Ah yes....BLACK bikes. I ordered an extra large Cannondale R600 frame at an LBS in the mid 90's to have them build a road bike for me. The ONLY color that size was available in was all black. I hated the color and the limited choice but wanted that frame and couldn't afford a factory repaint. After many years of not riding, I finally repainted a few years ago and began riding again. At least the components at that time (Shimano RSX) were all silver. Bikes don't present with much surface area to view anyway.....why not a more visible, interesting color?

Black is the new black is the new black. We at KMC are told this every year and thus, continue to make more durable black chains. Our current color stable includes about 10 different blacks...yes, different blacks.

This is a little bit of an aside, but it should be noted that black anodizing as done in the 70s and 80s (mostly) is a more labor intensive and expensive process than paint or powdercoat, at least on an industrial scale. Parts need to get pretty much just as prepped as they do for final polishing in order to be anodized. There's going to be handwork. Paint on the other hand can cover up a lot of sins. Take parts right out of the molds, clean 'em off, spray.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...584575776.jpeg

Black is the absence of color, and I have no idea why it isn't called white, which most people think is the absence of color. Some art teacher taught us that, and I have no idea if she was right.

I did ride with 20 other folks on Sunday. Nary a polished part in the whole mix. I saw at least 5 Trek WSD frames that differed only in small stripes and bottle cages.

Reminds me of the experience of driving any modern sedan. They really need a label saying "Warning: May cause drowsiness".

Disagree.

Just picked up a 2019 Accord Sport with the 2.0 turbo.

The engine is a detuned Type R at about 250ish hp.

Handles great, stops great, looks great. imho

Plus, at close out prices, was a real deal.

So far it's a hoot to drive and the 80+ year old inlaws love to to ride in the spacious bike seat.

FWIW I had a bunch of British and German sports cars in the 70s and 80s.

TR6's, 2002's, and even a 1990 BMW 5 series with a rodded M engine.

I wouldn't trade one of them for this beast.

The only comment here that caused me to pause, and think. Interesting. Could it be they were made out of tubing rather than bar stock, forged, etc.?

I'm just thankful they're not Chartreuse. Although Puce wouldn't be bad.

Black makes you look skinny !

If you have a black bike use yellow or red cables . There are many components that you can change color. Red saddle , yellow bar tape . colored tires and wheels. No reason you have to keep it stock and boring.

The trend seemed to coincide with the stealth fighter as well. I think that had more to do with "cool" than Vader.

I think this happens to me because of my sweaty behind...

As for the OP's question, we can trace it all the way back to the '60s. Rothko painted it and Jagger sang it. The epitome of cool, I suppose. I, too, prefer polished alu and chrome and nickel.

Rene Herse believes that silver will be back in the next ten years!

https://www.renehersecycles.com/pred...for-the-2020s/

René Herse is dead. Jan Heine said that!!

Not saying he's wrong ;)

He's also saying that manual car transmissions are making a comeback, and so will downtube shfters. I'm not holding my breath.