Functional bikes. Not Porn not Anti

Ed, my point is that I do see this thread as a sort of sub-category of Porn thread, not only for racked bikes, full of lights and this and that. Rat bikes are also teh sort of bikes to post here. Not porn not anti, innit?

The real issue is obviously - what colour should I paint my frame?

blue to purple fade, like this (one of my favourite paint jobs ever)

Yeah that's cool on a racing bike and certainly original. I was looking for more traditional colours as it's a touring frame and will have VO hammered mudguards and a Brooks saddle and parts like that - but I don't want to stick to the usual gorgeous-baby-blue or pastel-green that most modern-classic style bikes are. A blue-grey might be nice, as might metallic turquoise. Time to bikeCAD.

Also Nuknow has convinced me of his argument. A no-brakes fixed is a very functional bike, for some functions. No good at carrying stuff but for getting around quickly and reliably with minimal maintenance, it's unbeatable.

My touring bike is a kind of blue grey (more grey really) but its a lovely colour none the less.

Ooh yeah that's gorgeous. What mudguards are those, too?

My frame is an '84 Raleigh Randonneur so pretty similar to yours.

They are RSP ones I think they're just as nice as the VO ones but half the price.

Yep it's a good price. The VO hammered ones are getting a bit common, too.

Ed, my point is that I do see this thread as a sort of sub-category of Porn thread, not only for racked bikes, full of lights and this and that. Rat bikes are also teh sort of bikes to post here. Not porn not anti, innit?

if the bike you've posted were build up to be used on a track, then it would be a functional bike.

My touring bike is a kind of blue grey (more grey really) but its a lovely colour none the less.

Love. Non-anatomic bars would be lovelier.

mymistakeitsnotafixedgear

Love. Non-anatomic bars would be lovelier.

mymistakeitsnotafixedgear

And a silver seatpost. :)

Yeah I keep meaning to get one to replace it, but its not my highest priority atm

and some brown leather straps to finish it off.

<< blind

...and lose the rear reflect- I'll shut up now.

and some brown leather straps to finish it off.

Those pedals were temporary, whilst I was waiting for a new cleat bolt. SPD's are on now, and yes they're silver.

...and lose the rear reflect- I'll shut up now.

Already gone, I just forgot to take it off at the time of the photos.

I've just looked at Bob Jackson, Argos and Mercian and none of them do anything remotely close to a metallic rose. Might have to spray it myself (have gun and compressor but finding that colour in cellulose will be hard).
That's what I'm after.

Or maybe a more subtle slightly-pink Champagne.

This is all hypothetical as the only components I have are the frame, hubs, rear derailer and saddle.

Sounds really nice. Pink makes me think of Mercier.
http://velospace.org/files/IMGP8121_.jpg

I'd go for something like this.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1Zb7K43b1D4/SF-S2GzF32I/AAAAAAAAAXc/v9cVCqswghQ/s400/pink_pista_detail_2.jpg

Perhaps less pinky. Like this but metallic

Or this, more champagne but with a bit of pink

Years ago I used to work in Halfords in car repairs + parts, mixing paint and stuff. They still do it but all my mates at that store have moved on. Last time I painted a bike they let me play around in the paint mixing room for half a day getting a nice custom pearl lime green and only charged me £10. I don't reckon I could do that now though!

I've just looked at Bob Jackson, Argos and Mercian and none of them do anything remotely close to a metallic rose.

http://www.atlantic-boulevard.co.uk/

0161 762 0456

^ I've only heard bad things about Atlantic Boulevard.

Plus it's fun to DIY. It's not MY bike if someone else does all the work!

^ I've only heard bad things about Atlantic Boulevard.

Stop listening to idiots then.

Oh.

like you?

I'd go for something like this.

Once upon a time Bob Jackson used to do a colour very similar to this called metallic plum. Surely one of the big firms could do a custom mix from a sample even if you did have to pay a premium for it?

Stop listening to idiots then.

Oh.

How am I supposed to distinguish between idiots and smart people if I've never seen Atlantic Boulevard work firsthand?

Gimme some links to their work and I'll take a look.

Gimme some links to their work and I'll take a look.

http://feathercycles.blogspot.com/2010/11/richards-fixed-frame.html

can't be that bad if ricky feather uses them

Huh yeah I've seen that frame before. Didn't know it was an Atlantic Boulevard paint job. Still, the bad reports that I read were about the longevity of the paintwork rather than the quality. Plus I think I'm right in saying that it's extremely expensive to get a frame done there, compared to e.g. Bob Jackson or Argos.