Found a bike that fits me... [Archive] - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

mimitabby

08-01-2006, 04:37 PM

As long as bike manufacturers keep making these ugly bikes, women are going to be unhappy.
While i was at the bike shop the other day; a woman with a 12 year old girl were in there looking for a 400 dollar trek. "But the man on the phone said there was a red one.."
she said; looking at the grey bike on the floor. "Oh, said the guy; there's the red one up there" it was this wine flat-colored paint job; that a guy would probably like, but the little girl wanted a hot red bike. They walked out without buying
anything.

I have only had one bike in my adult life that came close to "my colors."

I am happy that my Bianchi has YELLOW on it for crying out loud.

your opinions are very valid and it's a shame that the only fix right now is
to pay a fortune to paint it.

Bikingmomof3

08-01-2006, 04:50 PM

Any chance the colours will grow on you? If the bike felt wonderful to ride? Or does it come in another colour scheme they could order? My youngest son had the LBS order him a red bike, as he did not like the colour Trek they had in stock. I looked at Giants, but for the life of me I cannot remember the colours.

If you really dislike the look of the bike and it bothers you and there is no other colour scheme you like, then I say keep looking.

BleeckerSt_Girl

08-01-2006, 06:23 PM

I hear you, that was a big issue for me as well. It's not just a girl thing though. My husband ordered a new green Rambouillet before I got my Rambouillet. They had one in stock his size in the current blue, but he didn't like that shade of blue for himself and opted to wait for the new green ones they were going to have in a few months. So he will wait patiently for months now. Meanwhile, I just lOVED that cerulean blue shade and they did happen to have my size frame in stock as well, so I wound up getting the blue one right away! I was just lucky.
As to your dilemma....
Try accessorizing! -Handlebar tape?, hand grips?, saddle, bike bags, helmet?, gloves?, pedal straps?, bells?, colored sidewalls?, stickers?, playing cards in the spokes?, streamers?....:rolleyes: If all else fails, just buy some totally happenin' biking duds and make a statement with what you wear while biking.

Cassandra_Cain

08-01-2006, 06:25 PM

Rode it, felt great - they need to change the handlebar stem to put a shorter one on it - it's a Giant OC-1... great price..

the problem? I HATE HATE HATE the color. How silly is that?

Are you kidding me? Hating the color is the MOST rational reason I can think of to not get a bike! Ok ok, :D so I am exaggerating a bit here. Still, I do care about the aesthetics of the bike (and me~). I oftentimes wish manufacturers would give us a few more choices in paint schemes. Even if for just a little extra in the cash department. I would love nothing more than to get an olive green and brown bike - my colors! Yes I am strange like that.

Still you have a great bike, one that fits, and I suspect that once you get out on the road with it - the whole color thing will somehow take less precedence. Naturally though, you will use the color to rationalize an even more expensive bike approximately 1.23 years from now :P

mimitabby

08-01-2006, 06:55 PM

Even if for just a little extra in the cash department. I would love nothing more than to get an olive green and brown bike - my colors! Yes I am strange like that.
:P

Cassandra, have you seen the Bianchi Volpe?

http://www.bianchiusa.com/06_volpe.html

Cassandra_Cain

08-01-2006, 07:08 PM

Cassandra, have you seen the Bianchi Volpe?

http://www.bianchiusa.com/06_volpe.html

I have now! :) Thank you for sharing the image.

Sorry for the momentary hijacking of this thread...

I mocked up my now, old bike (RIP) - in a color I would have really liked - swapped blue for green:

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g300/Cassandra_Cain/9c2c116c.jpg

Now back to the thread :)

farrellcollie

08-01-2006, 07:43 PM

I could not bring myself to get the trek Pilot 2.1 WSD because I did not like the color. I got a scott contessa instead - which is not a great color (grey and white) - but - to me - not horrible. I did almost convince myself that the pilot 5.1 wsd was worth the extra money just because of the color - but SO would have freaked

Bicyclette

08-01-2006, 11:58 PM

When my husband and I were looking for bikes in May we were going to get a Trek that was black (or silver). At the last minute he asked if I wanted to get the 7.2 FX instead and I was like OK,cool, cuz I like the color of the 7.2!! So - yes - color IS important! It's much more fun to ride a bike that is aesthetically pleasing to you!

Pat

emily_in_nc

08-02-2006, 03:43 AM

Rode it, felt great - they need to change the handlebar stem to put a shorter one on it - it's a Giant OC-1... great price..
the problem? I HATE HATE HATE the color. How silly is that?

I completely understand. I am very color oriented myself and have chosen all of my bikes in part because the color appealed to me.

You've gotten me so curious, though....what color is it that you hate so much on this bike? (And don't worry, I will not be offended if it's my favorite color!!)

:D

Emily

Nanci

08-02-2006, 03:44 AM

What color is it???

