Are you that vain?
#76
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#78
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#79
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#80
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All I know is that I do NOT want a bike with a big shiny metallic logo on the down tube or any tube and I've seen a few on the webz while doing some shopping. Nope, not happening for me.
Other than that, I'd buy the bike that appealed to me visually assuming it has a reliable group, preferably electronic, SRAM or Shimano or Campy.
Other than that, I'd buy the bike that appealed to me visually assuming it has a reliable group, preferably electronic, SRAM or Shimano or Campy.
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#81
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I'm totally vain and not at all afraid to admit it. BUT, function is also incredibly important to me so I'll wait and save or pay to swap anything that I feel needs to be swapped. My Domane was built up by me when I had it, bought as a frame and fork with all parts and wheelsets chosen based on both look and function. I think some styles come into vogue as well, when the Dura Ace 9000 series came out people harped on the 4 spider crankset design's appearance. Now they've made them much more appealing to the eye although I personally liked the old as well. The shape of brake hoods, etc are all important to me from an aesthetic stand point but if I had to point them upwards or rotate my bar up a bit (not that that's possible for me lol), I would do it to ensure proper fit.
When I built this bike I took a lot of grief from some of you for my saddle choice and the look of it. Thankfully it was just a trifle too wide and even though it was one of the best saddles I've ever had I had enough challenges with the function that I went back to my Toupe. But honestly a big part of my decision to get rid of it was the look, I was happy though that it worked well for me to help with a problem I was having with my previous saddle to keep me riding when it may have been easier to stop for a spell. I also justified my current wheelset in that the previous one's hubs never loosened up enough to make me happy but the reality was both looks and the finish were just not what I was looking for for the bike. Again, happily I sold the previous wheels for as much as I paid for the current.
I believe that a bike that I like to look at brings me a level of happiness that also lets me enjoy riding as much as I do. Riding my dream bike is a guilty pleasure juggling family, and work getting out between 4 and 5 times per week is awesome. When it comes to other things though I'm not so crazed. I do have some matching kits but they were all purchased to support either our local clubs, friends, charities, etc. Almost everything else is mismatched and nothing is chosen to fit within the color scheme of the bike although I'm definitely known as one of the more colorful riders in our area lol. Clothing and contact points are all about function for me, although if I found the best fitting and most comfortable pair of shorts or jersey in the most hideous color combo imaginable I would probably just skip it!
Below are pics of when I first built the bike vs. how it stands currently. Changes included the saddle, wheels, and custom colored to match leather handlebar tape from Busyman Cycles.
And because I'm so vain...
Strange photos not uploading will try again later
When I built this bike I took a lot of grief from some of you for my saddle choice and the look of it. Thankfully it was just a trifle too wide and even though it was one of the best saddles I've ever had I had enough challenges with the function that I went back to my Toupe. But honestly a big part of my decision to get rid of it was the look, I was happy though that it worked well for me to help with a problem I was having with my previous saddle to keep me riding when it may have been easier to stop for a spell. I also justified my current wheelset in that the previous one's hubs never loosened up enough to make me happy but the reality was both looks and the finish were just not what I was looking for for the bike. Again, happily I sold the previous wheels for as much as I paid for the current.
I believe that a bike that I like to look at brings me a level of happiness that also lets me enjoy riding as much as I do. Riding my dream bike is a guilty pleasure juggling family, and work getting out between 4 and 5 times per week is awesome. When it comes to other things though I'm not so crazed. I do have some matching kits but they were all purchased to support either our local clubs, friends, charities, etc. Almost everything else is mismatched and nothing is chosen to fit within the color scheme of the bike although I'm definitely known as one of the more colorful riders in our area lol. Clothing and contact points are all about function for me, although if I found the best fitting and most comfortable pair of shorts or jersey in the most hideous color combo imaginable I would probably just skip it!
Below are pics of when I first built the bike vs. how it stands currently. Changes included the saddle, wheels, and custom colored to match leather handlebar tape from Busyman Cycles.
