custom bike vs paint job?

[divingbiker]

Help me think this through.

I’ve been thinking seriously about ordering a new custom bike. Haven’t decided whether it would be steel or titanium, but we’re talking $5-6000.

But now that I’ve had my current road bike—a 2005 Specialized Sequoia Comp--fitted to me, I really like it and am not feeling quite as urgent a need for a new bike. It’s aluminum with a carbon fork, seat stays, and seatpost, and ultegra/dura ace components, and is a nice bike.

The problem is that I really don’t like the color. It’s plain aluminum with a clearcoat, so basically a silver bike. Boring! I want to paint it red. Sparkly, gaudy, ruby slippers red.

So here’s what I’m thinking now. My nephew has a new powder coating business in Nebraska, and I’ll have my bike out there in June when I do a 5-day tour. So, I could have a shop take all the parts off my bike, have my nephew powder coat it, have the shop put it back together and ship it back to me. (Or I could just have my nephew ship it to me in pieces and have my LBS put it back together. Thoughts on that?)

So I’d have a “new” bike for less than 10% of the cost of a custom bike. (I know, it’s not the same thing, but I really do think my current bike is “enough bike” for me at my current weight, fitness, skill, speed, etc.)

Then I could spend the 5 grand on a dive trip to Indonesia, or do the responsible thing and save it for retirement.

What would you do?

[DebW]

Help me think this through.

I’ve been thinking seriously about ordering a new custom bike. Haven’t decided whether it would be steel or titanium, but we’re talking $5-6000.

So here’s what I’m thinking now. My nephew has a new powder coating business in Nebraska, and I’ll have my bike out there in June when I do a 5-day tour. So, I could have a shop take all the parts off my bike, have my nephew powder coat it, have the shop put it back together and ship it back to me. (Or I could just have my nephew ship it to me in pieces and have my LBS put it back together. Thoughts on that?)

So I’d have a “new” bike for less than 10% of the cost of a custom bike. (I know, it’s not the same thing, but I really do think my current bike is “enough bike” for me at my current weight, fitness, skill, speed, etc.)

Then I could spend the 5 grand on a dive trip to Indonesia, or do the responsible thing and save it for retirement.

What would you do?

The powder coating sounds like a great option. Since you are really liking this bike now (and it's got great specs, even rack mounts), I'd say be responsible with your money. [Note that I spent $6K on a custom bike last year, but I hadn't bought a new bike in 25 years.] I'd suggest having the bare frame shipped back to you, as you'd save shipping costs. Maybe you can carry most of the parts back with you, wheels being the only delicate thing to worry about. Do find a good shop to do the reassembly, because sometimes the bottom bracket and head tube need reaming/facing/thread chasing if paint has gotten on the faces or inside.

[Trek420]

If you love the bike, it fits you, get it painted!

After about 20 years I painted my commuter. Jobob recently repainted her Riv through the same shop.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=8295

[7rider]

Well, as much as I am a supporter of custom titanium Sevens....and would offer my bikes up for test rides...you don't need to be Lance to ride a custom bike...
My financial advisor would say that working with what you have would be more prudent. If it ain't broke...don't fix it.
(But what's the fun in that, says the little devil on my left shoulder???)
My only concern would be ... and this is only because I am ignorant of the process ... is how would the powdercoat process affect the carbon seat stays? Would it affect them at all?? I would check with your nephew on the process and see if it would in any way impact the bonding process of the aluminum to the carbon -- especial with regards to your warranty through Specialized. Would your nephew mask the stays and keep them nekkid?
But...if the powdercoat process is safe for the frame, go for it. Pick something way cool and sparkly.

[mimitabby]

I agree, if you love the bike except for its color, have it painted. you will have all the pleasure of seeing your new bike, and depending on how spectacular the paint job; you will be stopped by strangers admiring your bike!

[HillSlugger]

I love my silver Sequoia and my silver Allez because you can do great things with colored accessories. I also know how much you love red bikes. Paint it!

[divingbiker]

I think the seat stays and fork are bolted on, so they could be removed and only the frame would be painted.

What about decals? Do they go on before or after the clearcoat? I think powder coating involves baking, so I wonder if they burn up?

Can you get aftermarket decals? If yes, should I, or should I leave it nekkid?

I know so little about this...

(Love what you've done with the blue and red accents, Nicole.)

[7rider]

I think the seat stays and fork are bolted on, so they could be removed and only the frame would be painted.

What about decals? Do they go on before or after the clearcoat? I think powder coating involves baking, so I wonder if they burn up?

Can you get aftermarket decals? If yes, should I, or should I leave it nekkid?

I know so little about this...

(Love what you've done with the blue and red accents, Nicole.)

I think the rear stays are bonded (glued). I think the heat of a powdercoat oven may be ..um.. detrimental to your stays.
You might have to go to Specialized - via your dealer - for new decals. I think the order would be paint:decal:clearcoat. You don't clearcoat powdercoat....I'm talking "regular" paint.
Specialized sticers here...in red even: http://sporting-goods.search.ebay.co...QQsacatZ106953

[divingbiker]

I think the rear stays are bonded (glued). I think the heat of a powdercoat oven may be ..um.. detrimental to your stays.
You might have to go to Specialized - via your dealer - for new decals. I think the order would be paint:decal:clearcoat. You don't clearcoat powdercoat....I'm talking "regular" paint.

Yeah, I just went down to the bike room to look at a Sequoia, and I think the rear stays might be a problem. Have to ask the LBS what my options are there. Or maybe DebW knows? Definitely won't do it if I can't remove the stays and paint only the frame.

My sister said that my nephew did a motorcycle recently, and they did a shiny outer layer over the initial powder coat. Might not be called clear coat, but there's some option like that.

I'll just have to call my nephew and talk to him about it tonight.

[DebW]

Yeah, I just went down to the bike room to look at a Sequoia, and I think the rear stays might be a problem. Have to ask the LBS what my options are there. Or maybe DebW knows? Definitely won't do it if I can't remove the stays and paint only the frame.

Stays don't come off. Fork is easily removed, though. I don't know much about powder coating. But there are plenty of mixed carbon-aluminum frames around, so frame refinishers must be familiar with that issue.

[Zen]

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RED!

[divingbiker]

Well, this whole thread is moot now.

I called Spectrum Powder Works and asked if my frame could be powder coated with the carbon seat stays, and they said no. The carbon can't go in the oven.

So I guess I have to decide if I can live with a silver bike. Darnit!

[Zen]

you can do great things with colored accessories.

And a dive trip a little closer to home?

[redrhodie]

Time for a "fun with bar tape" lesson with Andrea .

[7rider]

So I guess I have to decide if I can live with a silver bike. Darnit!

Or....get that custom bike after all!!!