Color, color, color

[DarcyInOregon]

All of their purples are too light, they aren't dark enough. I will play with their custom palate and see if I come up with an approximation - thanks for letting me know about this rather cool tool!

The Purple Lotus is real dark on my screen, shows as a deep dark purple, so maybe it is the light setting on your monitor?

I am real excited about my new bike. I chose the Flames, base color of Metal Yellow, the flames are Catalyst Orange, the logo is Pearl White, yellow handlebar tape, yellow Selle An-Anatomica saddle, orange stripe on the tires, yellow inset on the wheels, yellow bottle cages from Purely and gold valve caps with orange flame spinners also from Purely. Yellow and orange are not my comfort colors, but I ride on so many gray days in Oregon that I decided that the new bike needs to be visible to the motorists on the rural roads where I ride, that I don't fade into the asphalt of the roads or the landscape of the surrounding farms and forests, so I chose highly visible colors. The drivetrain is Dura Ace 7900 Compact.

I saved for this bike, had the money saved for over two years, finally decided my fitness level had advanced to the point where I needed a bike that would challenge me more, a bike where I would have to train hard in order to ride the bike capably. In that sense my reasoning worked because I really worked out hard at the gym over the winter and gained a lot of power and strength, so last month gave the LBS the specs on the new bike and made the purchase.

[Artista]

I may be the only bicycle owner in the world who feels this way, but I think of water bottle cages as utilitarian items on my bike that I don't want to emphasize, (sort of like light switches in my home). I tend to go for bottle cages that match, or fade into, my bike so that the focus stays on the bike's architectural lines.

When it comes to saddle bags, if I like the way my saddle coordinates with my bike, I'll put an unobtrusive, black bag on it. If I'm not so thrilled with the way the saddle looks, I'll use a saddle bag with a fun color or print to distract from the ugly saddle.

Just one person's approach to "decorating" a bicycle

[Catrin]

...Just one person's approach to "decorating" a bicycle

I prefer to consider it "dressing" the bike On my LHT I opted for stainless/silver color cages - they serve the purpose and blend into the background. I may well make the same choice for the Gunnar. When it comes to visibility, it will likely be best to spend my efforts on clothing and lights.

I have decided on the seatbag - Arkel has a new one that will serve my needs just fine. I do not think the price unreasonable, and if I add it to the "build" parts for my bike then I will get a discount on it from my LBS I am considering the yellow version - either that or the black.

[emily_in_nc]

I have decided on the seatbag - Arkel has a new one that will serve my needs just fine. I do not think the price unreasonable, and if I add it to the "build" parts for my bike then I will get a discount on it from my LBS I am considering the yellow version - either that or the black.

I had that seatbag (in black, that was the only color offered back when I got it), and it's well made but very small. There's an inner waterproof pouch that fits inside the outside protective shell, so it doesn't hold much. Other than that, it's a really well-made bag, like all Arkel products. I think the yellow would be great as it would be a flash of color right at a lot of driver's eye level, and I'd bet it shows up from quite a ways off.

[Catrin]

I had that seatbag (in black, that was the only color offered back when I got it), and it's well made but very small. There's an inner waterproof pouch that fits inside the outside protective shell, so it doesn't hold much. Other than that, it's a really well-made bag, like all Arkel products. I think the yellow would be great as it would be a flash of color right at a lot of driver's eye level, and I'd bet it shows up from quite a ways off.

Can you fit tube/tire levers/patch-kit and perhaps keys or an iPhone?

[emily_in_nc]

Can you fit tube/tire levers/patch-kit and perhaps keys or an iPhone?

I sold it, so I can't check. You can probably fit the cell phone, tube, tire levers, and patch kit, but not keys also -- at least if your key chain is anything like mine! It's minimal, though. You might inquire with Arkel, or maybe someone on here has one?

[Catrin]

I sold it, so I can't check. You can probably fit the cell phone, tube, tire levers, and patch kit, but not keys also -- at least if your key chain is anything like mine! It's minimal, though. You might inquire with Arkel, or maybe someone on here has one?

It sounds like it would be large enough for my needs. I do use a hydration pack so I have other means of storage - and even if I didn't have that the keys could go in the jersey pocket.

Thanks!