Commuting - Bike Color

When choosing a new bike, do you prefer a bright flashy color so you are (arguably) better seen on the road or a more subdued color for when you lock your bike up?

When choosing a new bike, do you prefer a bright flashy color so you are (arguably) better seen on the road or a more subdued color for when you lock your bike up?

It usually doesn't matter because the colors are chosen by the manufacturer. Often you get the 'Ford' choice, i.e. you can have any color as long as it's <place trendy color here but it will probably be black>. I've noticed over the years that bikes tend to be black, white, blue, silver or red. They may be some combination of those colors but that the usual color scheme. I've owned 32 bikes and I've had 4 that weren't those color.

I don't think it makes that big a deal on the road either. Bikes are so small that motorist don't really see the bike or the color. They see the rider. Bright clothing there can make a difference but the bike? Not so much.

I purposely bought the yellow one and I do feel that it is easier to see rather than a darker color. I am not sure why all cold weather bike gear is black with very little reflective stuff on it.
291050

although my first hybrid was neon yellow,

my Cannondale Mountain bike was Tangerine and black, my Jamis 650B1 is green/ black, and my Scott road bike is blue, red & white accents.

When choosing a new bike, do you prefer a bright flashy color so you are (arguably) better seen on the road or a more subdued color for when you lock your bike up?
Choose the color based on aesthetics. If you want to be seen at night get suitable lights and reflectors. Daytime, you might consider bright clothes or safety vest.

A bike thief is not going to be fooled or deterred by any subdued color scheme.

Pick a color you like. Or pick black, the color of grunge.

The bicycle color might make a visibility difference when viewed broadside, but if a car is lookin at you broadside, he's either stopped (and it doesn't matter), or you're in big trouble (and it doesn't matter).

When choosing a new bike, do you prefer a bright flashy color so you are (arguably) better seen on the road or a more subdued color for when you lock your bike up?

Neither of those is really a consideration for me. I tend to buy used and getting the most bang for the buck is what drives my purchasing decisions. That said I'd probably pass on a bike I considered ugly.

Agree with others - get the color you want, or that it comes in, and rely on lighting and reflective material for visibility.

My favorite bike color is definitely orange, but I'm not very paint conscious in general. I like unpainted ti actually.

It usually doesn't matter because the colors are chosen by the manufacturer.

When I was looking at new bikes back in May, every one I looked at, save for one from Fuji (gold), was either black or dark blue.
I really didn't give the color much consideration at the time.

One thing I have noticed, is that almost all of my other gear is black (jacket, back pack, etc..0 so I'm wearing a reflective vest in some areas of my commute.

When I was looking at new bikes back in May, every one I looked at, save for one from Fuji (gold), was either black or dark blue.
I really didn't give the color much consideration at the time.


Isn't it amazing? You really have to hunt around for a bike of a different color. I have one orange bike in a sea of black (2), white (2) or silver (3)

For me it's all about speed.

Red is faster...

Starting at the oldest:

- 1977 Fuji S-10S - Medium metallic blue with chrome fork and rear triangle. Gorgeous.

- 1982 Fuji "Team" - Brown metallic over chrome fork. Darker brown headtube. Very nice with bronze Araya rims.

- 1988 Fuji Saratoga - Tourer. Teal green with yellow accents. Black accessories.


- 1997 Specialized Stumpjumper HT - Not sure if I'm keeping - Deep blue with yellow accents.

- 2005 "Motobecane" FS MTB - Generic black aluminum frame, bare aluminum rear triangle.

- 2008 Scattante CRF Comp - Clearcoat over bare carbon fiber - it's black-ish. Meh.

The older bikes are cool looking. The modern bikes are generic to my eye.

I like bright colors that stand out. Makes it easier for find if stolen.

For a commuter I really wouldn't care. It just has to be the best bike for the job. If I was able to pick, reflective black powdercoat would be my choice for a commuter.

Ok let's see the breakdown:

orange - 2 (though one might get painted rose)
ti grey - 2
red - 5
purple - 1
green - 1
white - 1
yellow - 1
blue - 3
black, silver - 0

i have a purple and blue trek 830 and a red folder. color scheme had nothing to do with either. the red bike was free and the 830 was cheap. if i was to buy a brand new bike on the other hand, i would probably go for something orange. or chartreuse with lipstick red accents... yea :lol:

For me it's all about speed.

Red is faster...

What? nonsense... green has less rolling resistance.

Yes, but green has more wind resistance. Orange is fastest.

When choosing a new bike, do you prefer a bright flashy color so you are (arguably) better seen on the road or a more subdued color for when you lock your bike up?

I choose unpainted titanium, because after sixteen years of parking dings, crashes on ice, and encounters with gravel it still looks good (scratches and small polished spots from such things are the same color as the frame and stay that way in spite of exposure to road salt and rain) while my last painted steel frame picked up all sorts of primer and rust colored spots that contrasted and looked bad in half that time.

I'm also open to stainless steel which should work as well for the same reason.

I'll probably use a pair of Velocity rims with the retro-reflective (grey during the day) Halo coating in the next wheelset I build. Bright lights are enough to get noticed on both ends although something on the side seems like a fine idea.

Until you get up on the price levels color of the paint is an accept it or buy something else situation..
Custom ... you get to choose ..

though I did benefit from someone else not liking the shade of the color on their BTO bike,
they rejected it, and I snapped up the bike at a discount.


