** This is a hypothetical exercise only. **
Can you think of any situations in which you could find it acceptable to apply stickers to a frame that represent it as a model other than what it is?
(For purposes of this exercise, assume it's your own bike, and you are not doing a deceptive sale. Further assume that the brand name is accurate, but the model name is not.)
*** UPDATE ***
Okay, I'll bite...I've really enjoyed seeing the responses to my question -- which I knew would spark strong opinions -- and since some of you are wondering what prompts my question, it's actually quite simple:
I'm planning to restore my 1990 Specialized Hard Rock (see link in signature). And I've been corresponding with Gil_M, the decal master, about new stickers...unfortunately, he has informed me that he doesn't have designs for the "Hard Rock" name (to go on the downtube) -- but he does have "Rock Hopper" and "Stumpjumper."
After an exhaustive search for "Hard Rock" decals anywhere else on the web, I cannot find them anywhere, so I briefly entertained the possibility of applying a sticker with one of Gil's other model names ("Stumpjumper" is obviously pretty iconic, for example.)
Mind you, I was never very comfortable with that idea -- not only because I know I have a Hard Rock and not a Stumpjumper, but because I really like my Hard Rock, and I like the fact that it's an entry-level bike. As I noted in my post about the bike, this one is emblematic of my own personal history with mountain biking; this entry-level model was the beginning of my love of the sport. And much like having bronzed baby shoes, I enjoy looking back at where I came from.
At the moment, I don't think I will use any other model name, but that means the challenge of finding decals still remains. I am trying to leave no stone unturned in finding original 1990 "Hard Rock" designs...it's not easy. I've contacted Specialized directly, but I am not very optimistic about getting anything helpful. And I don't see any other retro decal specialists that appear to have what I need.
If I could just get a clean JPEG or a vector image of the original lettering, I think we could make decals based on those...
Any ideas?
And now that you all know the reason for my original question, I'd be curious to know if that changes anyone's response...?
Can you think of any situations in which you could find it acceptable to apply stickers to a frame that represent it as a model other than what it is?
(For purposes of this exercise, assume it's your own bike, and you are not doing a deceptive sale. Further assume that the brand name is accurate, but the model name is not.)
*** UPDATE ***
Okay, I'll bite...I've really enjoyed seeing the responses to my question -- which I knew would spark strong opinions -- and since some of you are wondering what prompts my question, it's actually quite simple:
I'm planning to restore my 1990 Specialized Hard Rock (see link in signature). And I've been corresponding with Gil_M, the decal master, about new stickers...unfortunately, he has informed me that he doesn't have designs for the "Hard Rock" name (to go on the downtube) -- but he does have "Rock Hopper" and "Stumpjumper."
After an exhaustive search for "Hard Rock" decals anywhere else on the web, I cannot find them anywhere, so I briefly entertained the possibility of applying a sticker with one of Gil's other model names ("Stumpjumper" is obviously pretty iconic, for example.)
Mind you, I was never very comfortable with that idea -- not only because I know I have a Hard Rock and not a Stumpjumper, but because I really like my Hard Rock, and I like the fact that it's an entry-level bike. As I noted in my post about the bike, this one is emblematic of my own personal history with mountain biking; this entry-level model was the beginning of my love of the sport. And much like having bronzed baby shoes, I enjoy looking back at where I came from.
At the moment, I don't think I will use any other model name, but that means the challenge of finding decals still remains. I am trying to leave no stone unturned in finding original 1990 "Hard Rock" designs...it's not easy. I've contacted Specialized directly, but I am not very optimistic about getting anything helpful. And I don't see any other retro decal specialists that appear to have what I need.
If I could just get a clean JPEG or a vector image of the original lettering, I think we could make decals based on those...
Any ideas?
And now that you all know the reason for my original question, I'd be curious to know if that changes anyone's response...?
