How Much Do Looks Matter When You’re Purchasing a Bike? - Pinkbike Poll

Jan 5, 2018
by Vernon Felton  
fashion

I was going to ask whether or not looks matter to you when you’re considering a new bike, but that’s an idiotic question. Of course looks matter. It’s the very reason industrial designers exist. It’s why Italy spends 60 percent of its gross domestic product feverishly inventing new ways to make espresso machines look like sexy space ships.

U-G-L-Y

Despite the age-old pearl of wisdom, “Beauty is only skin deep,” I can guarantee you that right now, somewhere on earth, someone is looking at another person’s rear end and deciding that those glutes are the perfect foundation upon which to build a lifetime of happiness. Consider the bevy of modern dating apps based on the very premise that aesthetics are what truly count. To swipe left or to swipe right? The calculus behind that decision rarely boils down to your potential date’s knowledge of astrophysics or their commitment to social justice.

Trek Session
It looks like a....well, you know the score. But does that actually matter at all?

Looks, for better or for worse, matter. I’m not saying they should. I’m just saying they do. Arguing against this is a lot like arguing against the existence of gravity here on earth.

The better question, then, is this: Just how much do looks matter to you when you’re purchasing your next bike?

I spent some time this week reviewing Pinkbike’s pantheon of 2017 bike reviews. In at least half of the comment sections, you could find numerous references to the bike’s looks. Social scientists commonly refer to this as the “Looks like a Session” phenomenon.

Abstract background. EPS 10 vector illustration. Used opacity mask and transparency layers of background


Few of us want to think we’re shallow enough to let the mere shape of a frame sway our decisions. No, that’s not us! We are all about those suspension curves and leverage ratios or the perfect geometry and just the right amount of anti-squat….

But let’s be fair—wanting your next bike to both ride well and look good doesn’t make you a horribly shallow person. Who wants to spend three grand (or more) on a bike that rides great, but looks like a teal-colored turd on wheels? Just how much emphasis we place on a bike’s aesthetics…that’s the question.

So, how much do looks figure into your decision making process when you are daydreaming about which bike you’d buy?

How much do looks figure into your decision making process when you are daydreaming about which bike you’d buy?



Author Info:
vernonfelton avatar

Member since Apr 11, 2014
202 articles

315 Comments
  • 469 15
 collecting data for haibike? because damn pilgrim's haibike is not pretty.
  • 87 251
flag RedBurn (Jan 5, 2018 at 12:35) (Below Threshold)
 Ride more bitch less for fcks sake...
  • 254 11
 @RedBurn: I can't ride my bike while at my desk job, but I can bitch about bikes pretty easily!
  • 102 2
 @RedBurn:
laugh more, live longer
  • 47 20
 IMO the only E-Bikes that look alright are the Specialized ones
  • 29 107
flag RedBurn (Jan 5, 2018 at 12:58) (Below Threshold)
 @Jamminator e bikes haters make me laugh a lot don't worry for me Big Grin
  • 63 5
 @RedBurn: I mean I was just commenting on how ugly the haibike is. remove the motor and I still wouldn't buy it. but I also live in Colorado and we have had to work so hard to have the mountain bike access that we do have. the fear of ebikes here is very real.
  • 9 1
 @nikxwar: What is this e-bike to which you refer?
  • 35 2
 if ya like pretty girls you should like pretty bikes.
  • 6 6
 @Tearsforgears: The Levo and Kenevo. Mainly because they don't have the enourmous downtubes, that pretty much every other E-Bike has
  • 39 0
 It puts the lotion on its skin or it gets the hose again.
  • 2 0
 @loopie: preach!
  • 8 7
 Pilgrim who?
  • 3 0
 @fullbug: depends if I want a good ride or not, definitely not always a correlation.
  • 21 19
 This evening first time I can remember being surprised by the results after voting.
Answer number 4 is most popular - really guys? Get a grip
  • 3 0
 @cartoon: sorry but "it depends"? who signs up for a bad ride? haha
  • 18 0
 coughtcoughtcoughMarinWolfRidgecoughcough
  • 49 58
flag WAKIdesigns (Jan 5, 2018 at 14:38) (Below Threshold)
 My God this Sam Pilgrims thing has really got under some people’s foreskins... seriously get f*cked
  • 7 1
 @teschenbrenner: you know, pilgrims and indians
  • 11 1
 @Tearsforgears: I heard it's some kind of mobility scooter where they forgot to attach the other two wheels...
  • 13 0
 @High-Life: I haven't gotten to ride the wolf ridge yet, but if it rides as well as advertised I'd totally put one in my stable. Looks be damned!
  • 6 5
 @adrennan: You should fear close mindedness and ignorance more.
  • 10 1
 @Dustfarter: I fear not having trails to ride. do you have any experience with the trail access issues near the front range? we have had trails taken away and what days we can ride limited, and that is just with normal mountain bikes. be thankful you don't have issues with trail access.
  • 4 1
 @adrennan: So you have lost trail access because of ebikes already?
Here we struggle for it because there is not much public land and the hikers don't like mtb so they keep us down as much as they can.
  • 3 0
 Never go out drinking without a DD, ugly can happen!
  • 3 0
 @taletotell: In Boulder county they are thinking about a complete e-bike ban. Very real threat.
  • 13 23
flag WAKIdesigns (Jan 5, 2018 at 19:50) (Below Threshold)
 @Unrealityshow: I am sure that after the Sam Pilgrims thing on Pinkbike there are some people in the world who wish you gyus complete trail closure for non motorized MTBs across all US territory. I mean... that was fkng special.
  • 3 0
 @IllestT: the way the questions are posed, this is the only one that makes sense.
  • 3 0
 @Unrealityshow: Yeah, but that’s just Boulder. I would expect nothing less????
  • 2 0
 Lol
  • 12 1
 did I accidentally click on the Haibike post again?
  • 6 0
 @fullbug: what if ya like pretty guys
  • 2 2
 @RedBurn: Why? Do you own a E-bike?
  • 2 7
flag mhoshal (Jan 6, 2018 at 4:43) (Below Threshold)
 @WAKIdesigns: couldn't agree more man!!!
  • 8 10
 @Christopop: not yet! i see the potential and i would like to have one. I dont say no for 10 laps instead of 3 on my local trail, pushing the bike sucks. Its another sport
  • 6 1
 @RedBurn: come on bro if everybody really quit bitching on pinkbike there would be no comment section
  • 10 4
 @teschenbrenner: he was this guy that used to Pedal bicycles and then he gave up because it was too hard
  • 6 17
flag mhoshal (Jan 6, 2018 at 8:25) (Below Threshold)
 @properp: you're just quite the shit talking little bitch aren't you. Get a f*cken life the guy accomplished more in one year on a bike then you'll ever do in your entire life you f*cken loser!!
  • 3 1
 @mhoshal: Happy New Year to you mister accomplishment
  • 4 8
flag mhoshal (Jan 6, 2018 at 13:16) (Below Threshold)
 @properp: says the loser thats spends at least an hour combing over my profile to bash me lmfao get a life you f*cking stalker loser!!!
  • 12 17
flag WAKIdesigns (Jan 6, 2018 at 13:40) (Below Threshold)
 I’ll tell you something you Sam on E-bike haters. Go on his insta and you’ll see that he is a fkng great rider and many other great riders from around the world cheer for him and surely respect him. Which can’t be said about any of you cock suckers that even a kid on a street wouldn’t respect.
  • 12 1
 @WAKIdesigns: settle down there bro
  • 9 8
 @WAKIdesigns: we don't have to worry mate, two years ago a comment saying "29ers are gay" had +200props almost anywhere. Try it today it will be first but in the below threshold section. People want 29ers now. The same thing will happen with ebikes. The hate will dissipate and people will love them.
  • 6 2
 @properp: I don’t think Sam did all that much pedalling to begin with. In fact I’d say he does more now just as a wild guess. I also reckon that his Haibike is more mtb than his old NS Decade (and more so than his new Haibike DJ bike when it emerges). If you’re gonna get pedantic about what consitutes mtb then is a bmx with bigger wheels really a mtb? I love Sam, I love his energy for the sport and everything I’ve ever seen him do. The only attitude I’ve ever seen from the guy is to be rad, he still has a smile on his face even in light of so much misplaced e-hate. There’s never been a better ambassador for the sport. If you really must hate ebikes have at it. But Sam Pilgrim is not coming to your hometown and closing down trails, quite the opposite.
  • 6 6
 @Unreality show: ban em I say! That’s the only way the bike industry is going to get the message. The vast majority of Mtb riders that I know are either completely against them or apathetic. I haven’t run into anybody that’s soooo excited about going out and buying the latest e-bike. The bike industry needs to stop foisting this crap on us. This is a human powered sport. I’ve got no problem with MX. It’s a Moto powered sport. And a pretty cool one at that. But I’d be just as pissed off at a guy riding Moto on Mtb only trails. So the bike industry comes up with a way to do it and calls it progress. Boost my ass. Incremental improvements making all our bikes “obsolete” overnight isn’t innovation. It’s marketing. E-bikes are not mainly targeted at the disabled, (for which I firmly believe they should have access to) they’re targeted at couch potatoes with delusions of grandeur. Look at Reistance bikes: The Insolent model you industry peeps, if you want to see real innovation. Putting a motor on a two wheeled vehicle is hardly innovative. Down with E-bikes!
  • 2 1
 @fattyheadshok: but have ebikes gotten normal bikes banned?
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: I'll remember you you own words in some other topic Wink
  • 1 1
 @nikxwar: New Orange looks okay.
  • 3 0
 @fullbug: My GF's butt ugly but rides like a pro.
  • 1 0
 @
Altitude Powerplay...
  • 2 5
 If I wanted a bike with a motor I'd buy a friggen dirtbike, cuz dirtbikes are awesome looking... and so is my mtb. But that's not why ebikes suck, they suck, cuz they're not bikes
  • 1 0
 @nikxwar: and 29+?
  • 1 0
 @nikxwar: whoever said the Germans don't have a sense of humour
  • 1 0
 @ollie0007: or have a foot thing going on... I'm all about the tyres
  • 1 0
 @fattyheadshok: unfortunately, this was bound to happen when society decided it was anti social to ride motorcycles off road. There is NO PUBLIC LAND to ride in the UK and most of Western Europe.
  • 3 0
 @fullbug: ..."if ya like pretty girls you should like pretty bikes" ....If "you can dodge a wrench...you can dodge a ball" ...haha
  • 1 0
 @yeti-monster: 15k e-bike? Um... HPC Revolution. Yeah.
  • 137 6
 They don't make Ferrari's looks like Corolla's for a reason ... performance and beauty go hand in hand for all aspects of life, same goes with bikes
  • 12 2
 m.youtube.com/watch?v=BEeBJBhAvw4&feature
I sure hope you're not a Mustang fan. This is all I could think about after reading your comment @swartzie
  • 37 1
 I'm not worried about how my car looks, but my bike? Now that's a different story! Signed, Happy Corolla Driver.
  • 3 2
 @properp: ....that is modified tho...as you would never sell that shit for 100k so no company is going to do it.
  • 3 0
 @properp: As a Mustang fan AND a Van fan ...I see no problem here. (conveniently, van bodies fit over anything...Funny car anyone? heehee)
  • 18 0
 @stacky00: exactly. i used to care about cars until i found mtb. now cars are just tools to get my bike from point A to the trailhead
  • 7 0
 @loopie: Vans and mountain biking are like peanut butter and chocolate
  • 7 1
 There’s been some pretty ugly Ferraris over the years.
  • 8 0
 @stacky00:

