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Adding color to a titanium bike

Old 02-19-11, 12:10 PM
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Adding color to a titanium bike

Have you added a splash of color to perk up/accent the [dreary] grey that is Ti? Maybe a powder-coated fork, or even painting the frame...not necessarily the whole frame? There's only so much that changing handlebar tape can do.

Looking for suggestions for a possible Salsa Fargo Ti build.
Thanks!
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Old 02-19-11, 01:55 PM
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IMHO: Bikes for riding > Bikes as show pieces

When you are in the saddle you won't have a good view and you'll be too busy pedaling to be concerned with how bling'd out your frame is. Just build up the frame as-is and ride the wheels off it!
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Old 02-19-11, 03:02 PM
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I've gone with green accents on my titanium bicycle. I have a green Brooks saddle, and a green Carradice Pendle, and when the bicycle is complete, it will have a green fork and green handlebar tape. We've got the paint and tape already, it's just a matter of me switching to another bicycle to ride so the work can be done.
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Old 02-19-11, 03:16 PM
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pinstripe it?
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Old 02-19-11, 04:04 PM
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Mine has plenty of color.
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Old 02-19-11, 05:32 PM
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Paint works wonders for adding color.

Now that the novelty of unpainted Ti is wearing off, lots of builders are painting them. Lots of customers too.

Personally, I like the low maintenance aspect of the bare metal. And when I ride mine to work (I work in da 'hood) only my painted bikes attract any attention. My plain, brushed Ti Litespeed is completely off the radar. Put the low maintenance and stealth appearance together along with the corrosion-resistance, and I'm planning for my next commuter to be plain, brushed Ti.

But if you like paint--whether wet or powder--then knock yourself out. It doesn't have to be boy-racer swoopy graphics, if that's not your style. Even a couple of painted panels will perk things up.

EDIT: Dave Anderson, a custom builder in St. Paul, works mainly in 953 stainless, but the same issues apply. It doesn't need paint and lots of them are never painted. He perks them up with painted forks, headtubes and panels.



Other suggestions are colored hubs, rims and tires.

Last edited by tsl; 02-19-11 at 05:47 PM.
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Old 02-19-11, 06:08 PM
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3M reflective tape would not be a bad idea, help see you in the headlights, dear.
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Old 02-19-11, 09:48 PM
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My wifes bike is a painted titanium.



We were talking about it today and if the paint starts looking poor in the next few years, she's going to have the paint removed and go with the polished titanium that's under the paint.

Mine (Airborne Carpe Diem) is the typical titanium bike which I like it not having paint since I'm planning on using it for lots of dirt road riding which tends to do a number on paint finishes.
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Old 02-19-11, 10:37 PM
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And the paranoid of us, might suggest using duct tape or electrical tape to reduce the likelihood of theft.

Of course if you want to get fancy it comes in a variety of colors and patterns. But that kind of fights with the idea of uglifying it.
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Old 02-20-11, 01:27 AM
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Originally Posted by tsl
Paint works wonders for adding color.

Now that the novelty of unpainted Ti is wearing off, lots of builders are painting them. Lots of customers too.

Personally, I like the low maintenance aspect of the bare metal. And when I ride mine to work (I work in da 'hood) only my painted bikes attract any attention. My plain, brushed Ti Litespeed is completely off the radar. Put the low maintenance and stealth appearance together along with the corrosion-resistance, and I'm planning for my next commuter to be plain, brushed Ti.

But if you like paint--whether wet or powder--then knock yourself out. It doesn't have to be boy-racer swoopy graphics, if that's not your style. Even a couple of painted panels will perk things up.

EDIT: Dave Anderson, a custom builder in St. Paul, works mainly in 953 stainless, but the same issues apply. It doesn't need paint and lots of them are never painted. He perks them up with painted forks, headtubes and panels.



Other suggestions are colored hubs, rims and tires.
I like the panel idea. Thanks tsl! That is sharp.

Originally Posted by knobster
My wifes bike is a painted titanium.



We were talking about it today and if the paint starts looking poor in the next few years, she's going to have the paint removed and go with the polished titanium that's under the paint.

Mine (Airborne Carpe Diem) is the typical titanium bike which I like it not having paint since I'm planning on using it for lots of dirt road riding which tends to do a number on paint finishes.
I like this idea too. Thank you knobster! I never thought of myself as a Ti guy. Honestly, it's because of the color. I despise grey. The world is full of vibrant colors. Why not pick a few that are appealing and express oneself?
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Old 02-20-11, 05:10 AM
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Half paint, half bare.

