So I have been wrestling with this since I go the new LHT. Do I remove the decals for the classic look or do I rock out with the brand recognition? I have nothing against the Surly decals but with this frame and the Brooks B-17 special it might look super classy without them. I need your help. Please comment with your, well, comments.
Here is the LHT with decals in all it's Surly glory.
With some quick photoshopery, here it is sans decals.
What say you dear sweet reader?
PS: Thanks to BikeBlogs.com for the props
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18 comments:
i like it without the decals.
The difference is only subtle but it moves the visual aspect of the bike in the direction of purely aesthetic, rather than brand recognized. I think Surly is awesome, don't get me wrong-duck-dong. I used to race a cross-check. When I did, I must qualify that I added a sticker I made that said, "Yo' Self" to accompany the "Cross Check" decal. These bikes are like that, you can add stickers, take away decals, whatever...
I think the main thing is that the decal tells people what they are supposed to think, as there are certain obvious preconceptions attached to this particular bike. Without decals it simply defines itself by shape, by color, by the way you ride it, and the look on your face as you truck along on these "Long Hauls."
I say no decals.
I agree with dc dirtbag. I roll my LHT without decals (but with the headbadge) and I think the classic lines of the bike and the fine fine paintjob speak for itself. Since removing the decals, I have received many compliments on my bike. And I still get the nod from other Surly riders.
I think Surly is a great company with a great product. One of the nice things they do for their customers is give them the option. If you decide to re-decal it later, you can always buy another decal set for cheap.
I'm torn on the decal thing also. This is my latest LHT as a city bike with major Surly decals removed:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27209537@N00/3498146741/
And this is original LHT as tourer/truck with decals.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27209537@N00/2424385015/
Both LHTs look "the part"!
I also agree that surly is a great company and they make great bikes. I, however, think that their brand logo takes away from the pure beauty of the frame. I opted for the w/o decals option, but I wouldn't be opposed to a more understated, classic font selection, particularly for the LHT. I think the logo is well suited to other bikes in their line, but not the LHT.
If in doubt, scrap (or is it scrape?) the decals. I know you love your bike, as we all do, but it's not as if it's a brand with lots of neat history ... it's a just a Surly. Go clean.
I say go for conspicuous uglification. coat the frame in bedliner and stickers from punk bands and causes that only people that are so enlightened that they live in fear of stiff breezes support.
Leave it on. It's a sticker on a bike. Pffftt, you know? Unless you've got lots of time to kill. In which case, you should probably take it out for a ride.
De-brand it. I like Surly, and the Surly decals are modest. Yet, I am awfully tired of being used as a billboard. When in doubt, go blank.
I also like it without the decals. Any tips on the cheapest way to get a new LHT? JensonUSA has them for 1095. Has anyone found anything better?
Nice LHT! I haven't de-badged mine yet, but I probably will before installing racks. I took all the decals off my steamroller, except the steamroller tag on the top tube. I like the same decal on the LHT and may leave it there, but def. remove them from the downtube, chainstays, and fork.
If you weren't rocking the Brooks saddle, I'd say leave the decals on. I think the combination of the natural saddle color with the olive frame gives a much more classic appearance without the decals however.
I've left my decals on, mainly because of apathy. They seem to be peeling off anyway. The Surly stickers don't really bug me, they are not near as "loud" as other brands. BTW, for those who want a Surly decal in a more "mature" font, get the set for the Pacer. They should have used that font for the LHT as well.
John B.
I left the decals on.
http://www.palmbeachbiketours.com/2009/01/19/the-surly-long-haul-trucker-is-a-peterbilt-not-a-ferrari/
A. I'm lazy.
B. I've had more people comment on and ask about my LHT than any other bike I've owned.
Why not let folks know what you're riding?
Having said that, if they fall off, I won't go to the trouble to add new ones.
I've been contemplating the same decision with my Surly. Luckily the bike seems to have made up it's mind for me! The 'L' has come off the front, so it now reads 'SUR Y'...
Time for the rest to come off methinks.
No decal!
Rick
www.cyclenow.us
Nice ride either way. I left mine on because I didn't care. I do like brand conversation starters. Maybe I'd get into no-brand conversations if I removed them?
"I think the main thing is that the decal tells people what they are supposed to think"
Great comment. For the '86 Ross Mt. Hood I recently aquired ? I'm going to take excellent pictures. I'm going to slowly and carefully heat peel my stickers except for the head badge and the tubing sticker, and try to preserve them on some release liner, (press them in a book I rarely read cover to cover - such as the phone book), and let that pretty chrome frame speak for itself.
That Surly sure looks cool. Either way. That's my home town makes 'em. But, lose the decals... I like what I think about your bike, not a company. Even a good company...
My decals are simply falling off. I emailed Surly and they are graciously sending me a new set, but I think I'll keep these of the future and run decal free.
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