Red or hi-viz, for commuting in busy city traffic?
As a motorist, how visible do you reckon red actually is? I'm thinking hi viz because I am over 35 and don't care about looking a dork.
Bike Forum
Waterproof jacket colour
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Posted 4 months ago #
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I don't think red is very good at night. Last time I was looking I wanted white as I don't want hi-vis, didn't actually get anything in teh end on that occasion and really need to stop getting soaked
Posted 4 months ago # -
if you get the Endura Night Vision one it has more reflective stuff on it than you can shake a stick at.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Hi viz for communting in traffic. Doesn't matter what you look like!
Posted 4 months ago # -
I bought a white one, in fact the last two have been white. Dunno if it makes any difference; I try to ride as if I'm totally invisible..
Posted 4 months ago # -
Hi viz for communting in traffic. Doesn't matter what you look like!
+1. my mtb jacket is read but it's not as visible at night.
Posted 4 months ago # -
endura do a RED hi viz jacket.
By night ti's lights + reflective bits that will make you visible.
By day it's the contrast you offer to your surroundings that will makes you stand out.Posted 4 months ago # -
All the reflective bits in the world don't help in the daytime.
The jacket I want only comes in red or hi-viz yellow. I have other jackets (not waterproof ones) in normal yellow and white/grey, which helps and looks less dorky, but I think hi viz is the way. Endura should really do white - it'd look cool AND be visible
Posted 4 months ago # -
White would get dirty fast, although would look cool.
Red becomes a shade of dark blue in fading light so no. Plenty of people ride in high vis stuff, you may look a bit silly but you will be amongst many others so it'll be fine.
When you are the only one in the county looking like a twonk, then is the time to worry.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Right. Cyclesurgery Spitalfields tonight to try sizes, then a hi-viz one on order for next week.
Btw yellow and hi viz also look dirty fast - I'd rather wear dirty white than dirty hi viz. But hi viz is so ubiquitous along the roadside I think people are really tuned in to noticing it. Especially as coppers with speed cameras wear it
Posted 4 months ago # -
The jacket I was looking at was an Endura and white, can't remember what model, but I found out from someone that they don't allow all shops all colours so you may have to dig around.
I was going to buy it online but I can't remember what size I found fitted either - the shop I tried it on in only had black
Posted 4 months ago # -
Go for the Altura nightvision one
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/altura-night-vision-evo-waterproof-cycling-jacket/Posted 4 months ago # -
I want an Endura Flyte.. don't care for the Altura jacket.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Hi-Viz for commuting. Without a doubt.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Hi-viz = YJA
Yellow Jacket of Authority. The big brother of the YVA
Posted 4 months ago # -
Posted 4 months ago #
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What about the Mavic Vision (I think)? Bright orange with 3M all over it, shall be on my list.
Posted 4 months ago # -
just whack this one over the jacket of your choice..
What, so people run you down because they think they're doing the human race a favour?
Posted 4 months ago # -
I seem to recall that someone got done for "impersonating a police officer" for wearing something like that a few years back.
Posted 4 months ago # -
@yunki. I like that.
Posted 4 months ago # -
I was looking at the endura helium that they do in white. Although I now think I'm going to give the Ground Effect Storm Trooper a go as, even though it's not the most modern design, the kiwis seem pretty good at making this kinda thing and are pretty familiar with an island climate like ours. You can get it in agent orange if you want hi-viz that isn't yellow.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Red or blue for me - they're a bit different to the usual yellow and stand out quite well.
Got a red Endura Stealth which is my usual commuting jacket and a (very old) blue RaceFace windproof jacket which I wear if I don't need the full on insulation that the Stealth gives. Loads of reflective trim on it as well for night time.Colour doesn't make the blindest bit of difference at night and IME the only thing that works in fog is bright orange. Otherwise anything bright is good.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Colour doesn't make the blindest bit of difference at night
I think it does.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Are you commuting with a rucsack? Or using panniers (or nothing)?
If using a rucsack, then get one of those Hump covers & whatever colour of jacket your prefer.
Personally, if I was getting a jacket that was mainly to be used for road commuting, it would be hi-viz yellow.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Sometimes a rucksack yes, sometimes panniers, sometimes both. Sometimes neither.. plus I ride on the road at other times. I've decided on hi viz.
Posted 4 months ago # -
I have a red Endura Flyte and can confirm that it acts as an extremely effective invisibility cloak (for pedestrians at least).
In the warmer months I use a hi viz Montane which has some kind of subtle time distortion effect - pedestrians all seem to assume you're travelling at slightly less than walking pace, and every other cyclist *needs* to overtake you (a bit like driving a car with L plates).
<sigh>
Posted 4 months ago # -
A guy who commutes on my work loop, has one of those 'Polite' hi-vis tops, slightly different, but he said its mad the extra amount of space he gets whe he uses it.
Colour doesn't make the blindest bit of difference at night
But I think you do stand out more with decent reflective Hi-Vis, especially side on to traffic.
Anyone use a decent hi-vis rucksack, that is waterproof and does not look like you are carrying a breeze block?
Posted 4 months ago # -
A quick google found this scotchlite fabric tape which I think I'll get a couple of metres of and sew onto the sleeves of the Aldi softshell I usually comute in. They also have a self adhesive version.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Red or orange at night for me. There's so many high viz clad cyclists about that they just fade into the background.
Posted 4 months ago # -
MrBlond - Member
In the warmer months I use a hi viz Montane which has some kind of subtle time distortion effect - pedestrians all seem to assume you're travelling at slightly less than walking pace, and every other cyclist *needs* to overtake you (a bit like driving a car with L plates).
Its not just me then. I suffer from the same and wear a yellow Montane Velo...
Posted 4 months ago #
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