Nice bike - shame 'bout the colour scheme ...

[SnappyPix]

I'm currently compiling a wishlist for my next big bike purchase - sometime in the next year or so.

I really like the look of the Specialized Roubaix Pro, but am really, really disappointed with the colour scheme (black, basically).
This led me to spend a good while arguing with myself about how important a colour scheme is, if the bike rides like a dream, has all the components you want, and the fit is good.

But for me, the whole "I luuuurve my bike" thing also includes how good I feel on it - how sexy the paintwork is and how much I go starry-eyed when I pass it and give it a loving stroke.

Commonsense tells me it's the mechanics that matter - but I'm a girl!
I just wondered how much a colourscheme would sway everyone else into buying/not buying the bike of their dreams.

I might not get the Roubaix, or may opt for the Ruby (daren't test drive anything yet - waaaay too dangerous until I actually have the cash to pay for it!), so it's just a hypothetical question.
Respray/relaquer would be an option, if it wasn't carbon fibre.

Have you ever NOT bought a bike because you didn't like the colour?

[crazycanuck]

I didn't even think about the scott range of wsd mtn bikes because they're in a girlie blue colour...:rolleyes: :eek: :mad:

I'm just happy with my new black bike...(scott scale 40)

c

[uforgot]

I wanted an entry level mountain bike, wasn't even sure if I would like mountain biking, and test rode a 2006 Specialized Hardrock Sport. Loved everything about it but I couldn't stand to touch that "matte" paint. To me it felt like a chalk board. (Gee, if you have and love this bike, my apologies. If we all liked the same things the world would be boring!) I'd even wait for a bike if the the manufacturers would offer a wider range of colors. I once pondered a Trek, in an ugly greenish grey. I asked the lbs "who picked out the paint scheme." He looked at me like I had two heads. He said that it was one of his most popular bikes. He sold a lot of them. 1. The color didn't appeal to me 2. He sold a lot of them and I don't want to be riding the same thing everyone else is.

I've rambled enough. Put me down as a "yes it matters"!:)

[SandyLS]

When I bought my new Bianchi road bike last year I paid $200 dollars more so I could order one in that beautiful celest (aqua) color that has been Bianchi's trademark color for years. For some reason they did not make the Bianchi Veloce I chose, in that color for a few years. I could have gotten the same bike in a perfectly good red that the bike shop had on the floor for less, but I just loved that celest color. Oh, for the $200 bucks I also got a 30 speed bike instead of the 27 speeds that were on the older modles.
My daughter deccided that her top priority for getting a new bike was color. She wouldn't even look at a bike unless it was pink which limited her choice quite a bit. She finally found one she liked at the price she was willing to pay on the internet.

[Bad JuJu]

It totally matters! Marketing companies and departments spend lots of time and money figuring out what colors will sell best, though IMHO they get it wrong at least as often as they get it right. And if you've checked out the possibility of buying a custom bike, you know it often costs extra for the coolest colors/color schemes.

I'm thinking about getting a Bike Friday, and I'm pretty sure I'll come up with the extra money for the color I want.

[tprevost]

heck, I went around hunting for the 2005 roubaix comp because I preferred the black (sorry, I like it! ;) ) to the red/black combo they had for the 2006 models. So, yes, the color does matter to some extent! Let us know what you decide!

Tracy

[brok]

I would never buy a bike that wasn't in a color I love. I realize it is just a visual thing, but I think you must like the way your bike looks as much as the way it rides. I ordered a Trek Project One so that I could have the bike I wanted in the color scheme I wanted. Just my 2 cents but I think you have to make your eyes happy too:)

[Brina]

I just got a specialized ruby comp and one of the things I love about it is that it is black. I don't like girlie colored bikes. i guess it is the new yorker in me.

[Kathi]

When I bought my Aegis I was able to pick out my own color scheme. I dragged my SO though every bike shop I passed to look at color schemes. I'd already had blue, black, yellow, red and purple bikes so I didn't want those colors. I thought white would show dirt and didn't like orange. I ended up with Lupine (purple) and Blueberry inside, outside fade. Very different and unique. At the time Aegis didn't charge for the fade but I think they do now.

When I chose the colors for my new custom bike the LBS had paint chips and we used them to come up with a color combination that looked good together. Then we used the Serotta paint program to come up with a design.

I'm not a "pink" person but the colors I chose are a muted pink trimmed with quicksilver and slate. I think it will be feminine but not girlie.

I was in the LBS last week and saw flowers on some of the frames, no thank you!

