Nice bike - shame 'bout the colour scheme ...

[bcipam]

Too funny!

[DirtDiva]

Heh. I haven't even put a bottle cage on my current bike because I think it would look bad. Just as well I already had CamelBak tendencies.

[SnappyPix]

Have decided to carry on window shopping for my next, ultimate bike - thanks for all your comments, you've made me realise that the "wow" factor IS important to me!

Regarding wearing co-ordinated clothing - I'm quite lucky because my current bike is silver, so goes with most outfits! I will admit to having developed a sock fetish though - and these absolutely MUST go with the outfit I'm wearing!
I've had to make myself stop buying socks, because they're the first thing I gravitate to in a bike shop (less dangerous than carbon frames!) and I find myself coming over all Homer Simpson-ish, whispering "Mmmmm, socks" to myself in a drooling fashion.
My favourite are a pair of Sock Guy ones which say "Your bike sucks"!!

[kjay]

Well, after decrying the fact that the Trek Pilot 2.1 is black with pink lettering, I bought it anyway. The ride is smooth and the bike fits well. I live in the Bay Area and with all the bicyclists around here, one would think that bike shops would carry quite an inventory of bikes to test ride. Not the case in my experience. Consequently, I didn't test ride that many. I went with the Pilot 2.1 because it has more carbon fiber for a smoother ride. Told myself that I simply won't look at the bike while riding it.

[DirtDiva]

I don't like my bike clothes to match too much - might make me look like I know what I'm doing, which would be false advertising.

[winddance]

My LBS was making fun of me because I refused to purchase Specialized shoes with pink accents. I just don't understand why they have to take a perfectly good shoe and make it feminine. Sure, offer it as an *option*, but I am very peeved when I go into a store looking for new clothing to buy, and all they offer for women is silvery blue, red, and black. All colors I love, but I ride an orange and yellow bike. (and I found shoes that fit better...if it's a true gear decision, I'd buy what fits and live with it.)

I think for me, it was more an issue of knowing what color I didn't want than being set on a certain color. I didn't want pink or purple or anything like that, even though I understand why someone might. Why not? I think a blue frame would've been my first choice, but the one nice thing about riding a screaming orange and yellow bike is that people can definitely see me coming!

clicky for Orbea's photo

[DirtDiva]

I've thought about getting the Spesh Riatas and colouring over the stitching with my black Sharpie... Or just jumping in a puddle of Essex mud...