Where's the color?
06-24-18, 12:35 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Where's the color?
So I've started down the road to convincing myself I should get a new bike. What I find somewhat disappointing is that many models I'm considering are only available in a matte finish and that finish is almost 90% black or dark grey. The Trek Domane is currently available in a gloss red that's very nice but being this late in the season (Yes June) the largest size frame is completely sold out for the model year so forget color choice. Next year it's black with a hint of orange on the logo and decal.
I want to know why most carbon fiber bikes are matte and black to boot. Is there a functional reason on Matte? Is there a market driven reason that they're all black or dark grey? I like gloss and I like colors, does everybody want a bike that's a great camouflage for a blacktop road?
I want to know why most carbon fiber bikes are matte and black to boot. Is there a functional reason on Matte? Is there a market driven reason that they're all black or dark grey? I like gloss and I like colors, does everybody want a bike that's a great camouflage for a blacktop road?
06-24-18, 12:42 PM
#2
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Market trend, just like hideous neons in the 90s. At least muted mattes will stand the test of time longer than that.
In any case, unless you are locked into one very specific model, it really isn't that hard to find color. Dunno about Trwk, but a quick glance at Specialized and Giants websites show all sort of color.
In any case, unless you are locked into one very specific model, it really isn't that hard to find color. Dunno about Trwk, but a quick glance at Specialized and Giants websites show all sort of color.
06-24-18, 01:06 PM
#3
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I've never liked matte black. In an ironic twist of fate, I am now an owner of a matte black carbon disc bike. Only because the bike itself is bad ass, I got it for a great price and there were no other color options. To clean it I've been wiping it down with Clorox multi-surface cleaner (non-bleach) and it actually darkens it a little and makes it look better. It is what it is. I wish the fad would die out, it's been going on for a decade now.
06-24-18, 01:29 PM
#4
Heft On Wheels
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I love black but when I was looking for some color in my last roadbike t was just nonexistent. I am still riding black.....I am ok with it now.
06-24-18, 05:42 PM
#5
Senior Member
The flat black is always nicer in person than pics, but add me to the list of guys who like loud colors on bikes. I'd say 50% of all colors offered on all bikes are black or some form of it as the main color...or at least it seems that way.
06-24-18, 06:09 PM
#6
Sunshine
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Black is timeless, which is the problem because that also means it isn't fun.
matching head and seat tubes = awesome
fades = awesome
splatter = awesome
pearl color = awesome
life is too short for a boring color bike.
matching head and seat tubes = awesome
fades = awesome
splatter = awesome
pearl color = awesome
life is too short for a boring color bike.
06-24-18, 06:56 PM
#7
On Your Left
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06-24-18, 07:07 PM
#8
Tragically Ignorant
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There's a common belief that bright colored bikes get stolen. Don't know if there's any data to back that up, but there's a certain intuitive logic to it. Dull color fades into the background.
06-24-18, 07:09 PM
#9
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Go custom. Cerakote ceramic glaze mix of Zombie Green and Gloss White. Only one of it's kind in the universe.
06-24-18, 07:11 PM
#10
Every day a winding road
Color is the LAST think on my list when selecting a new bike. It just gets scratched anyway. . Black is a lot easier to fix that problem.
06-24-18, 11:34 PM
#12
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I've been a Specialized fan for years, and have a 2002 Allez, blue and pearl white, and a 2007 Roubaix, silver, red and black. I was thinking new, and complained to the dealer that all his new ones were black. Then the owner of Culprit bikes showed up at one of our club rides with a trailer full of demo bikes. It was love at first ride. Long story short, I made a deal on the demo, though I could have ordered it custom painted at substantial extra $$$$. I'm good with black. At least it has some yellow on it. Specialized now offers more colors, but I'm a happy Culprit rider now.
Last edited by Slightspeed; 06-24-18 at 11:50 PM.
06-25-18, 04:10 AM
#13
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That Culprit looks pretty good. My DB has red graphics in the same areas to give it a little color. Better than just solid matte black.
06-25-18, 04:18 AM
#14
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I can see the attraction of having a stealth, black bike but it speaks of a lack of imagination and is a safe choice, both in terms of expression of style and in sourcing complementary components as there is much more choice. If you select a blue and orange frame then your choice of matching components reduces drastically, if you want to avoid black. Personally I'd much rather see more colour on bikes as I like the flamboyant, exuberant side of cycling.
06-25-18, 06:29 AM
#15
Generally bewildered
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But mine has pedals, of course.
06-25-18, 06:49 AM
#16
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A little personal reflection time...make that personalized reflective trim can add a little pizzazz (and visibility) to a black bike.
I decided on black and yellow caution tape for my 2015 Charge Plug commuter.
I decided on black and yellow caution tape for my 2015 Charge Plug commuter.
06-25-18, 07:23 AM
#17
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My problem is trying to find a bike for my wife in a color she likes. It seems that many manufacturers never lean to more feminine or lighter colors in their women's line.
06-25-18, 12:30 PM
#18
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Just like cars on the road, bikes have been pretty boring colored for a while now. I like brightly painted bikes. As well I think it helps make you visible to others. I sometimes notice the brightly painted ones before I notice their otherwise darkly dressed rider when out riding in my car or on my bike.
06-25-18, 02:55 PM
#19
SuperGimp
I never thought I'd like white and then scored a great deal on a used Roubaix that was... white. Then I got a white car and now I have ANOTHER white bike.
I do like it more than the parade of black bikes... but I tend to buy last year's model type stuff, so not much choice in the matter.
I do like it more than the parade of black bikes... but I tend to buy last year's model type stuff, so not much choice in the matter.
06-25-18, 03:12 PM
#20
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Mine is Cannondale's Acid green, and I love it. I saw a purple one I liked but it was one being worked on, and not for sale.
Last edited by darthraven0; 06-26-18 at 06:36 PM. Reason: Add pic
06-25-18, 03:58 PM
#22
Senior Member
I think the vast majority of models produced by most major brands look either matte black boring or over-logoed awful these days. Sometimes it's both matte black and over-logoed. There's also a pervasive black/white/red theme that's really tired.
There are some exceptions in the smaller brands, Ritte and All City both consistently have excellent paint schemes in my opinion.
There are some exceptions in the smaller brands, Ritte and All City both consistently have excellent paint schemes in my opinion.
06-25-18, 04:20 PM
#23
Banned
I think Interbike , the big US industry trade show, on the last day you can buy admission passes,
then you can walk up to the Bike company Reps there and ask your question to each and every one of them .
Other than that , back to speculations ...
then you can walk up to the Bike company Reps there and ask your question to each and every one of them .
Other than that , back to speculations ...
06-25-18, 04:29 PM
#24
Senior Member
So I've started down the road to convincing myself I should get a new bike. What I find somewhat disappointing is that many models I'm considering are only available in a matte finish and that finish is almost 90% black or dark grey. The Trek Domane is currently available in a gloss red that's very nice but being this late in the season (Yes June) the largest size frame is completely sold out for the model year so forget color choice. Next year it's black with a hint of orange on the logo and decal.
I want to know why most carbon fiber bikes are matte and black to boot. Is there a functional reason on Matte? Is there a market driven reason that they're all black or dark grey? I like gloss and I like colors, does everybody want a bike that's a great camouflage for a blacktop road?
I want to know why most carbon fiber bikes are matte and black to boot. Is there a functional reason on Matte? Is there a market driven reason that they're all black or dark grey? I like gloss and I like colors, does everybody want a bike that's a great camouflage for a blacktop road?
06-25-18, 04:34 PM
#25
bocobiking
Another reason to buy vintage: colors😉
Another reason to buy vintage
