Feeling conflicted :( (ugly gravel bike content)

[fmradio516]

So I recently picked up a slightly used Raleigh Willard 3 for really cheap. It is very ugly and worst of all, says "Raleigh" on the downtube. BUT its got decent parts on it (Praxis cranks, SRAM 1x11, carbon fork)

I have always had italian steel "racing" bikes (currently a columbus max frame) w/Campy 10 and 25mm tires as thats as big as I can go. I have always struggled with neck pain on rides longer than 15 miles or so. Keep in mind, I really only go on leisure rides by myself on the road. No gravel for me.

After taking this Raleigh out for almost 30 miles, im digging the more modern build. I have no pain whatsoever(prob due to the shorter top tube) and the big 32c tires on it feel nice, though slightly slower than what im used to. Theyre Armadillo tires; no bueno right?

Anyway, after riding this, I really just want to sell all my old steel bikes and keep this. Problem is its so ugly. Was thinking of:

a) buying another thru axle frame(maybe steel?) and transferring the parts to it.

b) just saying f it and leave it screaming yellow as it is. Leaning more towards this

c) Does anyone vinyl wrap bikes?

I have the 60CM frame

https://i.imgur.com/wZB9PHJ.png

https://i.imgur.com/nKEcnq6.jpg

[AngryScientist]

of course, beauty is in the eye of the beer-holder, but i personally think that's a nice looking bike just as it is. I dig the color, and Raleigh had some off years, but the real modern stuff looks to be well thought out, designed and executed, so i'd have no issues with the name itself.

so my vote is to keep it as-is!

[Clean39T]

I'd put some Compass 32s or 35s on there, setup tubeless, to get you rolling faster on smooth ground. And then if the "Raleigh" really bothers you, wrap that part of the frame in reflective 3M tape and maybe do equal amounts on the seat-tube. That'll help with riding at dusk and being seen. Personally, I don't think the Raleigh looks bad. They are a good company, just not targeting the high-end market as much anymore. They do a lot for the mid-market, are based up in Seattle, etc. Somewhere down the road if you want something similar, but faster, just do a full upgrade and keep this one for wet-weather or grocery getting.

[Big Dan]

Nice bike.
Ride the crap out of it and you can decide any upgrades.

[cmbicycles]

I'd just ride it as is, at least til you know you like it and are past the new bike novelty period, get some decent miles in on it first. Then, if it still feels as good as you first thought, you can either strip the parts and plasti-dip (or maybe some other peel off paint) another color to see how you like it... or find something else with similar geometry that you like the aesthetic. Glad that fit-wise it seems to work well for you, I kind of like the color.

[kppolich]

Nice bike, there are far worse looking bikes out there.

Ride it and keep it stock so it's easy to sell when you are ready to upgrade. Make notes of the things you like and they areas you want improved in the future.

Fit (should be #1)
Appearance (obviously important to you)
Brakes (mechanical vs hydro)
Wheels (Tubeless? Through Axle?)
Components (did you like 1x?)

Vinyl wrap is cheap and easy. I would recommend maybe just wrapping a solid panel around the 'Raleigh' to make it match the fork and seat tube graphic.

[tv_vt]

Tape off a few panels or stripes to keep a bit of yellow and then spray paint the heck out of it with matte black or whatever.

Or do a Pollock to it, or release your inner Basquiat. ;) It's your bike.

[cmg]

strip it down, take it to a local auto body repair shop have them re-spray another color, everything except the Raleigh name on down tube. the bike fits you, pain is gone, can ride more than 15 miles, respray and keep it.

[pbarry]

That's better than my Charge frame, which is an exact match for 1970's Crayola "flesh" color. Beige with a heavy hint of PINK! That Raleigh green is great for being seen. :)

[unterhausen]

sad thing is, it didn't have to be that ugly

[SlowPokePete]

I like it.

Cover the Raleigh sticker with a HUFFY one if it bothers you that much :)

SPP

[Sparshall]

PlastiDip is the way to go!

I’ve used plastidip on carbon forks before and just finished up a full steel mini velo. It’s very easy and if it looks bad, just peel right off.

I actually like the yellow and certainly don’t mind Raleigh. Enjoy the ride!

[choke]

I don't think it looks any worse than pretty much any other mass produced frame......and a lot better than a good percentage of the same.

[sandyrs]

Just ride the bike.

[weisan]

Judging by the looks of it, I would never have associated the word "ugly" with your bike. I must be getting old....

Now I am really curious...when you say "really cheap"...how cheap? 100 bucks? I will give you 200. :D

[Plum Hill]

b)
Sounds like you’ll be doing longer rides since you like the fit. Take the money you might spend on beautification and use it to buy a new pair of bibs/shorts. Treat your tush.

[jr59]

Put a set of better tires on it and ride it like you stole it. It fits and you can ride without pain, better tires and smiles and miles.

[fmradio516]

Judging by the looks of it, I would never have associated the word "ugly" with your bike. I must be getting old....

Now I am really curious...when you say "really cheap"...how cheap? 100 bucks? I will give you 200. :D

I paid $350.

Thanks for the input everybody. I'll just ride it and worst case, Ill plasti dip it!

[fmradio516]

Put a set of better tires on it and ride it like you stole it. It fits and you can ride without pain, better tires and smiles and miles.

