Here are a couple of new photos that more accurately show the color of the leather used in our city bike grips, bar covers, toe clip leathers, leather bar tape, and chain stay protectors. We are often asked to describe the colors and offer opinions about whether they match various saddles or frame colors. Hope this helps. Of course leather is a natural material, so the color varies a bit from hide to hide and the display varies from monitor to monitor.
Generally the espresso (brown) is a good match for VO and Brooks brown saddles. The macchiatto (tan) is a little lighter than Brooks honey. And black is, well, black.
And the mudflaps:
So is the light brown macchiato or espresso?
ReplyDeleteLight brown is macchiato. Macchiato is espresso "stained" with milk.
ReplyDeleteThanks! that really clarifies a Latte.
ReplyDeletei will never understand the need to cover so much of a bicycle's surface with leather. if you must ride flesh, why not ride a horse?
ReplyDeleteCuz you cain't pedal a horse
ReplyDeleteWhat would match the ideale saddle on my dads bike? it's been on the side of the house for years, so the brown is not really the same as it was when he got it new in the 60's.
ReplyDeleteIf I took a picture and mailed you the photo can you match it?
Also- I see the mudflaps dont really match the chainstay protectors. Can you dye them to match?
Why not indeed...
ReplyDeletehttp://arkitipintel.com/2009/03/20/jacques-ferrand-leather-bike/
awg
to anon re leather bike: very nice application and amazing workmanship, but - why -? he should be making vintage cycling shoes instead. Those he could sell. I get woozy just thinking about how pretty they would look
ReplyDelete+1 on shoes. I've been searching for years for some that don't look like they're from outer space or made for for tromping after Bigfoot. How about something stylish yet practical and durable? I'd like something that takes SPD cleats, but I'm happy with using toe clips too....
ReplyDeleteI had one of the chain guards on my bike for a while and looked good, at least until it was covered with dirt, road grime and chain lube. I could never figure out a good way to clean it so it looked good, so I went with lacquered twine in it's place.
ReplyDeleteChris, I love the look of the elk-hide bar covers. But I have a question that I am finding hard to phrase, so here it goes; does the elk hide make for a firm covering like the old buffalo hide covers of the past, or does it have kind of a soft (squishy?) shock absorbing quality? If squishy, it it really squishy, like foam, or just a little like cork? I know this is subjective and hard to convey in writing, but any info would help!
ReplyDeleteThanks, -Tony
I think my leather bar covers feel like a softer and thinner cork tape. The absorb vibration and are pretty firm, not mushy.
ReplyDeleteAnons 6:24 and 8:19 -- you want stylish vintage-look cycling shoes with the ability to take modern cleats (or traditional slotted cleats)? Look no further than Dromarti/Marresi:
ReplyDeletehttp://italiancyclingjournal.
blogspot.com/2009/03/retro-italian-leather-cycling-shoes.html
Thank you GhostRider (from a different anonymous). Just what I've been looking for!
ReplyDeleteI'm interested in getting one of these mudflaps, but I'm worried that it will become discolored by salt. Does anyone know if this is a problem?
ReplyDelete