Why are modern components black?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Why are modern components black?
every crankset campy and sram sells and every shimano except the dura ace track are black. all the bikes I saw on both specialized and trek websites...black components
any insight on why is there no longer much mainstream silver ?
any insight on why is there no longer much mainstream silver ?
#2
Senior Member
It is much cheaper to paint parts black than to polish them. Saves a ton of money.
Likes For Salamandrine:
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Berkeley CA
Posts: 2,531
Bikes: 1981 Ron Cooper, 1974 Cinelli Speciale Corsa, 2000 Gary Fisher Sugar 1, 1986 Miyata 710, 1982 Raleigh "International"
Mentioned: 97 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 926 Post(s)
Liked 1,281 Times
in
482 Posts
Why are hifi components black? Why are so many cars black these days? I trace this whole "black is the new silver" thing back to Darth Vader. When he appeared, black suddenly became cool. I think it's been way overdone though. The biggest problem with black is that the second it gets dirty it looks terrible.
Likes For davester:
#4
Rouleur
"I see a red door and I want it painted black
No colors anymore I want them to turn black
I see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothes
I have to turn my head until my darkness goes."
No colors anymore I want them to turn black
I see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothes
I have to turn my head until my darkness goes."
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Madison, WI USA
Posts: 6,858
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2347 Post(s)
Liked 1,713 Times
in
1,170 Posts
Mick remote viewing an LBS 50 years in the future:
"I see a line of bikes and they're all painted black,
No matter anyway, the frames are doomed to crack...."
Granted, a few of my C&V bikes have black components, and were spec'ed that way. But at least back then, there was some choice, some variety. All the more reason not to want modern kit on your old bike.
"I see a line of bikes and they're all painted black,
No matter anyway, the frames are doomed to crack...."
Granted, a few of my C&V bikes have black components, and were spec'ed that way. But at least back then, there was some choice, some variety. All the more reason not to want modern kit on your old bike.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,233
Mentioned: 651 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4719 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3,034 Times
in
1,874 Posts
There's merit in the cost concession argument. However, also consider that top end components are made of carbon fibre, which is black. Consequently, black has become the colour associated with high end components. If you want to boost the sales of lower end bicycles with aluminum or even steel components, you spec components with a black finish.
Likes For T-Mar:
#7
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,828
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2286 Post(s)
Liked 2,025 Times
in
1,243 Posts
Bikes are going goth, 40 years late. I dislike it.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,315
Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3447 Post(s)
Liked 2,786 Times
in
1,967 Posts
Just looked - Campagnolo Potenza is available in silver- note even then some elements are black. Not shown, but mentioned in the official site pages.
who stocks silver at a decent price? Have not looked lately- the set appears decent.
an acquaintance is planning on building up a new lugged frame and using that set.
who stocks silver at a decent price? Have not looked lately- the set appears decent.
an acquaintance is planning on building up a new lugged frame and using that set.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 528
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 237 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 83 Times
in
64 Posts
People think black looks cool just like in the 80's, and black is even more of a status symbol now because carbon fiber is black. Aluminum can be painted or anodized black more easily than carbon can be painted tacky silver, and due to the prestige of carbon, it's aluminum that wants to imitate carbon, not the other way around. There's also an increasing number of plastic parts, so those end up black by default just like a Simplex Prestige unless they're painted silver, which happens sometimes with Shimano.
#10
Senior Member
I agree with the additional points made that part of the reason for black is because of its association with carbon fiber. If you paint those cheap to midrange components black, they look like the might be carbon. Also, it's just fashion. However, I would argue that the component and bike companies play a big role in driving what becomes fashionable.
I'll stick by my initial explanation that cost was the original driving factor. Shimano and others started experimenting with painted components in the late 80s (roughly) primarily to save polishing costs. They were typically gray though, not black.
Going back another decade or two, there was some black going on in the 70s. We think now everything was all silver but it wasn't. Black was somewhat rare, and definitely associated with high end. The mid level was still pretty much all silver. In the high end, some of Campagnolo's competitors had some black components to make their gruppos look a little more trick. I'm talking about Dura Ace, Zeus, Galli, (some) Stronglight, et al. Certainly black rims when first available were seen as just insanely exotic. Martano blacks, Mavic SSC and even GP4's were introduced in the late 70s, but were highly unusual. The first black rims I saw - not counting old roadsters - were the Martano blacks that were originally on my '78 Masi. This is why a few years later in the 80s, bike companies started spec'ing black rims for everything. It made bikes seem to be higher end than they were. And here we are.
I'll stick by my initial explanation that cost was the original driving factor. Shimano and others started experimenting with painted components in the late 80s (roughly) primarily to save polishing costs. They were typically gray though, not black.
Going back another decade or two, there was some black going on in the 70s. We think now everything was all silver but it wasn't. Black was somewhat rare, and definitely associated with high end. The mid level was still pretty much all silver. In the high end, some of Campagnolo's competitors had some black components to make their gruppos look a little more trick. I'm talking about Dura Ace, Zeus, Galli, (some) Stronglight, et al. Certainly black rims when first available were seen as just insanely exotic. Martano blacks, Mavic SSC and even GP4's were introduced in the late 70s, but were highly unusual. The first black rims I saw - not counting old roadsters - were the Martano blacks that were originally on my '78 Masi. This is why a few years later in the 80s, bike companies started spec'ing black rims for everything. It made bikes seem to be higher end than they were. And here we are.
Last edited by Salamandrine; 01-31-20 at 04:14 PM.
Likes For Salamandrine:
#11
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,620
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3868 Post(s)
Liked 2,559 Times
in
1,574 Posts
#12
Shifting is fun!
