Extreme Makeover—Bike Forums Edition
10-09-11, 10:23 PM
#1
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Extreme Makeover—Bike Forums Edition
Decided I would transform my second bike–an ’09 Fuji Team purchased two years ago. Had been neglecting it since I completed my newer build last spring. Very happy with the result! Almost like having a new bike.
Actually, over time I had made prior improvements to it: full Ultegra SL group and, afterward, 6700 shifters, Ritchey carbon cockpit, and Dura Ace WH-7850 CL-24 wheels. I shared these elsewhere on BF.
First pics show it stock, then with upgrades, respectively. Final pics are of its recent makeover:
Stripped it down and built it back up myself. I’ve grown comfortable and confident with wrenching on my bikes (and my boy’s). It’s a good feeling. Therapeutic even.
My wife was quick to let me know that she liked it better with the stock black, white and blue paint with matching blue tires. (She bought it for me as a birthday gift.) I’m sure some of you will as well. I liked it too. But not like I do in its current guise. It’s one-of–a-kind now.
Originally 19 lbs stock, now a trim 16.71.
Any other makeover builds out there? If so please share!
Stock
Previous upgrades
Now
Decal set didn't include traditional Fuji headtube badge/logo. Used a couple of smaller ones to copy Trek's and Giant's style.
Nice touch to include personalized decal with the set. Wish the font size was amaller though.
Actually, over time I had made prior improvements to it: full Ultegra SL group and, afterward, 6700 shifters, Ritchey carbon cockpit, and Dura Ace WH-7850 CL-24 wheels. I shared these elsewhere on BF.
First pics show it stock, then with upgrades, respectively. Final pics are of its recent makeover:
- My son’s buddy, a master auto painter, gave it a matte black treatment adding 20 grams to the frame.
- Replaced the stock Fuji fork that had an alloy steerer with a new ControlTech carbon fork with carbon steerer that was considerably lighter—almost 230 grams less before cutting steerer
- Replaced Toupe gel saddle with Toupe Team with solid carbon rails like that on my other bike.
- Changed out stem and seatpost though these were fit related in trying to bring fit closer to that of my Pedal Force.
- Purchased decals here.
- Topped it off with a set of Boyd 38 clinchers.
Stripped it down and built it back up myself. I’ve grown comfortable and confident with wrenching on my bikes (and my boy’s). It’s a good feeling. Therapeutic even.
My wife was quick to let me know that she liked it better with the stock black, white and blue paint with matching blue tires. (She bought it for me as a birthday gift.) I’m sure some of you will as well. I liked it too. But not like I do in its current guise. It’s one-of–a-kind now.
Originally 19 lbs stock, now a trim 16.71.
Any other makeover builds out there? If so please share!
Stock
Previous upgrades
Now
Decal set didn't include traditional Fuji headtube badge/logo. Used a couple of smaller ones to copy Trek's and Giant's style.
Nice touch to include personalized decal with the set. Wish the font size was amaller though.
10-09-11, 11:02 PM
#2
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the black looks damn good. all the matte black frames I've seen are so slick looking. and it goes with the boyd wheels too, and I actually like that you rebadged the frame, gives it something for the eye that a pure black frame would have been missing. nice!
10-09-11, 11:11 PM
#3
LBKA (formerly punkncat)
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Spray that down with some flat clear to put the decals "into" the paint. If you can get the guy to lay on a few layers of the clear it gives a lot better protection to the paint.
Looks great.
Looks great.
10-09-11, 11:32 PM
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That looks great with only the "main" decals. this shows that there really is no need for the moving billboards you see so often.
10-09-11, 11:46 PM
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Thanks all.
Yeah. I learned that the matte finish is in the clear coat. So that's done. Quite a durable finish. Hence the added weight. I chose to not have the decals clearcoated over so that I would have the flexibility to remove them if I want.
Yeah. I learned that the matte finish is in the clear coat. So that's done. Quite a durable finish. Hence the added weight. I chose to not have the decals clearcoated over so that I would have the flexibility to remove them if I want.
10-10-11, 08:50 AM
#9
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DDF, I don't understand. Do you mean the old fork's alloy steerer?
10-10-11, 08:57 AM
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Mr. Dopolina
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Nice job and I agree that putting the basic FUJI logos back on looks good. They pair well with the BOYD logos.
"It ties the bike together, man." - The dude.
As a side note, if you ever want to do custom decals again investigate the kind that get baked into the paint. You can clearcoat over them and there are no ridges or edges from decals sticking up. It's also very, very durable.
"It ties the bike together, man." - The dude.
As a side note, if you ever want to do custom decals again investigate the kind that get baked into the paint. You can clearcoat over them and there are no ridges or edges from decals sticking up. It's also very, very durable.
Last edited by Bob Dopolina; 10-10-11 at 09:02 AM.
10-10-11, 09:03 AM
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10-10-11, 09:07 AM
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10-10-11, 09:24 AM
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10-10-11, 09:37 AM
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10-11-11, 07:21 AM
#19
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Hell yeah learnmedia. This did come out super nice. It helps when the person painting knows what they are doing. I have seen a few spraycan jobs on here that have looked good as well, but for the most part just destroy a beautiful paint job. Yours however, total quality with the signature as a nice touch and the paint really came out beautifully. The simple Fuhi decals were a good touch as well.
10-11-11, 07:38 AM
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I did not repaint a frame or anything but my 06' Giant FCR3 has certainly gone through some makeovers of it's own. Purchasing it as my first bike (as an adult) I went with a hybrid because I did not know where I would like to ride the best. I took this thing across country on tour pretty much stock plus bags. Since then I have converted it to a dedicated Touring/Commuting Road bike.
First Picture
Pretty much how the bike came, plus my first few doo-dads that I thought I needed at the time. (Sorry for the lame pic, what did i know back then?)
Second Picture
After Tour with some handlebar mods and new pedals I believe.
Third & Fourth Pictures
Pretty much as she sits today after upgrades.
Sora Derailluers
2000 series Shimano 8sp Bar-End shifters
Easton EA70 stem
Easton EA70 ErgoWing Handlebars
Tektro Road Brake Levers
Alexx DA19 Wheelset from my Specialized Allez (Slight upgrade + Black spokes)
Upgraded Chainrings & Brake Pads
Front and Rear Pannier Bag Racks
First Picture
Pretty much how the bike came, plus my first few doo-dads that I thought I needed at the time. (Sorry for the lame pic, what did i know back then?)
Second Picture
After Tour with some handlebar mods and new pedals I believe.
Third & Fourth Pictures
Pretty much as she sits today after upgrades.
Sora Derailluers
2000 series Shimano 8sp Bar-End shifters
Easton EA70 stem
Easton EA70 ErgoWing Handlebars
Tektro Road Brake Levers
Alexx DA19 Wheelset from my Specialized Allez (Slight upgrade + Black spokes)
Upgraded Chainrings & Brake Pads
Front and Rear Pannier Bag Racks
10-11-11, 08:52 AM
#25
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