And because I'm so vain...
Strange photos not uploading will try again later
Last edited by robbyville; 08-23-20 at 11:39 AM.
#82
Senior Member
In a tie, I'd pick performance over looks ... but am willing to wait to get both
I had been wanting an S-Works Tarmac for a while, but the only bikes left were all black w Di2. I didn't like the look and I wanted mechanical.
I was going to wait for the new frames to be released (a 6-9 month wait), but lucky for me Specialized did a Q1 release of a new Sagan edition frame which was very visually appealing to me.
I snagged it and put Campy Super Record mechanicals on there. Quite happy now
I had been wanting an S-Works Tarmac for a while, but the only bikes left were all black w Di2. I didn't like the look and I wanted mechanical.
I was going to wait for the new frames to be released (a 6-9 month wait), but lucky for me Specialized did a Q1 release of a new Sagan edition frame which was very visually appealing to me.
I snagged it and put Campy Super Record mechanicals on there. Quite happy now
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#83
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I think most of the differences between brands of equal calibre is probably marginal and you wouldn't really be able to tell the difference without A/B testing them side by side. I'm not competing so the marginal gains don't matter and I'm young/new enough that so far most things feel pretty comfortable for me so when it came/comes time for me to get a bike, why shouldn't I just go with what looks good and what I can afford?
#84
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1 -- On the first question of which bike, I'd get the 3rd option in the stated preferred color of RED, with Ultegra.
Ultegra's good enough for me at my current level, so there's a point of diminishing returns (for me) when contemplating top-quality features.
I realize the assumption built into the question is that money is not an object, but the top-end componentry isn't part of my dream-bike scenario.
So if the bike is the right color and the only compromise is that it has Ultegra, well that suits me.
2 -- Aesthetics don't matter over equipment, but once equipment standards are met then yes the aesthetic standard also has to be met.
Like Humbug says there are too many good looking options available to go with one you don;t like aesthetically.
Most realistically, I'd be wiling to WAIT for the combo I want . . . if I've waited this long, I can wait a few more months for what I want.
3 -- I use a saddlebag. It's the smallest option I can find that fits my roadside repair stuff. I bought a seatroll which would look cooler than the saddlebag but it doesn't work / doesn't fit as well as the bag . . . the aesthetic difference is minimal so I use the bag and it doesn't bother me on looks.
4 -- My kit doesn't necessarily match my bike colors but the kit pieces all matches each other well enough that the overall look works . . . ie, the kit color scheme doesn't look stupid against the look of the bike. Most of my riding clothes are by the same brand, so it's all kinda match-match even if the color accents are a little different . . . again, the overall look satisfies. One I got a "look" going, yeah the additional kit pieces I choose to buy tend to fit with what I already have. On this note, my helmet + shoes + gloves are all white + black . . . I credit my LBS salesman for this, he walked around the shop and pulled all the stuff so I bought all those basics first without even considering it, it all just worked.
5 -- Yes I do sometimes look at window reflections from time to time, not always. At first I was checking my posture and how my fit looks onboard . . . I'm generally happy with the look so yeah I do check it from time to time but it's not a priority.
6 -- As I upgrade parts on the bike, I've become aware of the matching aesthetics. I bought a wheel set with silver hubs to replace my stock wheels which had black hubs . . . I didn't really think about the black vs silver question when I bought the wheels . . . now, as I consider future upgrade on my crankset and chainrings, I have to decide on silver vs black. . . I'll probably go with silver so the lower part of the bike will be silver and the cockpit / upper part of the bike will remain black . . . I don't want or need to upgrade my stem, seat post or handlebars to silver, it will all look fine. I have a white saddle, so my bar tape is white and will probably always be white.
