Why is a lot of com...
 

  You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more

[Closed] Why is a lot of commuter gear black?

15 Posts
15 Users
0 Reactions
164 Views
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Following from the 'Why do lots of riders wear black?' thread. OK a lot of waterproof jackets are yellow/pink/orange/whatever, but why is everything else either dark or black.

I find that unless its actually raining, waterproof jackets are horrible. So I've been trying to find something like a soft-shell that has the same 'look at me Mr driver' reflective stuff, and is a suitably horrid colour, but have so far failed.

Any thoughts?

Or anyone fancy pointing me in the direction of the huge range of stuff that I've somehow missed? (It wouldn't surprise me if that happens)


 
Posted : 24/09/2013 10:41 am
Posts: 39449
Free Member
 

endura exo or thermo in lumo yellow.

i tend to just chuck a hiviz vest over what ever im wearing while commuting. removes any ambiguity as to wether i was actually trying to be seen


 
Posted : 24/09/2013 10:45 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

So it doesn't show so much of the grime you inevitably pick up over time.


 
Posted : 24/09/2013 10:53 am
Posts: 56564
Full Member
 

So we is, like, ninja braaaa, innit?

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 24/09/2013 10:57 am
 MSP
Posts: 15473
Free Member
 

Some of the outdoor gear manufacturers do some pretty vivid colour clothing, which would be quite suitable for commuting. Check out haglofs for some particularly lurid offerings.


 
Posted : 24/09/2013 10:59 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Not a full softshell, just pertex, but the polaris rbs jacket is v bright:

http://road.cc/content/review/47659-polaris-rbs-jacket


 
Posted : 24/09/2013 11:02 am
 D0NK
Posts: 592
Full Member
 

Only got one jacket that's black, sods law states it's the most versatile and comfy one 🙄 most stuff seems to be red/blue if not full on yellow/orange.

But yeah bright jackets look filthy pretty quick, I don't care but maybe manufacturers think riders don't want to have to wash their kit every other day or look scruffy gets if they don't.

I find that unless its actually raining, waterproof jackets are horrible.
unless it absolutely torrential waterproof jackets are horrible. Don't actually own one at the moment.


 
Posted : 24/09/2013 11:04 am
Posts: 1070
Full Member
 

I have one of these[img] [/img]and one of these [img] [/img]. The Sugoi one is very bright. I also wear some of these [img] [/img]

And lots of lights.


 
Posted : 24/09/2013 11:08 am
Posts: 65918
Free Member
 

TBF I'm not convinced it makes any bloomin difference, considering 250kg of motorbike and rider with full beams, hi viz jacket, and earthshaking exhaust is apparently invisible to the average driver. The only time people ever see you is when they want to shout at something.

But, still, I wear visible clothes- at least when someone doesn't see me, it's not because I'm a ninja.


 
Posted : 24/09/2013 11:12 am
Posts: 15261
Full Member
 

I dunno, I've got plenty of non-black kit, I rode in today in a Red jersey, white arm warmers and my rucksack had a bright Yellow HiViz cover on it...

it does seem like more shorts, leggings and leg/knee warmers come mostly in black, but then even those can be found in alternative colours...


 
Posted : 24/09/2013 11:18 am
 D0NK
Posts: 592
Full Member
 

Northwind unfortunately has a point, we're stuck in the shitty situation of festooning ourselves in lights and high vis but still getting smidsy-ed and coming to the conclusion "nothing I do makes any difference" but if we are knocked off then "oooh you didn't have any pedal reflectors, contributory negligence right there!"


 
Posted : 24/09/2013 11:20 am
 will
Posts: 44
Free Member
 

A High Vis gilet is always a good option and means you don't sweat too much.


 
Posted : 24/09/2013 11:26 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Or buy cheap hi-vis vests, unpick and put the reflective bits on your comfy ninja clothes.


 
Posted : 24/09/2013 11:30 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

[i]Any thoughts?[/i]

You haven't looked very hard?


 
Posted : 24/09/2013 11:41 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
Posts: 5484
Full Member
 

I prefer the stealthy look so the drivers cant see you to run you down...


 
Posted : 24/09/2013 12:07 pm

6 DAYS LEFT
We are currently at 95% of our target!