Wanting to stand out from the crowd
 

Getting back into the swing of things and don't want the typical bike that most people have in my city. I used to have a Cervelo R2 in white, regret getting rid of it, but I just broke my collar bone after letting it go. Weird how that happened right?

Now that I have time on my side and have to heal back up, I've been doing some research on different bikes. I'd love to stay in the 2500-2800 range and think I can get ultegra but if not, 105 will suffice especially if I am getting a solid frame to build up. I am looking at adding an Ultegra or Praxis Crank along with Dura Ace derailleurs and brakes eventually.

I am thinking of possibly getting another R2 but I am also looking at Pinarello, Bianchi. Most riders where I am have the usualy Trek and Specialized, which there is nothing wrong with those frames, no knocking them, just wanting something different. I've owned a Madone as well as a Spec Roubaix in the past! I drive a Mini Cooper S, so as you can see now, I like to stand out, not LOUD, just different.

Thanks for the help in advance. And yes, I've been reading up and searching for different bikes of all kinds while in my sling and having to sit upright all day and night.

There's a lot of mini coopers where I live. Just saying

Get a nice used carbon bike, sand all the paint off it and clear coat it with a UV resistant polyurethane. That'll work. I sanded down my old Trek 5200 this year after the paint was peeling off it anyway. Maybe I'll repaint, maybe I'll clear coat. I've had it out a few times naked and love how that looks with my new black no-logo rims. Can't keep that up, though. The carbon under all that paint is quite lovely. Nice job of building that frame. I threw the headtube badge away though.

Thanks for the responses gents! Not too many MINI drivers in my area but I get your drift.

I don't think I have the patience to do something custom like that, I do like the idea. Perhaps I will do something like that for my mountain bike :)

Just stick a fauxhawk on your skateboard helmet and call it done.

Trying to assert your individuality through your bike or car is like... not having any individuality except what you manufacture purely for effect.

If you really want to assert your individuality on a road bike, you generally do it by tearing everyone's legs off... while riding a 30 year old 22lb beater.

A good amount of Cervelo where I live too. My latest bike is high end steel with Campy and a grey powder coat paint job. That stands out from the crowd a little

canyon:

https://static.canyon.com/img/cache/...78398b3ccb.jpg

https://static.canyon.com/img/cache/...a699c29a44.jpg

If you can get one

Yeah, Canyon is a bit hard to come by in the US until 2017.

All the more you'll stand out. Isn't that the goal?

Want to go different?

VR4 - Felt Bicycles

I've been looking at the Endurace CF 9.0, solid bike at a great price!

Buy whatever bike ... and slather it with Huffy logos. Nobody will forget the time that guy with the Huffy hung with the "A" ride group.

If you want something not too common, with uncommon good looks, try Scott. You may be able to find an Addict with Ultegra on closeout in your price range.

Sometimes the best way to stand out is to let everyone else make the effort; one morning I woke up and realized I was the only one without a tattoo, facial piercing, or social disease.
Get the bike that calls out to you and don't worry how it looks.

Get any bike you like. Mask off contact surfaces and all moving parts. Coat it with rhino liner. Done.

This. Also, there might be a good reason certain frames/bikes are very common at a given price point. While I love the looks of Bianchi, for $2800 you might be able to get a better bike for the money. However, if you could double your budget the Oltre XR.2 would stand out just fine in a nice understated way.

Ritte makes cool framesets.

Or you could look into getting something from Baum.

Check out the new limited edition Specialized Allez framesets. You can go hot pink with a leopard print fork. And my understanding is they are only making about a hundred of each color scheme. They sold out of the Gold/Red option last year.

Nothing wrong with not wanting to have a bike model that you'll see parked outside of every coffee shop. Have you been visiting LBSs to see what they're carrying? Aesthetics doesn't always translate on the screen.


fify

Ride naked.

This is about as unique as it gets for most (on a budget): http://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...b-r-066-a.html

Take some hints from motorcyclists... What you don't want to mess with is hardware... Just paint... And while I like the clean look of streamlines graphics the old school pin striped look has defined motor bikes for decades !

Pinarello Prince, Cervelo S3, or anything by Argon or Parlee. I really like the look of the Argons, but could never justify purchasing one.