Originally Posted by
dkyser
I posted this in the Clyde section because we are sometimes limited to bikes.
I think sometimes I worry to much about color, but dang its hard to buy an ugly bike.
Very. Bikes and components should be non-ferous metal-colored (titanium, clear anodized aluminum, stainless steel) so scratches and scrapes don't show or clear coated carbon fiber where they're grey or black and not very noticeable. The look is also elegant and subdued, like a silver car.
Take a look at this left pedal - the worn top blends in so you can't tell at a distance:
My current titanium frame looks better after 19 years than my previous steel frame half that time.
Retro-reflective powder coating which is grey in daylight is OK for things like rims because it's functional and subtle enough.