It's 'foo', I know, but there's a grain of truth in it. I built up a singlespeed that's basically like a classic Thunderbird - red, white, and chrome. I wanted it to have style as well as performance. It looks awesome in the sun, but now that it's turning a bit more overcast, I have an urge to make it more sedate. The white tires reminded me of the Labor Day rule.

It's really weird, because I have a carbon roadie that's all swoopy modern curves and stealth black, and I couldn't care less about how it looks. It is what it is. The classic steel bike is more of a palette, and seems to afford more expressiveness... it can be anything from genteel to punk to gaudy fashionista.