Oh, by the way, a couple of questions came to me. When a bike has reflective tape on it, are you able to wash and clean it normally with no damage to the tapes you're using? Do the reflective tapes cause any damage to the frame's surface underneath?

I consider reflective tape permanent. The glue doesn't hurt the metal but I can't imagine trying to remove it would be good for the paint. If you bike is expensive and precious, you consider applying the tape t other surfaces such as you clothing instead.

Basically the reflective tape/film is just like the stuff you see on traffic signs. There's films that are labeled as three year, and stuff that's seven year. Now traffic signs stand out 24/7 in the elements and they hold out well. My bikes spend at least 8 hours a day (minimum) indoors, so weathering isn't an issue. There is no difference in cleaning.

The films could conceal damage on carbon fibre components, but I doubt that it would cause it. However, if I was applying it to carbon fibre I'd make sure NOT to cut it on the part, and I'd only use a narrow trim (as opposed to a complete wrap). My bikes are all metal, so I don't fear tape caused damage. As to the finish of my bikes, I did decide to replace panels of the film on a couple of occasions due to crash related (cosmetic) damage. Actually, the films protected the factory paint job. Removal required a lot of "GOO Gone", and some elbow grease, but I lost no paint from peeling it up.

Rubberside Down!
K'Tesh

Your bike looks amazing! I've been wanting to get some reflective tape, and I've never been able to settle on a brand (if only someone sold PINK tape to match my spray painted baskets!!!). But I think I'm going to go ahead and get the Reflexite

. . must resist dirty thoughts . . must not think that it's . . oh God just let us see the carpet

I gave my Mom's bike the reflective treatment too. She didn't want the finish to be hidden by a complete wrap, so I stuck with narrow strips. As you see, you don't need to completly wrap a bike with retroreflective films (and possibly muck up a nice finish), to get a nice result.


Daylight photo after I applied the films


And the results.

I highly doubt that anyone can even notice the difference, unless they saw her bike next to another one of the same year/model.

For safety, you can't argue against reflective tape.

I tell you, though, getting that stuff off of the bike is a real bugger. It chips and has to be removed with heat and chemicals. Reflective tape chips like paint as it gets older and more miles on it. Eventually, you will want to re-paint or re-glam it somehow and that reflective tape is going to be a bugger to get off.

whoa, very nice job, i remember seeing some at the store, but i didnt have a black bike, and they only had it in black so i didnt get any, now i do have an all black bike.......

Lightweights makes a "Stealth Tape". It's black, and sold in 100 inch rolls of 3/8 inch wide 3M Scotchlight film. In daylight it's just a glossy black strip (when clean), at night, It reflects a muted gold color, but it does show up. I haven't used it, but I do use their "Lightweights for wheels" on my spokes.

I even got a coupon code (Rok3g) from them to share with people who were interested in my bikes. I dunno if they still use it, but you're welcome to try.

Rubberside Down!
K'Tesh

This is the stuff I've been using:

https://shop.reflectivestore.com/product.sc?productId=21

just received my fix, can't wait to apply. I'm eying my snow pants & hi-vis day-glo lime-green cycling-specific vest-jacket convertible windbreaker. I think I'm over-hyphenated.

Here is mine it came out great

I would never put that stuff on my road bike, but I don't ever ride my road bike in the dark so it is not required there.

But my commuter bike - ah, now you've infected me with your disease - I want that on my commuter! Time to drop hints to my loved ones asking me "So what do you want for Christmas?"