I got my first "real" mountain bike in 1999, at that point in my life and for many years after, I didn't care about aesthetics. That is evident by the 2nd bike I bought, arguably one of the ugliest bikes every created: The KHS Witchdoctor
At the time I didn't care because it was a bike that I saw in magazines, came with name brand parts and I got it on clearance for like 50% off.
As I got older aesthetics started to come into play. If the bike looked good I felt like I would want to ride it more. My last 2 new bike purchases weren't solely made on Aesthetics but they played a big role.
When the Spur was released it checked a lot of boxes for what I was looking for in a new frame, but one of the things that put it over the top was amazing it looked. It was Lars Sternberg's bike check video that put it over the top for me, it just looked so good standing still that I ordered it that same day.
The next bike I purchased was a custom hardtail frame from Neuhaus Metalworks. I had wanted to buy a custom "boutique" hardtail from for a few years. There were plenty of great frames/builders I looked at but when I found the Neuhaus Hummingbird it sealed the deal. I just loved the simplicity and classic lines of the frame. There were a couple of other frames I considered that had nearly identical geometry to the Hummingbird but they had kinked top tubes or other odd aesthetic details. Nick Neuhaus was also willing to do a couple custom things for me, and I was allowed to pick a color from about 1740309 choices. This is what I ended up with:
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but everytime I walk into my garage and see this bike I want to ride it! Which, psychologically, helps me justify it's cost. It also rides like a dream, so that helps too.
I got my first "real" mountain bike in 1999, at that point in my life and for many years after, I didn't care about aesthetics. That...
I got my first "real" mountain bike in 1999, at that point in my life and for many years after, I didn't care about aesthetics. That is evident by the 2nd bike I bought, arguably one of the ugliest bikes every created: The KHS Witchdoctor
At the time I didn't care because it was a bike that I saw in magazines, came with name brand parts and I got it on clearance for like 50% off.
As I got older aesthetics started to come into play. If the bike looked good I felt like I would want to ride it more. My last 2 new bike purchases weren't solely made on Aesthetics but they played a big role.
When the Spur was released it checked a lot of boxes for what I was looking for in a new frame, but one of the things that put it over the top was amazing it looked. It was Lars Sternberg's bike check video that put it over the top for me, it just looked so good standing still that I ordered it that same day.
The next bike I purchased was a custom hardtail frame from Neuhaus Metalworks. I had wanted to buy a custom "boutique" hardtail from for a few years. There were plenty of great frames/builders I looked at but when I found the Neuhaus Hummingbird it sealed the deal. I just loved the simplicity and classic lines of the frame. There were a couple of other frames I considered that had nearly identical geometry to the Hummingbird but they had kinked top tubes or other odd aesthetic details. Nick Neuhaus was also willing to do a couple custom things for me, and I was allowed to pick a color from about 1740309 choices. This is what I ended up with:
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but everytime I walk into my garage and see this bike I want to ride it! Which, psychologically, helps me justify it's cost. It also rides like a dream, so that helps too.
"...arguably one of the ugliest bikes every created: The KHS Witchdoctor..."
absolutely no argument here. That was real? and the internet was invented already, as evidenced by "maxxis.com" on the tires?
witchdoctor getting sued for malpractice dude...bad juju...look at that thing!!!
as for this yellow retro bike you have now: gumwall tires piss me off because I know they perform worse, which makes their pleasing look actually disgusting. Ew!
The first 29er I rode for any length of time was one of those Nail'd Its by Marin and it just rolled so fast I became numb to the insectoid vibe, so much so that I think that Ibis ebike with the swingarm and integrated lights is cool. Double ew.
That Lapierre eeb looks like a gun from Halo. Which is fine, as that's pretty mountain bike. Nissan truck with the fake rivets molded into the fenders. Cornball shit. Sony Sports Walkman meets cargo shorts guy. By the way: your Tacoma with all the shit strapped to it is the cargo shorts of vehicles. And have you seen the actual backpacks for your truck? What on earth are you doing dude.
