You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Hi
Please could the STW masses clarify whether I’m being a plum?
A long story but I initially bought 2024 SC bronson from Stif bikes. As it was being built they discovered an issue that meant the frame had to be replaced under warranty. As Stif were closing this was handed over to SC (Pon Bike performance UK) to order rebuild the frame, wrap and send out to me.
I’ve waited 7 weeks and have just received my bike.
The frame is wrapped (invisiframe) and the top tube and seat tube decals are obvious (black).
However, the down tube doesn’t appear to have a decal at all (just an outline to text where the wrap sits proud if the frame).
I’ve sent pics to SC and am awaiting response but am I just being dim?
Is there any way at all the wrap could change the decal so it looks the same colour as the frame?!
I can’t find a pic anywhere of a similar SC bronson in Matte Dark Matter with non existent lettering?!
pic attached if I can figure out how
ta
https://share.icloud.com/photos/02fc8flplQ8ytDX_C-rKmVVMw
This ebay listing seems to look similar to your photo
And looking at this unwrapped one, it looks like the decal is maybe a clear gloss over the matte frame, so yeah I'm guessing it's the wrap
Looking at a stock picture of the frame it looks like the frame is matt and the decals are gloss. The matt invisiframe will make both appear to be matt and so the contrast will be less. I had a black on black megatower frame and the invisiframe did a similar thing. I'd really not worry and just ride the bike.
Yeah, I did just find that one but again can’t tellif that’s due to the wrap? There’s no visible colour at all in the logo and it’s totally different to my original frame wot was faulty:
https://share.icloud.com/photos/074UwUD5WCjyVb5a7cpQJx82A
I was wondering if SC just have a few not entirely finished frames knocking about for warranty purposes?
I do feel it looks pretty rubbish though - bit like a suspect eBay bike which has had the decals removed when it was “acquired”..
As others have said... gloss black on matte black shows up in most light, but is subtle due to lack of colour difference (think of spot UV varnish tricks in the old world of print)... when losing the contrast between gloss and matte by applying a clear layer on top of both the effect is gone. Nothing "seconds" or unfinished about the frame... you've just hidden things with the invisiframe.
Too late now... but removing the decals, then adding invisiframe, then adding new decals... would be the only way to keep the original unwrapped look.
I *think* the decals are "painted" on / under a clear coat?
I kind of get the whole matte/gloss decals thing but then would the top tube and seat tube decals not be the same (yet they're visible)?
How about just adding your choice of colour of decals on top of the Invisiframe?
I *think* the decals are "painted" on / under a clear coat?
I kind of get the whole matte/gloss decals thing but then would the top tube and seat tube decals not be the same (yet they're visible)?
Yeah, SC decals are not removable, they're integrated into the finish (the finish on SC carbon frames is second to none). It could be the other 'decals' are not gloss / slightly different finish / version of black.
Decals on top of invisiframe will look rubbish IMHO, I dig the subtle black on black. I really thinks you're worrying about nothing.
Looks like water floats for small decals, vinyl for the main logos on the downtube.
Buy some coloured ones and whack ‘em over the top.
https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/en-gb/products/santa-cruz-custom-downtube-decal
Looks like expected behaviour to me.
Get it ridden 🙂
Buy a downtube section from Invisiframe and cut a section out so the decals show through. or buy 1 matt 1 gloss and replace the hole in the matt with a rectangle of gloss. Or just ride it. Or peel off the tape 😀
Had the same issue on a 2014 nomad mk3. If you have a mix of matte and gloss paint, and then cover with invisiframe, the contrast disappears regardless of matte or gloss, so I risked not covering the logos, et voila
You won't have the decals for too long if you stick them on over the wrap. I tried that on my Hightower after I decided I didn't like the "pistachio' logo colour. Got some custom ones from Slik graphics but they start to come away after a few months. Got fed up in the end and rewrapped the frame with replacement decals underneath. Then found out about the amazing Invisiframe super custom decals I could have had and have had regret ever since. The Nebula colour way ones are right up my street. Sigh.
I changed the colour of the decals on my Deviate Guide by sticking new (invisframe made) ones over the clear invisiframe, seems to have held up pretty well, would do again, rather than have bubbles round the graphics doing it the other way