7 -- all my bibs are black, but some have a contrasting stripe on one of the leg cuffs / grippers . . . my jerseys that are the same brand as the bibs tend to match by default, like the OP it just worked that way. As I buy new jerseys yes I choose colors that will match with a couple of the bibs. They don't have to match perfectly, I dn;t have any match-match jerseys + bibs that I bought together specifically to match . . . the overall look works in any combo of the kit I currently have.
8 -- BEING HONEST, as Glenn implores in the OP, yes this stuff matters to me and my choices reflect that. I'm fairly new to cycling and I bought all my current apparel earlier this year in a couple large (pricey) purchases. But as Plainsman says in #6 , it matters "to a degree" . . . riding a bike isn't a fashion show, but again I reference Humbug's point in #8 stating that there's enough stuff out there to accommodate personal preferences without having to settle for stuff that has compromised appeal -- basically I apply this approach to both the apparel and the equipment selections. I bought a cool water bottle because I like the graphics and it looks great on the bike, not chosen consciously for that but probably subconsciously I was drawn to its look and it fits the rest of the look. I don't grab apparel off the sale rack at my LBS if it doesn't go with the look of my other stuff, I only have enough that I need for my riding frequency. Yes I would wear mismatched stuff from time to time if it''s all that I have clean, but I hand-wash my kit immediately after the ride so I don't ever run low on clean stuff.
9 -- EXTRA CREDIT (ok, there is no 9th question) . . . I had a hard time finding LOW SOCKS, and I don't like the current style of high socks. Thankfully the apparel brand I buy had low socks in the sale / clearance section so I solved that, I guess nobody else buys them. Low socks (for the consideration of the other 4 people who still wear them) tend to come now in only black or white, so when I found some I jumped on them.
SUMMARY (for anyone who's still awake) -- I tend to buy like this in other areas of my life, it simplifies things greatly for me . . . my jeans are all of the same brand, and my casual clothes, and my sneakers are all the same brand and style in different colors, and my outdoor wear / gear is usually from one brand . . . I'm not to the point of being neurotic about it but I just end up with fewer things that I use a lot rather than a lot of stuff that I don't use enough.
Ultegra's good enough for me at my current level, so there's a point of diminishing returns (for me) when contemplating top-quality features.
I realize the assumption built into the question is that money is not an object, but the top-end componentry isn't part of my dream-bike scenario.
So if the bike is the right color and the only compromise is that it has Ultegra, well that suits me.
2 -- Aesthetics don't matter over equipment, but once equipment standards are met then yes the aesthetic standard also has to be met.
Like Humbug says there are too many good looking options available to go with one you don;t like aesthetically.
Most realistically, I'd be wiling to WAIT for the combo I want . . . if I've waited this long, I can wait a few more months for what I want.
3 -- I use a saddlebag. It's the smallest option I can find that fits my roadside repair stuff. I bought a seatroll which would look cooler than the saddlebag but it doesn't work / doesn't fit as well as the bag . . . the aesthetic difference is minimal so I use the bag and it doesn't bother me on looks.
4 -- My kit doesn't necessarily match my bike colors but the kit pieces all matches each other well enough that the overall look works . . . ie, the kit color scheme doesn't look stupid against the look of the bike. Most of my riding clothes are by the same brand, so it's all kinda match-match even if the color accents are a little different . . . again, the overall look satisfies. One I got a "look" going, yeah the additional kit pieces I choose to buy tend to fit with what I already have. On this note, my helmet + shoes + gloves are all white + black . . . I credit my LBS salesman for this, he walked around the shop and pulled all the stuff so I bought all those basics first without even considering it, it all just worked.
5 -- Yes I do sometimes look at window reflections from time to time, not always. At first I was checking my posture and how my fit looks onboard . . . I'm generally happy with the look so yeah I do check it from time to time but it's not a priority.
