Are White Bikes Trouble?
 

As the title says. I'm looking at a few hybrid bikes and one of my options is gloss white. I like everything else about the bike but i'm on the fence with the color.

The white looks nice, but i'm not sure I want to live with a white bike. I'm worried that the bike will only look good the day I bring it home and be an absolute nightmare to keep clean afterwards.

My GF has a white hybrid and has had it all summer. It still cleans up really nice.

That depends on whether or not a dirty looking bike bugs you. If it does, then don't get a white bike. Don't get a white anything if that sort of thing bugs you.

I have a dark gray, almost black bike. It gets really, really dirty and I don't notice. I don't really care, except when the dirt gums up the works.

My hybrid is black, my road bike is white. Riding in the dry, it stays quite clean. Not a bike I will ride through mud, but any bike you do that with will need a proper cleaning afterwards. Buy white if you like the look - don't think you'll have to fuss with it constantly - you won't. Frankly, given that it seems like 9 out of 10 hybrids are black, getting white will set you apart a bit.

both my road bike and my hybrid are white and they are a chore to keep clean. i usually wipe it down after every ride and full on wash it once ever week or two. if youre up for keeping it clean then its a great color. i dont mind it so im happy. i am kind of particular about my bikes so that might have a hand in it

I think black is a neutral color. It's hard to hate black, but plenty of people can hate white, or blue, or red, or whatever. Maybe i'm over thinking it, maybe I should just deal with the color since i'm in love with the rest of it, I just don't want to have regrets later. A dirty bike would bug me, and even the smallest amount of grime or grease will be extremely visible on a white frame. That's my worry.

Black cars show dirt worse than a white car. Therefore, logically, a black bicycle will show dirt worse than a white bicycle.
If you get white, be sure not to get white tires and saddle; else some might think you've stolen a 'Ghost Bike'.

Both white and black - by definition - are neutral colours. Or non-colours, if you like. People like what they like and hate what they hate. Buy what YOU like. If you don't like white don't freaking buy a white bike. You should like everything about the bike you buy including the colour. Way too much choice out there to have to compromise. But if you love the look of the bike in white, don't freaking pass on it because you are worried about keeping it clean or what other people think.

The point made above about black and white cars is true. White is MUCH easier to keep clean looking than black, which shows the first spec of dust. I'm not trying to sell you a bike. But I am here to tell you I have zero issues keeping a white road bike clean-looking. Certainly no harder than keeping my black clean. White will show grease more. Black will show dust more. A 60 second post-ride wipe down will sort either one out. If you have time to ride, you have time to do that.

Don't make me post pics! :)

i ride my white bike with front and rear lights on early morning road rides starting out just before dawn. at that time of day my black bike stays home.

My bikes (road and hybrid) are white. It keeps me honest: if a white bike looks like it needs to be cleaned, it does.

That said, I would not own a white MTB.

I am normally a rationalist and would not give color of a mechanical item any consideration; however, I have learned that color is important. Color is as important as fit for a rider. If the color doesn't "fit", then you will not be in tune with the bike. (Sorry about the mixed metaphor).

Are you obsessive about a clean bike? If so then white is probably not the right colour for you.

I've got a matte white 2013 Trek DS 8.4 and a majority white gloss Ridley X-Bow they don't get treated with kid gloves and will sometimes sit for weeks covered in mud.

A quick clean with soap and water however will easily clean then up.

The big issues is the grease and oil spots which tend to stand out however a quick wipe with a WD40 soaked cloth fixes that up :)

YMMV

I know it seems silly but my buying decision is hanging on color. I know I want a FX 7.3 or 7.4. The 7.3 comes in Lime Green or Matte Black, the 7.4 in Grey. My least favorite color is the grey, but it has the best components. BTW the 7.4 also comes in White, but the accent stripes they put on it are really bad.

I appretiate the replies. I am a bit obsessive and definitely couldn't stand to let mud or grease sit on it. That said I don't mind cleaning it, either.

Maybe it's more accurate to say i'm worried about how it will look over time. Will the white discolor from the sun or get "stained" from grease?

In theory...matte or gloss, there'll be a layer of clear coat over the paint job so staining shouldn't be an issue.

Discolour, if you leave anything in the sun long enough no matter what colour it'll probably discolour. Lets just say I'm not worried about either of mine ( it's stored inside not outside but is ridden outside :) )

I'd certainly be storing my bike in the garage. Thanks for the advice, I appretiate it.

I didn't want a white bike when I got my 2003 road bike. But I quickly became a fan of white when I realized how much better visibility it offers than a dark color. I was excited when white was an option with my latest road bike. White does show dirt/dust more, but it only takes a few minutes to wipe it down with paper towel and Simple Green. You know have to clean 100% of the frame for it to look great.

Have you guys looked at Specialized's offerings here? Specialized Bicycle Components

Gorgeous looking bike, available in orange or a proper grey(not Trek's 7.4 Abomination grey).

I love my one and only white bike. Seems to stay as clean or cleaner than my silver and grey bikes. :D

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/c...ps885ceec7.jpg

That is a sweet looking ride!

Ha! I can't help but laugh at the title of this post. I purchased a white bike last month and have had a love/hate relationship with it since. It's a matte finish, which doesn't help, and I've blown through half a bottle of simple green and a lot of WD-40 keeping it clean. It is clearly a high maintenance finish. That being said, the color is growing on me. It definitely attracts the attention of cars; I feel safer riding it.

http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/...4472048055.jpg

Is it the matte that is the issue, or is it the white that is the issue? Do you think I would have the same issues with matte black.

My black bike is matte and seems to be more of a dust magnet than my gloss white.

Ghost Bikes, Entirely white ones were placed where cyclists have been Killed in action. :(

Lucky we don't get dust in the Arizona Desert.