You are probably right, but as I do not have my own paint shop, and in my locality a paint job will cost more than the frame (any good recommendations in Toronto, anyone?) I think I would kick myself for not trying to come to a resolution with Chris.

OR....I could just lean into it.  I recently purchased some vinyl unicorn stickers for my daughter's bike.   Maybe I'll just embrace my purple sparkle bike and let her slap a few stickers on.
What do you think?

As for handlebar flex - is this under load, as in out of the seat sprinting and climbing, or even is low wattage conditions?