Tattoo Bikes

A search did not reveal that these frames had been talked about previously. I saw this company mentioned on Pedal Consumption a few months ago and was wondering if anyone else had heard of them or used their products at all. Looks like the distribute them through BLB, TFG, etc, so was surprised not to find a mention of them on here.

http://www.tattoobikes.com/

With a name like Tattoo Bikes, I was expecting at least a few skulls n daggers n rad stuff like that and maybe some fairly gnarly looking bikes... opens link ...not so much then.

Pretty bland and unimaginative bikes and artwork. Frames look fairly decent quality tho

They look entirely uninspiring.

The frames look reasonable but why is hand made in inverted commas?

My girlfriend got me to strip down my old create frame to paint it up with tattoo inspired images. She drew the design for my actual tattoo and is a general arty farty type, so pretty good at this stuff. Will post a pic once its done!
Peace

If someone wants "tatts", I'd suggest this Polish frame maker (geo isn't for everybody, though)

http://www.tenfour.pl/TenFourFixedBikes/tattoos.html

If someone wants "tatts", I'd suggest this Polish frame maker (the welds aren't for everybody, though)

http://www.tenfour.pl/TenFourFixedBikes/tattoos.html

ftfy ;)

Seriously tho, at +£500, I'd sooner give my money to a co with a reputation. Closeup some of the filet brazing could be better, and they are vague on the tubing used.

If I went for a random new brand I'd choose one of those racer rosa bikes over these, just because of the tubing certainty and because they have a shop in london.

I wouldn't suggest anything about tenfour. In fact I'd suggest avoiding them like the plague.

ftfy ;)

Spoilsport.

Seriously tho, at +£500(...)

Seriously? The last time I went to visit my parents I was about to get one of those frames (raw). It was only £250. What can you expect for that little money?

Most modern cheap alu frames has welds like scars on Iraqi insurgents. That's why I'd never buy any contemporary TIG welded frame.

Not your polish tattoo, the ones in the OP.

And seriously you wouldn't buy a contemporary tig'd frame - what about if it had welds like this?

I always flip flop in my tastes. I didn't used to like lugs, then I did, now I've gone off them a bit...sometimes. IMO uber neat steel or ti welds win over fillet brazing... and probably lugs too.

And seriously you wouldn't buy a contemporary tig'd frame - what about if it had welds like this?

Welds like those show greater craftsmanship hence higher price. You know what I'm taking about - all the budget Leaders, Dolans, Visps (and warehouse loads of Halfords sold stuff). Perfect rides, just don't appeal to my hipster tastes.

I know. I'm just being picky, because my the welds on my Condor are great (assuming they don't fail ;).

And yes I'm with you on the budget ones. Although I don't see why if the Nelson's can have smoothed welds, others at a similar price can't. Obviously I understand why some don't, but too often the pricey ones are poorly finished too.

A Tattoo is for life.... Riding is for life...

hugo7, johnnyhotdog, chris boneo: nothing like a bit of encouragement for the little guys eh fellas??? Our frames are made in the same place as some of the Cinelli, Fixie, TFG and Pace so our fillet brazing is top class. We also use Bob Jackson for paint so again - top notch. I'd welcome your feedback on the changes to the site but don't be too harsh ;D ( Laurence - co founder of Tattoo )

Okay I may have been a bit harsh with comments like bland and unimaginative but Tattoo Bikes? Why call it that? The best of luck to you but I don't think you've got the name quite right.

I guess time will tell - personally, i hope you're wrong! In a nice way of course ;-D

hugo7, johnnyhotdog, chris boneo: nothing like a bit of encouragement for the little guys eh fellas??? Our frames are made in the same place as some of the Cinelli, Fixie, TFG and Pace so our fillet brazing is top class. We also use Bob Jackson for paint so again - top notch. I'd welcome your feedback on the changes to the site but don't be too harsh ;D ( Laurence - co founder of Tattoo )

Laurence, I apologise if I've upset you. They're simply not for me and that was my first, honest impression. I can't see anything on your frames that set them apart from what's already available but that's just my opinion. Hopefully, there'll be plenty of people who'll disagree!

Like I said, they do look like good frames and it's good to see you're using a quality UK company for paint (which also happens to be my local bike shop.)

Good luck with your venture.

not at all - no offence taken. It's good to get some honest feedback.

Just to be clear I was talking about the ghetto welds on those Polish bikes EEI was posting up there ^ NOT yours.

Hey Laurence. Frames look good enough and the attention to the finish is also a nice touch! Can you explain the inspiration for the geo' though. The front end(s) seems rather relaxed.

The idea is that the messenger geo' encourages more of an upright riding position - we designed it so that you could use it with flat bars and minimal stem rake. The one twenty is more aggressive in that the top tube slopes down towards the front end more. We have got plans for a freestyle frame - work in progress at the moment!

Rad! Best of luck:)