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: South Holland, NL
Posts: 10,985
Bikes: Yes, please.
Mentioned: 275 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2178 Post(s)
Liked 4,479 Times
in
1,731 Posts
There's merit in the cost concession argument. However, also consider that top end components are made of carbon fibre, which is black. Consequently, black has become the colour associated with high end components. If you want to boost the sales of lower end bicycles with aluminum or even steel components, you spec components with a black finish.
I'm afraid you're right, though.
#13
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 8,761
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3844 Post(s)
Liked 6,434 Times
in
3,181 Posts
Why are modern components black?
Another justification provided us by the c&v gods to not give a ****.
Another justification provided us by the c&v gods to not give a ****.
Likes For SurferRosa:
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 528
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 237 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 83 Times
in
64 Posts
It does explain why all those top shelf black quill stems were so cheap compared to their polished counterparts, and why they were so undesirable during the period and everyone hated those ugly super record knuckles which looked just like simplex prestige knuckles. Or maybe black just looked cool back then. Other painted finishes are similarly cheap. Campy had some tacky silver painted components I think, Shimano has had tons of silver painted parts over the years. Early example is the champagne 105. Even their current production silver 105 has silver painted plastic. Shimano also has a rather frustrating range of grays for their lower end groups to prevent mixing and matching. It turns out silver paint looks really awful compared to black though. It's also not always just cost, sometimes the silver versions cost just as much and sometimes it's black anodization which is no cheaper.
Likes For bobwysiwyg:
#16
Bike Butcher of Portland
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 11,627
Bikes: It's complicated.
Mentioned: 1299 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4660 Post(s)
Liked 5,742 Times
in
2,261 Posts
Those of us who have been through a few marketing cycles understand that these things go in waves. I hated when black anodization became a thing when I worked at a bike shop. When a black part gets scratched, it's a silver colored scratch. When a clear anodized part gets scratched, it's silver on silver.
Polished aluminum (not anodized) is real pretty until it starts oxidizing. I've pulled and repolished my grillion dollarCompass Rene Herse cranks a couple of times in the past 6 years to repolish them.
Polished aluminum (not anodized) is real pretty until it starts oxidizing. I've pulled and repolished my grillion dollar
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
#18
Banned.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,297
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 378 Post(s)
Liked 1,407 Times
in
908 Posts
When hifi was silver, nothing matched closely. Every rack was different. Then, Marantz and Pioneer had to go gold. And Denon...then Harmon Kardon...the horrors.
Then it all went black, and of course some had to go charcoal, Technics...
Silvers were not all the same, either, even on the same brands. Hell, even on the same groups.
Black is cheaper to produce, crosses brand lines easily, and goes wirh color better. So when you switch from the Universal Red, White and Black bike to the Universal Green and Black bike, stuff still matches.
Plus it's slimming.
Then it all went black, and of course some had to go charcoal, Technics...
Silvers were not all the same, either, even on the same brands. Hell, even on the same groups.
Black is cheaper to produce, crosses brand lines easily, and goes wirh color better. So when you switch from the Universal Red, White and Black bike to the Universal Green and Black bike, stuff still matches.
Plus it's slimming.
Likes For RobbieTunes:
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Berkeley CA
Posts: 2,531
Bikes: 1981 Ron Cooper, 1974 Cinelli Speciale Corsa, 2000 Gary Fisher Sugar 1, 1986 Miyata 710, 1982 Raleigh "International"
Mentioned: 97 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 926 Post(s)
Liked 1,281 Times
in
482 Posts
There's merit in the cost concession argument. However, also consider that top end components are made of carbon fibre, which is black. Consequently, black has become the colour associated with high end components. If you want to boost the sales of lower end bicycles with aluminum or even steel components, you spec components with a black finish.
Likes For davester:
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 528
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 237 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 83 Times
in
64 Posts
Those of us who have been through a few marketing cycles understand that these things go in waves. I hated when black anodization became a thing when I worked at a bike shop. When a black part gets scratched, it's a silver colored scratch. When a clear anodized part gets scratched, it's silver on silver.
Polished aluminum (not anodized) is real pretty until it starts oxidizing. I've pulled and repolished my grillion dollarCompass Rene Herse cranks a couple of times in the past 6 years to repolish them.
Polished aluminum (not anodized) is real pretty until it starts oxidizing. I've pulled and repolished my grillion dollar
#21
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 8,761
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3844 Post(s)
Liked 6,434 Times
in
3,181 Posts
I don't ride in the rain, so maybe that's why everything else stays shiny.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Madison, WI USA
Posts: 6,858
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2347 Post(s)
Liked 1,713 Times
in
1,170 Posts
Those of us who have been through a few marketing cycles understand that these things go in waves. I hated when black anodization became a thing when I worked at a bike shop. When a black part gets scratched, it's a silver colored scratch. When a clear anodized part gets scratched, it's silver on silver.
Likes For madpogue:
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Madison, WI USA
Posts: 6,858
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2347 Post(s)
Liked 1,713 Times
in
1,170 Posts
#24
Senior Member
Black? Modern components are black? I am dazzled by the reflections off of my polished Stonglight 93s, TAs and Maillard 700s and hadn't noticed.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: North, Ga.
Posts: 2,395
Bikes: 3Rensho-Aerodynamics, Bernard Hinault Look - 1986 tour winner, Guerciotti, Various Klein's & Panasonic's
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 157 Post(s)
Liked 366 Times
in
159 Posts
The Cannondale Black Lighting was a unique and cool bike in the late 80’s
but now that everything is black ... blah
but now that everything is black ... blah