Bike Anti-Porn - When Things Go Wrong

Repost

Given that he was, by his own admission, nearly 3 weeks late, it seems reasonable to include the image from the post to which he was replying for context.

Didn’t realise you already been Testered

Looks like it. Oh well.

Kudos for ninja edit.

Oh Rob. I love your work. Not that long ago I was defending one of your e-bike on the functional thread. But now this.

Those saddles must be really comfortable.

Are the tubes bulging out of the valve holes...?!

Has he taken on some new staff to paint and build the frames up but he ain’t paying them right and they are taking the cunt out of him or something?

As ever, blame the customer for those choices.

Why he attracts customers with appalling taste is another question.

I think they're some kind of aero covers

Yes and yes.

As ever, blame the customer for those choices.

So many custom bikes are so odd because the consumer wants something that doesn't exist on the market, and there's usually good reason why they're not available on the market. If you catch my drift.

TBF that bike is a paint job away from being very nice.

I've come full circle and now fully support him charging $5k (?) to build people their monstrous fantasies.

Better than being some boring builder that just churns out endless Di2 28c tubeless 50mm wide carbon disc brake compact 11-28 'bikes for life' for the contemporarily affluent.

Personally I think a black stem, different saddle, remove the bags and saddle bottle cage and it's great. Paint job isn't for everyone, but I do quite like it.

The comment about custom bikes is more about when people want something halfway between two points. EG an aggressive, fast handling road bike with mudguards and full racks that usually seems like it won't do any particular job well. Even if it does exactly what the customer wants, it usually falls foul of design convention, rarely in a good way.

Don't disagree. If that was painted black and had a different saddle there wouldn't be much to quibble about.

Quite like the airplane theme being played actually. It can be hard to pull off multi colour builds, and it certainly won't be to everyone's taste but I don't think this is bad with colours restricted to the frame and stem. It certainly beats all those boring monocolour vs. black or full monochromatic builds.

Why he attracts customers with appalling taste is another question.

Maybe because other builders have already turned them away. The first time I had a frame custom built, I went with the shop which would do exactly what I wanted, rather than the one which told me to think again. I was wrong.

Battle of Brexit colourway can GTFO.

Imperial Apologist Boomer Thread

I can't comment on the cultural meaning of this colour combination. My opinion is unafected by extended knowledge of it.

I can't comment on the cultural meaning of this colour combination

I don't suppose @🅑🅐🅣🅣 can either, unless he knows when the owner flew with RAF Training roundels and why he wants them on his bike.

I thought my comments were fairly straightforward @mdcc_tester if perhaps a little glib and lazy. TBH I don't really have much time for anyone either glorifying or pastiching armed forces livery and regalia as I don't agree with what it stands for. The (lucky) owner's experience (if any) within the armed forces has little bearing on that.

Anyway, isn't that an RAF WW2 dark ground roundel with USAF P-51 nose cone livery?

How do I talk someone I care about out of buying an ovalised Absolute Black chainring?

Tell them they look shit

Oh, I have. Any scientific evidence as to why they Absolutely should not be bought? He's convinced they'll last longer because they're stiffer. I don't think I can be seen with him if he puts one on his bike.

Does stiffness reduce wear from chains?
Narrow wides last forever anyway

Let him buy it and then be smug in the knowledge that you have better taste and cooler bikes than he