- Blog
- April 1, 2026
Add Some Whimsy to Your Bike
One of my favorite things about the alt-biking community is seeing people personalize their bikes. I love the trend of hanging Blue Lug reflectors under saddles and wrapping GHOOOST flowers around cables. The reflectors and flowers serve form more than function, and I’m all for it. I find the flowers to be particularly whimsical.
I added some whimsy to my Surly Grappler with a rainbow trout charm that I made in the style of the Blue Lug reflectors. I don’t ride much on the road, so a reflector isn’t necessary for me, but a charm under the saddle seemed like a great idea.
The charm is fairly simple. It’s just a few different colors of craft foam that I cut in the shape of a trout and glued together with a mosaic pattern. It attaches to the saddle rails via a shock cord and a loop of grosgrain sewn to the back.
I think the charm turned out pretty well, overall. I enjoyed making something while making something else mine.
I want to make a saddle charm for my Schwinn Le Tour, but I haven’t figured out what design I want yet. I want something more whimsical than a trout, though. It’s spring, and I’m getting excited for the wildflowers. I may choose a wildflower design.
What’s the most whimsical thing you have on your bike? Let me know in the comments below.
