phantomcow2

I cant find myself spending 5k on a bike even if i won the lottery. THere comes a point where its just name brand bull shift

Maelstrom 

Without a granny gear :O...couldn't do it here thats for sure. To many prolonged climbs.

Maelstrom 

The parent to that bike (my bike actually) in 2002 was retailing for 1800cdn.

trekkie820

With strong legs, and a higher gear, you climb faster and its better through technical items on the way up, cause you get more torque. Granny gears, in my experience, are the cause of too many unwanted wheelies.

Maelstrom 

Hahaha...I used to say that too...either way I am far from a xc guy. I would rather hike up stuff then go the long way round.

justsomeguy

ROTFL.

Perhaps in the flat Midwest.

Along with proper technique, granny gears are required for many steep, steep, technical climbs a bit further West.

anthonaut

How to make a bike look good? Buy one that looks good already and that you suits your riding. Simple.

cryogenic

in that we both like our bikes to be dirty and look well-ridden?

seely

For me its about subtlety and clean lines. I don't need/want stickers to tell people I'm a good rider, I rather let my ability speak for itself. I like the Stumpjumpers because I think the decals used are pretty plain, subtle and compliment the lines of the frame itself nicely. The colour is a bit intrusive, but overall its a pretty package and nothing to freaky like a Colnago. I usually try to colour match my components to a degree, I mean if the bike has a black component scheme going on I use a black waterbottle cage, or if the components are all polished I use a polished cage to accent the components. Can you tell I was a graphic arts undergrad for two years?

anthonaut

Yeah I also agree with the black/polished thing. But in that pic, the bike has polished fork/water bottle cage and the cranks/stem/seatpost are black. Haha. Talk about contradiction.

Funkychicken

ummm... a funky repaint? for campy tacky goodness, camo pattern tyres, neon rims and reflectors, flouro pink with yellow polka dots, whatever pops the cork?

seely

I know, but the decals are silver. It can go either way.

Here, so you can sleep tonight, my polish Paramount with polished cages.

Dannihilator

People usually don't make changes to their bikes for the cool factor. People usually make changes because of their general progression as a rider or they upgrade because, they upgrade to it out of the pure need because they are experiencing problems with that part. The last part can be known as upgrade as you break it. Upgrading a bike out when on a low budget is ok if that bike is all you can afford and that you are going to use those parts for what they are for. But if you got a lower budget bike, then proceed to trick it out to make it look cool or gain acceptance amongst other groups will only earn you the title of poseur or Mr. Fred the Wannabe.

Maelstrom 

True true. I upgrade often. Primary order of care

1 - does it fit what I need
2 - cost
3 - sometimes weight, sometimes strength depending on part or bike
4 - does it look good on the bike....

99% of the time number 4 doesnt come into play. I am so picky I usually only give myself 1 or 2 options on any upgrade. So cool factor can't be applied...

Hopper

The best looking bike I ever saw was a Black V10 with a black fork (888R) and blackcompnents. Then he had anodized his fork clamps and adjuster knobs silver and had silver shifters and a blackspire chaindevice with the silver writing. It looked so sick.

anthonaut

Phew. I thought you wouldn't reply and i wouldnt be able to sleep!

super-douper

coolest looking bike i ever saw was a ......ummm.... i don't remember what kind it was but the chick riding it was friggin hot!

that bike was cool

anthonaut

Hahaha. Somehow, i can understand why it was the best bike you've ever seen. Not quite sure how i know though :S

cryogenic

Seely, I really like that paramount... no decals at all and great paint. Did you buy it like that or what?

seely

Thanks... I got it in its original 1989 paint which was starting to look sad, so I decided that while I was upgrading it I may as well get it painted. I got it powdercoated + a clearcoat for about $80... just got it together this weekend. I was kind of sad to see the sweet Paramount decal set get sandblasted off, but now that its back together I like how clean it looks.

trekkie820

exactly

sarsparilla

At one of my races there was a guy riding SS with a all black bike.He took the stickers off of the frame and fork, then polished it with some car wax. I was talking ot him about it and he said that he only polished it because it made the bike shed mud like nothing.

It looked friggin awesome.

cryogenic

But mud is so friggin awesome. Although I can see his point in that you don't want the mud to stay on there forever, so waxing it would probably make it easier to clean.

issues034

How much is 1500cdn in usd, if you happen to know no need to go outta' your way, just curious.

Maelstrom 

1 - no decal
2 - no decal
3 - if there is decal it cannot be in your face, bright or ugly (look at RM's)
4 - flat colours (I love flat black with chrome touchups and no decal
5 - no decal
6 - sleak lines. A short squat ht with a huge fork up front is ugly. A bighit bike with a sc fork up front never looks quite right to me.
7 - no decal
8 - SS has a certain appeal. Clean and sharp. Brakes only. It isn't the be all and end all...but dangit..sure is nice.