Bike Color
#1
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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?
#2
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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.
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Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#3
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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.
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.
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.
#4
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A bike thief is not going to be fooled or deterred by any subdued color scheme.
#5
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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).
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).
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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.
#7
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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.
My favorite bike color is definitely orange, but I'm not very paint conscious in general. I like unpainted ti actually.
#8
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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.
#9
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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)
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Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#11
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My Bike Colors
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.
- 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.
#12
Bicyclerider4life
I like bright colors that stand out. Makes it easier for find if stolen.
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#13
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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.
#14
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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
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
#15
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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
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In the right lane
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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.
Last edited by Drew Eckhardt; 12-31-12 at 01:25 PM.
#19
Banned
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.
Italian 'Ferrari' red is a different shade,of paint, on my Pinarello,
than the Rising Sun red on my Bridgestone RB1.
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...
than the Rising Sun red on my Bridgestone RB1.
Last edited by fietsbob; 12-31-12 at 01:32 PM.
#20
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#22
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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
- 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
#23
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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.
I prefer white bikes for this reason.
#24
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I deliberately chose my bike based on color (flat black, no obscenely bright decals whatsoever).
#25
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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.