General Cycling Discussion - Why is steel so boring looking?

So I am researching a road bike to suit my needs, snow is outside, I got 3 month at least to figure things out, leaning towards Chromoloy steel, I like Jamis quest or even Satellite, real boring colors though, why cant they make a nicely painted steel rig? One of my neighbors has a Lemond Zurich, that thing looks like a nicely colored bicycle.. its just me maybe, but dropping 1500 + on a bike, I like it to be more sexy looking... I rode a satelitte at the LBS, not bad, reminded me of my old Peugeot... may be looking at all materials....(except bamboo)

Steel has skinny tubes so you can't have the bold graphics on, like you get with Carbon frames and their oversized tubes, but no reason why steel can't look good.

Often you get lug work which can be chromed and really show off the parts, and the paint job makes a massive difference. for this though, you do pay, and most of this work will be on custom or very high end frames, not the level you are looking at unfortunately. The 1500 you are looking at may just about get you a low end frame, not a complete bike.

Google Colnago steel for an idea of non boring frames

You planning on riding this bike or looking at it?

If you got another $500 or so you could get it painted up all fancy.

Or you could eBay for some sweet 80s or 90s steel with fancy paint.

For me skinny steel tubes of any color get me a little hot under the collar.

If you got another $500 or so you could get it painted up all fancy.

Or you could eBay for some sweet 80s or 90s steel with fancy paint.

For me skinny steel tubes of any color get me a little hot under the collar.

Lugs are sexy.

I am not sure I would exclude any frame material including a Calfee Bamboo if I could afford it. Still all materials have a different look and some of that look is based on the material the bike if made from. Steel tends to be a bit more traditional and, in my opinion only, tends to get painted in more traditional styles and colors. Bamboo bikes look to be a combination of fine furnature and machinery. Aluminum has a very industrial art look. Titainium has a surgical robotic look to me. Carbon Fiber is a bit like petrified smoke. But all of that is very subjective based on the eyes of the beholder.

Lugs are sexy.

+1. Make 'em chrome and paint the bike in Trecolori and my oh my, excuse me for a minute ;)

The way parts are put on this frame is kinda weird, but the frame itself is a stunner...

http://homepage.mac.com/pez72/torelli20-1.jpg

There's thread somewhere in C&V featuring the awesome loud paint jobs of the 80s and 90s.

A steel bike looks like a real bicycle to me, not some plastic cartoon bike. I prefer the look...well, really I don't care much what a bike looks like if it works well, but to the extent that I have a preference, I'd pick steel.

it's a bike - not a freaking cartoon...

A steel bike looks like a real bicycle to me, not some plastic cartoon bike. I prefer the look...well, really I don't care much what a bike looks like if it works well, but to the extent that I have a preference, I'd pick steel.


Posted mine and then saw yours.

My brother has a mint old 3Rensho with a pearlescent-white-to-blood-red fade that is an absolutely stunning bike.

+1. Make 'em chrome and paint the bike in Trecolori and my oh my, excuse me for a minute ;)

The way parts are put on this frame is kinda weird, but the frame itself is a stunner...

http://homepage.mac.com/pez72/torelli20-1.jpg

I think that blue is too much, but otherwise I love it!

Colnago was mentioned here, as was LeMond; we saw a pic of a Torelli. I'd throw Pegoretti into the mix, if you want a pool to pick from, to get a sweet steel bike.

Too bad the "Lance-olitics" at Trek ended so badly for Greg.

Not all steel is boring looking. I find this quite attractive. In fact I'll be buying one as soon as the $$$$ is available.


http://www.frameforum.org/portal/953big.jpg

There's thread somewhere in C&V featuring the awesome loud paint jobs of the 80s and 90s.


http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/705455-Cool-Wild-Crazy-Classy-paint-jobs-Post-them-up!?highlight=80%27s+paint

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/773438-Do-Overs-let-s-see-your-re-paints-and-re-coats....?highlight=paint+job

http://www.hetchins.org/100.htm

Not all steel is boring looking. I find this quite attractive. In fact I'll be buying one as soon as the $$$$ is available.


http://www.frameforum.org/portal/953big.jpg

A good looking bike indeed. If that kind of riding is what the OP is looking for. But if you brought one to a local cycling event do you believe it would garner more or less looks by the masses than one of the new wonder bikes?

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff346/Boaz47/6jeff.jpg

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff346/Boaz47/Nathan1.jpg

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff346/Boaz47/Jessie1.jpg

Ok guys, that's it! Enough with the porn! I can't stand it! It's been too long since....Well never mind!

Ah...That Anderson is just way too hot!..Excuse me, I gotta go now!

- Slim :lol:

These CF bikes looks futuristic, I dunno, I kind of like the classic look....

These CF bikes looks futuristic, I dunno, I kind of like the classic look....

