Todzilla

Looking to upgrade my visibility for winter cycling, and to hell with looking cool.

Can't find men's neon cycling tights anywhere. Nashbar, performance, REI all have tights ranging from jet black to squid ink black.

I'll buy women's if I hafta, although I'm 6'2" and need to keep my junk aligned.

Any suggestions?

genec

Interesting idea... never seen anything but black.

Would want retro reflective stripes too.

mr_bill

Did you try to google "neon cycling tights"?

Gore Bike Wear makes a bunch. There are others too.

(Another direction to go is active HALO BELT | LED safety belt, Running safety, Cycling safety, Military safety, Motorcycle safety, Reflective vest jacket . For passive just about everything reflects, https://www.missionbicycle.com/store/lumen-bike-deposit .)

-mr. bill

Bandera

Take a page from the research on motorcycle conspicuity done here and in the UK for the last few decades.
To paraphrase, and I don't have the references at hand (see MSF).

The items most important to visibility by drivers:

#1 The Helmet: White by far the most conspicouous, use reflective stickies.

#2 : The Jacket: Hi-Vis Green/Yellow w/ prominent reflective stripes.

#3 Nothing else was really significant, other than running headlights.

I think this applies to cyclists as well, it's how I kit myself out. The Halo belt is stolen from my Moto-gear.
Save yourself the hassle, your lower body isn't visible "enough" to matter but apply reflective stuff as practical and good luck.

-Bandera

mr_bill

A motorcyclist's legs don't move much.
A cyclist's legs move a lot.

Sort of the same thing, but different.

-mr. bill

Bandera

Wear reflective leg bands & apply reflective tape to the crank arms.
Looking like Tinkerbell in public in HiVis tights not so much....

It is the high points that drivers see 1st and longest in traffic, pay attention to what matters.

PS
Just noticed that this posted in A&S rather than the Winter sub-forum.
Leaving before the usual interminable squawking over how many angels can dance on the head of a Neon pin ensues.

-Bandera

Todzilla

Yep, googled the phrase. Found one or two things from Gore, but not much else. As Mr. Bill noted, visible legs should help a lot, not to abandon neon jersey and helmet...

KD5NRH

Don't know how well it would work on other shoes, but on my running shoes, I put a postage-stamp sized piece of iron-on retroreflector strip on the back, and retroreflective shoelaces for front and side visibility. Shows up a heck of a lot better than any of the "reflective logos for safety" garbage with a two-postage-stamp sized logo that's 90% blank space.

jwarner

Thank Deity for that!

I'm with the others who recommended reflective add ons. I think the reflective velcro leg cuffs from Jannd Mountaineering (google away) are the bees knees, and I used them on both arms and legs in the winter no matter what I am wearing. I also pick up one of those cheep packs of Bell reflective bike stickers that comes with reflective yellow leg wraps (2 each). I wrap the leg wraps tightly around seat post and stem or head tube, and plaster the yellow stickers on fenders, racks, helmet, and what have you.

JBHoren

Eastbay(dot)com has a wide selection of full and 3/4-length tights, in awesome colors -- many of them legitimately "high-visibility" -- together with short- and long-sleeved T-shirts in the same colors and material, and nylon/polyester gym shorts to wear over the tights. I currently wear the tops and gym shorts (love 'em) with their compression shorts; all of which combine to make a comfortable ride. With cooler weather coming soon to South Florida, I do believe I'll buy several pair of their loudly-colored tights. Check 'em out... the prices for Eastbay's own products are quite affordable... "easy on the eyes" (and on the wallet).

joeyduck

Compression Tights | Eastbay.com

These are mine:

https://www.eastbay.com/product/model...YWORD%20SEARCH



Cold weather ones (only xxxL):
Eastbay EVAPOR Cold Weather Tights 1.0 - Men's - Training - Clothing - Gold

jwarner

I knew someone would go there... yet like a train wreck, I couldn't help but check back.

If they keep you from getting run over, they are worth it.

joeyduck

At least the shot was aimed low.

They are certainly obnoxiously colored.

I have had a lot of people notice them and a few have commented; so that to me is evidence of them doing their job.

Todzilla

Perfect!

Just ordered two pair of hideously visible tights and slightly mismatching colored jersey. If I am a visually glaring eyesore, all the better.

Thanks!

linnefaulk

On the trail last weekend, I noticed so much neon on runners. Orange, pink, yellow. Those colors help in the day time but really don't do much in the dim light. Reflective patches would more effective.

Altair 4

Not neon, but certainly eye-catching. Aero Tech Design has 'em.

I-Like-To-Bike

Looks like how many fairies can prance on a neon pinhead would be more appropriate for the visual effect discussed on this thread. Is it really necessary to look like a jackass (at best) to be "noticed" while cycling?

spare_wheel

I prefer basic black.
If they can't see you, they can't hit you!

I-Like-To-Bike

Despite what some paranoid cyclists might think, cyclists' options, and not just clothing options, are not limited to black or white/neon choices. Sometimes cyclists can even choose to act and dress like they really are normal people (even if it is untrue in some cases) who happen to ride a bicycle.

Of course if dressing like a fruitcake (or a vampire) fits, wear it with pride.

GP

You obviously do not know how to dress for maximum safety on a bicycle. My headdress makes me stand out while taking the lane but the fringes keep getting stuck in the chainring.

FBinNY 

So, are you now the fashion police?

IMO (strictly my opinion, others may feel differently) this goes way beyond your typical nasty posts, and crosses the line.

But thanks for showing your true colors.

Keith99

I've had 2 pairs of bike shorts that were not solid black.

One was a set for the local cycling club, side panels yellow. The other was a set of Mountian biking shorts that was perfect for what this thread is about. Side panels not black (I think also yellow) and it had several strips of reflective material where the back met the side.

BOTH pairs had the side panels rot out while the standard black panels showed virtually no wear.

I might try again. The Mountian bike shorts were clearance items. But I'm not buying anything other than solid black at near full price.

I-Like-To-Bike

Really? Got it. You are OK with the Fashion "statements" pictured on this thread; aren't you the oh-so-PC fellow, eh?

Bottom line: It is not necessary to dress like a clown to be seen when cycling, but just goes to show that apparently some cyclists just will do anything to draw attention to themselves. Just like cyclists who think their "safety" depends on the use of obnoxiously bright and blinding headlights or use of Air Zound type eardrum piercing warning devices on the MUP.

FBinNY 

As will some who post here.

My post wasn't about fashion, just about your so carefully chosen words.

Clyde1820

Illuminite might be another option.