Bike shop employees' bikes rarely look the way they did when they came out of the box. They are nearly always highly personalized. I suppose the personalization depends on where a particular shop is located, and what type of cycling the staff regularly engage in. At Rapid Transit Cycleshop, in Chicago, our staff tend to be commuters, and their bikes reflect that.
One reason bike shop employees are able to personalize their bikes more than the members of the general public, is that they often have access to bike products that can be obtained at much lower prices, as part of employee purchase plans offered by many vendors.
But lest you think that all bike shop personnel ride glitzy and expensive bikes, spruced up with the latest whistles and bells, have a look at some bikes ridden by employees of Rapid Transit. Today, it's Ronnie's bike.
Ronnie is not sure what the bike was originally, but it may have been a Rock Hopper. With the exception of the main frame, nothing on it is original, not even the fork.
The bike has been painted yellow. Was visibility or availability of free paint the primary motivator -- who knows? It is personalized with lots of stickers that reflect the owner's personality and... ahem... political views.
Since Ronnie does not own a car, the bike is equipped with everything needed for a daily commute: rack and panniers that allow Ronnie to carry daily essentials, as well as a good quality Kryptonite Evolution lock; front and rear lights galore, plus tons of reflective stickers; a rear-view mirror; and an Air-Zound horn, which Ronnie modified by substituting a larger soda bottle for the smaller air canister originally supplied with it.
Ronnie's bike is a quintessential commuting bike. It has the well-worn look of a bike that is ridden daily and everywhere, and reflects the riding style and personality of its owner.
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