How To Remove Reflector From Bike Wheel?

If you haven’t been told that you look uncool with your new bike, then consider yourself lucky – because every time I take mine out, it seems to lower my confidence rather than boosting it.

After asking a little here and there, I found out that it is because of the wheel reflectors. That’s when I realized I don’t really need them, and started to learn more and more about how to remove reflector from bike wheel.

Since I invested quite a lot of time in finding out the method of removing it, I realized that it is quite simple and doesn’t require much time either – find out more in this article.

Table of Contents

What Is a Bike Wheel Reflector?

A reflector does exactly what it sounds like – light reflects from it to aid visibility when riding your bike in the dark. It acts as a safety device, although, it is not enough to provide sufficient visual aid during the night.

Basically, the reflector contains beads or prisms and two right-angle mirrors; all of these combine to reflect light back to the source it was coming from. So, it only works if there is a source of light, to begin with.

As a result, they can only be efficient under the right circumstances – you cannot always depend on them, and so, they are not always useful either. It is best to have other methods of producing light in the dark.

Moreover, some people deem it uncool to have bike wheel reflectors – especially people with mountain bikes or those who participate in races and such. Hence, they tend to remove it. That’s what we will be discussing in this article.

Why Should I Remove Bike Wheel Reflectors?

If you are wondering why you should remove your bike wheel reflectors, then you have come to the right place.

Doesn’t Help Much

Although the purpose of bike reflectors is to help you see during the night, they are practically useless if there isn’t any source of light, to begin with.

Quite Heavy

Bike reflectors are made of plastic material mostly, and yet, they tend to add dimension and weight to your bike.

Doesn’t Look Cool

Most people remove it solely because they do not look cool, and really, they don’t.

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How to Remove Reflector from Bike Wheel?

Now, removing bike wheel reflectors is not the most difficult task on earth – but you will have to follow the instructions very carefully if you want to get it right the first time. We are making it as elaborate as possible for you.

Gather a Screwdriver

The tool required for the purpose is a screwdriver. However, some people can use coins and other tools as well for the removal of the reflectors. Just keep in mind that they can be rather tight – and so, your tool will determine how effortless the process is going to be for you. Hence, select and gather a tool accordingly.

Twist and Turn

Once you inspect the reflectors, you will realize that they are basically two pieces attached to your bike’s wheels. And in the middle of the pieces, there’s a round thing, which can be removed by twisting and turning. After twisting, it will come out, and the two pieces will also be removed conveniently.

Do the Rear After the Front

There are going to be wheel reflectors both on the front wheel and the rear wheel of your bike. So start with the front wheel first; and once you are done with that one, move to the rear wheel. Once you have removed both, the process will be completed.

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Final Words

Not sure if removing bike wheel reflectors would be worth it? Trust us – it surely will be. And once you learn how to remove reflectors from the bike wheel, you will realize that you don’t need to put much effort into this either.