i still don't see this to be all that attractive

YES - it will be like the $1500 aluminum track pro bikes you see; except a bit better parts
and priced about $795

I admit the increasing value of Yen makes all things Shimano hard to spec; but I really want this bike in DuraAce

I am going to bring both frame only and complete bike
Not everyone likes this RAW look, but enough people do that we can easy sell a production run

I like offering choices {I have coming in small sizes 2 different pinks, a purple, an apple green, a cesleste blue, and something else I forgot}

And I am going to work hard to get these 'flake' or intense metailic colors in; I am looking forward to that myself.

this has been asked i assume but when can we expect these?
i'd be interested in a frame and fork

its gotta be polished and clear coated if you're going to leave it raw

if this is going to be sold as a frameset, would it cost less than a painted version?

RAW looks stellar and I'm pretty interested in the previously mentioned PEARL

p.s. I can't wait to see some of the colored samples.. Please show the community as soon as you have them

I am ordering about 8 sample frame tubes painted with metal flake type colors
these will not be easy to photo - as flash will change them and make hot spots
but I must have lots of light to see flake well

But somehow, I will get good photos and post - I really want input on the best Flakes to use
[they are tubes only]

One of the colors is brazzare - a BLACK with long flakes that turn silver or blue or gold depending on now the light hits it. Then I have a WhiteSplash, GreenLite, RedLite, OrangeStar, BlueStar, DarkStar {which is rich metallic gray} and GoldDigger [the gold is almost like a custom bass boat ~ very wild]

Anyway, I will order Flake Paint in bikes and framesets along with the RAW version
and these will be on a KILO TT we will call THE STRIPPER [my wife's idea] as they are stripped of all decals
and they will get MKS track pedals with Gold cages, a Gold Chain, a bit tricker seat, and zero decals [except reynolds sticker]

I'll do the Flakes first
then Pearls and Fades later

Probably do this type special run every 3 months or so

Already on the way for June - small sizes in FIFI PINK, APPLE PIE, SWAK PINK, GRAPE SODA, CESELSTE BLUE, CREAMCICLE --

I like lots of colors [although factory is complaining a bit and must think I am nuts]

Have Fun

Are the prices of the bikes staying at $349 with these fancy-schmancy paint jobs? They sound great but expensive....

I'm not that stoked on the raw, but I'm ALL FOR bikes direct offering more bikes without the decals, or at least putting decals OVER the clearcoat.

Speaking as a Motobecane Messenger owner, if there's one thing that makes the bikesdirect bikes a hard sell, it's the ABYSMAL aesthetics, ESPECIALLY the decals/branding.

If they were easier to remove, so you could get a no-logoed frame in some simple colors, I'd think you'd sell a lot more bikes.

The STRIPPER is a great idea. It would be even better if you'd make that an option across ALL product lines. I'm considering a road bike, but the Motobecane/Windsor/Mercier branding is so tacky that it's going to be tough for me to buy one from bikesdirect even if I'm saving some money by doing so.

+1 on the RAW... +1 Again on the 'colored hubs or rims' option... however, in reality, I'd likely buy frame only.

STRIPPER sounds hilarious.

We will keep the price at $349
I think it is real important to keep prices where people can afford the bikes

There are always taste differences; but there are limits on how many variations can be built.

Reaction on Road bikes to Motobecane, Windsor, Mercier, and Dawes has been great. But we also sell Kestrel and Bottecchia bikes. And we sell some frames that are 'naked'. Plus there are some new designs on Motobecanes coming this spring / summer that have gotten very good reaction. Like this:
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t...ecrb_side2.jpg

and a lot of people like the simple look on the Ti bikes:
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t...ampionSLTi.jpg


Of course, I am open to all sorts of options:
My main goal is to keep prices really good and quality really high.
I do not know how to measure 'tacky' vs great looks; but I know I think an Ultegra road bike that is $3500 is tacky and DuraAce at $6000 is beyond tacky. I like lots of performance for the buck.