Ditto that. Corolla needs some lovin but I spent it on anodized Hope stuff instead!
  • 8 0
 The sooner you realize that the mtb industry is a fashion industry the better off you'll be. The patents and geo are not too much different...at least not enough to a) spend 4-10k b) sell your bike to get a new one c) make you heaps better. It is pretty crazy to see the blow thousands...just practice and run whatcha brung
  • 2 0
 @properp: that's an eye opener thanks
  • 2 1
 Unless you mean Ferrari's from the 50's and 60's, you're wrong; most Ferrari's (and most contemporary supersports and hypersports) are typical examples of "performance before aesthetics" approach. Don't get me wrong; I'm not saying they're ugly, but does a 488 or 812 look better than let's say Porsche 911 or any Aston Martin? Certainly not, if you ask me.
  • 4 0
 @Extremmist: Nope! you may not like modern car design but that is another story...example, this is poor design i.ytimg.com/vi/_NH45icqd0M/hqdefault.jpg and this is proper design s.aolcdn.com/dims-global/dims3/GLOB/legacy_thumbnail/916x515/quality/95/www.blogcdn.com/slideshows/images/slides/296/863/3/S2968633/slug/l/01-pagani-huarya-review-1.jpg now you may like or hate the pagani, but you can see how the first one is made by a wannabe designer and the second from a proper one.

Ferrari just like pagani create the performance first, agree, and then use top level designer to make it as nice as possible which is very different from poor design, a chair it's a chair it has to be confortable yet there is a lot that can be done to make it looks cool.
  • 1 2
 @Stylexxx: Tbh, while you see poor design and proper design, I see two cars that look like a brick.

Look at this; this is how a proper car design looks like.
s.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/midas/cb4a33b18ad9e09910cf58dffadefc5d/202984729/lead1-2017-porsche-911-carrera-first-drive-1.jpg
It may not be the fastest car in the world (who cares, it's not that anyone's going to drive that Pagani at 300+ km/h speeds) but it's just beautiful, there's not a single unnecessary line, curve or shape on it.
  • 1 0
 @Extremmist: You are confusing good design with taste....I can hate a car but recognise well done design, proportioned lines, but I understand that this concept may be totally alien for some.

Since you like porsche there you go a similar but incompetent design images.car.bauercdn.com/pagefiles/12536/1040x0/14_shanghai_cc_cj.jpg?scale=down
  • 5 0
 "Liking a design or not is like, just your opinion man"
  • 1 2
 @Extremmist: oh yeah, that’s why Ferrari runs one of the most expensive schools in the world, school of car design. If you think form designers don’t sit together with designers of aerodynamics or suspension (you know engineers design things) you have no clue what you are talking about. A dude in my office designs lamps and sofas, each design takes over a year to do and can cost hundreds of thousands of euros, for a freaking pendant lamp, and you will tell me function ahead of form. Ndaaaaaa. Off course but one doesn’t exclude other and doesn’t mean that company doesn’t spend millions on form design of each car so that it looks as desireable as possible.
  • 2 1
 I think the looks go more hand in hand with the people's opinion about the performance rather than with the actual performance
  • 1 2
 @MountainGoatLover: I think that people have generally more idea about looks than performance... it’s quite funny to read how every PB user is making such an informed choice, while most of my friends of all budgets buy something that is one of currently available deals or a surprise deal or something funky. Like my friend just bought a 29” Session and kitted it out with Di2 just to fk with people. I was about to buy an used Enduro 29 comp for custom upgrading when a deal for a 275 carbon bike caught my attention...

