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review

Respro Urban sticker kit

8
£10.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Good value extra visibility for mudguards, panniers and other accessories.
Weight: 
0g
Contact: 
www.madison.co.uk

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I’m not overly keen on sticker sets and costing close to a tenner, Respro’s Urban range seem extravagant. However, these Scotchlite decals provide welcome additional security on flat surfaces like wide section mudguards, rack-platforms and hard shell panniers. They’re also a very clever way of getting round the perception amongst teenage and younger riders that safety isn’t cool but I’d fight shy of applying them to helmets given there’s no way of knowing which adhesives affect a helmet shell’s integrity.

Good surface preparation is the key to prevent lifting. Clean the affected area with an alcohol wipe or alternatively treat your bike to a good wash. Dry thoroughly and apply to the chosen spot, smoothing down with the palm of your hand to ensure good, even purchase. Once aboard, they don’t budge and I’ve a set still going strong on a utility pannier and a pair of gloves after three years and some very testing winters.

The Scotchlite is particularly effective mounted to the length of a rear mudguard, pannier sides or tagalong increasing safety when emerging from junctions and negotiating roundabouts. The skull and cross bones designs were a real hit with my six year old and with a little imagination you can fashion some very attractive and conspicuous patterns, jazzing up jaded luggage into the bargain.

Fabrics such as cotton duck and hemp make very sound surfaces but shiny, waterproof panniers proved trickier, ours lifting in a matter of weeks when used in wet, muddy conditions. However periodic sponging down and more invasive washing has made negligible impression upon their adhesion or reflective qualities.

Theft and maintenance free, coupled with zero running costs means they represent good value for money in the longer run and if the urban warrior skull and crossbones theme’s a touch brash, there’s several others to choose from.

Verdict

Good value extra visibility for mudguards, panniers and other accessories.

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Respro Urban sticker kit

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

The Respro Urban are ahesive scotchlite sticker sets designed to adhere to flat surfaces including panniers, bags and other accessories as a means of tertiary illumination but aren't suitable for helmets.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Self adhesive scotchlite stickers.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Very effective when caught in vehicle headlamp beams.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10

Weigh next to nothing-complete set 7g

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Excellent given their longevity and standards of manufacture.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

These are genuinely superb-work very well both as tertiary visibility aids, jazzing up luggage and accessories into the bargain-I've had a set still going strong with no obvious deterioration after three years exposed to all weathers.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Stylish, safety conscious street cred.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 35  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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