Finding Replacement Decals
 

I'm ready to order a new set of replacement decals and have chosen to try Cyclomondo. I have sent Greg Softley the request via email but have received no answer, at least not yet. Does anyone have experience in dealing with him?

Yes. But, depending on how you posed your query….

He seems to be fairly attentive. Much better than Velocals at responding.

I sent him a short email and requested what I needed. Still waiting to hear back with the paypal request.

Was it on decals he already produces?

If this is a special project, I would contact Gus Salmon.

I had some letters peeling on the down tube of my Mexico. Yellow Jersey had a set of original decals, which I purchased, but I think they're a newer style, as the "C" for Colnago is larger than the remaining letters.

So I purchased a set from Greg Softley and replaced the missing letters on the down tube. They're a pretty good match.

These are decals he advertises/offers for my '77 Colnago Super. I may be needing to wait a few more days.

Greg also takes time off from time to time, but usually posts these on the website.

Top

I have only done business with him once. I emailed him on June 20, exchanged a couple emails to confirm details and got a PayPal invoice June 21, and later that day a confirmation email that the decals were in the mail. Possibly your email fell through the cracks somehow; just try again.

I have contacted him twice. The first time with no response and the second with acceptable response time. The first was a inquiry and the second was about an existing offering (what the first inquiry was about).

How satisfied with decal quality have others been? I recently got some decals from Cyclomondo via eBay, three different ones delivered, two were fairly good quality, not as crisp as expected but passable, and one was (I felt) pretty atrocious, very mediocre quality, pixelated and too thick - I honestly wouldn't remove a shredded OEM logo for it. I don't want to negatively impact the guy's business so I'm not posting the actual decal I had issues with. I suspect it's a possible corner case?

I'm sure he'll answer soon so I can finish this little project.

The ones I got were excellent. I recently had my Falcon (straight gauge 531, it's my commuter bike) powder coated. This is relevant because you get a different kind of decal depending what kind of finish your bike is getting; if you're planning to clear coat over the decal, you get a thinner decal. Since mine was going on top of a powder coat, I got the thickest kind. Absolutely no complaint.

The Colnago decals I received were very good.

Ok, that explains the thickness aspect - I bought Rigida rim decals. I assume they were so thick because It was going on a 700c wheel, no clear coat. OEM sticker was way thinner and foil, I got something plastic/vinyl.

I believe it was a mutual misunderstanding/communication failure or unawareness that some of Rigida's stickers are foil, others are white plastic. The other stickers he sent were nice enough I was tempted to order again for a recent project in the queue. Had he not sent the freebies I'd have walked away feeling pretty ripped off.

I will say, he was an absolute pleasure to deal with. His customer service was top notch, he stands behind his product.

I purchased a stock set directly outside of eBay with some non standard colors, basically a combo he did not offer but was original. I also verified the colors to be used so things would be correct. In that case I used the Pantone matching system. Terrific service. High quality.

The business is now I think moving a bit faster, this is a sideline for him. I would bet there is hired help doing most or assisting. If you had a problem I think the way to approach it would be with a business polite inquiry with enough backup, such as images to explain your situation and possible corrective action(s).

I had an issue with a set of 531 decals I ordered from him. They were awful. But when I contacted him, he explained what had happened, during production, and stood behind them and sent me new ones. Much better.
The Gitane foils I bought from him were very good.

I think Gus is the best in the business right now, given my admittedly limited experience, but he has few offerings, and the cost is a bit higher.
Does custom work though, for the right projects.

I would resend with, "this may have been overlooked"... "maybe you were out of the office"... Send a few images of the bike... He appreciates restorations. Full contact info so the order can be fully processed

That's what I did with Cyclomondo. He was very responsive. See attached pic below and you'll see what I'm talking about. There was no indication Rigida made at least two types of decal for the AL 1320, one foil and one vinyl, the vinyl one may have also come with the blue dots and one without. The vinyl and foil ones used different fonts and kerning.

I had the second decal type shown (bottom in the image below), which uses reflective foil. The decal I received (top decal) was a white non-reflective vinyl replacement for the white/vinyl sticker shown (middle). Like I said, the other stuff was high quality so there's no doubt he's doing quality work.

Was your issue with one of the UK decal sources or with Cyclomondo's shop in AU?

I've found Greg to be amazingly fast. My decals have often been in the mail just hours after I ordered them. He seems to reply faster if you go through his E Bay store as opposed to his website.

I had forgotten my iphone email app has 2 accts and sure enough, Greg responded that next day our time. Anyways I sent a paypal payt and the order is somewhere in the process.

A shout out to Greg Softely this morning as I read his email that the decal kit has been sent. Greg has been very patient with my cyber mixup. :)

How long was the shipping time for any of you?

Have no experience with the above mentioned and if you don't want stickers, I highly recommend Gus Salmon in FL.

Was referred to him by rootboy. Requested a rather tricky water applique but apparently was a mix up in shipping or perhaps lost in the trusty US Mail. Anyways, he only sent me a sample - small Campagnolo in multi color, metallic. Gorgeous!

Between time something happened and still hadn't received my initial order. I just figured he was busy and frankly, I'm in no rush. No biggie but apparently was lost. A courtesy request went to him and Gus phoned back. Neither one of us know what happened but he's sending another pair of water slides. FAST RESPONSE and class act! BTW: He does this only as a labor of love and the vintage bike scene. Much is involved with his making custom water applique / decals and really is an art form.

Gus, thank you!
(and thank you rootboy)

I have an order mailed from Mr Softely in Oz. it's just a matter of curiosity at this point. He mailed it last Monday, July 27.

I have not heard of Gus Salmon before. How do you contact him? Does he have a website?