Worn and beautiful VS nice and shiny

I am a designer and in my day job we design stuff. One of the question I constantly ask myself is how perfectly "clone like" products have become. I mean... It's the usual.... everything's new... it's sleek and clean. The smell of new paint, shiny and glossy It's perfect! Like this bike in the picture below. That also happens to be my friend's dream bike at the moment. Cervelo P3. That damm thing just looks like it's about to take off!  Darren, you know you want it haha....

Really slick and sexy.... Cervelo P3  photo credits by http://www.freshbikescycling.com

I know it moves his mojo and I think many.
But it does not for me. I like the worn in look. Like a part of nice worn in jeans. The feeling that a something has been used, not abused. Worn in by the passage of time and constant use. It just honest.  
Somehow, I also noted that steel and aluminium materials tend to wear well.  Check out my New old bike....  It's cheap hi-ten (maybe chromo.. I dun know)  frame and its almost 20 years old. I still love to ride it.  
Modern plastics, esp when painted to look like metal. Really look like crap when it's scratched. It just feels cheap. It feels disposable. 
Looking at the success of Brooks leather saddle and how the company is milking its English heritage. It turns out new products based on design eons ago... but subtly improving the functionality and retaining the original intents and materials.  
Could there be a similar and latent need for more "retro looking"components.Could there be a combination of steel metal components that derives inspiration from the older iconic accessories. Like the Shimano 600 arabesque re-issue with modern parts reliability? I know that will surely move my mojo!
So what will move urs? 

image taken from internet

internet image of old shimano 600

Mojo definition:
Taken from Austin powers show. The stuff that gets u going all excited and inspired! ...haha 

Keens Sandals review after 4 years of use

This is my 4+ year old Keen Sandal

I first knew this brand Keen in a very funny way back 4-5 years ago. My army sandals broke as I was walking around the shopping centre. Just outside World of Sport Kovan. So I went in to get a pair of Keens Newport H2 sandals. It felt instantly comfy when I wore it. Very expensive purchase for me then... but trust me. Its damm good . They became my choice for cycling since then.
Here's one online reviewer that shows the full gammut of review

Mud or rain.. its all cool. ...........

@ green corridor 

Old compared with the new Sandal

My artistic sewing... at least I tried.. 

This is how it looked 4 years later. I glued and stitched it as the straps and sole came out a few time. With DIY, I was able to extend it for much much longer.  Uncle KC told me, better way is to use fishing line,heavy duty needle(Beach road market) and a pair of  pilers to muscle it thru.
Yesterday,  I got another pair of Keens as there was a big 50% discount at World of Sport. Only for the display items.  Not my fav color but hey... its 50%.  Go get them, they are good!

Best of all... u also get a free "tatoo" that says u are a Keen guy/gal! :)

cool tatoo. Photo credits  Lim Kee tiong @ LCSG FB