Top tube lining up with the seat stay is objectively more aesthetically pleasing than swoops and bends, and we need to watch out on the steep seat tubes clashing with the raked out front ends...they've started getting too far apart (for "climbing's" sake?) and it's getting uncomfortable. NOt full on uggo yet but it's right on the cliff into uncanny valley...
Be right back I have to put my chest protector on over my flannel...
I'm pretty lucky. I definitely care about looks, and I feel like my riding is enhanced when I know my bike looks good. Fortunately, bikes which perform well tend to look good to me and there are plenty of options. I'd say I'm performance-minded, but definitely aesthetics-aware.
I think a great example of modern frame anesthetics is the new Gen 2 privateers. I think it looks great, it has everything that "modern mountain bikers" want, external routing, size specific chainstays that are also adjustable, room for a bottle, the right reach numbers, high stack, mixed wheel compatible, but because of that little bend in the top tube they think it's ugly and it's ruled out for most people. Seriously, when did bends in tubes become ugly? Hydroformed aluminum was what everyone wanted not that long ago.
I think a great example of modern frame anesthetics is the new Gen 2 privateers. I think it looks great, it has everything that "modern mountain...
I think a great example of modern frame anesthetics is the new Gen 2 privateers. I think it looks great, it has everything that "modern mountain bikers" want, external routing, size specific chainstays that are also adjustable, room for a bottle, the right reach numbers, high stack, mixed wheel compatible, but because of that little bend in the top tube they think it's ugly and it's ruled out for most people. Seriously, when did bends in tubes become ugly? Hydroformed aluminum was what everyone wanted not that long ago.
That new Privateer looks ok to me. I had a Ripmo AF even though that top tube bend is of the can’t be unseen variety.
Performance first, unless it’s got a million bearings in it like the current Enduro. That got old real quick.
as much as I'd like to admit that I prefer function over fashion.. a quick look back at my quiver tells me I like a good looking bike. As others have stated, hard to find a bad / ugly bike nowadays; but frame silhouette, serviceability and part availability are my priorities, in that order.
That new Privateer looks ok to me. I had a Ripmo AF even though that top tube bend is of the can’t be unseen variety.
Performance...
That new Privateer looks ok to me. I had a Ripmo AF even though that top tube bend is of the can’t be unseen variety.
Performance first, unless it’s got a million bearings in it like the current Enduro. That got old real quick.
Haha, the Ripmo AF looks good to me! I love the way Ibis bikes used to look, especially the mojo. The HD6 doesn't do it for me like the Mojo HD 3-5 did, love the ways those look and ride.
How much? A lot. Got ride a '20 Wolf Ridge. Damn thing pedaled and descended really, really, really well. But look at it. Personally I couldn't get past the aesthetics, lack of water bottle mount be damned.
How much? A lot. Got ride a '20 Wolf Ridge. Damn thing pedaled and descended really, really, really well. But look at it. Personally I couldn't...
How much? A lot. Got ride a '20 Wolf Ridge. Damn thing pedaled and descended really, really, really well. But look at it. Personally I couldn't get past the aesthetics, lack of water bottle mount be damned.
I like to think aesthetics don't matter much to me, but in the back of my mind when I filled out the survey was exactly this bike.
Style: Frames can complement your facial features and overall style. hair tie
Comfort: The right frame shape and material can be more comfortable to wear.
Functionality: Some frames might offer features like blue light filtering or better protection for sports activities.
I got my first "real" mountain bike in 1999, at that point in my life and for many years after, I didn't care about aesthetics. That is evident by the 2nd bike I bought, arguably one of the ugliest bikes every created: The KHS Witchdoctor
At the time I didn't care because it was a bike that I saw in magazines, came with name brand parts and I got it on clearance for like 50% off.
As I got older aesthetics started to come into play. If the bike looked good I felt like I would want to ride it more. My last 2 new bike purchases weren't solely made on Aesthetics but they played a big role.
When the Spur was released it checked a lot of boxes for what I was looking for in a new frame, but one of the things that put it over the top was amazing it looked. It was Lars Sternberg's bike check video that put it over the top for me, it just looked so good standing still that I ordered it that same day.