Buy a bike and ride it. Performance. As if Geometrons and Poles weren’t already bwing spotted on buy/sells, huh guess how smart and well thought out choice were these dudes making.
  • 4 1
 @WAKIdesigns: You didn't understand me properly. I'm not saying that design and function exclude each other or that Ferrari doesn't try to make their cars look desirable.
What I'm saying is, that Ferraris could look nicer, but it would probably make them slower, which most owners would never notice anyway.
I once drove a 458 Italia. Would I notice if it had nicer rear lights? Certainly. Would I notice if it was 10 % slower? Not a f...ing chance.
  • 1 0
 @Extremmist: You're still talking about your personal preference in design
  • 3 0
 @Extremmist: "it's just beautiful, there's not a single unnecessary line, curve or shape on it."
There definitely are some unnecessary lines unless it looks like this s3-eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/centaur-wp/theengineer/prod/content/uploads/2013/07/05155100/TE_Cambridge_solar_car.jpg
  • 1 0
 Mostly true, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder for the most part. I've had some ugly bikes that worked really really well. Just because the bike isn't pretty doesn't mean it doesn't have high end parts on it. After all, I could lace up a carbon MTB wheelset with neon green and orange hubs, white spokes, and rainbow nipples that weighs 1500g.
  • 2 0
 @seraph: Mmmmm....Rainbow Nipples
  • 1 2
 @Extremmist: ah gotya. Yes
  • 3 0
 Totally agree man. Great products combines functionality and look. Its where art and science meets, like musical instruments or cars, bikes are no different to me... The ones who don't recognize this, just have no taste I guess but most people are naturally attracted by something that looks good.
  • 1 0
 @vhdh666: glad you enjoy
  • 1 0
 @Stylexxx: never tell an Italian that a Ferrari looks like a dog's dinner (no matter how true it might be).
  • 1 0
 @ermoldaker: between Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Pagani and Zagato I think Italians have no need to get defensive.
  • 1 0
 @properp: That was a drag strip... mods are practically the only things that matter. That's why there's a Top Gear episode where $400k supercars were getting killed by old subarus, Mitsubishis and pickup trucks. If that was a real ice cream truck, a mustang would own it in every other way. Especially the new '18 GT.
  • 1 0
 @ermoldaker: ferrari looks like dogs dinner... is this how you deal with your account balance? Anyhoo, it is much better to say that to an Italian than saying that AC Milan sucks to a fan of that team. That’s like going around Abu Dhabi with T-shirt with the drawing of prophet Mohamed
  • 85 1
 Too many great looking bikes that ride really well to buy something horrendous that rides marginally better
  • 9 1
 This! I'm very much a form follows function type person, but given the number of excellent bikes these days, might as well have on that looks good as well. If nothing else, it just helps narrow down the list of bikes to consider.
  • 6 4
 How I long for the days when all that mattered was frame colour, or rear derailleur spec.
  • 4 2
 I would say too many bikes that ride marginally better to buy a bike that looks marginally better.
  • 5 0
 If I didn't care about looks, I'd have a Mattoc...
  • 3 0
 I think you might be onto something. I didn't think I cared that much, but then considered my garage which has a Mojo HD and a following in it... Even after extensive demoing and trying to be pragmatic, my damn subconscious probably picked those two because they're the best looking (to my eye).
  • 1 0
 @PinkyScar: why? The bikes were comparatively shit versus today's bikes.
  • 1 0
 @salespunk exactly my idea. I don't have an issue with a bike or a component that's not exactly pretty, as long as the design brings a clear and significant advantage (let's say a dropper post), but I don't like designs that are different just for the sake of being different (I highly doubt that that Whyte in the first photo rides even marginally better than an average bike from the same category.
  • 2 0
 @humoroususername: Visit PB often?
  • 1 0
 @PinkyScar: I see how it is. I didn't notice the all important " ... "
  • 1 0
 My issue is that it's hard to decipher which bikes ride marginally better, so I narrow it down to a few choices then let looks and price win me over.
  • 33 0
 I think there is also a psychological element to this. Our perception of how something looks can often be shaped by how a product performs. Like if a truck is known to be really tough and drive through anything, then people will dig the big tires, beefy looks etc. Or if you say that low profile tires make the car handle better, people will like the way that looks. If a product comes out and its is superior in performance, eventually people will think that it looks good, and it will become the norm.
  • 7 1
 Does some people's acceptance and enjoyment of fat/plus-size bikes equate to an attraction to plus-size/overweight people?

Psychologists please weigh in...
  • 4 0
 @PinkyScar: nothing wrong with a little junk in the trunk
  • 1 0
 Evolutionary psychologists would tend to agree @sino428

However, more research is needed to come to a conclusion on your supposition @PinkyScar
  • 20 1
 I don't understand all the hate towards knollys. My Warden Carbon is the best bike I've ever ridden and it looks the part as well. I guess it's all just opinions and people with a negative response are more likely to speak up.
  • 6 0
 I’m on the Endorphin 27.5 and it absolutely shreds. However, everytime I’m out on the trail lots of people ask me about my bike or compliments it. It might just be trolls hiding behind the keyboard making these negative comments?
  • 3 0
 I've actually been thinking about trading my Evil Insurgent (which I think is a beautiful bike as well) for one...
  • 19 2
 Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I look at my GeoMetron and love every straight line and weld so much more than the organic looking Capra I had before it, but All my mates say it looks like a farm gate with wheels. In reality it's a much better bike for how I like to ride, it's hands down the best bike I've ridden, regardless of the marmite looks. I think if you like the looks of your bike you look after it, and ride it better.
  • 6 0
 As long as the frame is my favourite color, I'm good.
  • 10 0
 I think that Nikolai has something I would call "industrial beauty", it looks awesome. Pitty they went this geometron all the way, not everyone find riding a tank being the ultimate fun.
  • 44 0
 Beauty is in the eye of the beer-holder... ha ha
  • 2 0
 Geometrons are stunning. Plus they work.
  • 2 0
 Yea but they look a gazzillion times better in the flesh than in a side view photos. In real life the look awesome, well especially the smaller sizes...
  • 1 0
 @PinkyScar: and what colour is that?
  • 1 0
 @PinkyScar: that's a mighty fine paint job. I love the way it ooozzzessss down the top tube.
  • 13 1
 "I can guarantee you that right now, somewhere on earth, someone is looking at another person’s rear end and deciding that those glutes are the perfect foundation upon which to build a lifetime of happiness"

Please allow me to correct for you.

I can guarantee you that right now, somewhere on earth, someone is looking at another person’s rear end and deciding that those glutes are the perfect foundation upon which to build short-lived stint of escapades that will be [somewhat] missed when you actually meet the woman that is worth marrying, then you remember back to what you had to deal with when the escapades were done and very happy that you decided to look elsewhere for happiness.

Not from personal experience or anything ;-).
  • 21 12
 “Meet the woman worth marrying” this sentence is the anthem to the misery of human existence...
  • 1 3
 Gluten? I’m more of an upper inner thigh man myself.
  • 4 3
 I'm not sure why anyone is downvoting Waki on this one. The man speaks truth.
  • 8 4
 @kabanosipyvo: Just because you have crappy experiences with picking the wrong one, does not mean we all do.
  • 4 1
 @meesterover: picking one is different from marrying one ... a lot
  • 13 0
 Thankfully my husband chose the perfect woman.
  • 7 5
 @meesterover: it has to do with an idea, often prevalent in religious upbringing that there are better or worse women to marry. The archetypes of whore, virgin, mother, enchantress, the muse, the amazon, the wise woman, the witch or the adventureous girl. As powerful as they are, cultivated in the cinema and all sorts of written stories, seeking one will bring you quite a lot of pain since no human fits such description of an idealized woman, which means you have to project your ideas of her on reality of hers, inevitably trying to adjust her to your ideal. It is a typical tragedy of man/ woman relationship. The disgusting idea of finding the one out of all in the world. The reality is you marry a person out of a rather limited bunch who you came in contact with, out of whom timy percentage got attracted to you out of which no more than 5 you spent enough time with to make her/ him qualify as a wife. In most cases though lots of people find two three partners from puberty to 30s and at some point theh decide: HIM! HER! And well that’s gambling, since out of that limited bunch you met in your life in schools, studies and work, there are 2-3 who are psychologically and chemically compatible with you. And chance that you missed all of them is high. The luckiest pairs I know come from broken long lasting relationships, where they figured out quite well what they want and what they don’t want from a partner, so when they met one suiting the description they took her/ him and hooked up. And all of them hooked up around 25-30 when they still had a choice. At 35 if a smart and attractive dude/ girl is still alone, they either had a really bad luck, or much more probably, they are fkng crazy!
  • 4 7
 @meesterover: put shortly the secret to happiness is low expectations, that imvolves being with a person who subscribes to this idea just like you. After all, the only thing men and women are good at when working in a team is: romance, sex and making a baby. It ends there.
  • 4 0
 @WAKIdesigns: the secret to happiness is NO expectations and an open mind. Then your projections don't clash with the reality because there are no projections. And constantly remembering that you are a free person and that you can change yourself in any way you wish (I'm not talking about the gym) and in fact do what you want to do. It becomes clear when you drop expectations. You can choose to like or dislike something. Then there's just decisions.