Red is faster...
Italian 'Ferrari' red is a different shade,of paint, on my Pinarello,
than the Rising Sun red on my Bridgestone RB1.

Yes, but green has more wind resistance. Orange is fastest.

Don't ask about pink.

Don't ask about pink.
:lol: - this was an anniversary gift to my wife:

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Pinkasonic/B163BE14-38FA-4877-A981-700EB2F1EB3B-1399-000001AB2A927938.jpg

Current bikes:
- red & black
- red, white & black
I would have preferred bright colours (or all white) but those were the ones that were in my size when purchased.

Previous bikes:
- red & yellow
- apple green
- bright yellow

As a motorist, I find that I notice cyclists wearing lime-green vests when they are far ahead of me. If cyclists are wearing dark clothing, a white bike seems to help. Dark clothing on dark bike are harder to spot. Red flashing rear light helps if it is sufficiently bright.

I prefer white bikes for this reason.

When choosing a new bike, do you prefer a bright flashy color so you are (arguably) better seen on the road or a more subdued color for when you lock your bike up?

First post, new to forum.

I deliberately chose my bike based on color (flat black, no obscenely bright decals whatsoever).

I've been poking around bike manufactures web sites today. I noticed I don't want a white bike. Otherwise, I think I'm okay. Currently I have a black bike and a red bike. I would like to get one with reflective paint/powder coat if I ever go full-custom.

Unfortunately there are few choices of colors when it comes to buying bikes. The same model often has no more than 2 colors available. One thing I'm sure, I don't want a white bike, because that looks like a ghost bike, not a good omen.

Black: Numerous touch ups over time don't show so much.

I am not interested in any bikes unless they're black or grey. I hate all those pretty and flashy colours.

Color is pretty far down the list of things I would worry about. You're not looking at the bike when you ride. First get a bike that fits, then one that fits all of your needs, then all of your wants. . . color should be somewhere far down on the list of wants. Components are more important.

I liked the tan color the LHT came in a while back, and the green before that, but ended up with a black one. It's an awesome ride no matter what color it is. : )

I wonder why it seems every manufacturer seems to be favoring white seats and tape. Sure, it makes a cool look with all the blue/black bikes, but do a few rides and it just looks dirty

I wish all bikes had the same colour options that were offered on fixies - Of course, it's a less important issue when choosing a bike at the LBS, but it would still be cool to have the options.

Yes, but green has more wind resistance. Orange is fastest.

The shade of green has an incredible effect on how fast a bicycle can be with British racing green coming very close to orange for speed qualities.

This property is lost when BRG is applied to a bicycle like a Raleigh 20.

What? nonsense... green has less rolling resistance.
Only if its a British bike.

Given the choice, the louder the color, the better I like it. I'd be all over Day-Glo Orange, for instance. Hot pink, fuchsia, bright lime green! But my bike is boring blue. I'll survive...

Only if its a British bike.

Only on racing bicycles, BRG has no effect on commuting bikes. Also will cause the bike to leak oil. And maybe not even start.

If it was not for the friction reducing green this bicycle would be impossible to pedal...

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/2011pdxR20carradice2.JPG

My Tricross came in matte brown/black scheme. Looks menacing with all the commuting gear.

When choosing a new bike, do you prefer a bright flashy color so you are (arguably) better seen on the road or a more subdued color for when you lock your bike up?

Well, traditionally red is faster, and white has been fashionable now for a while - but I've been hearing lately that 'black' is the 'white'.

And since I already have red, and white is a real pain to keep clean - I went with black anyway. So now my 1 year old bikes look just like my 18 year old bikes! :eek:

Only on racing bicycles, BRG has no effect on commuting bikes. Also will cause the bike to leak oil. And maybe not even start.
That's true, but at least green isn't subject to spontaneous combustion...unlike black.

That's true, but at least green isn't subject to spontaneous combustion...unlike black.

Oh crap.

That's true, but at least green isn't subject to spontaneous combustion...unlike black.
Not true sir! :notamused: A black bike actually started off as a British Racing Green bike that spontaneously combusted ..... after first leaking oil! :lol:

BLACK is back ... unless I can find a darker color! :thumb:

Not true sir! :notamused: A black bike actually started off as a British Racing Green bike that spontaneously combusted ..... after first leaking oil! :lol:

At least a bike painted BRG won't blind anybody with bright lights, since the electrics probably won't work at all; might even start the fire to turn the bike into a black cinder.

At least a bike painted BRG won't blind anybody with bright lights, since the electrics probably won't work at all; might even start the fire to turn the bike into a black cinder.
Alas - that probably explains why my bikes are ... black! :(

This thread is so confusing. I had no idea of the physics involved!
And all this time I was buying bikes based on their color that matches my socks.

Coming back to this thread, I hope people didn't think I was choosing between two DIFFERENT bikes simply based on their colors. I ended up choosing black over orange so I guess I won't be as fast but oh well :)

You picked black over orange? On purpose?

Pro'lly didn't have any orange socks......

Only on racing bicycles, BRG has no effect on commuting bikes. Also will cause the bike to leak oil. And maybe not even start.
Headlights won't work either.

Just cover the paint in reflective tape.

This is a Bianchi road frame I'm about to build up.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-s7Z2SAiRrxY/To0YKlEt8SI/AAAAAAAAC24/83488RDH2tY/s640/IMG_0452.JPG