tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post3876966595507729707..comments2024-03-27T05:14:23.738-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: On Use, Admiration, and Admitting to Wanting a Pretty BikeVelouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-68466966344929193302016-06-25T13:01:35.573-04:002016-06-25T13:01:35.573-04:00Current tedious bike trope - flat black carbon fib...Current tedious bike trope - flat black carbon fiber. Flat black anything.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-78850467432074048872016-06-25T11:31:11.657-04:002016-06-25T11:31:11.657-04:00Looking forward to seeing the finished product. As...Looking forward to seeing the finished product. As a magazine editor and former graphic designer, as well as a photography enthusiast, I find aesthetic is very important in all things.Darren C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-38586645641177503482016-06-24T17:38:23.337-04:002016-06-24T17:38:23.337-04:00'Pretty' is such an interesting and loaded...'Pretty' is such an interesting and loaded word. Beyond that I'll keep quiet. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-63237152839667258072016-06-23T17:01:02.256-04:002016-06-23T17:01:02.256-04:00You are psychic, sort of. It will include going ba...You are psychic, sort of. It will include going back to the old drivetrain. Wait a minute for the new post. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-61180700019944886702016-06-23T16:41:51.424-04:002016-06-23T16:41:51.424-04:00I was just noticing the fork end on your Seven and...I was just noticing the fork end on your Seven and they look non-standard. Are they perhaps custom, low-trail fork ends made to your preference and specification? Is this a glimpse into a future low-trail Seven? DougAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-62471120634986928382016-06-23T16:02:31.672-04:002016-06-23T16:02:31.672-04:00Will the makeover include a new drivetrain or comp...Will the makeover include a new drivetrain or components?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-57105539311427043662016-06-23T14:37:12.314-04:002016-06-23T14:37:12.314-04:00I enjoy a beautiful bicycle as much as anybody, bu...I enjoy a beautiful bicycle as much as anybody, but I also like the look of raw metal and titanium and stainless steel are just about the only popular metals that you can make a bike out of and not paint or powdercoat it. <br />The aside from that there is something about buying a bike for it's lightweight properties and the effectively making it heavier. <br />Aside from that, pretty much only bike nuts will immediately recognize a titanium frame as just that, so once it gets a little dirty it's about as close to a stealthy bike as you can get! So I think it IS really beautiful, just in a more austere, low key sort of way; it's just not flash and you can fully appreciate the builders hard work. - Masmojo Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-2635678237266131832016-06-23T14:05:24.945-04:002016-06-23T14:05:24.945-04:00I recently sold a Serotta Concours which was raw t...I recently sold a Serotta Concours which was raw titanium that I've had since 2002. I didn't mind the rawness but never liked the decal colors which were black outlined in gold. But I never did change them. I did often admire some of the Serotta paint colors and schemes that they offered. As I recollect, they said that once painted that they couldn't be returned to raw. So there must be something in the process that changes the surface to hold paint/primer. There is also the option of polished titanium. I think it looks quite nice if not overdone. It could look good on your rear triangle depending on your chosen paint color. That said, I do like bikes in color. I really dislike the current fad of matte black carbon frames. I'm sure you "new" Seven will be look great.<br /><br />DougAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-22019334177475442482016-06-23T12:31:39.822-04:002016-06-23T12:31:39.822-04:00"elusive evergreen metallic" : ) Meant t..."elusive evergreen metallic" : ) Meant to say, sagebrush metallic. Brain is first to go helped along no doubt by 3:30 a.m., risings to ride before heat:)!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-20291878186460360422016-06-23T12:23:08.772-04:002016-06-23T12:23:08.772-04:00The combination of the bike's feel and perform...The combination of the bike's feel and performance were so right for me (especially at the time when I first "discovered" Seven, and was having a lot of problems with pain, balance, etc.) that this really trumped everything else. <br /><br />I am very particular about some aspects of bicycle builds, and others not. there is not necessarily any rhyme or reason to it either. Sometimes a silly detail, like a water bottle cage looking "wrong", can bother me to no end. And then something far more noticeable and clumsier I'll just shrug off. