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-   -   Making your bike glow down the road... (https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/780829-making-your-bike-glow-down-road.html)

K'Tesh 01-14-15 02:36 PM

Well, time to drag this thread up again...

My most recent bike ("The [męd͡ʒƐstɪk Ɛks]") started out looking like this:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6184/...57074a99ed.jpg

and came to look like this:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6199/...b946231279.jpg

is no more (cracked frame). Its replacement is on the way... More to come!

Darth Lefty 01-14-15 03:47 PM

K'Tesh is alive! The man who started the 2014 mileage thread and logged...no miles :-P

no motor? 01-14-15 04:07 PM

Yeah, it's nice to "see" on of the more visible members from the past here again!

K'Tesh 01-14-15 10:26 PM


Originally Posted by no motor? (Post 17470278)
Yeah, it's nice to "see" on of the more visible members from the past here again!

After moving outside of bike commute range of school, my riding has plummeted. I like the town I live in, but I hate living here... WAY too far from anything. :(

Still going to school. Hope to graduate next term... Then Taiwan? China? Lord Willing!

ussprinceton 01-15-15 12:36 PM

I just couldn't make myself alter the flawless paint schemes on my bikes by adding reflective strips

Phoenix 6.0 02-21-15 08:45 PM

How well would the material layer? Like if I wrapped my downtube then put a precut design over the top?

randallovelace 02-22-15 08:52 AM

1 Attachment(s)
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=435543My bicycles current 'visibility' - I'm buying new 'road' tires next week which have reflective 'white wall', which will improve this. (note: the bright spot at my handlebars is my work helmet with it's retro reflective tape).

md11mx 02-25-15 01:38 AM

Real cool!
Cheers,
David in Alaska

chas58 02-25-15 07:44 AM


Originally Posted by ussprinceton (Post 17472521)
I just couldn't make myself alter the flawless paint schemes on my bikes by adding reflective strips

I bought tape that matched my paint, or headbadge, or added subtle pinstriping. A red stripe down the back of the seat tube looks nice. In the daytime, you can't tell my bikes glow.

btothek 04-20-15 02:55 PM

This is pretty hot: Volvo Life Paint: Invisible safety spray paint for your bike that glows in the dark.

Bring it state side Volvo!

matimeo 04-20-15 03:56 PM


Originally Posted by btothek (Post 17736124)

That looks cool- it looks like it washes/wears off though. Might be kind of a pain to have to continually reapply.

dragoonO1 01-19-16 07:31 PM

This thread inspired me to modify my bike for increased visibility. My work was crude and simple, so it doesn't look as nice during the day. It's very utilitarian.

I installed Nori Lights on the wheels. They're meant to be used on the rims, but I use rim brakes.

http://i.imgur.com/3BYkAFw.jpg

Nori Lights ? Nori Lights Bicycle Wheel Illumination System

Reflective tape is applied to the frame and wheels.

http://i.imgur.com/qqnlkRo.jpg

TapeCase White Micro Prismatic Sheeting Reflective Tape Converted from 3M 3430, 1.5" x 5 yd: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K2R1ZQ4
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K2R02EA
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B002KYFWQ6
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B001P3Z8VW

Magic Shine clone is on the front, and an Orfos Flare is on the rear.

http://i.imgur.com/r2tT2ye.jpg

Info ? Orfos

Reflectors and light with a camera flash

http://i.imgur.com/kCMsWJh.jpg

TenSpeedV2 01-19-16 11:42 PM


Originally Posted by ussprinceton (Post 17472521)
I just couldn't make myself alter the flawless paint schemes on my bikes by adding reflective strips

100% agree.

mrodgers 01-20-16 09:36 AM


Originally Posted by dragoonO1 (Post 18471815)
Magic Shine clone is on the front, and an Orfos Flare is on the rear.

http://i.imgur.com/r2tT2ye.jpg

Info ? Orfos

Wow, that rear light is awesome. I'm not a commuter but I read the commuter section just for stuff like this. I've been seeking out a rear tail light, but everything everyone seems to recommend is just a tiny little pinpoint of a light which, though extremely brilliant, is not effective at all for wanting to be seen because they are just a tiny little pinpoint of a light source. I've been wanting to see something large that produces a bright and large red glow much like a car tail light rather than a tiny pinpoint of a light and this looks like it may be exactly what I am seeking.