Will definitely but if it includes all of those sexy spacers.

HOT:

NOT:
Seriously, that red and white Moto is the best looking bd bike I've seen. I'm not feeling the raw at all.

It's easy. Let me give you a real simple lesson.

Any bikesdirect bike with the branding/logos/decals - TACKY
Any bikesdirect bike without the branding/logos/decals - GOOD LOOKING AND POSSIBLY GREAT LOOKING.

Those two Motobecanes (red/white & Ti) you posted?

Remove the frame/fork labeling, and you've got two smokin' bikes.

Seriously, you offer a logo-free version of that red and white bike, and I'll look into buying one this summer.

Like I said, I OWN a Motobecane Messenger, and I LOVE the bang for the buck bikesdirect offers.

I've covered up the logos with white reflective tape, but just about everybody I ride with knows it's from Bikesdirect, because I think you guys have the best deal going.

I just wish your complete bikes came with removable decals.

So every bike that has their brand on it tacky? What the hells up with this board? Everyone wants rides BD likes, but everyone hates labels? What about other brands? All tacky as well?

I can understand the argument that BD bought out names of classic brands and brought them bikes as budget bikes, but WHO CARES! You want them to sell un branded bikes, but then how do they advertise to sell more???

I don't think their graphics are too bad. The Dawes one looks nice and the Mercier HB logo is nice.
Maybe they could use a logo redesign.

So, it it the old classic names being cheapened or just the looks of the graphics?

The decal free bikes should come with NICE Pewter, steel or Aluminum HB only. This way they are decal free, but still have a logo for sales purposes.

I have a BI Kilo and will have a Mercier HB made up soon for it. :D

hey, so regarding the fade...i was thinkin from front to back making the primary switch from color to color about halfway across the top tube and down tube ... the color scheme id be pretty pumped to see would be a blood red (front) to black (back) or a white pearl (front) to black pearl (back)

like:
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...ly845/fade.jpg

and:
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...5/drumfade.jpg

I'd say any bike that has decals on it looks tacky. Very few companies have ever been able to pull branding off successfully. People pay for a bike, most don't want to be a moving billboard.

Im more about function over anything, but when you have a nice looking bike and they trash it with branding, its a bit disheartening.

That's a very broad statement. Sorry, but I find that hard to believe. Maybe on this board. If bikes were not billboards, their might not be many bikes around. Thats the point on graphics. Now I will say MANY brands do go over the top lately.

But their are plenty of bikes with nice graphics. If I like my bike and I am proud of it, I have NO problems with a name on it.

My Madison looks nice from Schwinn. My Blue Competition road bike is done well. My Klein(s) were perfect. My Wife's Spec(s) looks good.

Again, there are many, mnay bikes with good branding. Should cars have no badges as well?


http://images.competitivecyclist.com...gino-zoom1.jpg

"Should cars have no badges as well?"

Yes.

The "brand" obsession is kind of a nouveau riche American thing. Imported cars have actually had to add logos for the US market. (Have you seen the size of the Mercedes logos lately?)

Meanwhile in Germany, buyers of M5s and the like actually request the badging be removed, so as not to seem ostentatious. Those in the know will know, and there's no point in showing off.

Some logos are good, but the Bikes Direct bikes branding, IMHO looks pretty tacky, and it wouldn't cost them any money to leave them off, or ship the decals in the box to be added at the buyer's option.

But maybe I just hate branding. I think the Trek Madone branding looks pretty tacky as well, and that's a $9k bike.

what will be the quickest way to know when these colors are available? sing up for the newsletter? they will be available in june? any chance of seeing them sooner?

i like this raw with clearcoat!

i'd really like one with colored formula hubs and alex rims... which would mean i'd have done what i already did and buy the frameset alone.

i think i'd like to see a fixed version of this frameset.