Of course it helps if the other person understands that too.
  • 2 0
 @Slabrung: No expectations and an open mind...I think you hit the nail on the head there. Just as critical is "Of course it helps if the other person understands that too." If your partner is projecting and has certain expectations of you, it is just as damaging to the relationship. People continue to develop and change throughout life, so the person you meet and fall for will not be the same person in ten years. Add the complications of children, both parents working, and other common factors of modern life and suddenly "no expectations and an open mind" becomes much more difficult to achieve.
  • 2 3
 @kabanosipyvo: @Slabrung. As a rather crappy parent and even worse husband I leave the conversation... i’m better at backflips than tqlkimg to my wife
  • 1 0
 @kabanosipyvo: So true! Unfortunately nothing is easy, otherwise everyone would be happy which apparently is not the case...

Great username by the way Big Grin
  • 3 0
 @Slabrung: I love your mindset and agree with most of what you said. Most of it, wouldn't go as far as saying your husband married the best woman Wink . But yeah keeping that open mind is essential as well as good communication. And it just happens to be that when communication becomes less, you're either too busy or there is already something wrong. Keep checking how it goes. No partner is ever going to tick all possible boxes but then again there may actually be interesting boxes present you completely forgot to check for! Even though my girlfriend and I have two daughters (six and seven years old now) we're not married. I didn't see the point though I accept that it is different for everyone. To me it seems like a different mindset. Being married is like being coupled by default and something has to be really really bad for that to break. Being in a relationship without being married is more like making every day like a good reason to stay together. Of course now that we have children and a house etc splitting up would be a big hassle. Still I prefer this more "loose" relation. There is only a relation because we both want it. So if I really want it, I have work on it so that she wants it just as much. And there is no guarantee no. That's what makes it fun!
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: You could consider doing some research into psychotherapy / marriage therapy that would suit you. It just might be a better time investment than another hour at the gym. Of course you yourself will ultimately know what is best for you.
  • 3 0
 @vinay: haha Big Grin Yeah, we got married quite late into our relationship for the same reasons. But I don't see any difference after the marriage. It's all in the mindset - marriage is a social convention like any other and shouldn't impact the way you see the other person. When being married you still every day make this conscious choice of being with this person. It's not like marriage forces you to do something. I wouldn't like my husband to be with me just because we're married. Property and children is another story. But then, it's only a hassle, as you say. House is an object, and an object shouldn't dictate how you live your life. Children complicate things, but then if people choose children's happiness over their own, it means that they have in their life such important persons that they are lucky anyway.
  • 1 3
 @Konyp: oh Jesus... it sounds like you could use some reading on psychology yourself.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Jesus was born 13 days ago, he surely is too young for these subjects?
  • 3 3
 @Slabrung: I thought he’s many light years from here, his last words were: What the Fk?! Do something you idiots, the aliens are taking me!!!
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: To put it into terms that you seem familiar with, you are currently presenting a defense mechanism. Also please remember that Jungian concepts are presently more of a historical curiosity.
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: "Due to a lack of objective physical evidence, most scientists and mental health professionals dismiss the phenomenon as "deception, suggestibility (fantasy-proneness, hypnotizability, false memory syndrome), personality, sleep paralysis, psychopathology, psychodynamics [and] environmental factors"."
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_abduction

So it looks like you're wrong, sorry!
  • 2 4
 @Konyp: exhales... listen man I have small kids. Your therapeutical advice is as spot on as personal trainers advice to keep good sleeping patterns... I've done cognitive behavioral therapy last year for the second time. Unlike the first one which was rubbish, they taught me a thing or two about causes of stress, stress reactions and possible ways to lower it. It also taught me a bit about depression. I've also done life coaching and few visits to psychologists. The more I learn about psychology the more I see that managing the chemistry of my body is crucial. My wife just told me that I've been an amazing father and husband during the Christmas time. oh, not I did not analyze my behavior patterns, I took pseudoephedrine in nose clearing medicine, felt amazing and kept dosing through this fkng terrible excrutiating piece of crap that Christmas is, since every fkng year my kids get sick and everyone in the family gets sick. I didn't get much winter depression this year, because I was making sure I keep my body occupied, working out a bit, riding in the skate park and taking cold exposure. And I also got a small crush at a girl. So my hormones were flying.

Jung is a fantastic way to deal with trying to understand human behavior. I love the archetypes, the shadow and the anima. I do not treat him literally, definitely not his dream analysis stuff.

So no, no therapy for me... and try to drag my wife to a single session with any psychologist. Sooo in an interesting twist of a story, who works harder on ones self in this relationship? What a defense mechanism.

BTW I need to start smoking weed and taking psychodelics. Wifey is leaving with kids in March, I'll cook some DMT. Mhwaaa. Can't wait.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: whoa, is she leaving for good or for holiday? Good luck either way!

While we're on the weed subject, I'm not into psychedelics but was always intrigued by psilocybin. If you give it a try, I'd be interested in the results.
  • 1 3
 @Slabrung: no for holidays. Psilocybin lasts too long for me which gets me anxious and annoyed in the end. I took it twice long time ago and while the trip was kind of good, I hated being unable to fall asleep waiting for the effects to wear out. Like being on a boat ride you can't get out of. Sitting tired on a bench waiting for a bus to take me home and seeing swirls and shaky shapes of everything around was annoying. I also felt a bit ill for a whole day after the first time. So I want to try DMT. People claim it's stronger and no lasting side effects. However for me it wasn't spiritual, rather a roller coaster of colors ending on walking through a foggy train station (even though I was around fireplace in the countryside) filled with bright figures talking to me, I was running away from them. Irrelevant, I did not like it. My best high was some shitty weed with my friends where I suddenly tripped into imagining worlds. I knew I sit on a sofa, but I had incredible visualization skills of flying above weird lands, walking among temples and sht, listening to music. Everytime I closed my eyes I went somewhere. Sometimes as a teenager I could get into such state just meditating at home and listening to music like Enigma. Few months ago I did it again as an experiment, sat alone in the room listening to same songs, tried to rewalk the rooms I imagined long time ago. I definitely don't have same focus as before but it was cool to visit again.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Good to hear that you already had therapy, it is always smart. You probably know that already but it's the therapist's skill that is most important, so it's worth to shop around.
Have you tried meditation? Sam Harris has a nice approach, free of any pranic nonsense:
youtu.be/tw7XBKhZJh4

I know nothing of your wife or relationship, but if she won't even go to therapy...
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: I read about ayahuasca too. I have the effects you describe without any drugs, in my dreams. Much safer and no side effects Wink
  • 2 0
 @Slabrung: Thanks! It would have been written in Cyrillic had PinkBike been capable of it at the time.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: I made a double post by accident, so let me use the space to say this instead - Let me tell you one thing - if you eat any wheat, STOP NOW. You can thank me in a year. We are not our 'brains' and that organ doesn't need to be treated with therapy or meds. We are our gut, and we need to support our 5 lb resident microbiome, for they are more 'us' then we are. Everything else is just space dust, and it's a good idea to smoke some from time to time.
  • 2 1
 @endlessblockades: Are you a Roganist?
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: You mean Joe Roganist?
  • 1 1
 @ghirox85: Yes, Keto Joe, that Globe head on caveman coffee. He made me want to take DMT God damn it! And Iphone X. I'll listen to the one about mushrooms again.
  • 1 0
 @Slabrung: Just FYI, the active ingredient in ayahuasca is DMT, which WAKI mentioned before. Though, it does have other "stabilizing" compounds which prolong and intensify the effects as DMT is readily broken down by the body
  • 1 1
 @kjjohnson: Listening to Joe Rogan made google for stuff like: If I poop in the forest in several places, will psylocibes grow out of one of my poops?
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: and once again the PB comments section does not disappoint. A truly compelling question, indeed. Though it may be out of google's area of expertise, if that's possible.