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-19382940764461526082016-06-23T12:19:13.099-04:002016-06-23T12:19:13.099-04:00I recently faced the dilemma of what paint to use ...I recently faced the dilemma of what paint to use on my bike when I was planning my new custom gravel, n=1, bike. As a short person, all I knew is that I wanted a bike that had what I wanted, within my budget AND that it fitted my body (I'm 5'), color was the least of my considerations. I was unsuccessful and that's why I went the custom route. Boy did I have a hard time deciding on color!<br /><br />In the end I decided on a sparkly berry paint, with the rest all black. I wanted something girly but still 'chic' (and that wouldn't attract much attention).<br /><br />Also, I'm a fountain pen collector too. I use all my pens for daily writing, the cheap and the pricey, it's just more fun than having them stored away. I think I am the same with my bike :)<br /><br />Looking forward to see your painted bike!Estivaliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11096358561724384958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-22780707638316777162016-06-23T12:11:38.757-04:002016-06-23T12:11:38.757-04:00There is not enough body paint in all of Vienna to...There is not enough body paint in all of Vienna to create a "Festival Atmosphere" around me and my riding buddies. It would look more like a bunch of hysterical overweight Vikings looking for a Starbucks to attack.<br /><br />SpizdinnyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-71181770609989553032016-06-23T11:51:27.650-04:002016-06-23T11:51:27.650-04:00I could but at that point it's a "modifie...I could but at that point it's a "modified frame" and no longer warranted. I thought about it...<br /><br />DizspinnyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-22744042719180043802016-06-23T11:36:23.543-04:002016-06-23T11:36:23.543-04:00There is actually a surprising number of them; it ...There is actually a surprising number of them; it would be a long list! Most recently, a company out of Barcelona called Nua Bikes has contacted me announcing an imminent launch. Seems like there are new ones arriving on the scene all the time. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-35973531776129338492016-06-23T11:33:46.672-04:002016-06-23T11:33:46.672-04:00And the festival atmosphere. And the festival atmosphere. Rebecca Oldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05979821146538393459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-55200578770011869112016-06-23T11:32:04.974-04:002016-06-23T11:32:04.974-04:00You saying you can't make your own collar?You saying you can't make your own collar? Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-79692089504314674682016-06-23T11:27:57.831-04:002016-06-23T11:27:57.831-04:00Having seen naked bike rides in Boston and Vienna ...Having seen naked bike rides in Boston and Vienna (Austria, not Virginia), I was actually impressed that they were not as much of a let-down, aesthetically, as I might have expected. The body paint is key though, I think. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-87642268843116545532016-06-23T11:23:07.797-04:002016-06-23T11:23:07.797-04:00I remember years ago reading an article in some ro...I remember years ago reading an article in some roadie magazine titled something like "In defense of naked bikes". About halfway through reading it I was thinking a "Naked Bike" should be the one you ride without any clothes and thinking to myself "That could be cool", however after the rise of the Big Naked Group Ride phenomenon I'm thinking THAT might be the the most tedious Bike Trope instead of the idea that Ti is too awesome to paint. <br /><br />Neither of those things is quite as wonderful in real life as in the imagination...