Road Cycling - Paint Schemes...Need Help and Ideas

The latest project is underway - a used '04 Lemond Tete de Course frame that arrived in less than mint condition as advertised. First step is the paint shop. But I have some time to think about a design for this frame and I could use some help.

I'm looking for ideas - something special and unique but not over the top. I like the designs of some of the Italian bikes, particulary some of the Colnagos and Pinarellos, but I'm interested in seeing what else is out there and what other people like.

Please post some links or photos to bikes you love to look at.

As an aside, the guy who will be ultimately be designing and painting this frame - Acme Bicycle painting in Portland - is the same guy who paints all the Vanilla bikes - www.vanillabicycles.com - his work is amazing and I LOVE looking at these bikes! The purpose of this post is to help me to find a broad direction I want to go from where he can start his magic.

55/Rad

It looks like I'm ordering the colnago PRAL paint scheme

http://www.trialtir-usa.com/2004-colnago/mix/mix-pral.html

But if I had the option of going totally custom, I was thinking dragon scales...and then work in something on the front and back areas from that.

But I guess that might be considered totally over top? I can't really help it I like what I like I guess :)

Oh and I almost forgot, I think it's last years but the Colnago Tiger paint scheme...

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/dyn_docs/638-tigrez.JPG

HTH
Chad

I guess the first question is are you looking at color schemes, or patterns?

If I were to get a custom paint job done...I'd probably do something similar that I've been looking at getting done on my Mustang. White to Orange to Black fade w/ flames making the transistion from the colors...but that's just me....

But I guess that might be considered totally over top? I can't really help it I like what I like I guess :)
Nothing wrong with having your own opinion - thanks for the ideas!



I guess the first question is are you looking at color schemes, or patterns?
Here is a link to what the frame looks like now, though mine is far less than perfect - http://www.lemondbikes.com/2004_bikes/tete_de_course.shtml

I want to keep the general theme of raw Ti and nude carbon but give it a custom look - maybe some color around the joints and welds fading to the natural materials. Add in some detailed art possibly. Lose the Lemond logos and color banners and replace with something more subtle.

55/Rad

please please please, do not get a spider man scheme

The latest project is underway - a used '04 Lemond Tete de Course frame that arrived in less than mint condition as advertised. First step is the paint shop. But I have some time to think about a design for this frame and I could use some help.


How about a titanium colored panel on the carbon tube, and a carbon colored panel on the titanium tube with the lettering of your choice. If the frame was in that poor condition you could just spray over the d in Lemond to describe your frame purchasing experience.

I am a fan of understated paint jobs, or no paint at all.

edit: just reread this. was the frame advertised as less than mint? I still think an understated paint job is ideal especially for a frame with such nice materials.

...was the frame advertised as less than mint? I still think an understated paint job is ideal especially for a frame with such nice materials.
The frame is 6 months old and has a couple thousand miles on it. Physically, it's in perfect shape but cosmetically, it has a few marks in the clearcoat and the decals are beginning to look shoddy (a Lemond trait). I picked the frame up for a song knowing it's condition with the intent that I wanted to take the time to build a dream bike.

I agree that an understated approach accentuating the natural materials is the best way to go. But I really want a bike that appears like none other. I already own 2 other Lemonds and a Trek - all great project bikes bought used and built up - and I'm beginning to suffer from "crowd follower" mentality. But the Lemond geometry is perfect for me, so I couldn't pass on this frame and the deal. And even though it is the top of the line for Lemond, in the end it needs to differentiate itself from the rest of the line in other ways besides it's materials.

Truth is, I really wanted an Opera Pelladio (made by Pinarello) but I refuse to buy anything new or at full price, and I figured I'd have to wait a long time before a killer deal on a used one came my way.

And.....I'm pissed at Greg for his comments during the TDF, so I may take his name off this bike altogether....:)

55/Rad

And.....I'm pissed at Greg for his comments during the TDF, so I may take his name off this bike altogether....:)
55/Rad

You took the words right out of my mouth Rad, do anything, even the primer look, but get those decals off of there. I am still seething over the Lance comments. Granted, it IS a great bike, I just wish it was somebody elses. I am sure you will choose wisely in the scheme...be sure to post some pics when it is done, so we can see your greatness!

