Turn indicator recommendations.

[rafiki]

I have been looking at fitting turn indicators on my bikes. The ones I have seen so far akin to adapted rear flashing reds seem to be too central to give drivers at a distance much idea of which way it is indicating. The bar end ones will overcome that but some reports say they aren't much use in bright sunlight. I'd appreciate feedback from people who have used indicators and any recommendations please.

 

[Milkfloat]

 

[fossyant]

Your arm works far better, and relying upon an 'indicator' is not the normal approach drivers expect I'm afraid. Can cause confusion.

 

[ianrauk]

Just stick with your arms. It's what vehicle drivers expect to see.

 

[Seevio]

What about some orange flashing gloves? Best of both worlds.

 

[Markymark]

Drivers aren’t expecting to see it. It’ll be less noticd by the driver behind than sticking your arm out

 

[numbnuts]

I have them on my recumbent trike and motorists do see them and take note, but on a bike no way,
bike = hand signals that is what people are use to seeing
recumbent trike – WTF is that Oh look indicators, but in very heavy traffic I'll even use both hand and indicators

 

[Deleted member 26715]

I used to have a pair of motorcycle gloves from the 60's that had a reflective arrow on them so that when the arm was stuck out at night it was more apparent, maybe a amber flashing LED on the back of each hand, but how you would operate them would be intriguing

 

[Markymark]

I gave up indicating after too many left/right hooks when the car behind was also turning and thought it would be fine to overtake me on the corner and beat me to it. Just not worth it imo.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

I gave up indicating after too many left/right hooks when the car behind was also turning and thought it would be fine to overtake me on the corner and beat me to it. Just not worth it imo.

Do you also drive a BMW or Audi? Although it appears these days lots of cars aspire to be them

 

[Markymark]

Do you also drive a BMW or Audi? Although it appears these days lots of cars aspire to be them

Used to, not anymore.

 

[classic33]

Used them on both bicycle and quadricycle. The last time on the quadricycle, they were still ignored despite a three foot gap between them.

If they fail to see them on a cycle that stands out anyway, what are the chances of being seen for what they are, on a bicycle?

 

[HLaB]

Ive not read them in detail but for the most part I echo the comments above.

That aside road.cc gave these indicators an ok review, probably because they just reinforce the out stretched arm.
https://road.cc/content/review/257611-useeme-bicycle-indicator-wristbands

 

[glasgowcyclist]

On a bicycle they'll be difficult to distinguish from any distance as being turn indicators so the idea is fairly pointless.

But you've asked for information so if you don't mind a bit of diy you could follow @WIGHTDIAMOND 's thread on how he made his own for his trike.
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/front-rear-led-micro-indicators-qnt.245576/