<br /><br />SpinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-7647350321203591772016-06-23T10:59:23.993-04:002016-06-23T10:59:23.993-04:00The pricing is "reasonable" because Just...The pricing is "reasonable" because Justin Burl outsources ti frames to Russia. <br /><br />I have no regrets either. Reading this post made me stop and wonder, would I have it painted now? Nope. Just not bothered. <br /><br />The new frame will be steel, candied-apple red. The two staged process with gold metallic undercoat. I saw an example of Joe Comstock's work at Bespoked and was totally bowled over. Joe is in Australia but Jaco at Enigma is just about the best paint guy in the UK and I know he can do this. <br /><br />I haven't confirmed the order yet. There are issues with lugs being (or not) available in the angles I need for my fit. May end up ordering custom lugs from Darrell McCulloch (who built the Comstock-finish bike that I saw). Rebecca Oldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05979821146538393459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-47553089837358405022016-06-23T10:55:50.863-04:002016-06-23T10:55:50.863-04:00I understand the attraction to naked Ti but I have...I understand the attraction to naked Ti but I have to tell you it's worn pretty thin for me. I can't think of any current Bike Trope that's become as tedious as the idea that there's something inherently awesome about a bare Ti frame. Unfortunately another reason some people don't paint Ti is it can be an exercise in futility. Even the best paint hardly want's to stay on that material, hell it's even a challenge to get powdercoat to stick well. Show me a painted Ti bike that gets ridden much and I'll show you a bike with razor nicks all over it's neck. Prepping Titanium isn't like steel or even aluminum.<br /><br />If it weren't for the glued-in seat-tube insert in my Seven Mudhoney I would have sent that bike through the powdercoat oven long ago, but 10 minutes at 400 degree's would have that composite collar sitting in the bottom of the tube. I'll eventually get up the nerve to brush-paint it with semi-gloss Rustoleum and see if I can make it look like I got it at a yardsale. THEN it'll at least be interesting and when I get tired of it I can just scrape it off with a thumbnail.<br /><br />Anyway, after all that, I'm eager to see what you're up to with your bike, I suspect "IT'S GOING TO BE AMAZING(spoken in a quavery, excited squeal)!"<br /><br />Spindizzy<br /><br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-56673623685033035462016-06-23T10:42:44.914-04:002016-06-23T10:42:44.914-04:00I remember when you started the relationship with ...I remember when you started the relationship with your Seven. I never thought it would stick. Boy did I call that one wrong. <br /><br /><br />While I couldn't foresee myself choosing to paint a Ti frame, I can 100% understand your motivation to do so. I am ridiculously particular when it comes to bicycle aesthetics. Moreso than anything else in my life. I've gone to crazy lengths and unnecessary expense oftentimes to get components that look "right" for my bikes. Or have torn down bikes that I've just finished putting together because the look wasn't up to snuff for me.<br />As some sort of anchor in reality, I usually have a couple of bikes in the stable that I force myself to not fret over. These are my daily "users" (to borrow your pen term), more often than not.<br /><br /><br /><br />Wolf.N/Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14710395292374599493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-49518101429651776832016-06-23T10:40:14.803-04:002016-06-23T10:40:14.803-04:00Sticking with this bike for 4+ years, considering ...Sticking with this bike for 4+ years, considering the opportunities open to you as an industry insider, is a decent track record. You obviously know what you like, once you find it. You and Seven Cycles seem like a good match and I look forward to reading about the 622SLX collaboration. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-23368193333463007332016-06-23T10:27:24.415-04:002016-06-23T10:27:24.415-04:00Wow, Burls even makes Ti forks! And their pricing ...Wow, Burls even makes Ti forks! And their pricing is very reasonable.<br /><br />I have to say I do not regret *not* getting my frame painted from the start, and one reason is exactly the indecision element you mention. Now that I've lived with the bike for some time, I have a good idea what sort of paint scheme will suit it, so the decision is a lot easier. <br /><br />What is the new frame? : )Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-36601383241478417582016-06-23T10:13:32.405-04:002016-06-23T10:13:32.405-04:00Another idea for a future Lovely Bicycle post: a r...Another idea for a future Lovely Bicycle post: a roundup of European builders who work with titanium. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-3194428377666608942016-06-23T10:06:03.795-04:002016-06-23T10:06:03.795-04:00Oh and... I specified exactly the angles of the re...Oh and... I specified exactly the angles of the rear triangle, purely for aesthetic reasons! Enigma had just ended their flirtation with curved seatstays and boy was I glad! Totally understand what you love about that on your Seven. Rebecca Oldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05979821146538393459noreply@blogger.com