Hybrid Bicycles - Gloss White Or Matte Black?

I'm new to cycling and have been looking at getting a bike to ride to work. I've tested a few and really like the 2012 Sirrus Sport, so much so that I am considering making an order. But when I order, which color? Gloss white or matte black? Both look great and I am having a hard time making up my mind. What would you choose? Would white be a "safer" color when it comes to road traffic? Which finish would likely be more durable? Either one will likely be outfitted with black accessories (fenders, rack, etc).

From the manufacturer's site:
White:
http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/Specialized/9479?$Display$
Black:
http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/Specialized/9476?$Display$

Thanks for your advice!

s1xty7

I would choose black,just because I like it better . Either colour should have some reflective tape and lights.

I have a 2010 Sirrus Sport in Midnight Blue (I think that was the name). I have found the paint to be very fragile. Now this may be common on aluminum frames, but it has surprised me. So I wouldn't expect either finish to be significantly more durable.

My main ride is white, and it is alot of maintenance to keep clean. But when clean, it looks awesome. All of my cycling shorts are black, and most of my jerseys are dark color, so the white also helps me feel more visible. And black bike with black kit looks too ninja stealth for me.

s1xty7: I was looking at the Sirrus Sport also and test drove it last week. Pretty nice. I suggest the Gloss White, just looks so CLEAN =)

Offtopic:
Was wondering if you test rode the Trek 7.x FX during your comparisons?
I was trying to decide between 7.4 or 7.4, and the Sirrus Sport (in white of course), and I found a 2011 7.3 FX in silver, at a reduced price so I'm probably going to get the FX.
I liked the FX a tad better than the Sirrus Sport....was just curious if you had cross-shopped them?

-Researcher

Black!

black.

...I have found the paint to be very fragile. Now this may be common on aluminum frames,
...

I'm pretty sure this isn't the case. My bike has been rubbed on many occations against other bikes, metal bike baskets, levers etc. whilst parked and it has never chipped or left a mark. It depends on what finish the manufacturer puts on it. My frame has a dupont finish to make the paint resistant.

In relation to the colour choice, I want to say black.
It may be the computer generated image, but the white looks too white because of the white back ground. In the street I'm sure it'd look much better though.

I ride a matte black bike and I'm a cool guy, so, there you go :)

white!

it's fresher, makes the bike give off a lighter feeling when you approach it. i always admire my room mate's white bike because it always looks like it's ready to go, like a puppy wanting a walk. looks great with the more common silver components too.

Well, my new bike is a Gloss Black, so I mixed the two but for some reason, WHITE on a machine, just screams, OLD to me!! Maybe it's because my Grandma always had "white" cars, who knows! ;) Go with the Black!!

I had a similar dilemma trying to decide between a 2011 Giant Roam 1 (gloss white) and a 2012 Giant Roam 1 (matte black). I really had trouble as both looked really good to me. In the end the components were slightly different and I chose the black with Shimano shifters over the white with SRAM, because it was more comfortable for me. I'd probably still be trying to decide if they were identical components like your choice! Good luck, either looks great to me. In your case the only slight difference I see is that I like the way the word Sport reads on the seat tube on the white better than on the black. The grey or silver stands out better on the white.

Was wondering if you test rode the Trek 7.x
FX during your comparisons? I was trying to decide between 7.4 or 7.4,
and the Sirrus Sport (in white of course), and I found a 2011 7.3 FX
in silver, at a reduced price so I'm probably going to get the FX. I
liked the FX a tad better than the Sirrus Sport....was just curious if
you had cross-shopped them?

I am actually still checking out various bikes, but my lead contender
is the Sirrus Sport so far. Have not had a chance to ride a 7.x FX
yet, but the 7.3 seems very highly recommended. I have two more bike
shops in town and then another dozen within 35 miles. I went to one
shop that was pushing a Giant Cypress DX really hard, and while
comfortable to ride, it felt a bit more casual than I was looking for
in a commuter. So, in short, I'm not 100% set on the Sirrus Sport,
but I am conflicted about the colors if I go that route. Of course,
the right deal on the right bike, and I could end up with something a
completely different color.

As for all the color recommendations, the poll seems as unsettled on a
color as I am!

Thanks for chiming in and the more feedback the better.

s1xty7

Matte black. Matte black is the coolest color. It makes you look like a stealthy ninja. I guess that could be bad, if that's not the look you're going for.

I have a gloss white Trek MTB. I will never, ever buy another white bike again. They look good for 5 minutes after cleaning. At best I can muster this task once per week, and I spend the rest of the time being annoyed at how filthy my bike is.

black because white gets dirty so easily and then looks a whole lot less classy. A bit of dirt on black isn't a big deal, but for white to look good it has to be pristine.

Also I'm a bit prejudiced against white bikes because someone in my general area has an all white SS/FG with white saddle and tape and I always feel bad for a second when I see it out of the corner of my eye parked somewhere because I think it's a ghost bike and someone else must have died on my commute route home. Then I realize it's just this random dude's bike, but still, kinda bummed for a bit.

I have a gloss white Trek MTB. I will never, ever buy another white bike again. They look good for 5 minutes after cleaning. At best I can muster this task once per week, and I spend the rest of the time being annoyed at how filthy my bike is.

Your M1 is mostly white, isn't it? White with black trim? or is it black with white trim? :):thumb:

I went with a black '12 Sirrus elite. Looks good to me

Your M1 is mostly white, isn't it? White with black trim? or is it black with white trim? :):thumb:

Mostly black. The seatpost tube, chainstays and lower tube are all solid black which helps a lot since those are the spots that get nasty after you go .06 miles from home. :)

Btw more proof I never learn: I have white bar tape. Wth was I thinking.. scrubbed it with rubbing alcohol umpteen times already.

Best color for hiding dirt I've seen is my hybrid though-- raw silver hides waterspots fairly well, thin dust no problem. Mud, nothing helps of course.

Can I vote again for black? :D

Go for black as others have already said-white=major dirt factor.

I was set on black for myself and thought I'd never get a white bike. But then I saw white in person and was just WOWed by it. I think i liked black for the stealth ninja look, lol, but like monkeydentity said -- the white just begs to be ridden... it's so inviting!

They both look great, though. ;)

my old 7.7 fx and my new 7.3 fx are both white... it just makes the bike look awesome..... so im gonna say go with white :D

another thing - matte black is really getting played out, in my opinion. everything is coming in that finish nowadays.... fwiw.

I had a similar dilemma trying to decide between a 2011 Giant Roam 1 (gloss white) and a 2012 Giant Roam 1 (matte black). I really had trouble as both looked really good to me. In the end the components were slightly different and I chose the black with Shimano shifters over the white with SRAM, because it was more comfortable for me. I'd probably still be trying to decide if they were identical components like your choice! Good luck, either looks great to me. In your case the only slight difference I see is that I like the way the word Sport reads on the seat tube on the white better than on the black. The grey or silver stands out better on the white.

I had the same tough choice between the matte black 2012 or 2011 gloss white giant roam 1. I too went with the black for the same reasons. I liked the shimano over the sram and I had a stronger pull towards the black and red detailing. The white is pretty sweet just the same.

As for the sirrus, I would go with the black for the same reason others have said : white is gonna need more cleaning to keep it looking good.

Black is faster...

Matter Black gets my vote.

White. Unless your middle name is Vader. Yeah, it shows dirt better - maybe you should wash your bike once in a while - and I've this preconceived notion that people who prefer black bikes should be riding spray-can flat-black emo fixies up and down Market Street so they, instead of me, will get adjudicated by mouth-breathing cagers who can barely keep it between the skyscrapers.

I would go w/ the mat black.