[Closed] Do others update their bike aesthetically?

no. way.

if i had an older (2007/8ish) xt crank that would definitely have to go, seen a few pics with people who have nice bikes and 07 xt cranks just make the bike look truly dated, i know performance wise it makes no difference just think they generally bring the look of the bike down bigtime

as for decals etc?!??! no chance, id probably keep updating bits with the newest ones as they wear out if i was keeping the frame and wanting it still to look fresh

Hm. That's a new one on me. If I was respraying maybe, and I couldn't get the original decals.

Seek therapy!

Yes. Absolutely. I'm usually happy for the first two weeks or so after an upgrade or change of component and then I start lusting after another new part.

Not components. We're talking actual frame decals.

Decals? That's just wrong, sorry.

The updates I do to my frame are generally dinks, scratches, dents, cable rub, foot rub and mud.

And I like the eclectic mix of old and new parts on my bike. Parts are there because they are what have lasted.

But, I understand that for others, the building/upgrading of bikes is a hobby in itself, but upgrading the decals on an old frame purely for aesthetics seems OTT to me... 🙂

i quite like riding with stuff that looks old or past it..
long as it works that is all the gratification i need.

Interesting views 😀

I should clarify, the bike is 2009/2010 so not 'vintage' as I understand that alone is a fashion.

Deffo! I hydroform my 80's Specialized Hardrock with some polyfilla every year to match the current model...looks the biz and all my mates say I've got the best bike!

dont do aesthetics

I should clarify, the bike is 2009/2010 so not 'vintage' as I understand that alone is a fashion.

Well it is "vintage" a 2009/2010 vintage!

No I never change the decals on my bike, usually try and remove them completely if i can

they're called STICKERS thats S.T.I.C.K.E.R.S.

I'm a **** for it. I can't help it. Currently wrestling with my conscience over a set of point five podiums. I know that there's loads of pedals out there which will suit me just as well at half the price but.......
Also want white rims to go with my new white forks. I can't help it. I just can't.

No they're called DECALS that's D. E. C. A. L. S.

Unless you are 12 or under.

i take off all the stickers (i would like to be under 12 :() from fork/frame/wheels almost straight away (although still haven't done my wheels yet :oops:) imo looks cleaner?

Weird. WTF is the point?

Kinda. Dents and dings are OK. Paint rub and fade annoys me. I dislike mismatching things, like tyres, or finishing kit e.g. Easton bars and stem with Thomson seatpost.

My FS bike is all black ano with no decals and no highlight colour so it can only take black components - it's like Hotblack Desiato's stunt ship. That sort of thing.

So yes, some nod to aesthetics.

When I changed my forks from black to white recently I changed the seat and decals to match. The decals weren't a newer version though, just the Cotic wrap-rounds. Nice to freshen things up every now and then. Not sure I would pretend it was something it isn't though. Can't really see the point in that.

Esthetics are important in human existance did you know? How many of us think carefully about our sense of dress, decorating the home, gardening, choosing the colour of our cars, matching this & matching that etc etc. So its no surprise that many of us 'take care' when 'dressing our bikes', after all they are exremely important to us and allow us one way or another to live a more fulfilled life/existance... Just a thought folks...

Buzz lightyear "I dislike mismatching things, like tyres, or finishing kit e.g. Easton bars and stem with Thomson seatpost"

glad its not just me. My bike had all raceface finishing kit on it. As soon as I got an Easton bar, the RF stem and post had to go.

Probably more OCD than vanity though (tyre and wheel logos HAVE to line up...).

I refreshed my Nomad after buying it used with new frame decals and metal headbadge as part of a comprehensive winter overhaul, so it started the season (I have a winter bike) as close to a new bike as I could afford.

thats pretty much all my brother does, pimp his bike

Absolute waste of time imo. Decals don't mean isht. Aren't there better things to do?

IT'S STICKERS S.T.I.C.K.E.R.S. FFS!

Don't listen to that cynic-al freak, she changes her headset spacers to contrast her hollywood nails and vagalized undercarrage!

MTBs do seem to be getting a bit more pretty pretty.

I like my bike when it's clean and shiny and woth new bits, then again I hate people who drive 4x4s with no mud on them.

