Removing wheel decals- good idea?

[kevinvc]

I recently bought a plain titanium bike that came with a set of Mavic Cosmic Elite wheels. I am perfectly happy with the wheels and have no intention of replacing them anytime soon, but may decide to do so sometime in the future. However, I hate the red and yellow stickers on them. I really like maintaining a plain silver and black aesthetic (except for a colored headset cap).

If I remove the stickers, do I decrease the value of the wheels if I ever decide to sell them? Will I make it impossible to prove their make and model? Should I just not worry about it, peel off the stickers and help my beautiful bike not look so tawdry?

[malcolm]

I usually always remove them. I don't know the effect on value, but most companies have replacement decals avail. just get a set and replace them should you decide to sell.

[eddief]

will want the bling, some won't. Look at all of us who proudly display our stickers...and want Enve to tone it down. Carpe diem.

[Ralph]

If you think you might sell them some time in future, I suggest you leave them on. I think it makes them more valuable with all stickers on.

[Vinci]

I was in the same boat with some Sram S60's and my de-decal'd Litespeed.

I took the decals off the wheels and they look 100% better.

Usually, replacement decals are available, so if you have to sell them later and someone just has to have the decals, it's not a deal-breaker.

[Fishbike]

I am usually grateful when the prior owner does the de-stickering for me.

[syxxl]

My suggestion is just remove it because you are the one actually riding it now.

[redir]

I am usually grateful when the prior owner does the de-stickering for me.

Me too! The deep carbon wheels are a bigger canvas for graphic artists to play ugly on.

[tumbler]

My suggestion is just remove it because you are the one actually riding it now.

I like this suggestion. If you have no immediate plans to sell or trade, take them off and enjoy the stealth look while you have them. The effect on your resale value years from now is unknown, but probably not all that significant.

[kevinvc]

Thanks for the feedback, I think I'll take them off and go for the nekkid look. Is acetone ok to use for any residue?

While I'm taking the wheel decals off, I'm trying to get a new set of decals for the bike itself. The guy I bought it from pulled off the ones from the downtube and the one on the seat tube is pretty ragged. DeSalvo has a really nice script that I think will look pretty classy.

[Mayday328]

Peel them. Goo-Gone also works well for residue.

[tumbler]

Goo Gone works like a charm. A handle product to keep around in general.

[weaponsgrade]

I used acetone on my carbon rims and it worked great.

[dustyrider]

I pulled some stickers of a used set of wheels recently. I didn't remove the goo yet, and I like the dirt decal look for now...
I've removed stickers before and never had a resale problem.

[berserk87]

I was in the same boat with some Sram S60's and my de-decal'd Litespeed.

I took the decals off the wheels and they look 100% better.

Usually, replacement decals are available, so if you have to sell them later and someone just has to have the decals, it's not a deal-breaker.

Yes - take 'em off and snag some replacement decals if you are worried about resale value - if you ever resell them.

[rwsaunders]

If they bother you, take them off. If they were a set of Lightweights or something of that caliber, perhaps the resale would be an issue.

[pzung]

Peel them off and enjoy the ride! This is what I do to my wheels.

I recently bought a plain titanium bike that came with a set of Mavic Cosmic Elite wheels. I am perfectly happy with the wheels and have no intention of replacing them anytime soon, but may decide to do so sometime in the future. However, I hate the red and yellow stickers on them. I really like maintaining a plain silver and black aesthetic (except for a colored headset cap).

If I remove the stickers, do I decrease the value of the wheels if I ever decide to sell them? Will I make it impossible to prove their make and model? Should I just not worry about it, peel off the stickers and help my beautiful bike not look so tawdry?

[Beldar77]

I am probably going to remove the stickers on the wheels I just got with my new bike. Standing still they look overpowering. But I have to say that sometimes when the wheels are spinning the white blur kind of has a cool effect. Probably not the safest idea to look at my own while riding though :no:

[shovelhd]

If the layout works, leave one.

[Dromen]

Removing the graphics from my Mavic Ksyriums Anniversary turned them to my sexiest wheelset. They sit in a closet but i still think they are sexy.

See post #3 here.
http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=116973&highlight=mavic+ksyrium

[mudhead]

I have a set of Cosmic Elites and in my case I de-stickered the front wheel while the rear rim was replaced and I have not removed the decals yet. IMHO the stealth works for me. I'll get to the rear during the winter. I had good luck with a heat gun and goo gone.


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[kevinvc]

Oh yeah!
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/529x397q90/540/xFaKMj.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/529x397q90/746/PfhXEq.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/529x397q90/537/oa3ojA.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/529x397q90/661/7yF9eo.jpg

[JAGI410]

^^ that looks much better! This thread inspired me to do the same, well worth the time spent!

[Dromen]

Time to sell your decal co stock. 100% improvement on silver frame and al black accented bike.