Kimberley79

I am considering a bike purchase but I don't really like the colors available. I like the fit of the bike but not the color. Although I can live with a color I don't like, for me, this is an important part of the enjoyment I anticipate from my new purchase. It's not just the feel, I also get pleasure from the look of the bike much like people enjoy looking at their new car. If I buy the bike for the fit, approximately how much will it cost to get it repainted? Will this void the warranty? Is there a way around this that I'm not seeing?

02Giant 

I would consider powder coat. That is dependent on the material the frame is made of, steel or aluminum is doable. Depending on where you live it would be a minimum of $100.
Warranty would likely be voided. Either accept the risk or wait until it is out of warranty. By then you may come to accept the original color.

I personally would do it.

ridelikeaturtle

You could find a bike that is very close, practically identical, in fit, which looks more appealing to you. There are some fantastic looking bikes out there; unfortunately they might be significantly more expensive (and Italian, e.g. the 2018 Basso Diamante, in chrome-red, wow!).

For me, I will always choose the bike that I like to look at. Obviously, if it feels good to ride, that makes it look a bit nicer... but if your heart doesn't skip a beat when you look at it, then something is wrong.

Kimberley79

$100 is not so bad. How long is the warranty period in general? I'm considering a Specialized bike. I was also thinking of modifying it with accessories, like water bottle cages in a color I like, to make it more palatable.

02Giant 

A hundred would be a minimum. I had one done that was close to $300 but it was a 3 step job.

Warranty will be dependent on the brand you ultimately choose.

Accessories will not affect your warranty.

Kimberley79

That's the only thing that's stopping me. Fit and feel is actually extremely important to me, I was just hoping to also get something I enjoy looking at. I've tried a Trek also, but the geometry was such that the small was too small and the medium, too large. I've looked online for comparable bikes and you're right, they're extremely similar, but I have a feeling that even if the fit is slightly off, it'll annoy me. I'm looking for comfort first and foremost. I guess I'll just have to go in the store and try some more bikes.

But yes, I do want my heart to skip a beat! lol

Kimberley79

I also have to consider that it would seem like such a waste of money to have a brand new bicycle, repainted. I could see if it was used and beat up and I was restoring something that really would need to be painted, but in this case, no. It's too bad I couldn't order it custom painted in the color scheme I want directly from the manufacturer.

AlmostTrick

Like you, bike color and appearance is very important to me. Either keep looking for a suitable bike you find appealing, or contact a local powder coater before you consider buying a color you don't like. If you do the latter, you really can have something special because you'll have a rainbow of colors and finishes to choose from. Truly one of a kind.

rseeker

Same here, I can totally relate. I got a new bike a month ago, but I bought used, meaning I liked the available colors a lot more.

OT but I'm in a similar situation with a pair of running shoes I bought recently. The fit and performance were (are) perfect, but the look is just what were you guys thinking? I'm wearing em right now, but I'm going to take a black sharpie to them pretty soon and make some changes. They could have been so much better if they'd just chosen different colors.

Darth Lefty 

Look up and down the lineup. Your bike may be available in a different color at a higher or lower price point. If it costs $200 more with better parts and more likable paint, that would be a deal compared to tearing it apart and getting a powdercoat.

there’s always DIY
https://spraybike.us/

Bigbus

I currently have a bike that I hate the color of but it's only temporary. Fortunately, the DW likes to paint so all I have to do is sand and prep and mask and she'll take her airbrush to it and make it look like a million bucks.

dieselgoat

If you spend about 6 grand you can get a Project One Trek in dang near any color scheme you want.

Paul Barnard

Don't get a bike that you don't love completely. Keep shopping!

Marcus_Ti

How much a paint job costs depends on how extravagant you want to get in design, and how professional a result you want. Same as repainting a car--Maaco can do it really cheap--and it will look like crap in short order....same way rattle-canning a bike frame would be cheap--but look bad and not last. Getting paint to look good is 50% prep work and 50% application.

The other thing to know....to do this you have to strip the bike of parts and mask all bearings/threads. If you don't know how to strip/build a bike (and don't know someone you can bribe with beer), that adds another $$$ to the cost.

One color solid will be the cheapest, probably a few hundred bucks. When you start doing bi-color or tri-color you start going up in price. As others have noted--options also depend on what the frame is made out of


Kiss your frame warranty bye-bye.

Kimberley79

😂😂 Hahaha!!! I feel the same way about my running shoes. I love the sporty look of Nike but...I'm wearing Asics.

one4smoke

As soon as I read the thread title ...I knew it had to be a Specialized. They make outstanding bikes, but their paint schemes leave a lot to be desired.

I wanted to buy a new Roubaix Expert with Di2, Roval (carbon) wheels and the 2.0 Future Shock. Would have loved to shell out over 6 grand on one ...but didn't like the paint on either three. One, was halfway decent, but for six thousand bucks I want it to be EVERYTHING I want. Not just close.

Maybe the 2021 models will be better.

downhillmaster

Classic

Rajflyboy

Let’s go back to the 90’s

katsup

Out of curiosity, which model is it?

rseeker

OK I'm laughing too because mine are also Asics.

dedhed

Done right, a wet paint job is not cheap. This is why so many people choose powder coat, although carbon fiber is not something you can powder coat normally.

https://joebell.net/pdf/JB_form_09-17_v2.pdf

https://www.rodbikes.com/articles/paint_custom.html

Metieval

In my opinion frame warranty is good, but most of us will never use it.

on powdercoating, steel is easy they just sand blast it. Aluminum they have to chemical strip. Some powdercoat colors are 2 part, some single. single is less expensive. A steel frame , sand blasted, 1 coat $100 cheapest, that does not include tear down or rebuild.

I've had 2 bikes done. They say it won't ruin an aluminum frame but after, my aluminum frame feels dead.

It is awesome to have a personalized bicycle, if you go this route, I say buy used.

other wise if buying new, your money is better off buying a higher tier bicycle in a color you do like.

horatio 

If you're not stuck on Specialized, some manufacturers let you choose your colorway, but it's special order. I'm thinking Trek is one.

sheddle

Late 80s was the best - crazy looking fade and hip 80s decals all put on frames which were frequently still lugged steel. Centurions were some of the best for this!

big chainring 

Or you can DIY with a $3 bottle of brush on Krylon.