RainyDayBiking.com
PROTECTION - VISIBILITY - SAFETY
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Spring is here, I know because a couple of my daffodils poked through last week. We have been very busy during March participating in both the Seattle and Portland Bike shows with excellent response. A couple of things are apparent: most, not all, LBSs (local bike shops) are in business to sell bikes and don't do a good job of serving the rainy day biker. Our penetration into LBSs has been SLOW and steady, but most LBSs seem to respond to demand rather than presenting a new idea.
The SKS Raceblade Long has been available since early this year. This is an easily mounted and removable fender that does not need rubber bands and mounts to most racing bikes using a few Stainless Steel clips that mount under the brake pivots and under the skewers. No cutting, sawing, drilling or zip ties. It is so easy I was able to install a set. They don't shift, rattle or rub!
Now the surprising part! Our business is Rainy Day Biking ;-), and we first saw the fender at Interbike and determined we would add them to our product offerings. We ordered 8 sets for the Seattle Expo and sold out by noon the first day. Took more orders and shipped another dozen out the following week. We brought 18 sets for the Portland show, a smaller market, and almost sold out again. The main reason is that most of the bike shops, large and small, don't carry them!
For our SPRING SPECIAL, we are offering the SKS Raceblade Long as a package with one of our Prismatic Mud Flaps at a Package Discount of 10%. Just enter Coupon Code SKS-Flap at check out. If you already have fenders, enter code ss15 for 15% off of our mud flaps. With the Northwest Spring projected to be cooler and wetter than normal, act now. Install them. If the sun comes out pop them off. If it clouds up, pop them back on.
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We are back after a long summer vacation that stretched into Fall. It has been a busy few months. We went to Interbike where our product was well received both domestically and internationally. Our product is now available at select local bike shops in the Northwest and California.
About half of bike/vehicle collisions occur from the front side. To assist in visibility in these areas we offer the reflective BRITE WHEELS and BRITE BIKE products. They are pre-cut reflective vinyl that conform to the wheel shape for BRITE WHEELS and pre-cut strips that wrap around the various tubes on the frame providing 360 degree visibility. Available in RED, WHITE and stealth BLACK that reflects white when hit by light. The protection is always there and NO BATTERIES ARE REQUIRED!
One of the things we hear when we discuss mud flaps is that I don’t have fenders. Well that excuse doesn’t work any longer as we now carry the German made SKS fenders, the finest available. And if you order mud-flaps and a set of fenders we will give you a 10% discount and pre-drill the fenders for the mud-flaps. In many parts of the country the rainy season will extend the next couple of months and if you ride with a group you definitely need fenders and mud flaps; in fact they are required for Seattle club group rides.
When the fenders do come off don’t sacrifice your visibility and safety on the late or early morning rides. Check out our Brite Bike and Brite Wheels reflective kits. Pre-cut to fit your wheels and frames, easy to install and they weigh next to nothing.
February 2011
We are still in the middle of winter. In the NW the only thing that stops us is snow and ice or high winds with falling trees. In other parts of the frozen north there are still people riding their bikes. We have shipped mud flaps to South Dakota, Colorado and Sweden ( and Arizona?) for good measure.
When the snow starts to melt, it is normally preceded by spring showers which produce a nasty mix of water, sand, salt or other chemicals that are used to fight snow and ice. Protect your bike, your clothes and your friends by getting ready with fenders and high visibility reflective mud flaps.
January 2011
So why a mud flap? Fenders do an adequate job of protecting you but still send a stream of road grime onto anyone behind you as well as your feet. If you don't use a front mud flap look at your feet after your next wet ride. By the way your drive train is getting the same abrasive bath.
Now that I am riding again you see every excuse imaginable for mud flaps. Makes me wonder why someone will spend thousands on a winter bike, and cut a milk carton in half and call it a mud flap when a professional option that enhances visibility and protection is readily available.December 2010
The Holiday season is suddenly upon us. Amazing how time flies! Be sure to check out our Holiday themed mud flaps. They make great stocking stuffers and can even double as an ornament for the true enthusiast.
The Northwest has already had our first bout of snow. There are those who continue to ride even in the frozen conditions. In snowy/slushy conditions the mud flaps become even more important. The salt, sand and chemicals used to keep roads passable wreak havoc on bike parts. Protect your drive train with reflective mud flaps. Also being seen is just as important. In snowy conditions our commuter (red prismatic) is your best bet providing maximum visibility and protection.
Everyone out there ride safe and ride smart and have a Happy Holiday Season.
November 2010
Daylight savings time starts this weekend which means most everyone will be riding home in the dark and often in the rain. The fair-weather riders are packing their bikes for the winter. The more hearty riders and commuters will continue to ride.
For rainy and dark riding you need three things to maximize your visibility and safety;
- Light colored and reflective clothing
- Lights both front and rear
- Reflective mud flaps and reflective highlights on your bike.
Lights are important but actually lose their brightness as the batteries wear down (how many times have you seen barely visible light?). Reflective or retro reflective as it is more accurately called, redirects the light of approaching vehicles back to the source of the light, specifically the headlights. Some tail lights have a small reflective area but in reflective bigger is better
. Reflective material does not rely on an external power source.Our mud flaps are large and utilize both engineering grade and high intensity prismatic reflective vinyl for maximum visibility both day and night.
October 2010
Summer is gone and fall has arrived with its colors and cooler temperatures, shorter days, and rain. The major obstacle both recreational riders and bike commuters face is being seen, especially in low light conditions.
Our reflective safety mud flaps are manufactured from polycarbonate and coated with highway grade reflective vinyl to enhance your visibility as well as keeping both you and your bike free of road grime.
The standard mud flap uses glass bead technology and is adequate for most conditions. Our commuter mud flap for those who encounter a lot of traffic or just want the absolute maximum visibility, is coated with prismatic vinyl that enhances both daylight and nighttime visibility by reflecting light through a wider angle. Both flaps reduce the amount of road grime that gets on your drive train, bike and you, reducing wear and maintenance costs.
