Went to look at a bike today.

[jayonabike]

I'm looking to buy a new bike, I know what sort of bike I'm after, and found one that I liked the look of. I say the look of because its not out yet, it's a new model for 2014. I had seen some pictures in the trade brochure in my LBS but that was all. Until today.

I got a call this morning from the shop, "we have one in, want to come and have a look, ride, and see what you think". Cool, the weather had got better so I could make an afternoon ride out of it as well. So off I set, heading off the long way to the shop. When I got there I didn't like the bike at all, before I even asked to sit on it. The graphics were too 'busy', they were all over the place. And how many times do you need the companies name on a frame and forks?
Bugger, back to square one. I had a look round and there was a couple of bikes I liked but nothing special, but I have always liked Ians (the bloke that works there) bike. "Your the same frame size as me Jay" he said "take my bike out for a spin''

"You sure?"

"Yeah, no problem"

He took his pedals off and put mine on it and off I went. I loved it from the off, I came back with a smile on my face. Such a fast responsive bike and the paint job is much more to my liking. I think it is going to be my new bike.

I don't understand why some companies have to plaster their bikes with their logos. This company lost out on a sale because of it. Still a good day in the end, and I got a 50 mile ride in as well.

 

[Biker Joe]

So. What bike was it?

 

[jayonabike]

The bike I was looking at was a Scott. The bike I took out for a ride was a Ritte.

 

[vernon]

I'm not a fan of the excessive graphic style. The stickers hide the aesthetics of the underlying bike and wheels and make the package look too angular. I prefer the understated classic look of the likes of Mercian, Woodrup and Shand.

 

[jayonabike]

Yes classic looking bikes are nice, but I also like modern carbon frames. As long as it's done right. This was just an advert for scott bikes.

 

[vernon]

If I was going down the carbon frame route when considering n+1, I'd chose Rose.

 

[Smurfy]

If I was going down the carbon frame route when considering n+1, I'd chose Rose.

All I can see is a Downtube. Where are the wheels and the rest of the bike?

 

[vernon]

All I can see is a Downtube. Where are the wheels and the rest of the bike?

You need a wider screen...

 

[SomethingLikeThat]

I wonder where that trend started. Perhaps manufacturers trying to differentiate from each other?

 

[vernon]

I wonder where that trend started. Perhaps manufacturers trying to differentiate from each other?

And ended up looking the same.

 

[Crackle]

The Ritte's look fairly esoteric but slightly odd but you can't always tell from a picture, certainly interesting.

 

[ayceejay]

I feel the same way about jerseys.
I posted a pic of a Ritte in the 'Prettiest CX bike' a while ago and to me it looks distinctive enough so that plastering every inch with its name is unnecessary. There are other bike makers like this Ritchey and Alan come to mind Ridley have lost the plot and now go for the one name stamp - good twelve - excellent.

 

[jayonabike]

Ignore the wheels, but this is the frame I'm thinking of getting. The test ride was fantastic, a little more aggressive geometry than my other bikes but then I don't want all my bikes to be the same. It's stiff, fast, and fun to ride.

The group set will be Ultegra (maybe a 3d rotor crank if funds allow) 3t bar and stem and the wheels, I'm not sure yet, I'll probably stick my cosmics on it for now.

 

[ayceejay]

Go for it - love it.

 

[ianrauk]

Nice, but wheel logos spoil it big time.