Yes, and that is the point. Some people like the futuristic and some like the classic and the manufacturers try to make what most people want. But as someone mentioned earlier it is what you want to ride. It is the same with cars, planes, boats, motorcycles. We get used to traditional and sometimes that seems boring untill a few years down the road when what was traditional seems "classic." :D

When I first returned to cycling I looked long and hard for a replacement for my old, new at the time, Viscount. It was state of the art at the time and light years, "futuristic" compared to the Varsity it replaced. I thought it was beautiful and state of the art. About 21 pounds once I replaced the Brookes for a lighter saddle. Fast forward almost 20 years and I walked into my first LBS in years. Entry level Aluminum bikes were 21 pounds and they had more gears and bifters. Brakes that worked even in the wet. My first new bike was lighter and faster than my old "classic" and I stopped looking for classic. I won't even begin to describe what happened when I first tried CF. It is a public forum after all.:lol:

Yeah, the whole black/white/red plastic bikes don't do much for me from an aesthetic standpoint. I'm sure they work great as tools for bike racers, however.

My favorite Colnago paintjob was only offered on track bikes, AFAIK:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_azSpIfwIB3c/SJyfvk-wGzI/AAAAAAAABWM/uVaIAcOHko0/s1600/328150069.jpg

http://www.masibikes.com/bikes/steel/gran-criterium-2012

A little more but:
:D:D:D:D

[QUOTE=Mobile 155;13719911]A good looking bike indeed. If that kind of riding is what the OP is looking for. But if you brought one to a local cycling event do you believe it would garner more or less looks by the masses than one of the new wonder bikes?

No offense, but to me, those bikes are butt-ugly. Seriously, unless I could cruise at 30mph, I'd be embarrassed to ride them. It's like taking your kids to school in a NASCAR stocker.
That Anderson is nice, though.

[QUOTE=Mobile 155;13719911]A good looking bike indeed. If that kind of riding is what the OP is looking for. But if you brought one to a local cycling event do you believe it would garner more or less looks by the masses than one of the new wonder bikes?

No offense, but to me, those bikes are butt-ugly. Seriously, unless I could cruise at 30mph, I'd be embarrassed to ride them. It's like taking your kids to school in a NASCAR stocker

And Except for a Waterford Steel bikes look old school to me. What is the point? :rolleyes: But that wasn't the question. But to some of us the race car look is what we see on the street rather than the family sedan. (in fact I saw an add for Porche the other day that had a soccer mom taking her kids to school in a Porche. Real or not it was eye catching.) I know the OP posted this because it is just another of the steel verses the world debates and that is fine if conversation is what is being looked for. But if post #19 is serious post #1 wasn't. It all comes down to personal preferance and I see a lot of those very bikes at our local TTs, Crits and Road events. While I did see a few classic steel bikes at the Furnace Creek 508 this year I also saw even more non classic bikes no one was embarrased to ride to the finish.

And I am not offended nor did I want to offend. :D I ride bikes and I didn't call steel boring, the OP did. :eek:

But we all are different and if steel floats your boat get steel. Even a pokadot steel bike if that is what you want.

This is one of my favorite carbon fiber bikes. Near level top tube and amazing paint. Quite a combo. I'd probably pick different wheels and maybe a shiny black stem, but not like I'm gonna be able to afford the frame anyways ;)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5166/5355468957_37894b90ed_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/29660670@N05/5355468957/)
Crumpton SL (http://www.flickr.com/photos/29660670@N05/5355468957/) by dirik (http://www.flickr.com/people/29660670@N05/), on Flickr

This would've been a nice companion modern steel bike, too bad they sloped the TT so much. And egads, those cranks wreck the whole bike. Get some 7410 or 6500 cranks or some old silver Campy action stat. A lot of purists would complain about the fork but I like the looks of the fork.

http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/photos/2009/tech/reviews/schwinn_paramount09/Schwinn_Paramount_70th_full_view.jpg

Hot lugs!

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ2ZEOGjj5OolvZKTezqyPsacABIYOO2_eU0RehbVfLjfBE47vTRLA39zHagQ

So I am researching a road bike to suit my needs, snow is outside, I got 3 month at least to figure things out, leaning towards Chromoloy steel, I like Jamis quest or even Satellite, real boring colors though, why cant they make a nicely painted steel rig? One of my neighbors has a Lemond Zurich, that thing looks like a nicely colored bicycle.. its just me maybe, but dropping 1500 + on a bike, I like it to be more sexy looking... I rode a satelitte at the LBS, not bad, reminded me of my old Peugeot... may be looking at all materials....(except bamboo)

Steel Boring? You should see a curly stay Hetchens.

A good looking bike indeed. If that kind of riding is what the OP is looking for. But if you brought one to a local cycling event do you believe it would garner more or less looks by the masses than one of the new wonder bikes?


Well I don't ride for attention although being a fat bastage on a white Bridgestone I do draw a few looks. :D But if attention is what you seek Grant's got something for you.


http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvynatPIrh1qdvnvk.jpg

Steel Boring? You should see a curly stay Hetchins.
(Fixed it for you.)