Regardless, I suspect the answer is NO
  • 1 0
 @kjjohnson: I love Pinkbike comments section. Will fix your marriage, life and diet (and you can discuss bikes sometimes too).

I've heard about ayahuasca, but never heard about DMT before, so looked it up. It's an intriguing subject but wouldn't like to try myself, too much risk IMHO.
  • 1 1
 @Slabrung: I haven’t done DMT or Ayahuasca but from what you can read it is rather apparent that it is the latter that can be considered “dangerous”
since it makes you puke and crap your pants, while the ayahuasca tourism has encouraged the growth of pseudo shamanism so you have no clue what you are getting. It sounds all cool and spiritual but if you watch a few documentaries it’s quite hyped up and romanticized.

DMT on the other hand has a rather high success rate to take people places and come back fresh.
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: agreed about ayahuasca. Re. DMT, I would need to see some statistics and be sure that the substance is clean. I value my brain quite a lot, it may not be top notch but it's the only one I have.

Romantic and idealised approach to trips may be appealing, but then you get a bad trip and/or some brain damage and fun is over. I prefer to have a beer and/or listen to some music.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: No I don't adhere to any particular isms other than vandalism. Not really familiar with Joe Rogan other than he had a tv show that I didn't watch.

I did try DMT once in the 80s however. A little terrifying because you never know 'how high' you're going to get. I was with some experienced older hippies who knew what was up, which was good. I don't know what the current stuff is like but there was no poopin or hurlin. We smoked it sprinkled on a bowl of weed.

You need to be sitting down. No way could you stand up at the dose we were given. It comes on immediately and is over soon, which is good. My experience was akin to an blazing electric Aztec curtain dropping infront of my eyes - all surroundings were obscured and I was swimming in impossibly complex visuals. I could hear - my friend had the wherewithall to let out a 'fvvvvvvvvvvvvvck". It was def worh it but had i done it again it might have been easier to ride the wave. As an experienced LSD user in my teens, I was always able to employ the 'it's only a drug' mantra when things got heavy and can ride it out. I think I could see again within 15 minutes. we listened to The Shah Sleeps in Lee Harvey's Grave a few times afterwards, and we skated to the beach and drank beers. Psychedelic Mysticism is for hippies. Skateboarding is more enlightening.
  • 1 1
 @Slabrung: I just thought that it must suck to travel to Amazon, risk malaria, desyntery then fo through the painful process of drinking and excreting that crqp only to end up with a bad trip...

@endlessblockades. Cool to hear. As to DMT they advise to sit on a bed and have someone with you to take your pipe as soon as you invale and put you in a comfortable laying pose. I did read that the observer should have some tough nerves considering that you may react as if you were to die in spasms.

I’ll try it for sure. I want it for practical reasons, same with psylocybin.

BTW Joe Rogan podcasts are rather cool I find. Especially ones with Brian Redban, Duncan Trussel and Jim Breuer. From Informative ones, the ones with Dr Rhonda Patrick and Jordan Peterson are great. He also had a great one with Lance Armstrong. Paul Stamets one was fantastic, it was about mushrooms. Something for you @Slabrung.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: will check those guys out. What do you mean by practical reasons for DMT and psilocybin?
  • 1 0
 @Slabrung: hopefully as stated by more and more people: long term brain functioning enhancement, lowering anxiety, depression. Being more emphatic and this sort of stuff.
  • 13 0
 I would definitely ride an ugly bike but only if it's the ugliest one there. All or nothing.
  • 2 0
 I would ride one of those Tantrum bikes exactly for that reason.
  • 8 0
 Looks are very important to me, always. But when I say "looks" I mean both the classic beauties (like Ibis Mojo, many Santa Cruz bikes, new RM Altitude, many Yetis etc.) AND bikes that have lots of personality. I find a strange beauty in Orange bikes, for instance. Or in an old Transition Bottlerocket, or an old raw aluminum Intense, or a Kona Process. Just saying.
  • 10 0
 If im shelling big bucks on a bike it better look mighty fine
  • 7 0
 If I could afford a session I'd probably have a Session 9.9 DH 27.5 Race Shop Limited. But I have a Fuji.
  • 2 0
 it's a bike man. i currently don't have one at all ...
  • 4 0
 I'd be lying if I said I didn't care a little. That being said I'm on a GT sensor right now and a lot of people don't like the way it looks. I think it looks pretty good but others have different opinions. I will say over the last 2 years I have grown bored with it. I rode a Cannondale scalpel and immediately decided I liked that suspension platform better. I ended up ordering a habit frame to build up which I think is a sick looking bike.
  • 3 0
 i liked the pre-2014 GT sensor and force look better than the AOS layout.
  • 2 0
 @sk133872: still in love with 2011's mine. Only the derailleurs and shock are now from the oem. Dropper post, 140mm fork, spank wheels and cockpit, and offset bushings help to pass the years and improve a lot the original riding,,, and make it look better too.
Upgrade your bike give him a secong breath in your eyes Wink
  • 2 0
 I ride a 2015 sensor and I still really like the looks of it...that being said I only bought it after going to Outerbike and preferring it to everything else I rode.
  • 1 0
 @d-mass: It does ride really well. It's just kind of heavy. That's really my only complaint.
  • 4 0
 Looks are important to 'hook' buyers, but once the bike proves itself as a fantastic ride (think Polygon R3act), it starts to grow on the user. Especially if it is an exceptionally pricey bike; if you blow $8k on a bike you had better learn to love the looks.
  • 5 1
 I think nowadays, there is so much choice that you just don't need to pick an ugly bike. Sure, it might ride well but I've no doubt that you could get a good looking bike that rides just as well. That and the fact that everyone has different tastes so what is pretty to some is ugly to others, so you can never going to win that argument anyway. Apart from that redalp, which I think we can all agree should indeed be set on fire and never talked of again.
  • 2 0
 I said to my friend Just the other day that most bike are that good now you may as well boil it down to which one looks nicest (within the bounds of practicality)
  • 4 0
 Until they make a bike that outperforms every other bike by a long shot people will always consider and care about how their bike looks. Much the same way we care about what we wear etc. (well the majority of us that is)

Almost all of the high end bikes from Yeti, Trek, Specialized, Giant, etc etc all perform great but there's no bike in it's class that outshines the competition so much that it literally is the advantage. So, until that happens the vast majority of consumers will continue to buy a bike they are attracted to.
  • 7 0
 Good looking bikes usually ride great!
  • 4 1
 First let me State by saying I love LOVE LOOOOVVVEEE my Santa Cruz 5010. The first time I rode it I think I became a Santa Cruz for life customer. Their bikes just fit me and the way I like to ride.

That being said, they are some of the most boring looking bikes out there! People def neg prop me when I say this...