The next bike I purchased was a custom hardtail frame from Neuhaus Metalworks. I had wanted to buy a custom "boutique" hardtail from for a few years. There were plenty of great frames/builders I looked at but when I found the Neuhaus Hummingbird it sealed the deal. I just loved the simplicity and classic lines of the frame. There were a couple of other frames I considered that had nearly identical geometry to the Hummingbird but they had kinked top tubes or other odd aesthetic details. Nick Neuhaus was also willing to do a couple custom things for me, and I was allowed to pick a color from about 1740309 choices. This is what I ended up with:
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but everytime I walk into my garage and see this bike I want to ride it! Which, psychologically, helps me justify it's cost. It also rides like a dream, so that helps too.
"...arguably one of the ugliest bikes every created: The KHS Witchdoctor..."
absolutely no argument here. That was real? and the internet was invented already, as evidenced by "maxxis.com" on the tires?
witchdoctor getting sued for malpractice dude...bad juju...look at that thing!!!
as for this yellow retro bike you have now: gumwall tires piss me off because I know they perform worse, which makes their pleasing look actually disgusting. Ew!
The first 29er I rode for any length of time was one of those Nail'd Its by Marin and it just rolled so fast I became numb to the insectoid vibe, so much so that I think that Ibis ebike with the swingarm and integrated lights is cool. Double ew.
That Lapierre eeb looks like a gun from Halo. Which is fine, as that's pretty mountain bike. Nissan truck with the fake rivets molded into the fenders. Cornball shit. Sony Sports Walkman meets cargo shorts guy. By the way: your Tacoma with all the shit strapped to it is the cargo shorts of vehicles. And have you seen the actual backpacks for your truck? What on earth are you doing dude.
Top tube lining up with the seat stay is objectively more aesthetically pleasing than swoops and bends, and we need to watch out on the steep seat tubes clashing with the raked out front ends...they've started getting too far apart (for "climbing's" sake?) and it's getting uncomfortable. NOt full on uggo yet but it's right on the cliff into uncanny valley...
Be right back I have to put my chest protector on over my flannel...
I'm pretty lucky. I definitely care about looks, and I feel like my riding is enhanced when I know my bike looks good. Fortunately, bikes which perform well tend to look good to me and there are plenty of options. I'd say I'm performance-minded, but definitely aesthetics-aware.
I think a great example of modern frame anesthetics is the new Gen 2 privateers. I think it looks great, it has everything that "modern mountain bikers" want, external routing, size specific chainstays that are also adjustable, room for a bottle, the right reach numbers, high stack, mixed wheel compatible, but because of that little bend in the top tube they think it's ugly and it's ruled out for most people. Seriously, when did bends in tubes become ugly? Hydroformed aluminum was what everyone wanted not that long ago.
That new Privateer looks ok to me. I had a Ripmo AF even though that top tube bend is of the can’t be unseen variety.
Performance first, unless it’s got a million bearings in it like the current Enduro. That got old real quick.
as much as I'd like to admit that I prefer function over fashion.. a quick look back at my quiver tells me I like a good looking bike. As others have stated, hard to find a bad / ugly bike nowadays; but frame silhouette, serviceability and part availability are my priorities, in that order.
+1 for look good, feel good, ride good 🤷♂️
Haha, the Ripmo AF looks good to me! I love the way Ibis bikes used to look, especially the mojo. The HD6 doesn't do it for me like the Mojo HD 3-5 did, love the ways those look and ride.
How much? A lot. Got ride a '20 Wolf Ridge. Damn thing pedaled and descended really, really, really well. But look at it. Personally I couldn't get past the aesthetics, lack of water bottle mount be damned.
I like to think aesthetics don't matter much to me, but in the back of my mind when I filled out the survey was exactly this bike.
Style: Frames can complement your facial features and overall style. hair tie
Comfort: The right frame shape and material can be more comfortable to wear.
Functionality: Some frames might offer features like blue light filtering or better protection for sports activities.
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