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
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Hacienda Hgts
Posts: 1,778
Bikes: 1999 Schwinn Peloton Ultegra 10, Kestrel RT-1000 Ultegra, Trek Marlin 6 Deore 29'er
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 698 Post(s)
Liked 1,598 Times
in
790 Posts
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.
Likes For CAT7RDR:
05-23-19, 02:17 PM
#3
LBKA (formerly punkncat)
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Jawja
Posts: 4,168
Bikes: Spec Roubaix SL4, GT Traffic 1.0
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2015 Post(s)
Liked 792 Times
in
566 Posts
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
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times
in
1,164 Posts
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.
Likes For Cyclist0108:
05-23-19, 02:25 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 1,226
Bikes: Bianchi Ti Megatube; Colnago Competition; Planet-X EC-130E; Klein Pulse; Amp Research B4; Litespeed Catalyst; Fondriest Squadra Corse; Trek Y11
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 580 Post(s)
Liked 413 Times
in
237 Posts
Silver bar tape (though red as previously suggested might be good too).
Vittoria Corsa tanwall tyres.
Vittoria Corsa tanwall tyres.
Likes For ridelikeaturtle:
05-23-19, 02:35 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Walnut Creek, CA
Posts: 2,631
Bikes: 2015 Trek Emonda SLR, 2002 Litespeed Classic, 2005 Bianchi Pista, 2016 Devinci Hatchet, Some BikesDirect MTB I never ride.
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 636 Post(s)
Liked 119 Times
in
80 Posts
Jagwire link cable kits. Come in all kinds of metallic colors, that'll "snazz" any ride up.
05-23-19, 02:57 PM
#7
Full Member
Agree with the red bar tape and matching cable housing. Could also go hot pink!
05-23-19, 03:03 PM
#8
Should Be More Popular
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Posts: 40,211
Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix
Mentioned: 542 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19886 Post(s)
Liked 6,612 Times
in
3,139 Posts
Get rid of the dork disk?? 
__________________
Originally Posted by rjones28
Addiction is all about class.
Likes For datlas:
05-23-19, 03:05 PM
#9
On Your Left
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373
Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,430 Times
in
1,184 Posts
Get her a bright and wild jersey.
05-23-19, 04:02 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Chapel Hill NC
Posts: 1,683
Bikes: 2000 Litespeed Vortex Chorus 10, 1995 DeBernardi Cromor S/S
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 645 Post(s)
Liked 793 Times
in
445 Posts
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.
__________________
Likes For DrIsotope:
05-23-19, 04:37 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Hollister, CA (not the surf town)
Posts: 1,604
Bikes: 2019 Specialized Roubaix Comp Di2, 2009 Roubaix, early 90's Giant Iguana
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 592 Post(s)
Liked 1,178 Times
in
466 Posts
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.
Likes For Ogsarg:
05-23-19, 09:34 PM
#13
bike whisperer
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Melbourne, Oz
Posts: 9,480
Bikes: https://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=152015&p=1404231
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1493 Post(s)
Liked 700 Times
in
495 Posts
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.
__________________
Sheldon Brown's bike info ~~~ Park Tools repair help
Half-step triple, using double gear ~~~ 6400 STI rebuild walkthrough ~~~ Want 8/9/10s @126mm OLD? OCR. ~~~ Shimano cassette body overhaul ~~~ Ergopower Escape wear repair ~~~ PSA: drivetrain wear
List of US/Canada bike co-ops ~~~ Global list
Sheldon Brown's bike info ~~~ Park Tools repair help
Half-step triple, using double gear ~~~ 6400 STI rebuild walkthrough ~~~ Want 8/9/10s @126mm OLD? OCR. ~~~ Shimano cassette body overhaul ~~~ Ergopower Escape wear repair ~~~ PSA: drivetrain wear
List of US/Canada bike co-ops ~~~ Global list
05-24-19, 07:16 AM
#14
Zip tie Karen
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
Posts: 7,005
Bikes: '13 Motobecane Fantom29 HT, '16 Motobecane Turino Pro Disc, '16 Motobecane Gran Premio Elite, '18 Velobuild VB-R-022, '21 Tsunami SNM-100
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1464 Post(s)
Liked 1,537 Times
in
804 Posts
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.
Likes For Phil_gretz:
05-24-19, 07:19 AM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: columbus, ohio
Posts: 895
Bikes: Soma Saga, 1980 Schwinn Voyageur 11.8, New Albion Privateer
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 76 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times
in
7 Posts
Originally Posted by datlas
Get rid of the dork disk??
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
Senior Member
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 🤤
Likes For mcpastor:
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.
__________________
Keeping Seattle’s bike shops in business since 1978
Keeping Seattle’s bike shops in business since 1978
Likes For Aubergine:
05-24-19, 12:23 PM
#19
vespertine member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Land of Angora, Turkey
Posts: 2,476
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 687 Post(s)
Liked 220 Times
in
163 Posts
+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.
Likes For wipekitty:
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
Newbie racer
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 3,375
Bikes: Propel, red is faster
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1566 Post(s)
Liked 1,537 Times
in
956 Posts
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:
Likes For Honusms:
