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Era of the Model-T Bike-Any Color Black you Want?

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Era of the Model-T Bike-Any Color Black you Want?

Old 07-10-18, 11:22 PM
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Era of the Model-T Bike-Any Color Black you Want?

While at the local REI looking for some tires I looked at the racks of bikes on display, other than the child sized and balance bikes which were glorious in primary colors, everything, road/mountain/hybrid, etc., everything else was black. It's so depressing, is this the new thing, or, did they just make a purchase decision for the chain?
It may be the most advanced thing on the planet, but flat black bikes?
Color is life and may save your life, riding an invisible bike in day light, let alone dark,....never a good Idea. Plus my wife loves the colors of my bikes, even comes into the office time to time to look and say "that's beautiful", she's the stoker for our tandem too.
Life is good!
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Old 07-11-18, 09:41 AM
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I was blissfully unaware of this fad (not a trend, I claim and hope), because I don't buy new bicycles.

This reminds me of one of my greatest regrets in the automotive world -- the loss of colored interiors. My lowly $12K 1989 Dodge Spirit (updated K-car) was white with a deep red, almost burgundy, interior that made it look like something far more expensive. Now the interior of every car is either black or some neutral color.
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Old 07-11-18, 10:03 AM
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Granted, I don't spend much time in bike shops, but I do notice the relative monochromaticity of modern bikes when riding with friends.
When I attended the 2015 NAHBS show, I was struck by the number of gray bikes. Most were titanium, so it's more forgivable, but it was still a bit sad.

On the plus side, if a person is willing to get a custom paint job, the opportunities for color are vast! Here's a shot of a bike by Shamrock Cycles, which won the prize for Best Paint. They typically display some really creative paint schemes....




Steve in Peoria
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Old 07-11-18, 10:19 AM
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In the 1899 catalog- Schwinn offered Brewster Green!

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Old 07-11-18, 10:47 AM
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Originally Posted by steelbikeguy
Granted, I don't spend much time in bike shops, but I do notice the relative monochromaticity of modern bikes when riding with friends.
When I attended the 2015 NAHBS show, I was struck by the number of gray bikes. Most were titanium, so it's more forgivable, but it was still a bit sad.

On the plus side, if a person is willing to get a custom paint job, the opportunities for color are vast! Here's a shot of a bike by Shamrock Cycles, which won the prize for Best Paint. They typically display some really creative paint schemes....




Steve in Peoria
Ooohh!...... Mondrian!
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Old 07-11-18, 11:11 AM
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My daughter always gives me a hard time about matching my water bottle, jersey, socks, etc. to the bike color. Black would make it easier to keep everything coordinated.

Also, if all your bikes are the same color, it is easier to sneak a new one into the herd.

Seriously, I'm not a fan of the trend either. They used to have two or three colors for every bike model.
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Old 07-11-18, 11:37 AM
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This most likely helps Colnago and Cinelli stay in the light and why they are still revered. Wild paint, limited editions and unique bikes.
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Old 07-11-18, 02:25 PM
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My first bicycle, back as a kid in the 70s was black, and now 3/4s of my C&V stable is also black.....
Black bikes are super cool, IMO......
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Old 07-11-18, 02:28 PM
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Black bikes are super cool. Bikes in flat black primer fitted with black components, not cool.
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Old 07-11-18, 02:36 PM
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And with a dark kit you're pavement camouflage
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Old 07-11-18, 07:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Ex Pres
And with a dark kit you're pavement camouflage
That is a concern. The bike frame color probably does not have a big impact on visibility, but one's jersey and lights do.
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Old 07-11-18, 08:07 PM
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Originally Posted by palincss
Black bikes are super cool. Bikes in flat black primer fitted with black components, not cool.
What if I put some silver bits on? Rattle can primer. I intended to paint it some flashy color but I really don't want to mask off the nervex lugs again.
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Old 07-11-18, 08:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Chombi1
Ooohh!...... Mondrian!
Love me a good Mondrian scheme as well, but scaled-down looks more like Legos
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Old 07-11-18, 11:11 PM
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droppedandlost, there's nothing wrong with a black bike and your's is beautiful, those chrome lugs and fork tips! One of the loveliest Formula 1 cars IMO was the black with gold leaf John Player Lotus, but again its how the black is done and what accents are there with the color.
The all black look, black frame, hubs, cranks, etc. just leaves me, and the flat black and titanium uhg, especially when you go to a vintage gathering where the color and chrome is just outstanding.
Same as you say with cars exteriors and interiors colors, exteriors are all Black , White, Silver with some Red and an occasional Yellow or Blue.
Which is why vintage bikes are "that's beautiful" in my wife's words.
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Old 07-11-18, 11:18 PM
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This compared to the racks of black/titanium bikes, not even a contest. Just as those bikes are not even even close to vintage black bikes with lovely chrome lugged, chain stayed, fork tips and beautifully polished silver derailleurs, shifters, brakes, forks and stems, black can be very beautiful, but it's because someone intended it rather than just dipping everything in spray can flat black.
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Old 07-12-18, 06:04 AM
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Originally Posted by since6


