to the less industrial styles you're showcasing here, we swear by their reflective spoke tubes which turn wheels into incredible illuminated discs of light. Combined with schwalbe reflective sidewalls its an amazing light display that no one can fail to notice. <br /><br />As a driver too, I despair at rounding a bend on a pitch black country road to find a cyclist with nothing at all but a cheap and feeble (and invariably ill-aimed and half spent) rear LED. In my opinion retro-reflective, hi-viz, what ever you want to call it is far more effective for getting noticed than cheap light sets.Nickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192334695751441470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-27874207111765442042013-11-26T09:11:21.459-05:002013-11-26T09:11:21.459-05:00Most of the ones I have were free to me. The earl...Most of the ones I have were free to me. The earliest I can remember wearing was a railway safety vest back in the late 80s. Back then they were really the only workers who wore that sort of thing. I even remember somebody remarked it looked like a boob tube (80s speak). It was bright orange with one broad reflecttive strip.<br /><br />Later on I used to wear a Sam Browne belt for nighttime only. Most of recent free ones came from a tram operator promoting cycle safety and a load of them from our Road Saftey Authority (RoI) order from their website and couriered out. From time to time discount store have very cheap ones that don't lat very long but are good as backup.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11219924661976302038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-52359051311404677962013-11-26T08:24:15.374-05:002013-11-26T08:24:15.374-05:00Thanks, I'll have a look at these.Thanks, I'll have a look at these. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-65100105579205642182013-11-26T08:23:14.749-05:002013-11-26T08:23:14.749-05:00Pricepoint is always going to be an issue with han...Pricepoint is always going to be an issue with handmade garments produced locally and in small batches. As someone who sews and knits, and has done it for $ in the past, when I look at the Dargelos vest and consider how many hours it took to make it plus the cost of materials, the price is actually reasonable. Of course that still doesn't make it any easier to swallow for a consumer.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-44708281364340508852013-11-26T08:20:07.107-05:002013-11-26T08:20:07.107-05:00The whole X thing is debatable for that very reaso...The whole X thing is debatable for that very reason, but is fairly standard in hi-viz wear. What's interesting to me is that the Vespertine garment -which at first glance appears whimsical and all fashion over function - adheres to traditional hi-viz design.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-68597978798012181362013-11-26T08:16:00.082-05:002013-11-26T08:16:00.082-05:00It's mostly an illusion from being in the cent...It's mostly an illusion from being in the center of a wide angle lens. But I do always lose a little weight in Ireland, regardless of how much I eat. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-58278135680896693272013-11-26T08:06:02.234-05:002013-11-26T08:06:02.234-05:00Like several others here, I generally favor a hi-v...Like several others here, I generally favor a hi-viz professional construction vest, which I sometimes wear during the day in winter. IIRC, got my current one for about $12 on ebay. Last year I zipped by a small pack of teenagers walking on the road, startling at least one, who exclaimed, "Oh snap!" Watching me recede down the road, another teen, who had obviously seen me cycling about town before: "It's cool. That's crossing guard guy."<br /><br />I think it was John Travolta in "Getting Shorty" who made a soccer mom van all the rage with Hollywood elites. I'm with the person above who suggests just rocking the most effective, least costly solution--in my opinion, that's true style (as opposed to fashion.)Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01285886035638697215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-10663635182812866942013-11-26T08:01:00.150-05:002013-11-26T08:01:00.150-05:00Looking good. Would be nice if men had a few more ...Looking good. Would be nice if men had a few more options, too! Let me know if you see anything!Milohttp://theyearzero.org/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-52835714605564587872013-11-25T23:05:43.544-05:002013-11-25T23:05:43.544-05:00(Sorry, for some reason it wouldn't let me rep...(Sorry, for some reason it wouldn't let me reply to your previous reply to my comment.)<br /><br />But, the flaking didn't happen right away. The first time I noticed it was in family photos at Thanksgiving last year - a little over a year after I bought it.<br /><br />And yes, the tangling happens when I'm leaning in over my bike, trying to simultaneously hold the door to my building open and hold onto my bike. Getting tangled in my bike was never an issue when I lived in Ann Arbor and could safely store my bike outside. Alycenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-65798154753598224542013-11-25T21:35:52.941-05:002013-11-25T21:35:52.941-05:00I have a Nathan similar to this: http://www.nathan...I have a Nathan similar to this: http://www.nathansports.com/visibility/reflective-gear/nightfall-vest<br /><br />Easy on and easy off. The mesh is cool on hot days. Sized to pull over a jacket in the cold.<br /><br />Definitely not attractive. But it wads up small enough I can cram it in a bike bad or even my pocket when I get off the bike and mingle with non-cycling people.Matthew Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10408057524387021992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-88274258738505391672013-11-25T18:18:30.574-05:002013-11-25T18:18:30.574-05:00These are too much for me....Thankfully the prices...These are too much for me....Thankfully the prices make it a no brainer. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-58883370118878581782013-11-25T11:01:27.739-05:002013-11-25T11:01:27.739-05:00Thanks for sharing this. Many people feel kind of ...Thanks for sharing this. Many people feel kind of ashamed wearing a vest. I know a construction site vest doesn't look very stylish... With these nice garments you present hopefully cyclists will feel more encouraged to use them and stand out in the dark.<br />That can save your life people!