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How to improve frame appearance

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  • July 6, 2017 at 6:40 pm #27328
    JonPLC

    Hi there,

    Just looking for any possible ways to make this frame look a bit less like a garden gate, ideally by reducing (or reducing the appearance of) the exceptionally long head tube (22cm). Since this pic was taken, I’ve removed the spacers. Anyone think it would be possible to lop a centimetre or so off the top and bottom of the headtube itself, or find a lower stack headset?

    Is it even possible to get someone to remove the top tube, cut down the headtube and replace the top tube at closer to horizontal? Would a fatter fork improve the appearance?

    It’s a half decent, hand built Columbus Life frame, cost me about £1,100.00 but I’ve just never liked the appearance of the long headtube much.

    Any suggestions welcome!

    https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4131/35373895100_aaea9643b3_k.jpg

     

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Viewing 7 replies - 16 through 22 (of 22 total)
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  • July 7, 2017 at 7:43 am #896803
    0
    Al__S

    Surely any physical

    Surely any physical alteration should only be done if it improves fit? How’s your position? Would lowering the front end do horrible things to your body?

    July 7, 2017 at 7:32 am #896801
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    Mungecrundle

    A set of riserbars may

    A set of riser bars may distract attention from the massive headtube.

     

     

    July 7, 2017 at 5:56 am #896799
    0
    JonPLC

    I really like the paint idea,

    I really like the paint idea, I hadn’t thought of that at all. I have changed the bar tape (twice) since the pic was taken but it is now..erm…bright pink so perhaps not entirely inconspicuous…

    July 7, 2017 at 5:00 am #896797
    0
    madcarew

    Or, alternatively, a clever

    Or, alternatively, a clever paint job will go a long way to hide it. For instance if seat stays are painted black / dark grey and the tubes a light colour it looks as if the rear stays aren’t there. A friend has a cannondale with a kind of pinstriping on the seat stays that make them look impossible thin, and the down tube has black starting at the top of the down tube gradually widening until it’s the full width of the down dube at the bottom brakcet. All in black and white. It makes the bike look a lot lot lighter and sleeker. A clever paint job on your bike could for sure disguise the tall head tube

     

    If it’s aesthetics you’re after, changing the red handle bar tape will go a long way to taking attention away from the rather ‘heavy’ looking front end.

    July 6, 2017 at 8:54 pm #896795
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    JonPLC

    Hey – thanks for your

    Hey – thanks for your comments…I tend to agree!

    July 6, 2017 at 8:25 pm #896793
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    StraelGuy

    Agree with the above,

    Agree with the above, conservatively you’re probably looking at around £400-450 and upwards for that kind of work. The frame Welshboy linked to looks like an absolute corker (I’ve been looking at it myself).

    July 6, 2017 at 8:11 pm #896791
    0
    Welsh boy

    A good frame builder could

    A good frame builder could cut the head tube down and level the top tube but it would probably cost you about the same price as a new frame.  I would suggest putting your money towards a new frame, one with a horizontal top tube. Lift the nose of your saddle slightly so it is level (might have to drop the seat pin slightly) and move your shifters up on the bars a bit too, both will improve the look of the bike considerably.  Alternatively, enjoy the ride and dont worry about the look.

    http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FRHOCO/holdsworth-competition-frameset

     

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