This compared to the racks of black/titanium bikes, not even a contest. Just as those bikes are not even even close to vintage black bikes with lovely chrome lugged, chain stayed, fork tips and beautifully polished silver derailleurs, shifters, brakes, forks and stems, black can be very beautiful, but it's because someone intended it rather than just dipping everything in spray can flat black.
I immediately thought “Austro-Daimler Vent Noir!”
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Old 07-12-18, 06:09 AM
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Originally Posted by Chombi1
Ooohh!...... Mondrian!
Or “C’mon get happy!!!”
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Old 07-12-18, 06:21 AM
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Originally Posted by bear_a_bug
Love me a good Mondrian scheme as well, but scaled-down looks more like Legos
Scale it up and it’s a WW1 ship in Dazzle Paint!

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Old 07-12-18, 07:12 AM
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You're right Golden Boy this and the John Player Lotus would make quite a pair, though easier storage and upkeep on the bike. Again drop this black bike in a line of the current crop of black/titanium bikes and it would be the diamond that would sparkle.
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Old 07-12-18, 08:07 AM
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The First World War dazzle paint for ships appeals to me for my Norco (which is black). I'd like to repaint it in a classic moss green or a '70s Polaroid yellow.

However, the boring black blends in with the landscape for secure locking.

Now the Voyageur on the other hand - I'd like to repaint it in another classic Voyageur colour because currently as a 1991 model it is gray.
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Old 07-12-18, 11:20 AM
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Specialized road bikes are all available in two colours, at every price point. Often one subdued and one flashy.

Trek's road bikes are generally available in 2-4 colours at each price point. Generally one black, one white with some highlights and then two flashy ones. And there's the custom program.

Cannondale's road bikes are all available in multiple colours. Same as above, one subdued option and a few flashy ones.


And that's just the "big three."



If flat black is what you see on the floor it's likely because that's what is the safest bet to have in stock. More people will choose the less flashy option than the super bright one. Stocking what people are more likely to buy reduces the chances you'll be left with dead stock that you have to take a wash on, a problem that many shop owners have already. Easy enough to order in the flashy colours when a customer says they want one.
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Old 07-12-18, 02:53 PM
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Originally Posted by palincss
Black bikes are super cool. Bikes in flat black primer fitted with black components, not cool.
I used to think I wanted an all chrome frame. But chrome frame, silver parts, etc. and it just gets washed out.

Contrast, complimentary colors, that's what I'm looking for.
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Old 07-12-18, 03:39 PM
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Originally Posted by gugie
I used to think I wanted an all chrome frame. But chrome frame, silver parts, etc. and it just gets washed out.

Contrast, complimentary colors, that's what I'm looking for.
Black and silver, now that looks great. I have three bikes like that.
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Old 07-12-18, 04:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Ged117
The First World War dazzle paint for ships appeals to me for my Norco (which is black). I'd like to repaint it in a classic moss green or a '70s Polaroid yellow.

However, the boring black blends in with the landscape for secure locking.

Now the Voyageur on the other hand - I'd like to repaint it in another classic Voyageur colour because currently as a 1991 model it is gray.
The 88 and 89 Emerald colors were really iconic. IMO...

Anton's Voyageur was (and still is) a benchmark of class:

Schwinn Voyageur touring build: sneak peek (pic intensive!)




Can I see your Voyageur?
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Old 07-12-18, 05:14 PM
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Agree that flat black and bare metal are pretty boring. If it's black it better be with a nice wet glossy clearcoat and some accent colors.

Funnily enough my ti bike is half painted gloss black with yellow and red accents.
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