Project Roubaix Debadging
 

Here's the story, I've had this Roubaix for over a year and really like the bike so I decided to change it up a bit. While looking for paint scheme's and ideas, no matter where I would look a ton of lawsuits would come up. We all know Specialized is pretty lawsuit happy (they might even be looking here, shhh) although I love the company's products . . . Being a custom painter by trade I got the idea of debadging the bike as well as the components so it wouldn't look like a nascar vehicle. Found a couple nice pics of Parlee's without logos and really liked the idea, also a 2014 De Rosa King RS really helped me in my decision to do this. Lets get started...

First up some pics of my bike before

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...x/photo-14.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...ps37c918f5.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...ps1a4b2847.jpg

First up the cranks

Before sand paper

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...ps9d03d47b.jpg

After sand paper before clear coat

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...ps3b8da60e.jpg

I like where you're going with this. I have a pedal force that is a blank canvas and could use some ideas.

On to the fork

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...ps1b1402d1.jpg

Zertz

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...psb4d1b901.jpg

Not much to it

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...ps18cb2dad.jpg

Fork before sandpaper

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...psf1f2a129.jpg

After sandpaper (was just soaked in water thats why its not dull)

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...ps2fcefdd5.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...pse6189eb8.jpg

Thanks. Stay tuned.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...psb6dfaabb.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...ps05f6f3b9.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...64527a94-1.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...ps18c44098.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...pseebc44cf.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...ps96826200.jpg

Looking at the pix of that Zertz thingie it kinda makes me wonder what or how much it does. I have an older Roubaix where the Zertz elastomer insert extends through holes that pass through the fork legs, seat stays and seat post. Not sure they do much there either.

This is awesome, keep posting updates. One of my friends has this same bike, its neat to see a new spin on it.

I'm not a big fan of orange, but I like this a lot!

What colour are you going to use for the accents?

I like it too. Keep posting.

This is very cool. I completely agree with why you are doing this. Specialized as good as their bikes are to me are desecrated with this badging. So well done on taking this initiative.

Not all Specialized bikes are the same as you know. I love the Expert level of bike you have but they are among the worse in terms of aesthetics due to what I consider to be a pitiful billboarding of their brand. The Pro and Sworks are less obscene generally...on my bike for example the Specialized graphic is way more understated. Also once in a while Specialized has a model that is more monochrome...below is an example of their flag ship Sworks Roubaix SL4 for 2014 in candy red...which isn't too much different for your choice of orange base coat.

A few questions please if you would take the time to answer:
1. What grit sand/wet paper do you use to scuff the factory clear/gel coat? Or do you use Scothbrite pads?...if so what color pad...green?
2. What kind of paint do you suggest for primer, top and clear coat? Water based acrylic enamel? What kind of base/clear do you suspect that Specialized shoots on the carbon frame from the factory?
3. What kind of gun are you shooting the paint with? Are you using a pro level booth or a home rig?
4. Do you plan on painting the rubber Zertz inserts? If so will you add an elastomer to the paint to allow flex without cracking?

I look forward to your results. I bet it will be stunning.

Thanks for sharing your talent.

Crank arm cleared

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...ps8c807fd7.jpg

Q-Ring is etched so unless I wanted to fill it in with primer the logos will stay barely.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...ps655bbccb.jpg

At least the Q-Rings match the zertz
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...psd2bd1231.jpg

Everything will be orange or black.

Love the Candy Red Roubaix.

1. Started with 400 grit sand paper finished off with red scotchbrite pad .
2. My personal opinion no primer needed as long as you don't bust through the carbon, I used adhesion promoter and went straight to white base coat followed by the orange pearl. As far as paint, it all works I'm a big fan of house of kolor. The clear I used is uc35 from house of kolor, it is poly urethane instead of most clear coat's which are urethane. Poly urethane dries faster and harder and is very durable against rock chips. As far as what specialized uses that's a good question, seems like base coat clear coat job but I'm not sure.
3. I used my favorite gun a Sata 3000 RP and used the booth at the body shop.
4. The zertz rubber inserts are not getting painted but the black piece with the logo did, as you can see from the pic the logo stayed underneath the matte black.

Thanks. I look forward to your progress.

Love the color. Can't to see it complete.

ditto! I'm considering something similar as well. Looks great and thanks for the tips

I can't believe they do anything with that design. Looks like a gimmick to me, that ridge through the middle would act to stiffen the fork, not absorb anything!

Nice project though, I like what the OP is doing.

I meant to edit my post, not quote myself, sorry! It's Monday!

Is it going to be a completely blank bike from a logo standpoint? That would be pretty cool.

Results speak for themselves, I guess. It doesn't seem like it should work but it does, and pretty well.

Adrian - I don't think you revealed that you are a custom painter when you started talking about this, I'd say that explains part of your interest. Looking good so far!

Subscribed! Awesome project; please keep the pics flowing!!

Dude hurry up!! Just kidding, cant wait.