Loose Chain

Neither do I because unless one wants a matte black, gloss black or flat black bicycle that says Trek, Cannondale or Specialized on the frame, there is little or no other choice in most small to medium size towns. What is with the black? I have several black bikes and a black Jeep so not against black but jeeez.

delbiker1 

I obviously do not know the color scheme you are looking for. A couple of options you might consider: Do more searching, especially manufacturers and builders you have not checked out, look for a used bike that is only 1 or 2 years old and lightly used, there are quite a few out there. Buy the bike you really like, except for the color, and put some personal touches on it, i.e. press on decals and/or pin stripes, use the accessories you will mount to add color that fits your vision including upgraded wheels/tires if you decide to do that. You can really change the look/colors with not that much added on. It really does not add much cost because they are things you would have purchased anyway.

freeranger

It does seem like most of the bikes these days are only black, or grey, if you're lucky, with a color accent here or there. It seems like at least one mfr. would offer a blue, green, red (or maybe org.) as a special order option for more $$. I'd bet they'd do well with it-wonder why they don't--could it be that much more expensive to equip a factory with a paint booth or two? Competition may be tight, but seems offering more colors could be profitable from what I read, and hear from people who have recently bought, or are in the process of buying new bikes.

San Rensho 

What is the color that you want. Post a pic of the color.

badger1

Huh. Guess I'm lucky; I like the various blacks (matte and gloss), charcoals, and grays that proliferate today. Quite happy with 'em. Old bike is matte gray; new bike is gloss black w/blue accents.

Goes with anything. Can't stand bikes (or kit) that look like they've been attacked by a box of crayons.

Happytrails1963

I can relate as well to not liking the colors. Looking at Specialized and I see bikes that I like in my budget. The super expensive bikes have some nice paintwork. I have seen some used bikes with nice paint schemes, I'm not sure I want to go that route just yet. Going to visit an lbs and see what they have available. Really agree, bring back the 70/80's schemes!

Sy Reene

Yet another instance where you have to admire the business model of eg. Ribble. Custom color painted options for much of their lineup, combined with ability to customize the actual build, and without having to call it a "project" anything... though there is a nominal upcharge. Just surprising that the middle-sized bike makers like them can do this, and Spesh/Giant whatnot can't solve for this.

Kimberley79

It's the Ariel Elite. I don't dislike gray but I really don't like that particular shade of gray. Even though it's light colored, it's still a very opaque, rainy day colored grey and I think the pink is too neon in relation to the gray. Maybe the matte finish has something to do with it, too. I might like it better if it was glossy but maybe not.

Dirt Farmer

I must be in the minority, as I could care less about a (single) color.

Troul 

Email the oem to see what they say.

Personally, i dislike a bicycle that contains decals that i cannot easily find replacements for. Color isn't a huge qualm.

katsup

The bike in question:

Personally, I don't like hybrids with suspension, but I would agree that the color is boring. The mint/kiwi of the ariel sport is much better. Maybe it's a reason to downgrade.

Dr.Lou

I agree with the OP, I usually don't care for most of the offerings from the BIG companies so I usually look at boutique companies like Surly, Marin, Salsa, and their ilk, especially those that make steel frames. Pride of ownership is important to me, I want to be on something a little different than the masses. That said, I'd never buy a bike with the intention of immediately repainting it. If I can't find a frame of the material and color I want, I head to a custom frame builder to give me exactly what I want.

KraneXL

Don't buy it. The last thing you want to do is have to pay more money on a brand new bike just to get a color you like. Send a letter/email to the manufacture and tell him of your objection and what you prefers.

Since I have your attention, I'd like to say I don't care what wacky new trendy colors the bike comes in as long as they offer the three basic colors that few would be offended by: black, red, grey.

Painting is something you do with an old bike to add new life. Not something you should have to do with a brand new bike.

Korina

I agree about that Ariel; nearly feel asleep just looking at the pic. I also need a bike I enjoy looking at, and black/grey just doesn't do it for me. So when I saw a vintage steel mountain bike at the local pawn shop for $75, I snatched it up. In five minutes it was Pretty Purple Princess Penelope. I put a good $600 into her, but she's better than any new $600 bike you can find. So don't be afraid to look around for a good used bike that you can build up the way you want, and make it the color you want. 'Cause I like my other bikes, but I love the Princess.



When finished, she'll be Perfect Purple Princess Penelope. Because I said so.

Troul 

So when you go for a ride, it'll be all 4 P's?

Slightspeed

I've always liked blue and white color schemes. When I was thinking about a new ride, the only thing in the model and price range that Specialized had was mostly matte black. A small mfr, Culprit, came to our club with a truck load of demos, and I fell in love with their bike. I've been a loyal Specialized rider, with an aluminum Allez, and moved up to a carbon Roubaix. I decided to go for the Culprit, happy that they offered color paint options. I had the blue and white one all spec'd out in my head, then we got hit with an unforeseen $30K plumbing blow-up. The new blue and white Culprit rode away, but I was able to score a great deal (nearly $2000 off msrp) on a demo. It's a mostly matte black natural carbon with yellow accents. So, I did end up with a black bike, but didn't turn out to be a Specialized. That was several years ago, and I see a few brightly colored Specialized now. 3 friends of mine have blue faded to purple irridiscent Roubaix that are simply stunning. Maybe next time, I'm only 70.

My first love, a blue and white Legnano Roma Olympiade, got new in '64.

My second blue and white, a 2002 Allez

Couldn't resist, another blue and white Legnano, a '61 Gran Premio.

Can't win them all, a matte black and yellow '13 Culprit. Fun bike even if its not blue and white .

Happytrails1963

tomato coupe

What's your budget? My wife just went through this and ended up getting a custom paint scheme on a stock frame size from a reputable manufacturer. It is a beautiful bike, however, it was a bit pricey.

CSG

I'd like to find a yellow bike like my old Azuki road bike that some lowlife stole from a storage shed.

indyfabz

Go custom. I did. I’d post a rare photo of my ride, but I’m on tour at the moment.

'02 nrs 

if they do one-off special finish's.never know till you ask. as for powder coating I had a Serotta clr 3 color fade with metallic clear coat done for $150.media blast $40. H&H powder coating in Fenton,mich. agree with todays finish's-not in the same league as say the Marin 3 color posted above.

fishboy316

Can always go Trek P1 and they will do whatever you want on the bike.

RabiesVax

Some great advice here. I must echo the sentiment that definitely don't buy a bike you don't like the color of if you don't intend to repaint it. Your new bike should look beautiful in your eyes and entice you to ride! Also, if you can swing a repaint job, that is definitely a great way to get a beautifully unique colored bike (which I hope to do some day as well).

HarborBandS

Keep in mind that re-painting or powder-coating a frame will require you to strip all of the parts off of the bike (including the headset, bottom bracket and everything else), and then re-build it when the painting is done. Or you can pay a shop to do it, which will add to the cost.

I've had older bikes powder-coated for about $100, but I did all of my own work stripping the bike down and re-building it. And I'm just not sure this is something that makes sense for a brand new bike, particularly at this price point.

I'd just keep looking until you find that bike you love!

What are your favorite bike colors? Maybe the people on this forum could help you find something with their collective knowledge.