Backpacks don't work for everyone, but they do for some. I think they're better when your bike is very light. A rack adds weight even before your cargo, so it quickly makes a light bike not so light. Then the weight of the cargo makes a light bike ride harshly. Putting the weight on my back adds to sprung weight, and my bike still feels light under me.

But the Volpe is not a light bike to begin with. I put a front rack on mine, and I didn't like it. It doesn't seem like a bike intended to have cargo primarily in the front.

I think the worst looking thing on the bike is the saddle bag. It looks like something melted accidentally. Use either a trunk bag with a definite shape or rear panniers.

I agree about a complementary color for handlebar tape except that since the bike is black, black tape will look fine. I think the red bungie is fine, and it might look better if you had more red things. I don't think the bike will have too many colors if you get rid of the green.

Get rid of the wheel reflectors. Consider using these instead. They're closer to inconspicuous, though not completely. I have them on my bikes, and no one has barfed yet.

I'm surprised no one else has mentioned this yet, but what about replacing the seat bag with a Caradice bag? Most people think they're very attractive, and they come in a variety of sizes as well as with a quick release attachment if you wanted to take the bag with you.

Bike appearance trumps all else; HTFU...

I bike in the winter. I can go rainbow cycling with socks and sandals if I want to :p

I'm a bit late in this discussion, but here's my two cents.

As some others have said I would limit the colors on the bike. On your frame I'm seeing black as a primary color, and gold as a secondary color. You have also added some celeste bar tape and red straps on the rear rack (what are they called in English?). Next to that I'm seeing whiteish toe straps.
First advice is to replace the bar tape with a black version. Replace the red straps on the rear rack with black straps. Replace the white toe straps with black toe straps. This would make the bike look a lot more 'together' than it does right now. It looks a little messy right now in my humble opinion. Though, as stated earlier in this thread: Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

Replacing the saddle with a nice black Brooks saddle would be neat. Though, a brown Brooks saddle would be quite sexy on this bike as well, if you can get your hands on some brown Brooks bar tape as well. That would be the best looking option.
Replacing the bottle with a brushed stainless steel one would not only be looking great, but would be better for your health as well. Replacing the current bottle cages with shiny stainless steel ones would make it look better as well, as would replacing the rear rack with a shiny stainless steel one as well. Come to think of it, stainless steel parts would basically look great on the bike anyway.

As for bags, you might want to look for black canvas bags. Canvas goes pretty well with this type of frame (steel) which makes it quite a nice option.

In my opinion a commuter bike should be functional. Though in the process of making it more functional, it's not a bad idea to keep easthetics in mind as well and add the best looking parts for the job. Create a clean theme around it. In my case it's a combination of matte and glossy black, bright yellow and blue. More colors than that I just don't want in my theme. You could stick with black, gold, stainless steel.

So a backpack should be no big deal, right..?

No way. I'm sure backpacks work just fine for some people, but not me. Nope. Not gonna do it.

Here's what I think I'm going to do:
- I'm going to go with polished alloy for the rear rack (with lowered pannier rails) and fenders to match my stem, pedals, and water bottle cages.
- I'll use black bungee cords and get new power grips in black for the pedals.
- I'll use a black trunk bag for the always-on-the-bike stuff that is currently on the rack and in the saddle bag and a black pannier for everything else.
- I'm leaving the bar tape for now. I like a little whimsy.

Down the road, I think I'll go with a Brooks cambium saddle and matching rubber bar tape.

How's that sound?

Excellent resolution! Although I get paid to recommend esthetic solutions to clients, this thread somehow exhausted me. Props to the OP for endurance!

Makes me want to see your bike at each stage you make these changes. :)

I love a back pack, especially for fast light bikes like racers or SS bikes and CC bikes. I do not carry that much so a back pack is fine. I can see that for people who carry the kitchen sink that there are better methods.

J

It's a utility bike - not an entry in the Concours d'elegance. Looks like a well designed, purpose driven build. Only the saddle bag looks funny, and even then, if I saw it on the road, I'd assume the rider knew what he was doing.

This saddle and bar tape may work with the gold lettering.

http://rs936.pbsrc.com/albums/ad205/...h=480&fit=clip

Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet

Here's a little photoshop based on what most everyone suggested.

Changes:
- Chrome rack (already mentioned in this thread)
- Axiom appalachian rear pannier
- Brown Brooks saddle
- Brown Brooks bar tape
- Shimano SPD pedals
- Camelback Podium water bottle (to add a little color)
- Removed reflectors

The saddle was actually changed out...

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/a...psagkl75gk.jpg

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/a...psrgbuzr0y.jpg

Now we're talking!

http://i.imgur.com/1sSyyOr.jpg

Maybe not the water bottle.

I used to be a rack/pannier user, but I did fall into the bike aesthetics hole. My SS is such a slick machine I felt like I was hobbling it with the rack and pannier. Now I use a lightweight hiking backpack that has airflow on the back, and an optional waterbladder (i don't use it).
all i put in it are pants, shirt, undergarments, sometimes shoes (i keep a pair in my locker at work, but want different ones). In the colder months I may stuff my morning jacket or tights in it and ride home in shorts.
Keep in mind I love in Houston, so even in the summer I use it and I don't get much sweatier. Doesn't bother me at all.

to the OP, if you really want to de-uglify, you need some drop bars. I know lots of people like that utilitarian bars, but, IMO they look doofy af.

From an aesthetics standpoint, for sure. Especially perhaps a hot pink hello kitty one? From a sweaty back perspective, not a chance. Sweaty back gets veto power over all.

Very nice!
- The saddle and bar tape will need to wait a bit.
- I'm not switching to SPDs under any circumstances, but my current pedals are polished alloy (MKS Sylvans) and will look better once I've got the new black power grips on them.
But, yeah, the rest of it looks awesome.

I wonder what it would look like with fenders? I'm thinking about the silver SKS longboards.

I think it's pretty rare that plastic fenders improve the look of the bike, but my last set ate a twig and didn't wreck me, which made me a believer that they're safer than metal (and cheaper to replace!).

Very nice. May we see pictures of the drive side, from above, and from front and back?

The mock up looks very polished, but so serious. I like the original handlebar tape. What did @Giant Doofus call it--"a bit of whimsy?" The user needs to love this part of the bike especially because it's the biggest part of the bike he'll be looking at while riding. This is from a female's point of view.

Wait, whose bike is this if not Giant Doofus's? Is it a simulation?

I think you'll want to direct your request to [MENTION=373593]slowpacer[/MENTION] who created the mockup.