Help "Snazzing up" my wife's ride
05-23-19, 01:47 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Help "Snazzing up" my wife's ride
Recently, I bought her a road bike (2018 Fuji Sportif 2.1), which is the nicest bike she's ever had. I wanted her to have a decent bike when we ride together.
We ordered it from our local shop, and it was only made/available in one color. My wife really likes the way it rides but recently observed, "It's lacking something. It doesn't pop. It just blends in."
I could use your help snazzing up my wife's ride.
Any suggestions?
My wife's 2018 Fuji Sportif 2.1
Stock Image
We ordered it from our local shop, and it was only made/available in one color. My wife really likes the way it rides but recently observed, "It's lacking something. It doesn't pop. It just blends in."
I could use your help snazzing up my wife's ride.
Any suggestions?
My wife's 2018 Fuji Sportif 2.1
Stock Image
Last edited by mcpastor; 05-23-19 at 03:09 PM.
05-23-19, 02:12 PM
#2
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Honestly, I think Fuji got it right. Nice looking bike!
Maybe a Kit that pops will change her mind?
Accessorize.
Maybe a Kit that pops will change her mind?
Accessorize.
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05-23-19, 02:17 PM
#3
LBKA (formerly punkncat)
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Tassels and a bright pink basket with a flower to start. You could further it with some purple tires and mixed purple/pink bar wrap, saddle, and some pedals in the theme.
05-23-19, 02:20 PM
#4
Occam's Rotor
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High-quality red handlebar tape to complement the red on the fork and chain stays.
Compass tires with tan sidewalls -- get the widest that will fit the frame.
Compass tires with tan sidewalls -- get the widest that will fit the frame.
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05-23-19, 02:25 PM
#5
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Silver bar tape (though red as previously suggested might be good too).
Vittoria Corsa tanwall tyres.
Vittoria Corsa tanwall tyres.
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05-23-19, 02:35 PM
#6
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Jagwire link cable kits. Come in all kinds of metallic colors, that'll "snazz" any ride up.
05-23-19, 02:57 PM
#7
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Agree with the red bar tape and matching cable housing. Could also go hot pink!
05-23-19, 03:03 PM
#8
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Get rid of the dork disk?? 
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05-23-19, 03:05 PM
#9
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Get her a bright and wild jersey.
05-23-19, 04:02 PM
#10
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Since my frame is unpainted Ti, with the only color being the yellow Litespeed decals, I went with yellow as the general theme - yellow tape, black/yellow Rubino tires, yellow Jagwire cable set, a black/yellow Selle Italia Max Flite saddle that I doubt I’ll ever be able to replace when it wears out. The overall look is coordinated without being in your face, since the color isn’t all over. I would pick a color that contrasts with the frame and deck it out - tape, cables, maybe tires
05-23-19, 04:08 PM
#11
Non omnino gravis
Another vote for red bar tape. Also, literally any pedal other than those slippery plastic abominations.
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05-23-19, 04:37 PM
#12
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Bar tape and cable housings that match in a color that pops. Then get some nicer bottle cages to match.
And there is always that colored chain wax if you really want to get crazy.
And there is always that colored chain wax if you really want to get crazy.
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05-23-19, 09:34 PM
#13
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I reckon coloured bar tape almost always looks worse than black, particularly when it's not new, but the main thing is black includes the hoods in the shape, and matches the seat and tyres.
+1 ditch the dork disk, and +1 Jagwire Elite Link. I guess I'd go with red for the bling colour, since you have a couple of splashes of it on the frameset. It's also a good bet in terms of being able to reuse your bling on another bike, since its a pretty common accent colour. You can keep going with all sorts of bling; one of my bikes has red ano everywhere - cables, pad holders, headset cover and top cap, BB cups, chainring bolts, skewers, cage bolts, nipples, RD pulley bearing covers... I think that's it.
Folks in the hot or not thread generally find it a bit much, but I dig it. Been a fan of ano bling since my BMX days in the 80s, and black everything is boring AF.
+1 ditch the dork disk, and +1 Jagwire Elite Link. I guess I'd go with red for the bling colour, since you have a couple of splashes of it on the frameset. It's also a good bet in terms of being able to reuse your bling on another bike, since its a pretty common accent colour. You can keep going with all sorts of bling; one of my bikes has red ano everywhere - cables, pad holders, headset cover and top cap, BB cups, chainring bolts, skewers, cage bolts, nipples, RD pulley bearing covers... I think that's it.
Folks in the hot or not thread generally find it a bit much, but I dig it. Been a fan of ano bling since my BMX days in the 80s, and black everything is boring AF.
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05-24-19, 07:16 AM
#14
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I like the suggestions so far, especially the flashy jersey and pink bar tape.
But please tell your wife that it's a good looking bike right now...
EDIT:...and that she's beautiful.
But please tell your wife that it's a good looking bike right now...
EDIT:...and that she's beautiful.
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05-24-19, 07:53 AM
#16
Senior Member
-Dork disc has to go
-Different bar tape, could do red, or, go with white tape/saddle
-Slightly flashier wheels/tires
-Different bar tape, could do red, or, go with white tape/saddle
-Slightly flashier wheels/tires
05-24-19, 09:39 AM
#17
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Thread Starter
Red Bar Tape
Thanks for the input so far everyone!
For starters, we ordered red Salsa cork-gel bar tape. Its shade of red should match the unique red on the frame. (I used to have some on my bike and it’s good tape too.)
Then we’ll step back and look again. I’ll post a pic.
Oh yes, the “dork disk” will be disappearing too haha 🤤
For starters, we ordered red Salsa cork-gel bar tape. Its shade of red should match the unique red on the frame. (I used to have some on my bike and it’s good tape too.)
Then we’ll step back and look again. I’ll post a pic.
Oh yes, the “dork disk” will be disappearing too haha 🤤
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05-24-19, 10:13 AM
#18
Bad example
I would consider changing the seat post and stem to silver, which will brighten the look. But the handlebar tape will make a big difference.
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05-24-19, 12:23 PM
#19
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+1 on the red bar tape. Red bottle cages would also be hot.
Does your wife like the saddle? If not, there are a ton of women-specific saddles in white.
Finally, please turn that stem upside down.
Does your wife like the saddle? If not, there are a ton of women-specific saddles in white.
Finally, please turn that stem upside down.
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05-24-19, 12:40 PM
#20
SuperGimp
It's not a black bike, thank goodness! I doubt it really blends in but some spiffy bar tape will make her feel better about the whole ride and it's inexpensive. 
Have fun out there!
Have fun out there!
05-24-19, 12:53 PM
#21
Senior Member
As mentioned bar tape of a color she likes and also if she doesn't like the seat maybe change to a different color and more to her liking .also bottle cages with some design on them helps make the frame pop a little
05-24-19, 01:42 PM
#24
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Color match the bar tape to the red or the white accents along with the saddle.
Red bar tape and red/black or red/white saddle OR white bar tape and white/black or white/red saddle.
I think white bar tape and a white saddle with red/black accents would be best. Fizik made a saddle that was overall white, a black center, with thin little 1/16" wide stripes of red.
Red bar tape and red/black or red/white saddle OR white bar tape and white/black or white/red saddle.
I think white bar tape and a white saddle with red/black accents would be best. Fizik made a saddle that was overall white, a black center, with thin little 1/16" wide stripes of red.
05-24-19, 02:17 PM
#25
Full Member
Here’s what could be called a “plain Jane” royal blue frame (Miyata 1000) that I jazzed up with red accents if you want a visual:
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