I totally wouldn't buy a bike if I hated the color. I would have to at least like the color. Better if I loved it.

Pascale

08-02-2006, 03:52 AM

It's lavender or lilac or something in the purply range...

BleeckerSt_Girl

08-02-2006, 04:38 AM

Cassandra, have you seen the Bianchi Volpe?

http://www.bianchiusa.com/06_volpe.html

Check out the name of the color: "Gang Green" (get it?) HA HA!! Love it.

Triskeliongirl

08-02-2006, 05:12 AM

For me, I would rank these qualities in this order: fit, performance, value, color. Its not that I don't think color is important, it is that I am very hard to fit, so if I find a bike that fits me with nice components and a good price, I find that is what makes me fall in love with the bike, and then the paint job grows on me. As Emily said, you can do a lot with accesories, the color of your bar tape, saddle, bags, tires, etc. Even if you don't need to change these things immediatly, you can have a replacement plan. But 'hate' is a strong word, and if you truly hate the color to the point that you think you wouldn't want to ride her, then absolutely don't buy her.

Fasternow

08-02-2006, 05:35 AM

Not silly at all!
Having spent two days last week test riding bikes at my local shop, one I tried was a Giant TCR 1w.
The ride was fine and I'd have had to switch out the WSD bars, but the Barbie doll pink killed any hope of that being my bike.
What was Giant thinking?
That was a color I totally hated! There were a two I could have lived with, a mens TCR and OCR.
What I took home last night was a Litespeed Firenze.
And I'm one happy camper!
Fit is everything, but you gotta love your bike, not make do.

SeeJoy

Kimmyt

08-02-2006, 05:36 AM

I have a bike that fits wonderfully, but I hate the color of it.

It's teal. Like, the color of cotton candy. Or Barbie clothes. Needless to say, not my color. And the bar tape is silver.

But it rides very nice, and I got it for a steal, so I'm willing to overlook the color. It hasn't kept me off it.

Maybe in the future I'll change the bar tape out to black or something, but for right now I'm too busy riding to pay attention to how my bike looks.

K.

mimitabby

08-02-2006, 06:23 AM

what's funny about this thread is that I would love the color of Pascale's bike
or the teal bike that Kimmy just described.
I guess we just need more colors! :)

Bikingmomof3

08-02-2006, 06:40 AM

I just like how my new bike feels under me. I do not pay any attentiion to the color while I am riding her.

Nokomis

08-02-2006, 07:32 AM

DH & I had a bike fit done at the beginning of the season. Turns out we were both riding bikes that were too small. He bought a new bike, and I it just so happened that his old bike is the perfect size / fit for me. So, we gave away my bike to a friend... I miss that bike. It was blue, and I was very fond of it.

Now, my 'new' bike is great - it really is a nice bike. But it's Red. And I haven't come to terms with that yet. I don't hate red -but I keep thinking that I miss ol' blue.

Anyone know the cost to get a bike re-painted? :confused:

Or maybe we just need to have a swap meet for better color distribution! :D

mimitabby

08-02-2006, 08:15 AM

what are you riding Nokomis? I have a blue bike that I might part with and i like red :)
(no, not my Bianchi)

Bron

08-02-2006, 08:37 AM

Check out the name of the color: "Gang Green" (get it?) HA HA!! Love it.

That´s a great name for the colour:D
However, everyone knows that bianchis are supposed to be celeste;)

I have to admit that one thing stopping me buying the bianchi eros donna two years ago was its colour - I liked the red, but I really wanted a celeste bike. Their current women´s road bike is the right colour, although it also helped that it had everything else I was looking for and the components were better than the 2004 version, so I´m glad I waited.

Bron

Bad JuJu

08-02-2006, 08:54 AM

I have a Bianchi Veloce on layaway right now that is that gorgeous celeste color. Already fantasizing about accessories for her.

Gotta admit I also like the new color of the Volpe, and especially its name (gang green)--I'm a sucker for a good pun!

Bron

08-02-2006, 09:09 AM

Well enjoy riding your bianchi. I have a jersey and bibshorts that match mine. My bike is the "dama bianca" - bianchi seem to have a completely different range in the States compared with Europe..

Bron

oxysback

08-02-2006, 09:10 AM

Rode it, felt great - they need to change the handlebar stem to put a shorter one on it - it's a Giant OC-1... great price..

the problem? I HATE HATE HATE the color. How silly is that?

One of the first things that attracted me to my new bike was the color. I was quite pleased to find out that all the other things that I wanted (with the exception of a triple chain ring) were already there....cheater brakes, disc brakes, great fit, etc. Here's a link...http://www.schwinnbike.com/products/bikes_detail.php?id=607. It's a sexy bronze that turns to charcoal.

