Ideas on how the liven up the appearance of this bike?
11-19-10, 11:06 AM
#26
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Ah! A thread calling out my name : )
Okay... First thing, is that the frame is a beautiful colour, but it is being "deadened" by the black saddle and bar tape. If you change them to something in the brown family (including caramel/orange), you will see that the soft blue will come alive and will become a lot more vibrant. This alone will transform the personality of the bike dramatically.
Then, the headset. It is black and very visible, as it is a stark contrast to the frame colour. It has the effect of dissecting the otherwise graceful line of the headtube and fork. If you switch it to a silver headset, it will make a huge difference - the lines of the bike will be more elegant.
As for fenders, you can go with almost anything here, because your frame colour is so simple and there aren't any distracting decals or multi-coloured panels. Though I do not usually like hammered Honjos (or the VO version thereof), I think they would look good here. Or, if you prefer a racier and less "randonneur"-like look, I also think the SKS fenders would go well with this bike.
Good luck - I think your bicycle is a real beauty!
Okay... First thing, is that the frame is a beautiful colour, but it is being "deadened" by the black saddle and bar tape. If you change them to something in the brown family (including caramel/orange), you will see that the soft blue will come alive and will become a lot more vibrant. This alone will transform the personality of the bike dramatically.
Then, the headset. It is black and very visible, as it is a stark contrast to the frame colour. It has the effect of dissecting the otherwise graceful line of the headtube and fork. If you switch it to a silver headset, it will make a huge difference - the lines of the bike will be more elegant.
As for fenders, you can go with almost anything here, because your frame colour is so simple and there aren't any distracting decals or multi-coloured panels. Though I do not usually like hammered Honjos (or the VO version thereof), I think they would look good here. Or, if you prefer a racier and less "randonneur"-like look, I also think the SKS fenders would go well with this bike.
Good luck - I think your bicycle is a real beauty!
11-19-10, 11:16 AM
#28
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I'm kind of against the fenders on this one, but the recommendations on
- silver headset
- new hoods
- different color bar tape + shellac (and twine?)
- different housing color
are solid.
a nice carradice or canvas saddle bag with orangey leather straps never hurt either
.
- silver headset
- new hoods
- different color bar tape + shellac (and twine?)
- different housing color
are solid.
a nice carradice or canvas saddle bag with orangey leather straps never hurt either
.
11-19-10, 11:31 AM
#30
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As for a rack, I think a Carradice Bag Man or similar saddle or seatpost mounted support will look great.
Concerning the brake hoods, you're only going to find tan, black or white. I'd go with black unless you choose black bar tape. I like to contrast hood color with the bar tape and I often like to match bar tape with the saddle.
Have fun. Nice bike!
11-19-10, 11:35 AM
#31
Velocommuter Commando
Im not really sure what Im asking here.I really love the way this bike rides, but the looks are down right boring. I am planning on adding fenders but Im not even sure they will clear. Any ideas to make this thing more of a looker?
Looking for ideas on hood color, Fenders and maybe a rear rack and bar bag.
Looking for ideas on hood color, Fenders and maybe a rear rack and bar bag.
11-19-10, 11:38 AM
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1. Clean and polish the frame. Clean the components.
2. Get a chrome head set. The black head set is out of place/inconsistent.
3. Get some gum lever hoods to match the tires.
4. Get some OEM decals.
Learn to love simplicity and subtlety. Not all things need to be in primary colors and loud and gaudy.
2. Get a chrome head set. The black head set is out of place/inconsistent.
3. Get some gum lever hoods to match the tires.
4. Get some OEM decals.
Learn to love simplicity and subtlety. Not all things need to be in primary colors and loud and gaudy.
11-19-10, 11:40 AM
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11-19-10, 12:01 PM
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Hey, hope to see you Sunday for the ride!
Scott
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11-19-10, 12:05 PM
#35
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11-19-10, 12:05 PM
#36
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Fenders cost anywhere from $30-100 depending on materials and ornateness of design, usually add only several grams to the total weight of the bike, and help to keep you and your bike clean. For my dollar they're worth every penny for any bike that isn't going to be raced.
11-19-10, 12:09 PM
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1-you could separate the housing from the bike, colorwise. black.
2-if you like the saddle, great, leave it. Black wrap to match the saddle.
3-pull that seatpost and paint the flutes black, along with the flutes on the crankset.
4-Now you've got some contrast going, and in two colors.
5-Add bling by making sure the aluminum and alloy parts are clean and shiny, likewise, the frame.
6-Come up with some decals. a "Z" logo for the headbadge, and something for the downtube, 1 word.
7-I recommend red or yellow on the decals, but it's your call.
2-if you like the saddle, great, leave it. Black wrap to match the saddle.
3-pull that seatpost and paint the flutes black, along with the flutes on the crankset.
4-Now you've got some contrast going, and in two colors.
5-Add bling by making sure the aluminum and alloy parts are clean and shiny, likewise, the frame.
6-Come up with some decals. a "Z" logo for the headbadge, and something for the downtube, 1 word.
7-I recommend red or yellow on the decals, but it's your call.
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 11-19-10 at 12:13 PM.
11-19-10, 12:14 PM
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If you're heartset on adding some decals, I recently put a set of Rivendell's "Resurrectio" decals on a bike I had Powdercoated. The decals are extremely handsome, and if you don't know the model but would like to do some customization, I think it's a very nice (and at $16 bucks, inexpensive) route to go.
(The following photo is, sadly, not a photo of the bike I'm working on - but it will give you an idea of the font and coloration of the decals. More details and photos at Rivendell's site.)