RoadToad

Just a curious. Where do you find these frames. I am not in the market for one, but I like to look around at deals that could be had. Ebay never really seems to have much, or at least I only seem to see items people are selling for 10% off retail with a 20% handling fee. I have heard people talk about craiglist before.

Just curious.

I agree, the Lemond comments seem like sour grapes.

And.....I'm pissed at Greg for his comments during the TDF, so I may take his name off this bike altogether....:)

55/Rad


Lol...I thought the same thing, and now would never give that guy any of my money. I kept my mouth shut when you first posted, because I thought maybe you were a Lemond branded fan and to each his own... ;)

Before I read Lance's books I was seriously considering a Lemond as a future purchase...but not now. ;)

Just a curious. Where do you find these frames. I am not in the market for one, but I like to look around at deals that could be had.
I bought the Trek 5500 from a friend who has every high end bike known to man and wanted to help me get back into cycling. Mint condition, fully built, for a grand. The Poprad was bought off Ebay in a last second swoop for $200. The Maillot Jaune and the Tete de Course were bought off roadbikereview.com classifieds - here's the secret - check out the date the ad was posted - the longer it's been there the more the seller will deal. There really aren't that many buyers of used high end frames so deals can be had if you are patient and work the negotiation...



Lol...I thought the same thing, and now would never give that guy any of my money. I kept my mouth shut when you first posted, because I thought maybe you were a Lemond branded fan and to each his own... ;)
I like the bikes if not the man. I look at it this way - I bought these bikes used from private parties - they were the ones who dealt directly with the man and his company. Semantics, I know, but one of the negotiating tactics I used when buying the TdC was claiming that Lemond's comments about Lance were hurting the resale value of his bikes, especially the higher end ones that require a knowledgeable buyer. Was it true - who knows? But it could be and it helped to drive the price down.

55/Rad

As far as the color theme, I'm sure you've probably considered some of the more obvious thoughts, but I think it would be cool to somehow "personalize" the bike to myself. For instance, are you particularly proud of your heritage? Perhaps a color scheme/decals related to your country's flag and colors? Do you have other hobbies that could be reflected in a design on the bike? How about colors somehow special to you because of where you live (mountain near Portland - maybe some cool blue/white scheme could come about?) Or maybe just your overall favorite color - you wouldn't get sick of it. Just a few thoughts to stimulate ideas...

I also have a TdC that is heading to Acme. Did you have a difficult time getting Lemond decals?

Wow, so here was the original post........

Van Halen fan? How about a replica of Eddie Van Halen's famous 5150 guitar (http://www.vintagekramer.com/5150.htm)?

http://www.vintagekramer.com/5150lrg.jpg

I also have a TdC that is heading to Acme. Did you have a difficult time getting Lemond decals?
I'm not going with original Lemond graphics but they aren't hard to reproduce. Dean at ACME is capable of almost anything.

Well, I see by the date I originallly posted this - 7/29 - that it has been over 6 months that my frame has been at the paint shop. THO - if you want it fast, I wouldn't take it to ACME. But if you want it right....

55/Rad

Purple with pink stars.

yeah right.

You've seen mine a million times. Be creative man, you can do it.

If you haven't already seen this, it's a website that allows you to try different colors and paint combo's as well as geometry. It' will take a couple of minutes to download Java, but it's worth it, Serotta uses the same program on their website.

Bike Forest website (http://bikeforest.com/CAD/bikeCAD.html)

What paint scheme did you end up going with?

What paint scheme did you end up going with?
It's not done yet - uggggggghhhhhhh.

But, it will be amazing...to me anyway. Full pictures and report will be forthcoming.

55/Rad

Hey 55,
Here is a link that may give you some ideas. Go to the link, look to the right side and spot a box entitled "Try Our Color Picker". Click on the box. Pick a paint pattern along the bottom and pick the colors from the palette.


http://www.koolbikes.com/

Plaid...

How about having your avatar picture on the head tube, like Eddy Meckx? (Yes, it's true... Eddy has a picture of 55/Rad on his head tube!)

Yes, it's true... Eddy has a picture of 55/Rad on his head tube!
Not since I served him with a cease and desist. He offerred a year's worth of personal training and any 3 bikes of my choice from his stable, but I said no.

55/Rad