So no...you are not silly! :cool:

pooks

08-02-2006, 09:21 AM

It all depends on how difficult you are to fit. If you have reason to believe that you're difficult to fit I would SERIOUSLY consider buying it and having it powder coated in whatever color you love.

If it's just a matter of looking farther, I'd keep looking.

I do think color is important. I don't hate the color of my bike but there are certainly colors I'd prefer. (My bike is blue and white.) I love Rivendell's Coleman Green!

http://www.rivendellbicycles.com/images/colors_colemangreen_400.jpg

kaybee

08-02-2006, 10:25 AM

Pascale, I went to the Giant website to look at your bike, and I REALLY like it because it's different. I can just imagine you riding a "girl bike," passing some tough guy going up a hill! ;) If it fits and feels good, who cares what color it is? You might even grow to like it!

KB

Nanci

08-02-2006, 12:45 PM

Wow, it's a pretty silvery purple, barely purple at all!

WrensMom

08-02-2006, 01:40 PM

No you are not silly for wanting to like the color. I wouldn't even consider the Bianchi Volpe because of that Gang Green color (in contrast to some others here who like it). Fortunately, my Bianchi is the wonderful (to me) celeste color:D I think that to have something powder coated, you have to strip the old paint off first. Something about powder coating being an electrical charge thing or something. Anyway, if I really didn't like the color of a bike, I would keep looking. Maybe you can find another bike that has very similar geometry in a good color.

Pascale

08-02-2006, 02:35 PM

Yeah, on the website it looks barely purple, but it's moreso in person.

Now, custom powdercoating it to the colours I like would be awesome (no idea how much that would cost). I like to ride in my business pro cycling shorts and jerseys (looks really dorky on a comfort bike, but I don't care) and the colours are neon green, white and black - so the purple....eh.....not so good, LOL! :eek:

I appreciate all the opinions though, it really helps to know that I'm not alone!!!!

Bikingmomof3

08-02-2006, 03:04 PM

Pascale,
My other bike (Giant) is that purple/silver. I liked it. :D My new bike (Trek) is silver, black, and blue. I have no idea how much it would be to custom paint a bike. I know on the Trek website some bikes can be custom designed-paint job, by you and then ordered. Just a thought.

emily_in_nc

08-02-2006, 06:32 PM

It's lavender or lilac or something in the purply range...

Just checked it out at the Giant site, and I think it is gorgeous! Reminds me of a lavender Terry Classic I once test rode.

But then, I am a girly girl. :D My road bike is "lupine" (kind of a black raspberry), and I just like that kind of color. I also have a white Bike Friday (color chosen by me because I love white bikes, though they sure do show dirt and grease quickly!), and my new silver (aluminum) mtb with pretty blue front fork. My only "boy-colored" bike is my green and silver Novara Bonita mtb (WSD).

For me, color comes behind fit, components, and weight, but it is a consideration. There are some colors I just wouldn't buy (mostly dark colors like black or brown).

Maybe you can compare the geometry of the OCR-1 to some other models/manufacturers and thus find something else that fits equally well?

Good luck!

Emily

emily_in_nc

08-02-2006, 06:35 PM

Check out the name of the color: "Gang Green" (get it?) HA HA!! Love it.

I like the pun, but that is one ugly bike!

That color would be a deal-breaker for me. :D

Emily

RoadRaven

08-03-2006, 01:37 AM

I'm afraid I have to admit, shame-facedly - that if it was a colour that I truly didn't get along with like lime green, or orange or bright pink... I would have to get it painted or pass it over...

I'm the same with cars and have passed down a couple of good car deals because of colour.

It seems rather precious of me when I write it... but its true...

DirtDiva

08-03-2006, 01:49 AM

I am so glad I have the 2005 version of my bike - lovely stealthy black with a bit of sparkle that shows up in the sunshine. :D The 2006 version is matte-finish, primer paint grey. :eek: I do understand that the colour isn't really that important compared to other bying criteria, but it has so much to do with the emotional appeal of a bike!

crazycanuck

08-03-2006, 04:25 AM

Ok, i hate to burst the bubble here...

Ummm..i don't understand why color really matters-(Well ok i wouldn't buy a green or pink :p )

I have a black mtn bike & a blue road bike..Also, I don't match my clothes, helmet accessories etc to my bike....I get on my bike, ensure it's comfy, right size etc & go.

I didn't think about colour when i bought my scott-i liked the components etc.

[SIZE="2"]I can see someone is going to hit me soon....

c

Pascale

08-03-2006, 04:38 AM

-(Well ok i wouldn't buy a green or pink )

..alrighty then - deep down, you do understand! LOL!

Honestly, I'm not thrilled about the colour of my current bike - it's red/silver. I bought it anyway. I just really HATE the purple lavender - there probably isn't a colour I'd like less - so the search continues...

