Asthetics

[Venod]

Having just sold a bike, I am always on the look out for another, I am a practical kind of guy and appreciate well engineered stuff, but I have come to realise the bike could have the best spec out there, but if the colour and look are not appealing I am not interested, I have built bikes with Ultegra and 105, and so if there was a model I fancied and the 105 was appealing but the Ultegra was ugly I would plump for the 105, knowing I would enjoy riding it more than the better specked ultegra.

Do you choose a bike on specs or looks or a combination of both, would you choose an ugly Ultegra over a stunning 105.

 

[vickster]

Looks of frame, specs can be changed (or chosen prior to build )
I’d never choose a bike with 105 or Ultegra

 

[sleuthey]

Funny enough iv just done the opposite. Iv done a single speed conversion on one of these to turn into a “pub bike”. I mean seriously who’s going to nick this, it’s the ugliest bike iv ever seen, it’s brown FFS:

 

[Mrs M]

Bit of both.
Go for reasonable components on a bike I like the look of.

 

[13 rider]

When researching for my last purchase I was really impressed by the Ribble site basically you can spec the bike with any components and do your own colour . The only thing that put me off was only a 3 year frame warrentry so I bought a giant TCR which had everything I want and look great

 

[Gunk]

Nothing wrong with wanting a good looking bike.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I build my bikes from the frame so for me it’s about that base frame being right. I like neutral frame colours so I can change the colour scheme via bar tape, hoses etc. If for instance you bought a lime green frame; short of a respray you are stuck with its look / colour.

 

[DSK]

For me, a bit of both but, it has to look right and the spec needs to be appropriate to the bike. The bike has to be almost there needing little work e.g a decent detail, seat/tape or wheels to make it so. I personally like colours that just look right, ideally without too much going on and even a single colour on the frame if possible.

I like aero frames especially with that cut out for the rear wheel, I like colours that look great when washed and waxed (yes I did say waxed). These bikes never leave my sight when I'm out. Who doesn't enjoy riding a nice looking, clean and shiny bike?

The only time I'd buy an ugly bike is if I needed something less attractive to thieves e.g if I had to lock it at the train station, or lock it at the shops etc.

 

[HMS_Dave]

I think people underestimate thieves. They'll nick anything. Even if its 30 quid. If it has one of them gimpy wire locks they can cut em in about 2 seconds. It's worse if you have a naff looking bike but with good components, dont take much to research how much stuff is worth. Chances are they'll know what they are looking for!

 

[NorthernDave]

Yes. How they look has been a factor in purchasing all my bikes.

When I bought my Giant, the Tiagra equipped model ticked every box and was ideal for my purposes, but the next model up in the range had a far better colour scheme / paint job, so I spent £200 more and bought that one. To be fair, it also meant I got 105 over Tiagra, but that was a minor bonus.
As a consequence I'm one of only a handful of people* who bought a top of the range Contend, rather than a Defy.


* I've yet to see another Contend SL1 Disc out on the road.

 

[kingrollo]

Looks everytime !

Although it bit me in the arse when I chose Kuota over giant last time - a very big expensive mistake.

so yes looks - unless looks lead to a kuota !

 

[DSK]

Looks everytime !

Although it bit me in the arse when I chose Kuota over giant last time - a very big expensive mistake.

so yes looks - unless looks lead to a kuota !

Oh, why is that? A Kuota Kharam has twigged my interest and I've been patiently looking for one in the used classifieds.

 

[mustang1]

stuff deleted

Do you choose a bike on specs or looks or a combination of both, would you choose an ugly Ultegra over a stunning 105.

Yup! Bike's gotta be good looking. (Otherwise you might as well get one of those ugly MTBs )

 

[kingrollo]

Oh, why is that? A Kuota Kharam has twigged my interest and I've been patiently looking for one in the used classifieds.

Great bike - but I had an issue in warranty and got very little help from Kuota UK ....£3.5k bike as well.

 

[DSK]

Great bike - but I had an issue in warranty and got very little help from Kuota UK ....£3.5k bike as well.

Fair enough. Giant are very good in that respect.