I appreciate the wild colors... but pick pretty much any other brand (aside from Ellsworth... barf!) if you want an aesthetically interesting bike.
  • 2 1
 I’ve had 4 santa cruz bikes. Then I rode an intense.... never looked back....
  • 1 0
 @Richt2000: I see a lot of Intense bikes here in Southern California. I’ve never ridden one tho. They make some sexy frames for sure.
  • 1 0
 I don't think they're ugly, they're just the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry on bike. Solid, reliable, nice looking, even, but not the sexiest.
  • 5 0
 @TheR: id say they're more like an Audi. Reserved but refined styling
  • 1 0
 @MasterSlater the SC's these days are almost hipster understated...a very thin line away from 'boring'. All the straight lines make for efficient structures but they kind of hang their hat on colors. That said, the entire line is pretty consistent, so there's a cohesive brand message at work...
  • 1 0
 @twozerosix: I agree. And I’ve come to appreciate it. I do love some of the wild colors. If I ever bought something that was neon pink that I was gonna spend a bunch of time in public on, it would be a Santa Cruz!

Do you think the frame aesthetics are intentional? Or more a product of function before form? Some of the European bikes look like fighter jets... I guess that would make Santa Cruz bikes the A-10 Warthog?
  • 1 0
 @MasterSlater: Joe Graney has worked his way from being a bike engineer to CEO of Santa Cruz, so there could be an intention or even mandate for more sober lines to the frames than might be found across town at Ibis for example (which from the beginning was very brand-driven). I'm personally not a fan of VPP but the form of their carbon structures (how you get from point A to point B, how they do junctions) are unassailable.

There's some crazy s*** out there for sure...
  • 3 0
 I had a Mojo HD. Absolutely loved the looks (Especially how both of my batteries for night riding fit perfectly in the front part of the frame. Eventually I replaced it with a Turner RFX. Beautiful bike. But I just couldn't let go of the beauty of the Ibis. The Turner is gone and I am back on an Ibis HD
  • 2 0
 I agree. I rented a HD a few years ago...it is quite apparent that Ibis has an industrial designer who's main purpose is aesthetics. All of there bikes are look great.
  • 2 0
 @ReformedRoadie: Roxy Lo is mainly responsible for the Ibis aesthetic design. There are a few articles and interviews with her.
  • 4 0
 @vernonfelton : it has been scientifically proven that the quality and taste of espresso directly correlates with the drag coefficient x the % of polished metal of the machine that produced it. everyone knows that.
  • 6 0
 I think this says a lot about how shallow and petty we are as a pinkbike readership in general
  • 5 0
 @vernonfelton you forgot the "I buy whatever I'm able to afford" option in this poll!
  • 5 0
 The bikes are all so good nowadays you can pick 99% off looks.

What a time to be alive.
  • 2 0
 I gotta say, while some stuff I wouldn't ride because of looks, it is not about pretty or not. It is whether it looks like a good design. I love original stuff. I'd ride the whyte. I'd even ride the transalp. The rule is the ugly needs to be for a good reason. Then I can be "that guy with the crazy weird bike," a title I am always happy to sport.
  • 2 0
 Oi mate.
Looks DO matter, but people are prone on following the fashion.
An example:
When the first suspension forks appeared, most of the (back then magazines) media, were complaining for the… bad looks! The same goes on with the fist “fatter” tires, the first rear suspension and so on.
So,
With all those clones of the “session” frame, people (and among them editors, journalists, etc.) are subjected into a “new normal”, which dictates their taste.
Sure a bike has to look good. After all it is a highly prized possession. But keep in mind that what passes today as “good looking” tomorrow will pass, at the best, as “vintage”…
The best designs follow the rule “fashion follows function”.
  • 1 1
 The thing is, the polygon isn't really that groundbreaking a bike, and there's no real reason for the design aesthetic they've chosen, other than to make it look a bit more quirky than it actually is.
  • 2 0
 But remember that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, what one person finds beautiful may not appeal to another. Case in point: the old Ellsworths have a cult like following and are highly sought after ... they are beautiful to many, while many also find them butt-ugly.
  • 2 0
 They all look the same with the light off.
Wait, wait, wait, wrong application for this analogy.
I don't lick the mantel while poking the fire?
Still doesn't really apply.
People who buy ugly bikes because they are different without regard to performance are the same clique that bought Saabs.
  • 4 0
 If she makes love like an Italian but looks like a mule are you going to marry her?
  • 1 0
 when a bike performs well, then got one. If it look good and don’t hold up, well then, throw it out. I always ride and examine the thing see to how it performs, before I rate. Hell all the “good mtb” companies make the bike look good while also giving it great performance.
  • 1 0
 Bottom line. In this day and age with the price of bikes and companies making subtle tweaks, or reinventing older designs a bike now MUST look good and function. Looks have always been a factor. If not, why have paint on a frame, anodized anything and colored grips to name a few examples.
  • 1 0
 i d like to choose that last answer but i cant. My hard earned money are around 1000e what i am suposed to do when i want TOPHIEND machine when those money what i earn are not even great to live proper life? My only way is repayment and this is only way to get something better in this Country.
  • 1 0
 "I can guarantee you that right now, somewhere on earth, someone is looking at another person’s rear end and deciding that those glutes are the perfect foundation upon which to build a lifetime of happiness" that's poetry right there
  • 1 0
 “deciding that those glutes are the perfect foundation upon which to build a lifetime of happiness”. That line has been cracking me up for days. Shared with my wife, who agreed that is one of those funny truths. Great writing as always Vernon.
  • 1 0
 Thanks, @konnerk . Of course, that line of reasoning is rarely the foundation for actual happiness, but it's hard to stop humans from being human.
  • 1 0
 Looks matter SO much, especially when you're about to drop like 10 grand. I wouldn't buy a Santa Cruz Hightower this year because white/orange don't do it for me, so I'm waiting until next year. If they colors suck, it's back to the demo routine to find my next rig.
  • 9 5
 this is why we get shitty products. because performance doesn't sell, looking cool does.
  • 2 0
 To me its almost less about the looks and more about the price. If your going to stick an exotic unproven linkage on it and try to sell it to the masses at regular prices then don't be surprised that no one is buying them
  • 2 0
 Turning engineering into good design a significant R&D process, an ugly bike's price tag needs to reflect that they skipped that part and be significantly cheaper than bikes that put in the extra work.
  • 1 0
 I spend more time watching bikes than riding them. The one I'm looking the less is the one I ride. (Still talking about my bike.) Considering my next ride, I'll sadly probably won't be able to try it decently, so look is still a large part of the process. (Bike. Talking about bike. Nooo, don't...)
  • 1 0
 The first step towards making a bike appealing is not painting it some gawd awful colour, or paint scheme. Good paint colours cost the same as REALLY ugly ones. 2015 Giant Reigns looked GREAT in the two or three tone orange or green. Some Kona colour schemes are so horrendous that I couldn't/ wouldn't buy the the bike (lime green 2014 (?) Process, or the 2017 purple coloured one.)
  • 1 0
 I think the issue with whether people will buy a good looking but mediocre performance bike, instead of an excellent, thru and thru astonishing working bike but with a bit of flawed esthetics. Is because they are not racers.

I personally prefer to ride and race a bike that will not become a burden after 3 hours of racing, climbing, and descending.
everything has to work to its maximal best so I can concentrate on my performance. When the bikes geo and cinematics hinder me to do what I want, I don't see an issue with spending 3 to 5 grand on a bike that actually works the best but doesn't look "like a session".