Best of both worlds.
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Old 02-20-11, 10:22 PM
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By nachomanh at 2010-11-09

Some very loud handlebar tape.
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Old 02-25-11, 12:32 PM
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Get some vinyls made for it.You can take them off and change them if you don't like them.
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Old 02-25-11, 01:34 PM
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I saw these in the ti thread in road cycling. They really caught my eye.

- eja_ bottecchia
- steve90068

The red accents from components and the carbon with ti look awesome imo
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Old 02-25-11, 02:32 PM
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A little accent here and there can work.

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Old 02-26-11, 08:17 AM
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Originally Posted by zitter
I saw these in the ti thread in road cycling. They really caught my eye.

- steve90068

The red accents from components and the carbon with ti look awesome imo
Very sharp! I'll consider having wheels built using alloy nipples. My Spec Stumpjumper Pro has them and they work well with the other red components. Accenting small bits goes a long way.


Hey!...it's possible to powder-coat titanium (old thread). Who knew?!
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Old 02-26-11, 08:24 AM
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Originally Posted by RonH
Mine has plenty of color.
Just a touch of color. Yellow. Good choice.
That brushed metal look. I think that is cool. Catches my eye each time I see it.. Brushed Ti.. Sort of cries out..
Lamborghini of the bike world.. And if I had a Lamborghini , it would be in silver.
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Old 02-26-11, 02:50 PM
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Of all the Ti bikes shown above .. . I think zitter's Litespeed is hottest. A real eye catcher..
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Old 02-26-11, 03:23 PM
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Cyclart paints titanium, and I think they've done interesting things with anodizing, too.



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Old 02-27-11, 07:36 AM
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I bought my GT Xizang - a titanium-framed hardtail mountain bike - new in 1995, and love her more every day. I wouldn't dare paint over her polished bare metal skin. In fact, I've intentionally let the original factory stickers slowly scratch and scuff off in an attempt to make her less appealing to bike theives.

I have purchased TWO new complete sets of original factory stickers, for when I'm eventually ready to take her back to brand new appearance.

I'm amazed that the bike manufacturers don't make use of 3-M reflective material for their OEM stickers. The head badge and the make and model stickers they place on the top tube and down tubes are perfect places for reflective material, in the interest of rider safety.

But I think polished, bare naked shiny titanium stands alone in beauty. You can't fix perfection.
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Old 02-27-11, 07:56 AM
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Originally Posted by xizangstan
I'm amazed that the bike manufacturers don't make use of 3-M reflective material for their OEM stickers. The head badge and the make and model stickers they place on the top tube and down tubes are perfect places for reflective material, in the interest of rider safety.

But I think polished, bare naked shiny titanium stands alone in beauty. You can't fix perfection.
I'm not a fan of [just] silver or grey which is the reason why I started this thread. But you certainly are not alone in your love of Ti's unadorned look.

The 3M sticker idea is decent. I wonder how its reflectivity would stand up to fading, UV, etc.
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Old 03-03-11, 03:32 PM
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Anodized aluminium spoke nipples. More color and less weight. Should be fine, unless you are over about 230 Lbs like me.

But they did nook really good until I started breaking them.
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Old 03-03-11, 08:01 PM
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Mine came with red decals. I changed the hoods, bar tape, and cables to red. If the red Prlogo Scratch Pro works out I will have a red saddle. Doesn't appear to be a red saddle bag that attaches to the Pro using the U-clip, so I will have to go with whatever. If my headset ever wears out I will go with red. Bontrager seat post has red on it. Red Keos would be a nice touch but I will stick with my Shimano's. Tubeless tires or I might consider red 4000S except they do not have the black chili. Also considering red crankskins.
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Old 03-04-11, 07:25 AM
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Originally Posted by dekindy
Mine came with red decals. I changed the hoods, bar tape, and cables to red. If the red Prlogo Scratch Pro works out I will have a red saddle. Doesn't appear to be a red saddle bag that attaches to the Pro using the U-clip, so I will have to go with whatever. If my headset ever wears out I will go with red. Bontrager seat post has red on it. Red Keos would be a nice touch but I will stick with my Shimano's. Tubeless tires or I might consider red 4000S except they do not have the black chili. Also considering red crankskins.
Hadn't heard of these. Cool that they can match Chris King colors
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Old 03-05-11, 08:30 AM
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Originally Posted by skijor
Hadn't heard of these. Cool that they can match Chris King colors
I didn't realize anyone made all those colored skins. I see they even make skins for forks. Would you call those, "Foreskins"?
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