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-15865895235190564582013-11-25T08:37:51.388-05:002013-11-25T08:37:51.388-05:00is it just me (or life in emotionally repressed En...is it just me (or life in emotionally repressed England), or would the lighting vest be an interesting way to get noticed at a bondage party?derfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15596980838764306792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-47392848869545722162013-11-25T04:20:18.307-05:002013-11-25T04:20:18.307-05:00Hard to argue about looks. The mesh vest is actual...Hard to argue about looks. The mesh vest is actually my favourite, and I get compliments on it from others - including non-cyclists. The other two are not really my style, but to each their own.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-90224242153787421002013-11-25T04:17:30.825-05:002013-11-25T04:17:30.825-05:00Thanks : )Thanks : )Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-491682664018337732013-11-25T04:16:44.526-05:002013-11-25T04:16:44.526-05:00Thanks for the links!Thanks for the links!Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-48155502881851723582013-11-25T04:14:53.836-05:002013-11-25T04:14:53.836-05:00That's interesting, and I wonder whether the v...That's interesting, and I wonder whether the version you have is somehow different from current production. I've been wearing the Dargelos vest the longest and have not noticed the residue. <br /><br />As far as tangling, I assume you mean while you're walking the bike and holding it close to your body? I can see how that could happen, though in practice I have not actually managed to catch it on things. Putting the vest on does take longer though.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-59919542487103181632013-11-24T21:23:00.111-05:002013-11-24T21:23:00.111-05:00Coincidentally I've been looking at reflective...Coincidentally I've been looking at reflective stuff for the Mrs.; the above examples don't do it for us in warm climes/day use. <br /><br />Truly day glo in various brighter light conditions with reflective piping and true venting is the best combo of practicality and usefulness for the greatest variety of conditions imo. <br /><br />Ugly = EVeryone notices. GR Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01145811568384053426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-10036074786150397702013-11-24T19:19:03.217-05:002013-11-24T19:19:03.217-05:00You're looking skinny. That's unusual for...You're looking skinny. That's unusual for Ireland. They're always feeding you up. Breakfast, dinner, tea and supper. Four meals a day.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-73345648507536498032013-11-24T16:59:23.986-05:002013-11-24T16:59:23.986-05:00Yowza! The Dargelos Lightning Vest got pricey! I b...Yowza! The Dargelos Lightning Vest got pricey! I bought it a few years ago for around $80. I wouldn't buy it again, even at the lower price. It is such a pain to get on and off, and while it didn't seem like such a big deal when I first got it, over the years it has slowly driven me mad. <br /><br />And, since moving to DC, I now have to awkwardly maneuver my way through three sets of doors to get my building's bike parking. I find that the vest catches and gets tangled in my bike bell, brakes, handlebars, etc., and takes way more time.<br /><br />I also find that it leaves some sort of flaky residue on clothing. You can't see it with a naked eye, but it shows up in flash photography. Alycenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-41982818244932576242013-11-24T16:49:18.724-05:002013-11-24T16:49:18.724-05:00I am using a Wowow reflective cross belt made of e...I am using a Wowow reflective cross belt made of elastic stripes with 3M reflective material on them, and I am very happy with it (it is a Belgian product, but seems to be available widly, at least in the EU - I am from Germany, but I chose an Italian website because it provides the best picture-/text-combination: http://www.serstore.com/online-store/accessories/wowbelt/ ;-) ). <br />The Wowow cross belt is not as fashionable and as lightweight as the products reviewed here, it shurely consumes more space when not in use, and the center buckle indeed is a bit bulky. But overall it is well made, inexpensive, durable, mashine washable, it does not have this 'road construction worker appeal' to it, and most of all has a high degree of visibility in the dark, showing the big 'X' to the rear which I also would consider as most prominent reflective sign. The length of the belts can easily be adjusted as needed; as I like to ride with my wool jacket open sometimes, I found out that it is not necessary to close the belt buckle, it works anyway and shows no tendency to slip. <br /><br />MatthiasAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-44314170360901701532013-11-24T15:23:52.626-05:002013-11-24T15:23:52.626-05:00I got tired of spending silly amounts on reflectiv...I got tired of spending silly amounts on reflective garb that's marketed to cyclists. Instead, I buy reflective vests that are made for construction workers; Class 3 gear is much more reflective than anything I've seen in bike shops. (Wikipedia says, "Class 3 should be worn when working within 1.2 metres of a Highway with traffic moving in excess of 50 km/h," and I certainly bike that close to 50 km/h / 30 mph traffic for at least part of every ride.)<br /><br />A construction vest is much less expensive than fancy cycling gear (about $20), I can wear it over anything (sport coat, t-shirt), and the ones I get from SafetyDepot.com have front zippers and lots of pockets. When I arrive at my destination, I stuff it into my helmet. My favorite is the one with half sleeves--when I raise my arm to signal a turn, drivers can see the signal. I ride a lot in cold weather, so I get mine a size larger than usual so I can comfortably wear it over a coat or a heavy sweater.<br /><br />Stylish? No, but I'd rather be alive than have the ambulance driver say, "What a stylish corpse." ;-)Scotthttp://practicalbiking.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-23572763642775517912013-11-24T15:00:41.140-05:002013-11-24T15:00:41.140-05:00Those are appalling. The mesh thing would make peo...Those are appalling. The mesh thing would make people do a double take and then laugh. The silver Vesp looks exactly like what a teenager would whip up in about 15 minutes for a Star Trek Halloween costume.<br /><br /> And that orange thing looks more "Salem inspired" than anything else. <br /><br />Why not just give in and get one of those orange and yellow safety vests that workies wear? At least it's not trying and failing to look good, that's the worst way to roll. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com