(The following photo is, sadly, not a photo of the bike I'm working on - but it will give you an idea of the font and coloration of the decals. More details and photos at Rivendell's site.)
11-19-10, 01:02 PM
#39
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Thanks everyone for the advice so far. The bike has already been gone through and the cables are the clear braided VOs but you really cant see them in the picture. When it was being redone I did not want to add or change any parts as I thought it might help me get to the bottom of what it is. Same with the repaint.
It does have eyelets for fenders but your right about clearance with the tires. The saddle is a nice deep dark brown but for some reason does not show up.
For fenders could I get by with changing the tires or would I need new calipers?
These are the before pictures to show the eyelets.
It does have eyelets for fenders but your right about clearance with the tires. The saddle is a nice deep dark brown but for some reason does not show up.
For fenders could I get by with changing the tires or would I need new calipers?
These are the before pictures to show the eyelets.
11-19-10, 01:10 PM
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You should be able to get 35mm fenders on it if you 86 the balloon tires and go with 27x1 or 27x1 1/8(provided that they are 27"?).
11-19-10, 01:15 PM
#42
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^
28mm (27 x 1 1/8) tires with proper fenders is likely the best you can do with that frame. You may need to trim the fenders at the areas under the fork crown and chainstay bridge. That's common. You would need different calipers.
28mm (27 x 1 1/8) tires with proper fenders is likely the best you can do with that frame. You may need to trim the fenders at the areas under the fork crown and chainstay bridge. That's common. You would need different calipers.
Last edited by ColonelJLloyd; 11-19-10 at 01:26 PM.
11-19-10, 01:19 PM
#43
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Nice bike!
I doubt you have enough clearance for full fenders - no way up front for sure, and the rear would be REALLY tight. Even with a dremel job on the fenders and smaller tires, there does not appear to be enough clearance IMO.
I've seen some very nice metal "partial" fenders that provide coverage between the rear brake bridge and chainstay bridge as well as behind the fork crown. I can't find any links, but perhaps others here can hook you up.
I'd go with gum rubber hoods, myself.
I think the bike would look sharp with a honey leather saddle and light brown, shellacked cloth bar tape and dark blue housing.
I doubt you have enough clearance for full fenders - no way up front for sure, and the rear would be REALLY tight. Even with a dremel job on the fenders and smaller tires, there does not appear to be enough clearance IMO.
I've seen some very nice metal "partial" fenders that provide coverage between the rear brake bridge and chainstay bridge as well as behind the fork crown. I can't find any links, but perhaps others here can hook you up.
I'd go with gum rubber hoods, myself.
I think the bike would look sharp with a honey leather saddle and light brown, shellacked cloth bar tape and dark blue housing.
Last edited by canyoneagle; 11-19-10 at 01:24 PM.
11-19-10, 02:42 PM
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Agree with Veloria (EDIT: and Mike Mills), the frame has a lot of hidden beauty that will come out with a thorough cleaning & polish. And touch-up paint if you can get some to match.
Yes, a silver headset would help. So would matching colored bar tape and toeclips.
Disagree that it needs decals. The stealth/understated look works, especially on a one-color bike.
Yes, a silver headset would help. So would matching colored bar tape and toeclips.
Disagree that it needs decals. The stealth/understated look works, especially on a one-color bike.
Last edited by sekaijin; 11-19-10 at 02:53 PM. Reason: Wanted to show my agreement with Mike Mills (to offset my giving him a hard time in the fanny pack thread) ;)
11-19-10, 02:49 PM
#46
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PS - TA also made them with a clear or gum-colored plastic piece, which if you can find one, would go better with the other makeover suggestions offered.
11-19-10, 03:07 PM
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It could also be a REG bottle cage from Italy, those were popular too.
I don't think you're going to fit fenders well with Record calipers and that tight spacing.
I don't think you're going to fit fenders well with Record calipers and that tight spacing.
11-19-10, 03:27 PM
#48
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I would get a fairly large piece of reflective tape, in white, like this.
I would put a rectangular panel of that, with perhaps a narrow stripe above and below, on the seat tube.
And I would cut a piece to fit the head tube, leaving the lugs exposed.
I would put a rectangular panel of that, with perhaps a narrow stripe above and below, on the seat tube.
And I would cut a piece to fit the head tube, leaving the lugs exposed.
It takes some care, but the straight frame tubes lend themselves very nicely to it. For best results, follow the “apply 'it wet” instructions here.
Before:
After:
11-19-10, 05:28 PM
#49
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^ Holy ghost bike!
I say, since you have a brown saddle, that you start with that and work outward. Brown VO leather bar tape would be nice, or elkhide, if you gots the time and gots the money. White tape would also be pretty. I like the tan hoods. Fenders would be nice, if you can fit them. Shiny silvery ones. Then a pretty saddlebag would be good. Maybe a Zimbale or Carradice? Not black. Olive green? Or that tan color that Rivendell makes for bags. Also nice. Or one of Zaphod's bags.
Or whatever Veloria says, because her bikes are super, duper perty. She's the shizzle on bike aesthetics.
I say, since you have a brown saddle, that you start with that and work outward. Brown VO leather bar tape would be nice, or elkhide, if you gots the time and gots the money. White tape would also be pretty. I like the tan hoods. Fenders would be nice, if you can fit them. Shiny silvery ones. Then a pretty saddlebag would be good. Maybe a Zimbale or Carradice? Not black. Olive green? Or that tan color that Rivendell makes for bags. Also nice. Or one of Zaphod's bags.
Or whatever Veloria says, because her bikes are super, duper perty. She's the shizzle on bike aesthetics.