Flemke - Is this your McLaren? (Vol 5)

[Sway]

I once counted on a mid range bike I bought.

33 repetitions of the brand name on a single bike. Own brand finishing kit added to the tally a fair amount.

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

t563sk1 said:

flemke said:

No, those labels are not very Flemke. On many occasions I have gone out of my way to remove labels and branding. The problem is much worse with bicycles.

I’ve still not managed to count the number of Bianchi logos on my friends Infinito....??

I have an old Infinito! It's now resigned to winter riding as I have a Canyon Aeroad Ultegra Di2 disc though

[flemke]

Sway said:

I once counted on a mid range bike I bought.

33 repetitions of the brand name on a single bike. Own brand finishing kit added to the tally a fair amount.

Yes, it gets crazy. I once had a Colnago made with a custom factory paint job, the 'custom' part being a minimum of logos and nonsensical stripes, swoops and colour fades. They delivered it in the form that I had ordered, but the quality of the painting itself was appalling - runs, drips, chunks of dirt embedded in the paint. It was obvious that this was Colnago's little way of protesting that anyone would be arrogant enough to disrespect their typical OTT Italian-pastry livery.

[Sway]

No "art deco" paint job for you?

You shock me!

Who wouldn't want a cartoon overhead view of a cyclist with "speed lines" along the top of their top tube to motivate them whilst riding the Col?

[flemke]

Sway said:

No "art deco" paint job for you?

You shock me!

Who wouldn't want a cartoon overhead view of a cyclist with "speed lines" along the top of their top tube to motivate them whilst riding the Col?

Can't say that offhand I recall any 'art deco' paint jobs. As a group, Dario Pegoretti's are the most tastefully creative designs I have seen. This one has a slightly art deco feel to it:

[Sway]

flemke said:

Sway said:

No "art deco" paint job for you?

You shock me!

Who wouldn't want a cartoon overhead view of a cyclist with "speed lines" along the top of their top tube to motivate them whilst riding the Col?

Can't say that offhand I recall any 'art deco' paint jobs. As a group, Dario Pegoretti's are the most tastefully creative designs I have seen. This one has a slightly art deco feel to it:

That's stunning.

I was referring to Colnago's house scheme (although should have typed "art decor" instead of art deco).

This sort of thing (may have been moderately facetious in suggesting you'd like it) :

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

RE custom paint jobs Fat Creations do some amazing work

https://fatcreations.com/work/

Their Facebook page has loads more examples and I'm not a fan of their "favourite work" on their website.

https://www.facebook.com/641155069323661/

[Antony Moxey]

flemke said:

Sway said:

No "art deco" paint job for you?

You shock me!

Who wouldn't want a cartoon overhead view of a cyclist with "speed lines" along the top of their top tube to motivate them whilst riding the Col?

Can't say that offhand I recall any 'art deco' paint jobs. As a group, Dario Pegoretti's are the most tastefully creative designs I have seen. This one has a slightly art deco feel to it:

Each to their own and all that, but if ever there was a frame crying out for a respray then that's it right there.

[lauda]

Sway said:

flemke said:

Sway said:

No "art deco" paint job for you?

You shock me!

Who wouldn't want a cartoon overhead view of a cyclist with "speed lines" along the top of their top tube to motivate them whilst riding the Col?

Can't say that offhand I recall any 'art deco' paint jobs. As a group, Dario Pegoretti's are the most tastefully creative designs I have seen. This one has a slightly art deco feel to it:

That's stunning.

I was referring to Colnago's house scheme (although should have typed "art decor" instead of art deco).

This sort of thing (may have been moderately facetious in suggesting you'd like it) :

That Colnago is nasty!

There was a feature in Rouleur magazine recently on Pegoretti (the issue is available free on their app if anyone is interested) and their stuff is incredible. I’ve just had a look on their website and I particularly liked this one:



It has a really sense of motion and momentum.

And this one also looked interesting:



ETA - looks like the Rouleur edition (19.7) isn’t quite old enough to be free on the app yet. I’m pretty sure all back issues were free the other week when I looked.

Edited by lauda on Thursday 9th July 08:44

Edited by lauda on Thursday 9th July 08:45

[Jacobyte]

If titanium frames are your thing, then Firefly are worth a look for their custom anodised finishes:

https://fireflybicycles.com/finish-options/

[julesGB]

flemke said:

Yes, it gets crazy. I once had a Colnago made with a custom factory paint job, the 'custom' part being a minimum of logos and nonsensical stripes, swoops and colour fades. They delivered it in the form that I had ordered, but the quality of the painting itself was appalling - runs, drips, chunks of dirt embedded in the paint. It was obvious that this was Colnago's little way of protesting that anyone would be arrogant enough to disrespect their typical OTT Italian-pastry livery.

Given the lengths you went to in order to create the colour for your F1 (and other McL's) have you ever had a bicycle painted in the same Blu Alfa colour? If so would you care to share any details, or an image?

Many decades ago I had a Dawes Galaxy (who didn't ) and used regularly to cycle far and wide. When it was stolen I began to create a spec for its replacement - somewhere I still have the type-written sheet with the size, geometry, and spec that I finally settled upon - I recall wanting it finished in Rothmans Blue, much like the Williams F1 of the period. Passing my driving test put paid to that plan but I still think about revisiting the idea.