Sheldon Brown (R.I.P.) to the rescue!

http://sheldonbrown.org/images/hetchins2.jpg

http://sheldonbrown.org/hetchins/image/het640-05.jpg

http://sheldonbrown.org/hetchins/image/het640-03.jpg

You planning on riding this bike or looking at it?

+1
quit being so vain. Jamis makes fine looking bikes, maybe not breath taking but far from boring.

[QUOTE=Mobile 155;13719911]
No offense, but to me, those bikes are butt-ugly. Seriously, unless I could cruise at 30mph, I'd be embarrassed to ride them. It's like taking your kids to school in a NASCAR stocker.
That Anderson is nice, though.

And +1 on this.

I would almost certainly never ride a flashy, bright future-bike because it would just look funny going to the grocery store or library. Same with lycra to a lesser extent, as long as it doesn't have logos plastered on every square inch of it. The logos really are distracting. Same as my regular clothes, I don't like being a wallking advertisement for corporations. Besides, I'm sure flashy bikes are more attractive to bike thieves. I like my bike simple and classy looking.

1. Buy a steel bike
2. Dismantle said bike
3. Procure suitable paint
4. Go nuts
5. Remember to reassemble before attemting to ride.

Well I don't ride for attention although being a fat bastage on a white Bridgestone I do draw a few looks. :D But if attention is what you seek Grant's got something for you.


http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvynatPIrh1qdvnvk.jpg

I don't need the attention either. I just have been to enough cycling events to see what gets the most attention.:lol: Like I said after almost 19 years between road bikes walking into several bike shops I could see the industry had changed quite a bit in all of those years and bikes I once lusted after had grown old like aging movie stars to be replaced by new faces. The only thing I never got a chance to try is bar end shifters.

But all I have been responding to is the question posed by the OP that I more or less mistakenly took at face value. I was describing why some consider steel boring. It is because they are traditional and there are fewer being made by people that advertise bikes. Yes Trek, Specialized, Giant, and Jamis make steel bikes but I think they are toned down to appeal to the people that like traditional. That is simply my opinion based on what I believed the question was. :innocent:

I wish we could get some Panasonic road bikes back in the US. Yellow Jersey has their Keirin bikes in lots of colors and the touring ones, but I don't want the take-apart frame of the touring one.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3Mz4HhD0azM/TCDbyFALOoI/AAAAAAAAAA8/cvoWzmjskwM/s1600/perfectbike.jpg

http://www.yellowjersey.org/PANACOLR.JPG

http://www.yellowjersey.org/PANAKEI3.JPG

[QUOTE=Velo Dog;13720948]

And +1 on this.

I would almost certainly never ride a flashy, bright future-bike because it would just look funny going to the grocery store or library. Same with lycra to a lesser extent, as long as it doesn't have logos plastered on every square inch of it. The logos really are distracting. Same as my regular clothes, I don't like being a wallking advertisement for corporations. Besides, I'm sure flashy bikes are more attractive to bike thieves. I like my bike simple and classy looking.

That is why there is the N+1 formula. I refuse to be held hostage by the bike thief that requires that I rattle can my bike so they will not look at it. I don't do that to my car, house, or motorcycle why must we do it to our bikes? Yes I know this is just a bit of a rant but I was talking to someone at the LBS friday about the same thing. Why must I have one bike that looks like a POS simply to ride to the store or around town if I am going to be out of sight for a few minutes? Yes I have such a bike and in this case it is steel. It just happens to be the one I would feel less destroyed about if it showed up missing. (not that I would be happy about it.):(

Still I would have no problem riding a high quality bike of any material with SRAM red or even Dura Ace Di2, if I could afford it. I just happen to be one of those that have a hard time with the idea that something is too nice or too fancy or too good for me even if I can afford it. :eek: I looked real hard at a Bamboo Calfee at Cycopath the other day and started day dreaming about saving up for one to add to my stable. And yes I would ride it and more than likely wearing spandex and maybe even team kit, because I can and so far there is no law against it.:D

I wish we could get some Panasonic road bikes back in the US. Yellow Jersey has their Keirin bikes in lots of colors and the touring ones, but I don't want the take-apart frame of the touring one.

http://www.yellowjersey.org/PANAKEI3.JPG

Damn! That Panasonic looks really hot!!! :love:

- Slim :)

Damn! That Panasonic looks really hot!!! :love:

- Slim :)

There's a Panasonic in that Picture? :twitchy::eek: I'm still looking over the background.. :love:

I wish we could get some Panasonic road bikes back in the US. Yellow Jersey has their Keirin bikes in lots of colors and the touring ones, but I don't want the take-apart frame of the touring one.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3Mz4HhD0azM/TCDbyFALOoI/AAAAAAAAAA8/cvoWzmjskwM/s1600/perfectbike.jpg

http://www.yellowjersey.org/PANACOLR.JPG

http://www.yellowjersey.org/PANAKEI3.JPG

Great paint selection!