General: Function or fashion, what are all those decals really saying?

I’m talking about name brand decals on frames and components...

Does the Redley Helium really need decals in contrasting colors screaming its name on both the outside AND inside of the fork blades, AND the top tube, AND the down tube, AND the seat tube? What about the Specialized Tarmac Expert Double, which adds both seat AND chain stays to this list? Or nearly any Look frame? What about Zip or Reynolds wheel sets? Do they need there brand names in inch tall letters at 3 evenly spaced points on each side of there rims?

Does all this brand name bling intimidate your fellow racers on race day? Or do they learn on the first hill that your legs aren’t up to the task your equipment was built for?


I’d like to hear your thoughts on function verses fashion, talent verses level of equipment...

unfortunately it's just free advertising for the companies. Turn your comment around and what if the guy blows by everyone on the first hill and wins by +5.00? Bike companies aren't stupid, and spend as much on advertising as they do on R&D. And I don't really think that the idea of having a sleeper bike is very original either, whether it's hip or not.

my friend recently got into the carbon fiber frame business (he moved to china) and he said to get the frames painted and decaled cost more than the frames cost to produce.

I like big decals on the wheels, as long as they aren't tacky. Zipps for instance, they loook good. But you can tell a Zipp a mile away even without the stickers. The frame, however, should be a little more toned down. A big SPECIALIZED or BIANCHI on the downtube is okay, and perhaps a headbage. Anything else is puching it.

The high-end pro-worthy bikes, they have excessive, bold decals so photos and video prominently display brandings. Replicas have them to look, well, replicated version of the team bikes. then they transfer that appeal to mid-range models to make them appear higher end. I don't think ridley, look, or zipp make low end bikes. Specialized is kind of an exception, they try to incorporate their logo as part of the "theme" of their decal schemes. Bianchi seems to have a graphic template they just use on most of their models.

their function is to promote the brand. no function to the consumer, except to make roadie girl wet.

Your friend must be a Very Large Guy. I just counted up all the logos/names/decals on my 54cm Fuji Roubaix SL; if you count the alloy label, the logo on the drive-side chainstay and the URLs on the inside of the chainstays (who the hell's going to see those?), I come up with 14.

Wait, I forgot: I replaced the stock seatpost clamp with a Campy, so that makes 15. Which is ridiculous; but at least the colors aren't too distracting (white or black on a black/silver/red frame). However, I suspect that only the downtube decals are readable at any distance.

Keep ‘em guessing I say.

You know those riders on the club ride, the ones who rate you not by your ability but by which or how much your components group cost? Or how some drivers think they’re better that you because they’ve got a Porsche or Lexus? Perhaps it’s just me and I need to talk to Dr. Phil or something, but I think with some people, it’s all about show. “Hey, look at me” stuff all over there bikes, cars and clothes. Are they dressing and using this stuff to look like the crowd they want to fit into, or does it help them ride better? (Picture the school kids all wearing Nike basketball shoes and have never stepped on a court.)
I know that the pro’s get paid to show off logos. Heck there walking & riding billboards, & I can understand that, but when your just one of us out on your bike for a ride what’s the point? Are you living the dream? Personally I think there are lots of cyclists who only look the way they do because they are afraid not to in fear of not being taken for a “real” cyclist. I’m not saying that riding in cut-off jeans and a T-shirt will work as good. I just think some people have what I like to call “the NASCAR look” fall into this “me too category”. Unless you’re on a track and/or racing, who are you dressing you and your bike for with all those logos? Want to show the world who you are, try a Park, Zipp or Campy T-shirt to go to the store in. Those who know bikes will notice and know what they mean.
Call me a “sleeper” if you like but remember, if you can’t back up what your saying, then your all show and no go; a “want-to-be”. How many hipsters do you know have an $800 bike but don’t know which end of a pedal wrench to grab?

Frankly I’d rather portray the “capable understated elegance look”, buy that’s just me.

HA, that's a good one! I had to click on the link before I got it. Heck, I just might get me some of those for shits and giggles!