Maelstrom 

Fun Thread.

I am not a decal person. I like my bike with stock decal and as little as possible. The most offending bikes to me are Low end Rocky Mountains and Specialized.

Rocky Mountains have the canadian flag PLASTERED all of the frame. And Specialized plasters the 'S' on every possible part.

Any others that are just bad.

KleinMp99

I use to hate specialized because of that too, but then realized that I was just a total pathetic loser......and then figured out that they were the best bikes on the planet.

Bike Collector

Which Planet? :confused:

KleinMp99

I guess you dont even know what planet you live on:confused: :confused: :confused:

rockymtn_girl

You know, most times it's not the bike that's offensive.

And who honestly gives a rat's a@@ about the decals on a bike anyway? I don't spend as much time looking at my bike as I do riding it.

Just my .02

Bike Collector

.

Earth. You know, where they make lots of great bikes. Giant, Schwinn, Trek, Klein ....

Raiyn

Ummmmm Schwinn is now owned and operated by Pacific and sold at X-mart they are not great bikes anymore. (not talking about pre-buyout Schwinns so pull yer underoos outta yer butt) As much as I like Specialized I can get better spec'd bikes from Kona or Trek.

mtbkanata

What's wrong with RM's and a Canadian Flag? I think it Rocks! American's post a flag on anything that's not nailed to the ground (And then things that are.. ), so I think the maple leaf here and there is not too bad!

Can you tell I'm from the Great White North?

Joe

Joe Pozer

I actually like the graphics of the RM with the Canadian Flag. I almost bought an XC bike from R.M. with the Flag. I thought it looked cool...

Maelstrom 

So am I. I think it is guady. Quite simple really. Too much decal on one top top tube.

But then again I am also the type that refuses to wear a cycling jersey because of gaudiness. I feel like a mobile pylon.

I agree with american thing too. So many tourists come here and I can't believe how much clothing has a big emboridered american flag right on the chest. That and matching ski suits kill me. I spend half my winter laughing my ass of at rish tourists. (Especially when they encounter a bear proof garbage can for the first time haha oh jeez)

knifun

This brings up a good point and a good question. I went to a LBS yesterday and ALL of the 2003 Specialized bikes, including the Acqua & Sapone S-works model, are made in Taiwan. The high-end Treks and Cannondale's sitting next to the Specialized were made in USA. Is there any difference in workmanship in the "best bike on the planet" being made in Taiwan and a Trek 5500 or Cannondale CAAD7 being made in USA?

Comments anyone********************????

mtbkanata

Probably not... Whether it's someone in Taiwan, or USA, the skill required to weld a frame is about the same. Think about it.. who really has pride in what they do anymore.. people want a paycheque... I've seen welds from Asia, and man, they make some killer bikes! Whether the bike is made in Canada/USA or Taiwan, they are all basically the same (except for price at the till).

Joe

Maelstrom 

I would say no. Any good company will have a qa person on this end checking the bikes. Every company has frame problems whether made in USA or not. I am cheap and want to most cost effective bike available. 'MADE IN USA' doesn't do that.

I am not sure why this is for the states. On the american side most of the canadian made bikes are reasonable or cheap for what you get.

Scooby Snax

Maelstrom, I noticed that a Rocky or a Devinci seem to be cheaper in the US? Thats kind of a pi$$er innit?

It like the way we can't buy a Kokanee, but we can buy American beer in Ontario, just plain foolish distributing / pricing practices!!

earleybird

Worst decal I know of is the ones that came with my RIBBLE frame set. (the frame makers got some noteriety when it was used by the world champion )
The decals were thick pieces of white plastic cut out and glued on with no laquer at all. All the decals including the 653 Reynolds peeled off in weeks.

The best decal; at the moment for me is the LOOK 381i road frame decals. I have had a magazine picture open for weeks to drool over mmmmmmmm

Maelstrom 

You can't get Kokanee? Well I kow I can out here for sure. It is THE beer to drink in Whistler. But when I visited back home I had no problems finding it in my home town Guelph. Jimmy Jazz and the Trash had Kokanee at that point Not sure about TO though. I avoid Toronto like the plague.

Yes I have noticed the price difference. It is cheaper for me to get an rm7 shipped from ca than it is to buy it up the street from where they are built

fubar5

Specialized is the worst I would have to say. At least with Trek you get Bontager plastered on stuff. But Specialized you get it from the handle bars to the tires, and the hubs!!!! I think it takes away from their bikes. If I got one, the first thing I'd do is replace the tires, the bars, and the saddle. Giant seems to be pretty conservative in the decals department, and likewise Titus. I like the Cannondale C and the Intense decals. The older Kona's are ok too.

Maelstrom 

I don't mind the flowing Kona signs. I don't find it intrusive.

palooka

Kona has some slick looking paint/decal schemes.

As far as the worst...I don't know if this qualifies, but I'm going to have to say Cove for their frame names.

sample Cove bike names: Stiffee, Handjob, Hummer, Hooker, G-Spot.

What self-respecting male mountain biker wants to ride a stiffy? No pun intended. lol. I just ordered a Hummer and had them leave out the Hummer decal.

Maelstrom 

haha...I suppose so...I don't know I love the names very funny especially when you start talking about riding a g-spot on forplay with your best friend on his hooker

A lot of trails here are named sexually so it does in fact suit but it makes for some funny tourist faces during the summer months. haha