Al Wanta Review

[bikeridah]

The pictures speak 1,000s of words, but I will express my praise of Al's work in my own words.

I decided I wanted some color on my calfee and took the plunge with Al after reading many positive reviews here. Needless to say, I am another very satisfied customer!

We exchanged the project requirements via several emails and I sent in the frame/fork with extra decals ordered from Calfee (btw- Al did offer to print some up for me). Along with the decals I sent a color printout of the design I wanted - Look 595 heritage - and Al nailed it. The lines are clean, clearcoat is perfectly even and the BB, headtube, dropout areas were obviously well taped. I asked Al to leave the carbon showing in lieu of painting black borders as a reminder of its previous nude look, came out better than I'd hoped.

The wait, ~3.5 mos starting last week of December was painful, made less so by the horrific winter here in the tri-state. It finally arrived just in time for my b-day, built it back up last weekend. I won't post the pricing, but will say it was a fraction of JB. For anyone on the fence about Al, just do it. I'm glad I did.

On the the pics!

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i384/wwl202/DSC_0010.jpg (http://s1091.photobucket.com/user/wwl202/media/DSC_0010.jpg.html)
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i384/wwl202/DSC_0012.jpg (http://s1091.photobucket.com/user/wwl202/media/DSC_0012.jpg.html)
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i384/wwl202/DSC_0013.jpg (http://s1091.photobucket.com/user/wwl202/media/DSC_0013.jpg.html)
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i384/wwl202/DSC_0011.jpg (http://s1091.photobucket.com/user/wwl202/media/DSC_0011.jpg.html)

Inspiration
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i384/wwl202/look2concept.jpg (http://s1091.photobucket.com/user/wwl202/media/look2concept.jpg.html)

[pdmtong]

Calfee must have the worst paint on earth - look at it and it chips! So yes to the repaint.

I like it a lot. Especially the nude bands between the mondrian and white. Well done!

FWIW I think I'd like it more with white hoods...the red are nice but at that point it's IMHO a bit distracting from the main show.

[Black Dog]

Wow! That is stunning.

BTW the 595 got its inspiration from this:

http://cdn.velospace.org/files/LOOKBHinault753.jpg

[rccardr]

+100. I have four Wanta respays in the stable, each is magnificent. With another in the queue waiting for its turn.

Plus, Al is a genuinely nice guy.

Recently received a message from him that he is moving to Florida, so it will be June before he is painting again.

[echelon_john]

That's excellent. Very nice work, and another vote in favor of the carbon 'bands.' Nice touch!

[Fishbike]

Thanks for posting that beauty. I always loved the Mondrian bikes. Great concept and execution. Yeah, the carbon bands are a cool touch. Congrats and enjoy!

[KidWok]

Been procrastinating sending in two C-40's in for a respray...time to get off my ass. Thanks for the review.

Tai

[fogrider]

+100. I have four Wanta respays in the stable, each is magnificent. With another in the queue waiting for its turn.

Plus, Al is a genuinely nice guy.

Recently received a message from him that he is moving to Florida, so it will be June before he is painting again.

Good to know!

That's a very nice design with the paint scheme! And it looks like Al did a great job for you! He resprayed my beloved Ron Cooper and got it back about a month ago... https://www.flickr.com/photos/72776081@N03/sets/72157635239066004/

[roguedog]

Wow. Thanks for the review. Didn't know he'd work with carbon. Have only heard about and seen pix of his repaints on metal bikes. Have always heard great things about his work.

Bummer to hear he's moving though since he's on the same coast as me currently.

[bobswire]

+100. I have four Wanta respays in the stable, each is magnificent. With another in the queue waiting for its turn.

Plus, Al is a genuinely nice guy.

Recently received a message from him that he is moving to Florida, so it will be June before he is painting again.

Moving to Florida, he's in heaven now (Carlsbad CA) with an abundance of great riding. Florida where the only climbing available are speed bumps, Why Alan , Why?

[Ahneida Ride]

very Nice Work ! :banana:


http://www.wantaframes.com/publishImages/firstpage~~element509.jpg

[tv_vt]

That Look is actually a 695 fwiw.

Great results! Amazing how much new paint can change a bike.

But - did the new colors make any jerseys or jackets obsolete? :confused:

My wife kids me that I match the bike I ride to the color of the jersey I'm wearing that day (yes, first world problem...)

[BryanE]

Love the Mondrian paint scheme.
Two thumbs up.

[wallymann]

only change i would have made is to give the "calfee" logo a little more contrast so it'd pop, but that's nothing...it's a wonderful-wonderful respray!

3 wanta jobs here...multiple-thumbs-up ratings!!!

http://theindecisivemoment.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/mondrian-car1.jpg

[AWANTA]

:)
Thanks for all the great reviews !!!!!!!!! Very much appreciated.
Yes its true.....We`re making the move to Florida, there`s a lot we`ll miss about CA, but its time for a change.......one thing that wont change is that I`ll still be doing my thing........making frames and of course hopefully keeping you guys happy with resprays.
You`ll know the address when I do !
Many thanks to you all.
:beer:

[bikeridah]

:)
Thanks for all the great reviews !!!!!!!!! Very much appreciated.
Yes its true.....We`re making the move to Florida, there`s a lot we`ll miss about CA, but its time for a change.......one thing that wont change is that I`ll still be doing my thing........making frames and of course hopefully keeping you guys happy with resprays.
You`ll know the address when I do !
Many thanks to you all.
:beer:

Al, best of luck on the move. Thanks again for the great work, absolutely love it.
~BR

[DukeHorn]

Oh no!! I was hoping to drive by on my way to San Diego and drop off a Landshark frame for a repaint later this year.....

Good luck with the move.

[krhea]

:)
Thanks for all the great reviews !!!!!!!!! Very much appreciated.
Yes its true.....We`re making the move to Florida, there`s a lot we`ll miss about CA, but its time for a change.......one thing that wont change is that I`ll still be doing my thing........making frames and of course hopefully keeping you guys happy with resprays.
You`ll know the address when I do !
Many thanks to you all.
:beer:

All the best on the move Al. The west coast will miss you my friend. Please let me and everyone know where you "land"...I have a couple frames that need your skillz.

KRhea