I Colorized My Bike

I took the plunge and colorized my bike.

We need to come up with a better word for that.  At least I get to blame my daughter.  She started it by taking off her purple “girl talk” top tube protector and adding it to my bike.  That gave me the inspiration for my color scheme: blue, purple, green, pink and white.  The real reason, though, is my bike was hurting.  It was making a variety of scary noises and had imminent problems so I could justify almost everything I did to it.  The proof was in riding the “new bike”.  I cannot believe I let my bike get in such sorry shape.  It now rides like a dream and I am now taking the long way to everywhere I need to go.  I would say it makes me ride more often but I already ride as much as I can…and still I wish I could ride more.

The nuts and bolts of adding colored parts to my bike

The Frame- My frame is an 80’s Bridgestone RB-2.  I love Bridgestones in particular and nice steel frames in general.  I wish the other Bridgestones in my life had not been stolen.

Wheels- I used green Origin-8 flip flop hubs with purple Velocity deep V rims and pink, green, blue and white spokes.  These wheels were a challenge to build because of the spoke color scheme.  Also, the front and rear have different patterns.  Just because a spoke is next to another spoke at the rim does not mean it is at the hub. They turned out great and are a joy to ride.  I added blue Panaracer T-Serv 25c tires and a Origin-8 freewheel that is very smooth, has very quick engagement and sounds cool when coasting. I did not need new wheels except that I will use the old ones for the winter.  The tires were toast after two years of winter riding and the freewheel was done too.

Cranks and Pedals- I put purple Origin-8 cranks with a blue Origin-8 1/8 ring and purple, green and blue chainring bolts.  I put 4 extra bolts on the ring just for fun because the chainring has holes for them.  The pedals are green Soma Hellyers with pink Soma Double Gate toe clips and pink and green Pake toe straps. I replaced them because they were both creaking badly.  The pedal bearings were done and the chain ring was worn out.

Seat- I put on a Soma Glitter green seat and so far it is very     comfortable and I love the slippery vinyl cover because it sheds water and my pants do not get caught on it like with some seats. I replaced it since it was the original seat on a 20 year old bike and had many tears in it.

Brakes- They were replaced with Diacompe double pivot brakes, green in front and pink in the rear.  I created funky cable housing that is alternately green and blue with housing connectors. They were the original single pivot brakes and after many years of hard commuting the springs were toast and the insides were very corroded.

Grips- The old ones were done and were replaced with Oury purple grips which I love.  They feel great and I will see how long they last or if they get the dreaded grip stickiness disease.

Chain- The old one was very stretched and winter abused.  This turned out to be my favorite colored item.  I used two KMC 1/8 chains, half green and half purple     to create one chain that looks super cool when riding.

Extras- I put a purple Knog light on the front hub so it spins and a green Flashflight flashing light in each wheel.  Style and safety in one.  A little colored Duct tape on the top tube to bring everything together and some colored cable end crimps to top it off.

Old parts- I kept my seat post, stem, handlebars and brake levers.  They all work fine and I have no reason to change them.  I want to change the handlebar just for     looks but I am trying to resist.  Of course, my daughter’s “girl talk” top tube protector that inspired it all had to stay.

I think it turned out great but I am biased (rightly so).  You may not like what I have done but remember, there is no such thing as right or wrong in color land, just opinion.

Kingston