Once again. I think that the reason people say its a 50/50 thing, and they are ready to give compromise to the bikes performance is because they don't race bikes.
  • 1 0
 I guess you're right, from a racers point of view. A lot of riders want a nice looking bike and don't ride it to the max
  • 1 0
 Why can't a bike handle great, be entirely service friendly, look great and not take half your money when you look at another rear end wanting to mount some maxxis rubber between them? Oh better yet, I'll take a great riding bike that looks horrid when it goes on a fire sale for 75% off because nobody else will.
  • 1 0
 Looks are important for sure. Looking at my sexy bike I can almost hear a little voice calling me to take it for a ride... so good looking bikes make you ride more! That said, if a bike rides like a dream and you spend lots of time having fun on it, the looks will probably grow on you. After a while you look at the bike and see the good times, not the object.
  • 1 0
 It's really not difficult to make a bike that rides well and doesn't look like ass these days, yet somehow some people still manage to fuck it up. Once you know where your pivots are going, you can design the aesthetics of the bike around that. there's no reason that a bike that performs well should look ugly.
  • 2 1
 I find this funny because I was getting hammered in a Pole thread for saying it's ugly and that to most people, when buying a bike, looks matter at least as much as the ride quality. Several people were giving me so much crap for that statement but this poll proves it true.
  • 1 0
 I used to have an alloy Enduro 29. Functional and could take a beating but nothing special to look at.
Then I got an Evil Wreckoning and was reminded of how beautiful a bike can be. But it's still carbon and that elicits a certain level of care. But it's so pretty I can just sit there and look at it.

I want to move towards a Pole and common sense dictates to try the alloy Evolink first. But damn if it doesn't pull it aesthetic straight from a 2005 Norco. "Agricultural" is how one tester described it. Beautiful it is not.

I thought I was more function than fashion but damn if the Evolink doesn't make me think twice.
But hey, if the Evolink is awesome then maybe I'll find a way to afford The Machine a few seasons later.
  • 1 0
 Obviously some part of the pleasing looks can't directly be related to technical performance and ergonomics, but to at least for me a lot really is. If I look at a bike I'm not looking at what kind of pretty mantelpiece it would make. I imagine myself riding it. If it looks like it would somehow limit me or even hurt me for no reason, it is not for me. The main thing for me usually is, do I have enough room over the top tube to move the bike around. If the top tube is too high, I don't like it. There is an ergonomic reason behind that. Next is simplicity. Sometimes curved tubes make sense so I'm not one to say that bike from Pivot (not sure what model it was) is ugly because the curves are there to accommodate all they wanted to squeeze in there there. But yeah if tubes can be (more or less) straight I prefer that. As for suspension designs, I can't judge that. But as long as these don't take room from the rider (effectively raising the top tube) I don't care much what these look like. Until of course expect these to be clogged with mud after a single ride and an hour to clean out.

But yeah, after that I do like a pretty color on my bike.
  • 1 0
 Oh, this question leads me to some other- why some bike manufacturers (like Transition) build so good-looking bikes in terms of frame shape etc, and then ruin everything with such old-fashioned, outdated, or just ugly paintjob (fonts, colours etc)? In fact, i personally think, that Transition frames looks better than Intense in case of shape only, but it is completely destroyed by paint, while Intense paintjob is soooo awesome! This thinking outside of the box in paint design is very appreciated
  • 1 0
 Best paintjobs out there, that randomly come to my mind is Specialized S-Works Epic (metallic), Enduro, purple Orbe Rallon, every Antidote frame with it's all-carbon glory, that i love, and most of Intense's Factory, mostly red/lime Tracer, black/gray/red Carbine and of course Recluse DVO edition. My personal favs are bikes in raw carbon, ti or steel, or painted in a somehow creative way
  • 3 0
 We’re all somewhat “attention whores” Smile so... what looks good - rides good.
  • 1 0
 wouldn't say it like that, but looks are important
  • 2 0
 I just want to ride my bike, so as long as I don't have to stop and explain WTF I am riding to everyone and his dog I don't mind.
  • 3 0
 I didn't really care for the Yellow Santa Cruz I just bought...then it went 30% off and decided I love it!
  • 2 0
 Well beauty is an subjective thing , i have recently bought Mondraker which many people consider it ugly AF, but i like it looks fast too, although its colored like a turtle.
  • 1 0
 I was strongly considering a Guerilla Gravity Smash because they made it in purple. They just got rid of purple as a color option. Guess what bike I likely won't be buying? Frown
  • 1 0
 Mostly I'm concerned about components b/c in the end that's what matters most. Of course I don't want my bike to look like shit, but as long as it's not horrendous, not that big a deal.
  • 3 0
 I don't care what other people think of my bike. If looking at my bike makes me hyped to go ride, I'll take it.
  • 3 0
 Does this mean the majority of PBers would sacrifice some performance for better looks? Madness.
  • 1 0
 Would you choose a hot significant-other who doesn't like mtb over an ugly one who does? Apparently most of PB would.
  • 3 0
 I have a Cannondale Slate. I get weird looks and double-takes from roadies and even the cross crowd--I don't really care.
  • 1 0
 I wonder if the cross crowd thinks of it like an ebike. As if suspension somehow makes it impure.
  • 2 0
 @taletotell: No idea. I sign up for the least competitive cat they offer (Cat 5 or 4) since I'm not a racer or in good shape and I end up somewhere mid pack, so it's not like I'm stealing any podiums. Some people show up with mtb hardtails too, so i'm not the only one out there with suspension. I think it's just the fact that it looks like a frankenbike lol
  • 1 0
 @matadorCE: I like the original look and I'd love one just for gravel touring.

I was just talking to a girl who quit road riding because the riding groups she met all where dicks about having fancy kit. I wondered if cross was the same way. I feel like it must be a good mix just watching the crazy videos and seeing the wild culture, but also knowing that fitness nuts are sometimes pretty pompous about it.
I told her mtb is usually better. I worry that might have been a lie.
  • 2 0
 @taletotell: Cross jumped the shark. Its a roadie grass crit now, but with more Belgian beer. Road race scene is next level douchery tho.
  • 1 0
 Well Rigoberto Uran seems to be enjoying the shit out of his and I doubt there is a roadie in this world who would dare to look him weird so follow his lead and ride whatever you want.
  • 2 0
 @matadorCE: I would totally ride that Slate and would welcome the weird looks. Props to Cdale for continuing to defy expectations and build odd stuff for the mass market.
  • 4 0
 @twozerosix: Amen, brother. It's been roadie prima donnas and ironic hipsters chugging beers mid lap for awhile now. I miss the days of cross when you could go, race seriously, and not be a dick about it.
  • 2 1
 I don't care that much about the shape, but the colours matter. Especially if you plan to keep a bike for more than a year or two. Whatever paint job is 'trendy' right now will probably look like shit in a few years.
  • 2 1
 Why would you care what your bike looks like as long as its safe and rides well? It's not like youre impressing a non-rider. I couldnt care less as long as the paint scheme (something irrelevant to function) isnt shit
  • 2 0
 I think that in 2018 we can all expect a bike that handles brilliantly and looks amazing. Virtually every modern bike's geometry is dialled so the focus is shifting to asthetics.
  • 2 0
 @tremeer023: So long as aesthetics aren't holding up innovation you are right. But that's the problem. They do sometimes. The 1971 ford mustang mach 1 added weight and detracted from handling because they though drivers would want a longer car.
  • 1 0
 Because i paid big money for it and i want to be able to ogle it. Why would anyone buy a nice looking car as long as its safe and drives well? see, silly question
  • 1 0
 @arrowheadrush: maybe because you dont drive it in the middle of the forest
  • 1 0
 @tremeer023: agree, but what about when peak potential performance is compromised by the aesthetics? How do we know if a frame could have been made a few grams lighter, but because it had to have a specific look material was added to acheive this?
  • 2 0
 @Braindrain: good point, and definitely one that pro racers and teams should consider but for the masses of recreational riders it's not going to make too much difference I reckon. Maybe race bikes will evolve to be different, bit like racing/F1 cars vs general super/hyper cars. I can see that happening.
  • 1 0
 because i like to look at beautiful bikes. and it's even better when the bike is yours
  • 2 0
 @leopaul: My first full susser I was really proud of was the Kona Dawg. I'd equipped a fox van rlc, a pair of issis cranks, some hayes 9 brakes and a fat holzfeller bar and topped it off with some maxxis tires. Having come to that from a iron horse yakuza boat anchor and before that just hard tails I couldn't help doing the double take as I walked by it in the entry way. It was an amazing feeling. I loved it. I really did.
I felt it again when I got my trek remedy.