[Sway]

Jacobyte said:

If titanium frames are your thing, then Firefly are worth a look for their custom anodised finishes:

https://fireflybicycles.com/finish-options/

Ti is easy enough to anodised that most frame builders offer some really cool options.

I resisted on mine as one of the core appeals was an "undamagable" finish - one that I can easily at home refinish using nothing more than a scotchbrite.

I am very tempted to get Enigma to replace the sand blasted head tube logo with a bolted on anodised badge to match the very tosserish anodised Hope kit I've put on the bike... But then I have exceptionally limited taste!

[Jacobyte]

Sway said:

Ti is easy enough to anodised that most frame builders offer some really cool options.

I resisted on mine as one of the core appeals was an "undamagable" finish - one that I can easily at home refinish using nothing more than a scotchbrite.

I am very tempted to get Enigma to replace the sand blasted head tube logo with a bolted on anodised badge to match the very tosserish anodised Hope kit I've put on the bike... But then I have exceptionally limited taste!

Such things are so tempting. Then you look at higher and higher end stuff with beautiful attention to detail and workmanship in the flawless welds, etc, then realise you're into stratospheric costs just for the frame. It's a slippery slope

[skidskid]

flemke said:

I want to go back to Germany and its fantastic driving roads/environment; hope to do so this year.
The car I most miss driving is probably the Rocket, because it has been so many years since I was last in it. A friend has been looking after it for me and, although I saw it last year, I am waiting for it to be serviced.

Hi Flemke,

Which is your favourite area of Germany for driving / driving tours? I was planning to spend some time there this year but I'll play it safe and stick to home in Austria for now.

[Sway]

Jacobyte said:

Sway said:

Ti is easy enough to anodised that most frame builders offer some really cool options.

I resisted on mine as one of the core appeals was an "undamagable" finish - one that I can easily at home refinish using nothing more than a scotchbrite.

I am very tempted to get Enigma to replace the sand blasted head tube logo with a bolted on anodised badge to match the very tosserish anodised Hope kit I've put on the bike... But then I have exceptionally limited taste!

Such things are so tempting. Then you look at higher and higher end stuff with beautiful attention to detail and workmanship in the flawless welds, etc, then realise you're into stratospheric costs just for the frame. It's a slippery slope

I'm pretty happy with mine (and it was surprisingly affordable thanks to the Cycle2Work scheme!):




I revel in the vulgarity of the orange...

[S1KRR]

flemke said:

I want to go back to Germany and its fantastic driving roads/environment; hope to do so this year.

I think we all know that Manthey have helped with the development of the F1. Have there been any other companies that you wish to mention that have been helpful / positive when modifying not just the F1, but any of your other cars? (Think we'll skip the less positive ones)


And on a different note.

You've spoken (if I'm not mis-remembering) about how you've been a little too free with the F1 keys in the past. There was a rumour a while back that Tiff Needell (now with LoveCars YouTube channel) was hoping to re-film the original road test he did with XP4 (IIRC Erik ) but in the current era. I cant think of anybody more qualified outside the factory to drive one. Assuming you don't want to lend him the keys for this. (Though IMO he's eminently less likely to damage it and far more sensible than Clarkson et al) It made me wonder if you've ever been interested or approached to do a sort of "Petrolicious" video of the car. Or does your desire to remain anonymous trump such ideas. (Should probably add I'm not touting for work here, I'm no videographer)

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgyJPixJl95X1ut3E...

ps What did you do with the Colnago frame with the terrible finish?

[flemke]

Sway said:

That's stunning.

I was referring to Colnago's house scheme (although should have typed "art decor" instead of art deco).

This sort of thing (may have been moderately facetious in suggesting you'd like it) :

Yes. I would call it Colnago's 'haunted house' scheme. I have a lot of respect for Colnago's understanding of what makes a good frame, especially because of the Merckx connection, but one might say that Ernesto's taste is only in his mouth.

[flemke]

TyrannosauRoss Lex said:

RE custom paint jobs Fat Creations do some amazing work

https://fatcreations.com/work/

Their Facebook page has loads more examples and I'm not a fan of their "favourite work" on their website.

https://www.facebook.com/641155069323661/

Good link, thank you. I normally prefer a classic template (or variation thereof), with the critical question being colour choices (and size and location of labels!)

[flemke]

Antony Moxey said:

flemke said:

Sway said:

No "art deco" paint job for you?

You shock me!

Who wouldn't want a cartoon overhead view of a cyclist with "speed lines" along the top of their top tube to motivate them whilst riding the Col?

Can't say that offhand I recall any 'art deco' paint jobs. As a group, Dario Pegoretti's are the most tastefully creative designs I have seen. This one has a slightly art deco feel to it:

Each to their own and all that, but if ever there was a frame crying out for a respray then that's it right there.

It is tricky to do something on a bike frame, which is already so limiting as a form, that is both different and stylish without being just stupid. I don't have that particular paint scheme (although I like it), but I posted it as an example that came to mind of an art deco-related design. In real life, what in the image looks yellow (at least on my computer) is lime green.
As you say, to each their own.

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

flemke said:

TyrannosauRoss Lex said:

RE custom paint jobs Fat Creations do some amazing work

https://fatcreations.com/work/

Their Facebook page has loads more examples and I'm not a fan of their "favourite work" on their website.

https://www.facebook.com/641155069323661/

Good link, thank you. I normally prefer a classic template (or variation thereof), with the critical question being colour choices (and size and location of labels!)

Their work is of a very, very good standard, and they'll do just about anything you want!