Do others update their bike aesthetically?

Does this include washing? Doesn't really matter coz I don't wash them either, so a big fat NO!

I had my Patriot re-sprayed as it was looking old. I got it done in a modern colour (i.e. not available when I brought it) but Orange supplied me with stickers from the year it was made. So it's modern : retro.

Lol, some people take things wayyyyy too seriously here, i've actually laughed out loud at some of the comments that you can tell are being typed through hatred and gritted teeth 🙂

BontyBuns has particularly made me smile. 'Arent there better things to do', yes, probably. There's probably better things to do when I watch a tv programme, proabably better things to do than order a takeaway. Unfortunately messing with bikes to me is fun 😀

New stickers and re-applying heli-tape 😯

I like the muddy, scuffed and well used look myself. Spend the £20 on petrol and ride it somewhere new rather than worrying what it looks like.

Failing that buy beer instead.

argh!

I bought a new frame, took the stickers off and had it resprayed in a colour I liked - no stickers on it, apart from a custom one I had made up for me. I dont like brand names on stuff, if I could id remove all the brand names and have it bare.

Yep, wouldn't swap the stickers though unless they were totally trashed - more likely to retouch them with a fine brush 😳 as I like my stuff to be period correct. I do the brand matching thing though and must confess to having a selection of different coloured zip-ties, coloured gear outers and lock-on grips for when I fancy a colour change (or frame swap 😉 ).

Messing about with bikes is great - just ordered one of [url= ]these[/url]. . . hmmmmmm, blue/orange/white I reckon . . . ([url= http://mamadirt.fotopic.net/p67772191.html ]sounds familiar[/url] 8) ) [i]runs off to rummage in toolbox and sticky-backed plastic stash[/i] 😛

I like it when my bike starts to look as though I've had it a while and used it well. Although buying secondhand is admittedly cheating. I'd never want to make it look [i]newer[/i] than it was. 🙂

This is a new level of tweakage. I think updating the year's stickers/decals (stickers stick to the frame, decals under the clearcoat right?) is deceptive as it pretends your bike is the new version. It's the breast implant of bike aesthetics.

Of course I see wanting to have an attractive bicycle, but that's getting on to pretending. But, each to their own! Some implants look ok.

I like it when my bike starts to look as though I've had it a while and used it well.

Yeah, self-inflicted battle scars are good 8) . Sadly I rarely keep any of mine long enough (or ride them hard enough 😕 ).

My FS is a Ventana. Dont think they've ever changed decals. 😉

Herman - that was my main concern about it looking lile im trying to hide its age. When its really just that the 2011 decals look nicer.

Funny that you have an Alpine as a (very minor) reason for me choosing the Alpine was that it wouldn't date and I'd be less inclined to get updateitus. Unlike bikes with swooshes and complicated paint jobs I like the non-vogueish utilitarian look of the Alpine.

I always make sure my frame has an up to date 'Made in Taiwan' sticker on the toptube

All bikes look the same covered in mud.

The dweebs who update all their kit for aesthetic reasons are great. It means the rest of us can snap up all the bargains in the classifieds.

doowutchalike... I pimped my bike with a rear rack yesterday.. horses for courses..

(although I will now be able to fit that rear child seat and take the boy out with me occasionally..)

I have a friend who has only ridden his bike twice.. but can't stop himself from adding new parts evry few weeks to make it perform or look better.. from anodised nipples and bolts to stronger hubs and handlebars..(his latest 'need' being RS pikes.. presumably for the rodents in his shed to use as pogo sticks..)

I've just fitted XT M770 cranks to replace the M760's - no reason other than I prefer the look.

The Alpine is a well recognised, beast of a bike. You don't need to dress it up. I'd go softcore, just the headbadge. People who are likeley to care will know what it is without the decals, effortless style and stealth are the future (imho!).

If you need a project maybe take up the more buildy end of bike geekery (I use this term affectionately) maybe wheel building or a tree melting home made night light?

Your bike's already splendid, branch out. You can always get an up to date Orange t-shirt.

Seriously though it is an important issue....the wildlife out in the forest are worse than gok wan these days....just yesterday some squirrel gave me grief because my zip ties didn't match my cables