Why are cycling pants always black?

Lets hear your theories.

They where made black so folks could wipe their hands on them after fixing a flat, and not have to ride with greasy, dirt visible on the pants.

They're always black?

Black is a slimming colour.

The premise of this thread is false, and the OP knows this.


E.g.:

While most of my shorts are black, I have worn dark blue and dark grey. There are cycling short in other colors, such as white or red, but I won't wear them. Kind of immodest in a couple of different ways.

Black covers a multitude of sins.

to hide sweat stains

Just a heads up. Please do not post the Polish Postal racing team picture.

Black is slimming and hides dirt and grease spots.
But not everyone need/wants these qualities in a pant:

Yeah, threads like this one always end up there, don't they?

They come in all colors.

And THAT's why cycling pants/shorts are always black.

If I had a butt like that, I'd wear those colors as well.

If you ever get behind a dude in white shorts on a rainy day, that will answer your question.

Bikes were invented by Ninjas.

That's why.

Because only ****ers and wannabes wear any color other than black.

There is a real reason to wear black shorts IF you ride "un-sponsored" and "unsupported", ie ride on your own and fix your own flats and mechanicals. Hands get dirty, especially if you have to handle your chain. Grubby handlebar tape is a drag. Often there is nothing within sight of your repair stop that is clean to wipe your hands on. (Auto and truck smoke and debris do that.) So, you make your final wipe on your shorts. Gets you the cleanest hands you can get before you grab those handlebars.

Now, if your shorts are black, only you know they are now filthy. If they are not, well ...

Edit: missed leob1's post, post #2.

Ben

Ignoring the fact that one can easily find other color shorts, black goes fairly well with every color jersey?

Great example! 😉

Part of the "dress code" for amateur bike racing was black shorts and white socks. There was also some verbiage about jerseys, but I can't remember the details. Black shorts are just a carry over from the past. If you ride a leather saddle with light colored shorts, you will find out about one of the reasons for dark colored shorts.

It's a protest thing.
#metoo ?

I used to think a lighter color would be nice in the hot sun, but then I saw Alberto Contador in white bibbs that had yellow stain in the crotch area.

Made me rethink whether the advantage of white was worth the potential embarrassment.

Sure, I see different colors on TV's tour de France. The elite riders. Or you belong to a racing team.

But when I go to REI, it's all black.
When I go to charity rides, it's all black.
When I see people riding on weekends, it's all black.

For me personally, black shorts go with all my jerseys and they hide stains well. If I am buying non-black shorts, they are matched with a jersey and purchased when I purchase it. From the stores perspective, I suspect the threat of an unpopular color not moving has a lot to do with it too.