You know, when I'm descending in the drops and reaching for the brakes I have that exact same thought. I'll have to drop them a bit and see.

Hey, now, this is the BUDGET hot-or-not thread. You're giving me hot-or-not anxiety. :D

Hot

Strange what white balance and color levels will do to a photo- I have the same tires on my bike and they're a substantially different color both in person and in photos I've taken. I agree with what's been said, there's just too much blue...but it's tough to say how to balance it out with the black seat post and mostly white fork.

Fantastic! Quite a bike for $1200.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=362034http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=362035

this is my budget build. paid $1749 for the bike, added zipp aero bars $68, kenda karvs green $40, green bar tape $14, and black and white camo tape $16 all in all once done $1887:)

Sorry, but, a big NOT from me. I've never been a fan of colored tires. Also, it might simply be the photo angle, but, your aerobars appeared to be angled up significantly. This would be fine if your objective is to achieve lift off, but otherwise, it simply increases drag beyond what a round bar would create. They need to be mounted with the airfoil at a zero degree angle of attack. And, the levers are mounted too high.

Better staging would also help.

+10 to everything

I kinda like the blue tape because it adds something to it, but at the same time I dont like it at all. Dont care for the white pedals.

Meh...

I like your name and the bike. I agree with Fred on the bars being tilted upwards but other than that I like the uniqueness of it all. I got my own red build but green is my favorite color. Also it's a darn TCR best bike ever!

https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...85758854_n.jpg
Bought brand new old stock last year with 105. Even with rs-80s, new tires, new cockpit, ultegra brakes, and accessories I'm at $2k after selling some of what I replaced. Have a Sram Red crank that would put me over but it's not on yet

It has all the right parts but they are set up in a way that doesn't please the eye, at least to me. If everything were to be set up in the right position it'd be hot. Great build for 2k

For me, not hot. It's on the wrong side of the garage door ( :D ), the stem is too small, and the saddlebag and pump look out of place. Also, not in small cog. Like the colors, though. On the right side of the garage, in the right gearing for a Hot or Not shot, and without the bag, pump, and cage, it would probably rate a hot from me even with the small stem.

What makes a bike "budget hot or not" material? I set a budget for my new bike and it fell within it. I think it is hot too :)

Tape needs to be white, i would move the computer higher so the "S" in "Scott" is cleanly visible.

Black tires and white seat post on the Specialized

Ditch the floor pump strapped to your ST. Get rid of the oversized saddle bag. Or, at the very least pair it down to tube, levers and credit card size. Flip and slam the stem. This is after all a beauty contest and has nothing to do with fit and ridability. Move the brake levers down to the correct position. And then, it might have 'some' chance. Although it'll still be a no from me.

I like what you're doing with it, but it's not hot yet. Need to take a drive-side pic in big chainring and little cog. Also, tires aren't aligned with stems. I think a matching green saddle would very much up the hotness.

Don't confuse "loud" for "hot" :-) And, I believe the agreed budget for the thread was $2,000.

With white bar tape and a steerer tube trim, this would get a hot from me. As it sits, it's approaching hot. :)

:lol: My bike is like those comedians that are funny because they are loud.. my bike is hot because it's so loud! Ok that makes sense. $2,000 bucks is still $$$ for a "budget build"! But agreed, lot of great bikes for $2k :)

The other side of the door is uh... 6 degrees currently. I just threw the stem and saddle on tonight to get ready for warmer weather so the only thing set up right is the hoods. I'll try to take a "hot" pic this weekend when it's 40+.

Hmm. If the seatpost were sized to match the bars and stem, this would be super hot. But either the seatpost is too tall, or the bars and stem are too small.

thank you for all of the constructive criticism!! ill take a proper picture outside in the daylight tomorrow. she presently has all of her road gear on

I like the colors and the setup, however, the stems are misaligned, and the black seatpost has to go. So... almost hot. :)

People, for the love of all that is velo, quit setting yourselves up with excuses.

This is a beauty contest.

You get one shot at first impressions.

We need a sticky at the top of just about each and every page that declares:

If you want your bike to have a reasonable chance at "hot", all those things you're aware of but haven't done yet, DO THEM first. Then, take a well composed shot of the bike. The WGD is the minimum for those of us without creativity. If you're stuck inside, get creative. But, at least adhear to the few long held axioms that will help ensure you don't eliminate your bike's chances before you've even pushed the shutter button:

Drive side
Cranks at 3,6, or aligned with the ST or CS.
On the big ring and small cog
Tire labels aligned with valve stems. Because anything else is sloppy and lacky attention to detail.
Wheels/valve stems aligned to either provide readability of labelling or to hide stems behind stays and blades.
Stem angled down, if you normally ride with it flipped up.. Come on. With modern stems it's not as though you have to rewrap your bars. It's 7 allen screws and 2 minutes of your time.
Drops level or angled down only slightly.
Hoods positioned to provide a level platform from the turn, or lower on traditional bend bars or with campy levers.
Remove your saddle bag and any overtly large frame pumps. (you might get away with a small one of either, but, it must be discrete.)

Only make an attempt at 'artsy' photographs if you can actually pull it off.