RubeRad 01-20-16 12:33 PM

This is how I increase visibility.

Plus a cygolite hotshot (which my wife found on the road during a group ride -- score! And so awesome I would buy a replacement if I lost it)

My wife passed me on the road in the dark a few days ago, and said I was very visible. And every time I'm driving and pull into the garage and the headlights hit my kittier I see the reflective decorations blazing back at me and feel reassured.

dragoonO1 01-20-16 06:25 PM


Originally Posted by mrodgers (Post 18472865)
Wow, that rear light is awesome. I'm not a commuter but I read the commuter section just for stuff like this. I've been seeking out a rear tail light, but everything everyone seems to recommend is just a tiny little pinpoint of a light which, though extremely brilliant, is not effective at all for wanting to be seen because they are just a tiny little pinpoint of a light source. I've been wanting to see something large that produces a bright and large red glow much like a car tail light rather than a tiny pinpoint of a light and this looks like it may be exactly what I am seeking.

I would highly recommend it, and I am not affiliated with the inventor in any way. I have a picture in a hallway that demonstrates the red glow it casts, and it is just as you describe.

http://i.imgur.com/3CYXO43.jpg

Note the other taillight I have in the bottom-left for comparison. It's a $20 2 AAA Blackburn Mars 3.0. https://www.blackburndesign.com/mars-3-0-rear.html

jgonzales 12-18-21 02:46 PM

In addition to the bike and apparel, reflective pedals and shoes are prime! When i'm riding clipped in, i have reflective spd and road shoes from Scott and Fizik (respectively). Otherwise, I'm strapped in with Hold fast's reflective straps.

rm -rf 12-18-21 04:27 PM

I really like these Jogalite leg bands from rei.com.
They are wide and extremely comfortable. It's a very bright reflection from car headlights, visible a long way away, and the pedaling motion is instantly recognizable.
I have one, but two would be even better.

These are way brighter than reflective shoes or the panels on tights. And reflect no matter which direction the car is coming from.

EDIT--ha, a very old thread resurrected. Still interesting after all these years.

JohnY2K 06-08-25 11:36 AM

I'll resurrect it again

JohnY2K 06-08-25 11:37 AM

I need one more post before I can send photos

JohnY2K 06-08-25 11:55 AM

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...095ddee640.jpg
I was inspired by everyone on this thread, so much that I covered my whole bike in SOLAS tape (cheaper uncertified version). Frame, forks and wheel rim (notice there're two bands, outer band is the Schwalbe Marathon reflective wall). Plus patches on rims, DIY version of Flectr on spokes, cranks and pedals, all moving parts that hopefully will catch drivers' attention. Of course I also use front and rear lights :)

dynaryder 06-08-25 03:32 PM

My eyes,my eyes.....:eek:

Korina 06-11-25 10:46 AM

Cool. Can you show us what it looks like in daylight?


Originally Posted by JohnY2K (Post 23538291)
I was inspired by everyone on this thread, so much that I covered my whole bike in SOLAS tape (cheaper uncertified version). Frame, forks and wheel rim (notice there're two bands, outer band is the Schwalbe Marathon reflective wall). Plus patches on rims, DIY version of Flectr on spokes, cranks and pedals, all moving parts that hopefully will catch drivers' attention. Of course I also use front and rear lights :)


JohnY2K 07-06-25 10:49 AM

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d70f2401b0.jpg
Sorry for the delay, didn't get alerts from this post.

Daylight shot


JohnY2K 07-06-25 10:51 AM

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f569c23acb.jpg
Holding my bike light about knee height
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c6f7295f01.jpg
Bike light at waist height
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5cbe63c3e9.jpg
Bike light at chest height


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