folder fanatic

I guess I come from a different age than your girl. While I am still somewhat color concious, I tend to focus on frame make-up and construction, metals used, and specs than what is on the frame-I worry what is underneath the paint than on it. My basic model bikes generally come in one color only and I simply get used to it-I do rather hate that Brompton's red color. Yet I still love the bike itself and would not part with it.

If I was the girl, I would try to learn about the inner workings of bikes rather than superficial paint jobs-beyond just the type of paint and coating technique used. It's a loving gift from you, (and I am just a woman, too)!

forensicchemist

thats my daughters bike!

sweetharriet

no matter how awesome the components/frame, if it showed up with flowers that weren't previously obvious, yecccch. i feel really bad for this dude AND the girl - why isn't the store making more of an effort to get the consumer what they want?

dwainedibbly

I'll give you the perspective of a guy who has been happily married (to the same woman) for 27 years....

Let's face it: you're screwed. If she's not happy, NOBODY's going to be happy. It doesn't matter how the bike ended up with graphics that she doesn't like. You can either stick up for her and show that her feelings are important to you, or you can seriously damage the relationship. The choice is yours.

(No, she wasn't looking over my shoulder when I typed that.)

I agree that the shop should do something for you. Is this bike from a major mfr?

Nachoman

A new powder coat can be as cheap as $50.00.

bkaapcke

Women do prefer to be 'taken shopping' rather than be surprised. Quite often the surprise isn't quite right AND YOU WON'T GET ANY CREDIT. Married men know this, singles don't. You see, by taking themn along, they have the opportunity to 'upgrade' their surprise before they even get it. To them, this makes perfect sense. To us, well, swearing ain't 'lowed here. bk

ianh

Thanks for all your comments.

The bike in question was the Scott Contessa

The colour is metalic gold and white. Surprisingly "Bling" for a high end hard tail mountain bike. There is lots of fine flowery stuff on the decals. The decals are under the laquer and can't be peeled off.https://www.scottusa.com/product.php?UID=9720

The bike is for my girlfriend not my daughter, so it is very important to ensure she is happy. She loves to ride and is very particular about her bikes. She is very small and needs an extra small frame. Tough to get in many models. She prefers a women's specific frame and set up. On the road she rides a Specialized Ruby Pro (Full carbon frame - Ultegra) and loves it to bits. https://specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=21770

I have been back to the shop with the unridden contessa and they have agreed to try and get a replacement. The repaint option was a no go - $400 I was quoted. I was advised to use nut blasting and two pack. Powder could affect the alloy due to the heating.

We are looking at the Specialized Rockhopper Disc International 07. The same components as the Scott. But go faster red. . Stock has not yet arrived in the country, but should be here in the next couple of weeks. In time for our christmas camping trip. It's summer here at the moment! We need to get in training as we have signed up for a 100km mountain bike marathon. https://www.rapidascent.com.au/OtwayOdyssey/


Thanks for all your comments, It looks like we will all get what we want in the end.
Me - a happy girlfriend who wants to hit the trails with me
Her - a great bike she feels great riding
The shop - two happy customers

I emailed scott on their website but have not heard back. Perhaps they need a women's specific bike without the bling.

The moral of the story for us guys - Women, we will always love them, but never understand them.

slowandsteady

Is it just me, or are flowers on a mountain bike just wrong? Who makes these marketing decisions anyway?

If a woman rides a mountain bike, she likes mud, grit in her teeth, doesn't mind her head bouncing off a rock now and then, and sure as heck has no interest in smelling the roses, but sure wouldn't mind running them over with some knobbies. At least the darn thing isn't pink.

Grasschopper

Huh...goes to show you...I like the Scott...but I am a guy. I think my wife would like it as well though.

dwainedibbly

Actually, there are 3 simple rules for understanding women. Unfortunately, nobody knows what they are!

I'm glad to hear that everything is working out.

Brate

My GF loves the Female Trek's that have the flowery pattern.. but she is self proclaimed "girly"

slowandsteady

Women know what they are. But I'm not tellin!

BluesDawg

They must have changed the picture. The one linked above shows the flowery trim pretty clearly when you click on the zoom.

race newbie

I'd consider myself a girly girl, but when I was shopping for a bike the LAST thing I wanted to see was a powder blue or pink bike (mine is "go fast red" as you put it). Fortunately I'm tall so I could fit a man's bike, just had to change to narrower handlebars and a shorter stem. Way to OP on getting her what she wanted and making everyone happy!

N_C

+1. And Tim they stop putting out for some reason as often as they used before they said I do.

cs1

I think it was sometime after they found out just how much child birth hurt. Before that it was strictly recreational. After that it was procreational! LOL

Somehow, I think we're getting off track here.

Tim

blickblocks

That looks quite art nouveau to me...I like. I wouldn't say it's "flowery" however, and I definately think it's obvious from the website what the paint detail looks like. It's just my personal opinion (and you don't have to like it) but you two are being quite petty over such a minor detail that you should have noticed before you bought.

At least everything worked out for you two.