General Cycling Discussion - white bike... bad idea?

Back in december i got my first road bike, a Scott Speedster S30 (http://www.scottusa.com/us_en/product/70/779/speedster_s30) which I thought i had been taking care of really well, based on what others in my riding group have told me and what I've read. However, recently I noticed that along both sides of the top tube the white paint is looking yellow. :( This upsets me since its only been 4 months and on looking closer it seems like the top layer of varnish or polish is thinner there compared to other parts of the frame.

My question is whether this is just what happens when you get a white bike or whether it is something i should be taking up with scott to get a replacement?

Your advice or experience is appreciated!

did you wash it at all?
what cleaners did you use?

do your knees rub the top tube?

I noticed that along both sides of the top tube the white paint is looking yellow.

Just because the pros pee while riding does not mean you have to.

OK, I'll actually try to answer your question. My first decent bike -- we're talking late 1970s -- was a white Peugot. No discoloration problems. I like white bikes -- understated, uncommon. I don't know if you used some sort of weird cleaning product, but a trip to the shop is in order, ASAP.

did you wash it at all?
what cleaners did you use?

do your knees rub the top tube?

Yes i did wash it but only with soap and water, nothing i would think is harsh.

And i think the only time i rub the top tube is when i stop and have to take one leg off the pedals.

Hey... it looks used.
Assuming all mechanicals are in working order, I'd think that would be a good thing.

i hope a white bike isn't a bad idea... just ordered my SC Chameleon in white!

I'm planning that my next winter commuter is going to be white, since I don't have to worry about snow and blending in with the background on those dark morning/evening commutes. I think a white bike is not a bad idea, at least it's better idea than my current dark colored winter bike I have now.

Pics or it's not really happening.

My wife's old ('97) Trek hybrid is Pearl White. It hangs in the garage, which gets a lot of sunlight, all summer and is usually ridden only on sunny days. The only thing that has "yellowed" is the clear protective strip on the chainstay.

I'd guess what your paint is doing is not normal.

white bikes are sexy

White bikes are amazing.

had a white flandria road bike for about 20 yrs. never showed yellow.

I have a white Bowery. No discoloration - but I haven't had it long.

Might be worth taking into the shop where you got it from and seeing what their opinion is.

Thanks everybody!... i'm gonna take it in to the store tomorrow. (after my ride)

Just thought i'd update the thread in case anybody else has this problem... Scott has agreed to replace the frame due to the discoloration.

It isn't as obvious in the picture but you get the idea...
http://i32.tinypic.com/2v2f48l.jpg

Oh wow... what'd you do, have a dog leave it's mark?

they'r replacing the frame because of a discoloration? that's kinda excessive. i've got a yellow mark on my bike there too.

Skid marks

Still white after 34 years.

http://inlinethumb03.webshots.com/40130/2255464170068014369S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2255464170068014369gLcpFs)

they'r replacing the frame because of a discoloration? that's kinda excessive. i've got a yellow mark on my bike there too.

That looks like a crummy painting job to me. Tubeing isn't the easiest thing to paint because you have to be careful to spray all four sides of the tube. It looks to me like they might have missed.

Warranty replacements are for manufacturing defects in materials or workmanship. That's what it looks like to me so I'd say the frame replacement is appropriate.

What about green bikes? ;)

I like my green bike.

I love my green bikes but my white ones go faster... :D

I love my green bikes but my white ones go faster... :D

If I paint my green bike white, will it make it go faster? :innocent:

My green bike...

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/Superbe2008side.jpg

My white bike... is still white after 35 years.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/rigida7.JPG

My green bike...

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/Superbe2008side.jpg

My white bike... is still white after 35 years.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/rigida7.JPG


I'm thinking that your white bike is faster. Your green bike has too many doo dads on it.

RG - The "doo dads" make the green bike at least 20 pounds heavier than the white bike.

I think that is a factor too.

white bike... bad idea? YES.