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

[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.