6 -- As I upgrade parts on the bike, I've become aware of the matching aesthetics. I bought a wheel set with silver hubs to replace my stock wheels which had black hubs . . . I didn't really think about the black vs silver question when I bought the wheels . . . now, as I consider future upgrade on my crankset and chainrings, I have to decide on silver vs black. . . I'll probably go with silver so the lower part of the bike will be silver and the cockpit / upper part of the bike will remain black . . . I don't want or need to upgrade my stem, seat post or handlebars to silver, it will all look fine. I have a white saddle, so my bar tape is white and will probably always be white.
7 -- all my bibs are black, but some have a contrasting stripe on one of the leg cuffs / grippers . . . my jerseys that are the same brand as the bibs tend to match by default, like the OP it just worked that way. As I buy new jerseys yes I choose colors that will match with a couple of the bibs. They don't have to match perfectly, I dn;t have any match-match jerseys + bibs that I bought together specifically to match . . . the overall look works in any combo of the kit I currently have.
8 -- BEING HONEST, as Glenn implores in the OP, yes this stuff matters to me and my choices reflect that. I'm fairly new to cycling and I bought all my current apparel earlier this year in a couple large (pricey) purchases. But as Plainsman says in #6 , it matters "to a degree" . . . riding a bike isn't a fashion show, but again I reference Humbug's point in #8 stating that there's enough stuff out there to accommodate personal preferences without having to settle for stuff that has compromised appeal -- basically I apply this approach to both the apparel and the equipment selections. I bought a cool water bottle because I like the graphics and it looks great on the bike, not chosen consciously for that but probably subconsciously I was drawn to its look and it fits the rest of the look. I don't grab apparel off the sale rack at my LBS if it doesn't go with the look of my other stuff, I only have enough that I need for my riding frequency. Yes I would wear mismatched stuff from time to time if it''s all that I have clean, but I hand-wash my kit immediately after the ride so I don't ever run low on clean stuff.
9 -- EXTRA CREDIT (ok, there is no 9th question) . . . I had a hard time finding LOW SOCKS, and I don't like the current style of high socks. Thankfully the apparel brand I buy had low socks in the sale / clearance section so I solved that, I guess nobody else buys them. Low socks (for the consideration of the other 4 people who still wear them) tend to come now in only black or white, so when I found some I jumped on them.
SUMMARY (for anyone who's still awake) -- I tend to buy like this in other areas of my life, it simplifies things greatly for me . . . my jeans are all of the same brand, and my casual clothes, and my sneakers are all the same brand and style in different colors, and my outdoor wear / gear is usually from one brand . . . I'm not to the point of being neurotic about it but I just end up with fewer things that I use a lot rather than a lot of stuff that I don't use enough.
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#85
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You start out by saying this and we all go, the force in strong in the paduwan:
But then you follow it up with:
And a sudden silence befalls the room, like a too-loud fart in church. Then you dig your hole deeper by admitting....
At this point, people start shaking their head in disappointment.
With that, you leave the door open for redemption down the road.
I use a saddlebag.
My kit doesn't necessarily match my bike colors
but the kit pieces all matches each other well enough that the overall look works . . . ie, the kit color scheme doesn't look stupid against the look of the bike.
As I upgrade parts on the bike, I've become aware of the matching aesthetics. I bought a wheel set with silver hubs to replace my stock wheels which had black hubs
all my bibs are black, but some have a contrasting stripe on one of the leg cuffs / grippers . . . my jerseys that are the same brand as the bibs tend to match by default, like the OP it just worked that way. As I buy new jerseys yes I choose colors that will match with a couple of the bibs.
As I upgrade parts on the bike, I've become aware of the matching aesthetics. I bought a wheel set with silver hubs to replace my stock wheels which had black hubs
all my bibs are black, but some have a contrasting stripe on one of the leg cuffs / grippers . . . my jerseys that are the same brand as the bibs tend to match by default, like the OP it just worked that way. As I buy new jerseys yes I choose colors that will match with a couple of the bibs.
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#86
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Any dream bike is going to start with a custom made frame that can be "painted" (I actually prefer Cerakote.) however I want it to be. The rest will also be selected by me.