Would Pasela's be a good fit for this ride? I have an extra set of 32's.

[jr59]

Would Pasela's be a good fit for this ride? I have an extra set of 32's.

If you already have them, try them and then you will know. Compass seems to be the flavor of the month these days, Schwalbe ones as well, but like I said. If you already have a set, try them first

[Fixed]

High visibility may be a pulse on the road

[JAGI410]

I think it's a decent looking bike. I prefer the minimalist branding compared to many other brands.

That said, if you really don't like it, this is a perfect excuse for Squid Bike Paint!
https://us.spray.bike/

[Spdntrxi]

it's a 60....

you are already at a huge disadvantage looks wise. No one will notice the mfg.

[David Tollefson]

Get it dirty. Then it will be beautiful.

[cmbicycles]

it's a 60....

you are already at a huge disadvantage looks wise. No one will notice the mfg.
It's only when bikes get to be 60-63 that they start to look "right". Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the vertically gifted among us prefer the view from up here. ;) [emoji14]

[charliedid]

Solid bike.

Lose the HED decals on the wheels and replace the saddle and tape with white.

Might work to soften it a bit.

Ride bike.

[MagicHour]

I like the color, you should leave it. (For transparency I ride a similarly colored frame).

[jambee]

That's a great looking bike!

[weisan]

I paid $350.

Thanks for the input everybody. I'll just ride it and worst case, Ill plasti dip it!

The complete bike???!! That's a steal.

Look on the bright side, your bike is high-viz.

[alancw3]

The complete bike???!! That's a steal.

Look on the bright side, your bike is high-viz.

i'll say! if you run across another one in a 62cm for that price let me know. the raleigh name on the bike doesn't bother me at all!

[fmradio516]

The complete bike???!! That's a steal.

Look on the bright side, your bike is high-viz.

Yep! I thought so too. :)

[shortwaveradio]

It sounds like you've decided to keep it as is for now, which I think is a good call. I think some skinwalls could go a long way to improving aesthetics and ride quality.

[KidWok]

Funny you should mention your Italian racing bikes not getting ridden. Rainy season just kicked back up in Seattle and I was looking in my garage and realizing that my De Rosa and Colnago didn't get taken out once this summer. Rode my Davidson and Lemond a few times. Definitely spent most of the summer on my touring bike on bike-camping trips with my partner. I always seem to grab my all-arounder when I go out for a ride by myself...powder coated Gunnar Crosshairs with a nice build and 32mm tires. It's funny how the mind thinks a bike is so wonderful, but the body just knows what it wants.

I'd say ride the snot outta this bike and then take some mental notes of what makes it wonderful before going and getting a similar custom bike built. We only get older and that means HT's get longer and/or TT's get shorter, so maybe put an extra cm on that HT and use it with a -17 degree stem on it at first.

That old Italian racing bike...hang it up to remember younger days, sell it to someone who will appreciate it, and/or get something similar that fits you better!

Tai

[93KgBike]

I paid $350.

Thanks for the input everybody. I'll just ride it and worst case, Ill plasti dip it!
:eek: That doesn't sound "like a steal", it sounds actually stolen. The original owner is probably still shedding tears over that beautiful bike. :p

And the worst part is Raleigh written on the downtube????? How is Raleigh not cool?

I guess you could put a Cervelo sticker over it, since they are owned by the same company that owns Cervelo; is Cervelo not turtley enough for your turtle club? jk

The fact that you feel great on it will eventually change the way you perceive its looks, hopefully.

[batman1425]

It's aluminum right? Bead blast and powdercoat a spectrum color of your choice. Will cost a few hundred bucks but it'll be any color you want and more durable than any paint finish. Rattlecan the fork with a pre-mixed can of automotive paint (color of your choice) from your local body shop. It'll be more than you paid for it, but it'll look like whatever you want.

Alternatively - send it to cyclocarbon for a repaint. Does top tier work for a very fair price, especially if you want something simple, like a solid color.

[trener1]

I gotta say, I think the bike looks great.
I love the underrated Raleigh graphics on the down tube, compared to my Cannondale that looks like it's made for Nascar.
While Raleigh may not be super fancy, I think they make nice bikes, they sponsored a high lever Cyclocross team like 2-3 years ago.

[fmradio516]

:eek: That doesn't sound "like a steal", it sounds actually stolen. The original owner is probably still shedding tears over that beautiful bike. :p

And the worst part is Raleigh written on the downtube????? How is Raleigh not cool?

I guess you could put a Cervelo sticker over it, since they are owned by the same company that owns Cervelo; is Cervelo not turtley enough for your turtle club? jk

The fact that you feel great on it will eventually change the way you perceive its looks, hopefully.

It was definitely not stolen. Had to drive 40 mins to the burbs. It was an older guy who drove a prius. I even asked him to send me the reciept, in case I ever needed warranty work for the frame or something. I got the receipt and he bought it directly from Raleigh.

And yeah I guess it is a nice looking frame esp with the thru-axles. Im just used to riding old italian steel bikes..

[d_douglas]

I am reviving this thread as I am curious about buying a super cheap 58cm frame like this one, if I can find one used. How are you liking it? Is it still a fun bike? Have you tried 650b and if so, how wide could the tires get?

I still like that colour!