Bad JuJu

08-03-2006, 04:41 AM

I think a lot of us would like to be able to say, "Oh no, color doesn't matter, as long as I like everything else about the bike." But when pressed, we do have strong color preferences. And who wants to see a color they don't like every time they head out for a ride?

Pascale

08-03-2006, 04:48 AM

Veronica

08-03-2006, 05:01 AM

I'm a total fashion faux pas.

http://i4.tinypic.com/10zdc9f.jpg

That's me, pink helemt, orange jacket, orange bike... and now I have pink shoes.

I don't know why I think pink and orange go together, but I do.

I wasn't thrilled with my bike's color when I bought it. At that time Rambouillets were orange. That's what you got. But I so loved how great the bike felt, that I decided color was not important. Now I like it. When it's time to repaint, I'm not sure what I'll go with.

V.

Kimmyt

08-03-2006, 05:23 AM

:D You and my SIL would get along well. Her bridesmaid dresses were pink and orange.

Luckily they were rather tasteful in that they were the jewel-tones that remind me of indian Saris so it was ok... but when I heard the colors I was like 'oh my god i am going to look like barbie on crack!'

Kano

08-03-2006, 05:45 AM

I wasn't thrilled with my bike's color when I bought it. At that time Rambouillets were orange. That's what you got. But I so loved how great the bike felt, that I decided color was not important. Now I like it. When it's time to repaint, I'm not sure what I'll go with.

V.

Maybe you can go with a "shifty color" that changes from orange to pink depending on the light -- like that pretty blue/purple Cannondale I saw last weekend, and like cars were being done a few years ago?????

Karen in Boise

mimitabby

08-03-2006, 05:57 AM

I'm a total fashion faux pas.

http://i4.tinypic.com/10zdc9f.jpg

That's me, pink helemt, orange jacket, orange bike... and now I have pink shoes.

I don't know why I think pink and orange go together, but I do.

V.
Veronica, I LOVE Orange. I have since I was a little girl. And it was just recently that the fashion gods decided that we could have it! I think pink and orange look great together; but I personally prefer red and orange

Veronica

08-03-2006, 06:04 AM

Veronica, I LOVE Orange. I have since I was a little girl. And it was just recently that the fashion gods decided that we could have it! I think pink and orange look great together; but I personally prefer red and orange

Like in my avatar? That's my wicked soft red cashmere jersey. Yeah... I like red and orange together too.

V.

mimitabby

08-03-2006, 06:23 AM

I had also tried a trek 1500 wsd that day - and I didn't really like the colour of that one either, but I didn't HATE it. Only problem was that it would have needed the handlebars changed (they were a really funky shape/angle and I simply could not reach the brakes/shifters) and I would have had to change the pedals (they had those clip strap things that I hate). The Giant just needed the handlebar stem changed. But everytime I looked at the Giant, my gut just said "nooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!" :rolleyes:
Pascale,
the two problems you mentioned with the Trek are something they could
easily change for you in the store; so if you liked the bike it might be worth it to say "I hate the handlebars... and i want different pedals" and since they want to make a sale, they'll be happy to change them out for you. They might charge, but it's just not a big deal to change these things.

Hub

08-03-2006, 06:27 AM

Okay y'all, I've just joined the forum & have been stalking a week or so- but I just had to chime in on this. When my big brother gave me my first grown-up bike, a Giant Sedona- it's cobalt blue/silver/black. He told me " Blue bicycles are inherently faster than all other bicyles." I'm now shopping for a road bike & keep rejecting the ones that aren't the right color blue. A friend that's helping me shop keeps telling me I'm going to have to give up the blue . . .-easy for him to say , his Allez is the right color.-- I did see a Specialized Roubaix at the Bike Peddler in Memphis- at least the trim was the right blue!!

Hub--- in the Mississippi Delta- home of the BLUES

spokewench

08-03-2006, 08:17 AM

I don't think I have ever bought a bike because of the color nor do I ever remember having a bike that I liked because of the color. Ok, one exception, my Klein hardtail mountain bike is a beautiful royal blue color and I do like that bike, but also, Klein made in America used to have the most beautiful paint jobs (no matter what color) that I've ever seen on bikes. But I digress!

My first road bike was a trek 1000, gun metal gray with yellow graphics (ugh); my first Klein was orangey red which eventually turned orange with sun and age (ugh); my blue klein (cool blue); my bridgestone cream with a hint of english racing green and red stripes (not very inspiring but not ugly); my redline (red white and blue very patriotic); and finally, my Giant TCR (black carbon fiber (carbon Fiber is cool looking, not pretty but cool) and what they call magenta (or BRIGHT PINK). As I am not a pink girl this would not have been my first choice either!

All of these bikes I bought for various reasons, but all because they fit me really well and rode nicely (had nice ride characteristics). If they don't fit right and dont have nice ride characteristics, I ask you why ride them?

:)