aesthetics/color choice question
 

Below is a picture of my Peugeot Bordeaux. It's mostly original except the pedals (which I still have) and the leather saddle (which a relative lost). I'd like to replace the saddle and get some new tires.

I don't know if you can see them well or not, but there's a blue bottle cage on the bike and a blue bag under the saddle. I didn't pick blue for these items for any particular reason and in fact, the bottle cage was just given to me, - but I like the color.

I saw a used saddle at my LBS that was blue down the middle and black on the sides. I was also thinking of getting blue tires with black sidewalls. Bad choice? Would I be better off with just a plain black saddle and yellow or orange tires?

There are black aero bars on the bike now, which may get replaced with white ones. Either way, they'll probably not be on all the time.

http://download.mncee.org/tom/bordeaux.jpg

Personally, I like the idea of the blueness. It makes the orange/red/yellow stand out more. I like the 'coolth' of the blue, versus the heat of the orange.

East Hill

I think it would look good, Whatever you like. It's your bike. My personal preference would be to accent with a colour in the frame decal or use a complimentary colour. I like brown, clothing, bags, leather etc... so I am biased...
I would lose the blue bottle cage and put dark brown saddle and tape on it to compliment the yellow and orange.
A white saddle would look good too as it would go with the pearl tape, white hoods and white or pearl cable housing (i can't tell what colour).

I think everything should be in the color "Bordeaux" (wine red)

Nice! I'll toast that with a glass of '82 Pichon-Lalande.

I've thought about it, but I've seen white saddles that haven't been kept very white (which is likely what would happen) and it detracted more than added to the bikes appearance.

Your asking me about colour choices? I have a striped bike . . .
(and I'm chromatically challenged).

marty

Buy a saddle based on how well it suits your fanny, not your eyes. :)

Yup.

... or satisfy both your eyes and your butt with a classic Brooks tensioned leather saddle. :)

I started to think the blue tones would look good and set off the orange and red but I think I have been swayed by the brown / leather argument. Yes - the brown.

Nice bike, and I do like the blue of the bottle cage too.

Well it did have a leather saddle... hard as a rock, but my butt isn't particular and didn't mind it.

Several years ago I borrowed this bike to a relative who was doing a long distance ride. She put a new seat on because she wanted more (some) padding. She lost the original. I didn't really care much since I never rode the bike. In fact she'd had it for over a year before wanting to get it out of her garage and giving it back.

I never liked the new seat, - too slipery. Never felt right, although not exactly uncomfortable.

So I went ahead and got the blue seat 'cause it was used and cheap and so am I. They have a 5 day return policy on used items, and I'll be taking some long rides in the next couple of days.

Here's what it looks like:

http://download.mncee.org/tom/bordeauxNewSeat.jpg

My wife would agree with you, -she likes earth tones. Personally I'm after a little more "Pop" and all it took was one person to suggest that it might be OK ;-)

Having got the seat, I'm not sure.

Yeah....It looks good. I think East Hill was on the money.

Forget blue and brown leather.

What you really need is a chrome bottle cage - which matches the stem, the drivetrain components and the seatpost - and a white seat to match the handle bar tape and brake hoods.

My opinion is that these sorts of colours look acceptable on bmx bikes - but not on classic road bikes. I like to minimise the use of different colours - and also match colours evenly accross the bike.

A very nice and clean looking bike anyhow - so I suppose you can choose what you like.