#87
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#88
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#89
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SRAM etap rear derailleur looks like it has a malignant growth.
I wouldn't consider it because I don't have an interest in SRAM road, I dont have an interest in electronic shifting, and I dont have an interest in a goiter being attached to my rear derailleur.
So i guess its a mix of interest and vanity.
As for me having to buy a bike during a pandemic and having only the listed options, I'll buy the 3rd option. Ultegra Di2 is more than excellent for me and it has the wheels I want(I forget what they are from 4 pages ago). I won't miss the DA drivetrain with Ultegra and ill save money. Win win.
I wouldn't consider it because I don't have an interest in SRAM road, I dont have an interest in electronic shifting, and I dont have an interest in a goiter being attached to my rear derailleur.
So i guess its a mix of interest and vanity.
As for me having to buy a bike during a pandemic and having only the listed options, I'll buy the 3rd option. Ultegra Di2 is more than excellent for me and it has the wheels I want(I forget what they are from 4 pages ago). I won't miss the DA drivetrain with Ultegra and ill save money. Win win.
#90
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#91
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Way back in the way back I bought my first mountain bike. My choices were a nice Charcoal or Pink... Pink was $50 cheaper, so I bought Pink! As long as it has Campagnolo gears on a road bike, I am OK with the color.
My current rides are an unpainted Lynskey and a black and white Ritchey Breakaway. Both have Campagnolo. So Carbon on a Ti Bike? It works great, therefore it looks great.
The Lynskey is EPS and I keep the wires in place with a combination of Velcro loops and clear vinyl tape. Classy!
I wear mismatched kit and Sidi mountain bike shoes, because they can be walked in and I want to use the same shoes on the touring tandem and the road bike.
OK, the tandem is Orange white and blue because that is what it came in. The panniers are red because that's what the LBS had in the brand I wanted.
My current rides are an unpainted Lynskey and a black and white Ritchey Breakaway. Both have Campagnolo. So Carbon on a Ti Bike? It works great, therefore it looks great.
The Lynskey is EPS and I keep the wires in place with a combination of Velcro loops and clear vinyl tape. Classy!
I wear mismatched kit and Sidi mountain bike shoes, because they can be walked in and I want to use the same shoes on the touring tandem and the road bike.
OK, the tandem is Orange white and blue because that is what it came in. The panniers are red because that's what the LBS had in the brand I wanted.
#92
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I'm all about the colors, just wished I'd noticed that the Ailerons could be ordered in blue. I looked for a cross bike for a while but just couldn't find one with true cross geometry and my color so went custom and glad I did.
Right now I'm avoiding sram and shimano and sticking with Campy for road. I think there's something wrong with the fact that the parts are so much cheaper in Europe then they are in the US, so much so that both banned companies from shipping to the US. I get Campy being cheaper there, its a European company and so they're importing from their manufacturing base and importing costs. I can't believe that the import difference between the US and Europe is twice as much that we pay that much more especially with Sram being a US company, don't like being ripped off. Also buying box components for MTB. I also think Campy is better but with the restrictions Shimano and Sram have created it's cheaper.
#93
Senior Member
And the OP's general inquiry weighing function + aesthetics also regards vanity to some degree.
aesthetics and vanity aren't the same thing but they surely can relate to each other
#94
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Nobody wants to play by the rules!
They're both sliding scales, so it's not easy to give a hard-and-fast answer. But I would take an ugly bike with Dura Ace over a pretty bike with Tiagra.
This is assumed during a pandemic when there are no a lot of bikes available.
Say your bike was stolen and you have none. The only bikes you can get are the 3 I listed... pick and why?
Not, I buy my own frames and build them myself. Or I just order what I want...
Are looks more important than function?
Say your bike was stolen and you have none. The only bikes you can get are the 3 I listed... pick and why?
Not, I buy my own frames and build them myself. Or I just order what I want...
Are looks more important than function?
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"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
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