I miss that feeling. I like my yeti 575, but the feeling just isn't the same. Maybe it has to do with the change in bike fashion, but I doubt it. The dawg wasn't exactly the latest model, and honestly the yeti 575 is a hell of a lot more bike that that little kona was. I think it is because I worked in a bike shop. I couldn't fall in love at first sight anymore.
Now I have to ride a bike to feel that love. I feel it on the rocky mountain altitude and thunderbolt. I feel it on the transition scout. I feel it on the kona process. I don't feel it on the yeti 575 because the performance isn't there. Suspension has improved so much since that bike came out you can just feel the difference. I'm going to do some upgrades this year and if it can't ride like a newer bike I'm going to have to replace it.
  • 2 0
 Good bike first but must look sweet too. Won't buy an ugly good bike but also won't buy a pretty shit bike. So many options you can have it all.
  • 2 0
 People get very stuck on the way they're used to things looking. The polygon xquareone got so much hate but to me just looked like the future.
  • 2 0
 For me it all boils down to what can I get for under £500 from the pre owned classifieds that looks like it will last at least a few seasons
  • 1 0
 "There's no depth to my shallowness" - Daniel Tosh

Looks matter. That said, there aren't many "ugly" bikes, in my opinion. And sometimes ugly initially can grow on you...just ask my wife.
  • 2 2
 that second bike looks like a session... OH WAIT! I know that some people like their bike with random colors or just one color scheme, or one brand of components. honestly, it doesn't matter to me, I just want to ride.
  • 1 0
 Somewhat important...
Sure Can't stand red...
I'm not like 100% fan of my own color scheme but pricewise it did fit and the ride is really nice... So it works
  • 1 0
 I am 6'-6" and its hard enough to find a bike that fits me. I don't care what it looks like I just want a good fit and a good ride.
  • 2 0
 bikes are thousands of dollars nowadays. why in the fuck would I consider buying something if i cant even look at it.
  • 1 0
 Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I search for the best bike that looks good to ME ; not everyone sees the same beauty, fortunately.
  • 1 0
 It should never be one or the other, not at that price. I don't think there is a high performance car that is truly "ugly" they are 95% would drive.
  • 3 0
 If an ugly bike upped my riding game substantially I’d rock one
  • 2 0
 That's what a friend of mine said about the new Polygon. It really does make you faster, but you have to look past how you look on the race photos.
  • 2 0
 I ride a 24 pornking with marz monsters on her not a pretty bike but fxxking sexy to me lol
  • 3 0
 I don't care at all about looks, only water bottle storage.
  • 1 0
 Engineering and asthetics go hand in hand. Just like the outlier insolent an the session, V3, V4. Bikes that just look perfect in both engineering an design
  • 3 0
 Nojzilla, meet the my friend: First name Marin; last name Wolf Ridge.
  • 1 0
 @sspiff: yeah that could be an exception to the rule Big Grin
But, I'm wondering how much of that bike is marketing hype, like. Are they really that good.....?
  • 1 0
 well, Santa Cruz and Intense still make very good looking bikes. YT ans Canyon too. Commençal V2 series and the new Furious are awesome.

But V4..... god no !
  • 1 0
 Marin Wolf Ridge. Linkages look chincy and the rear swingarm is a full-blown mullet on what otherwise is a pretty decent front triangle.
  • 1 0
 I just love things that look different but have sound engineering knowledge behind those aesthetics. That’s why I love my Empires
  • 1 0
 Lol... Answer: I saw this article and thought, "What the heck is THAT?!" The Whyte was a little strange... but oh well... as long as it rides great.
  • 1 0
 Also my reply to my friend who ask for me their first bike. My simple answer is: buy a bike that fits your budget and you like most.
  • 3 1
 Reminds me something about riding mopeds
  • 2 0
 (comment removed)
  • 1 0
 When will someone just make a totally clear bulletproof glass bike. Would 10/10 ride
  • 2 0
 Look good feel good ride good
  • 1 0
 I would say that good engineering creates also good looking bikes (or anything else).
  • 2 0
 Bikes look nice as long as all the components are black.
  • 3 3
 Looks matter, some people just have lower standards. I want my bikes to turn heads and be something I want to stare at when I walk past my bike room!
  • 3 3
 Does your gf/wife say that about you?
  • 4 1
 @PinkyScar: My wife and I both agree that looks absolutely matter! I also like to check my wife out, and when she is wearing low cut tops its great because she's 5'0" and I'm 6'0" so i get a great view! Its also great riding behind her haha

I could have phrased that a little differently. Some people have different tastes and priorities


Now I want to go home and see my wife
  • 3 1
 @indydave124: Ok...thanks for sharing
  • 2 0
 Good looking bikes typically ride better, funny how that works.
  • 2 0
 No different than a girlfriend
  • 1 0
 @vernonfelton was that comment about a teal colored turd aimed at any bike maker in particular?
  • 1 0
 This story is some of the best evidence we have that PB reads the comments on its stories.
  • 1 0
 I have a scale: A bike can look weird as long as it performs at an equal or higher level.
  • 1 0
 The more it costs, the more it matters how it looks. Shouldn't be true, but it is.
  • 1 0
 With regard to music, I once had an instructor say, “people hear with their eyes.”

So true.
  • 1 0
 Anyone remembers the sexiest/ugliest curved lines of the Kona Stab and the Rocky Mountain Flatline??
  • 1 0
 Want a Nomad CC? Sure.
It's matte charcoal with black logos and all black everything. Sold!
  • 1 0
 It's not that you couldn't have both nowadays, so I want a good looking bike.
  • 1 0
 well if I woke up with that REDalp.......I would chew my arm off and leave quietly.......so I guess yeah.....it matters
  • 1 0
 crazy I thought people on BP would rather the bike work the best instead of look the best hahaha
  • 1 0
 To me the perfect looks to functioning ratio is the Canfield Jedi. Looks original and performs well.
  • 1 0
 Yes, looks matter! Bike you like, rides faster and more often, than bike you don´t like or ride.
  • 1 0
 I think if we like the way it rides we find ways to like the way it looks
  • 1 0
 Who said Knolly's aren't sexy?!
  • 1 0
 I ride the finest filing cabinet around.
  • 1 4
 This is exactly why that no matter how good the new Marin / Polygon rides, it will never sell (relatively speaking). It's fugly...
And unfortunately for them, there may be no way around it with the design.

Looks matter even more now, since there are so many good choices available. Aesthetics and details -- in frame bottle mount -- matter more than ever before.
  • 2 0
 I think they look neat and would consider getting one *shrugs* but yes they aren't going to sell as many because of the looks.
  • 1 0
 other than dh I'd day marin's bikes look pretty standard, which also works against them. How do they balance it? Either their bikes don't stand out or they are deemed ugly. Real innovation is probably the answer, but that is not an easy thing to do.
  • 2 1
 Turner bikes look as good as they ride
  • 1 0
 The faster I go, the less I care about what my bike looks like.
  • 1 0
 Slacken out the WHYTE, it could be a trail braaaaapppp ride!
  • 1 0
 yeah iam going to buy a redalp bike. said no one ever
  • 1 0
 134 people caught in a lie Big Grin
  • 1 0
 Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
  • 1 0
 rode haibikes on acid this year @ outerbike moab. Best ride of my year.
  • 2 1
 97 people lied
  • 1 0
 ...be honest !
  • 2 2
 If it don't look like a Session, move along.
  • 1 0
 "rear end" teeheehee
  • 1 1
 When money is no object? Trusted brands!
  • 1 2
 Its retarded not to want a good looking bike. Its 2018 i want a great performing bike and i want it to look great too.
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