[betagirl]

Heh. When I went into upgrade to a new bike (I have a Trek 1200, which is red and white) I was looking at the Lemond Versailles, which in 2005 was pretty much grey and black. Ick. But it was in my price range and fit pretty well. Somewhere in the conversation with the LBS guy I mentioned how much I like blue for a bike. "Oh you like blue? Let me show you the Zurich. It's beautiful." He rolls out this gorgeous blue and white Lemond Zurich, which was $500 more than the Versailles. Grant it it has better components also, better wheels. But my honest motivation was the color.

http://www.cc-sanwa.com/products/img/lemond/road/zurich.jpg

[brok]

[QUOTE=Brina]I don't like girlie colored bikes.QUOTE]


Here, here!! I think it is a real poor assumption that companies make about women and the bike colors they would like. Crystal blue, pearl pink - heelllloooo, how about some choices.

[ladyfish]

Yep, like everything else, we have an opinion on color. Now not to upset the pink girls, but I didn't even want to test ride the pink Trek. I'm sure it's a great bike, but not my cup of tea. Now, the Bianchi pink is much more appealing, although I don't think I'd want any pink bike.

I am very happy with my red bike. I haven't named her yet, but "caliente" is in the running.

[RoadRaven]

LOL - good thread
The local bike shop told my partner when he was looking for a woman-specific bike for me that they sell very few because of all the pink bits.

I know there are a few pink fans here, but I have not been a pink fan (like LadyFish) - for me, since I started dressing myself.

I don't like red either - it just feels uncomfy - however, when I took all the garish red stickers off my first red road bike, she turned out to be a maroonish/blood red and quite nice.

I wish I could find a nice paint job in indigo or deep purple - or both... I def think I will start considering custom...

Oh, the question...? Does colour matter?


Heck YES!

[kaybee]

I also have to agree with Brina. The Giant I currently ride is red, which I really like. However, I'm looking at at Specialized Ruby or an Orbea to replace it. The Ruby comes in "basic, go-with-everything-black," which I really like, but the Orbea comes in pink and white (no, thanks), orange and white (wouldn't want to be mistaken for a Tennessee fan!) and blue and white (kinda boring). I have to admit, the basic black of the Ruby is much more appealing to me.

KB

[SnappyPix]

Yay, it's not just me!

Indigo/purple is my fave colour scheme, I think, but I'm so fickle:rolleyes:
One of my pet peeves is that WSD often only come in either powder blue or pink; I was gobsmacked to find that even Sarah Ulmer (New Zealand's top female cyclist) had launched her own range of bikes - in the predictable light blue finish.

[Duck on Wheels]

Of course color matters. It practically becomes an article of clothing, a part of your total body image, especially if you ride a lot. Not that I took it into account when I bought a bike for my sabbatical year. This is just a 1-year bike that I don't want to worry about leaving behind (and I won't, will I Trek420!). But that doesn't mean I don't care about how things look. I actually got serious about training and shipped my clunker bike all the way to California to ride the Cinderella Classic just so I could feel I deserved to buy that gorgeous 30th anniversary jersey. :D :p And remember, I'd never owned a bike jersey at all before. ;)

[MomOnBike]

Color matters. If looking at/thinking about/riding your bike doesn't make you smile, why do it?

My bikes are blue BTW, William is a lovely blue flake/silver combo that just makes me smile. {sigh}

Walter is a somewhat faded by now deep blue.

[KnottedYet]

Mine is a pale silver blue. I was really drawn to the color. It's not a WSD bike, but it sounds like that's a WSD color. Bummer.

My favorite colors are blue, green, purple, and silver. I don't think I've ever had a green, purple, or silver bike.

(hmmmm blue, white, brown, white, red, yellow, blue, black, silver-blue)

Seems like there must've been a green in there somewhere, but I guess not.

[Trek420]

"Lavender Menace" the Road bike is a metalic lavender, the paint chip that I agonised over for days said metalic plum.

"Bradley" the GT outpost trail is deep blue

"Mixte Fixie" the Motobecane project bike is a metalic Green Tea color

Oh, and I'm Aries, woops, wrong thread

[KnottedYet]

Oh! "Lavender Menace"!!! Very nice!

Geez, I gotta come up with a name for my Dew....

[KnottedYet]

Used to be a library-chick. "Dewey Decimator"?

Low self-esteem. "Dew-Dew"?

Took French for 6 months in HS. "Un, Dew, Trois"?

UU living by the golden rule. "Dew Unto Others"?

Gotta dog. "Dr. Dewlittle"?

Not gettin' any. "Dew Me"?

Skeptical and cynical by nature. "Dewbious"?

Like to solve problems. "Dews ex Machina"?

Enjoy obscure scientific jargon. "Dewteron"?

My prickly stinky sweet personality. "Dewrian"?

[Trek420]

thank you!

Trek-subtle is my middle name-420

Adventurous - "Where Dew you want to ride today?"

Likes Frank - "Dewbe Dewbe Dew"

[kjay]

This is such a fun thread. I, too, have been sorely disappointed in WSD colors . . wouldn't even test ride Trek's bright blue bike or the black one with pink letters. Oh, to be able to afford Project One in order to come up with my own color scheme. Anway, just wanted to thank you all for the interesting comments here. Color does matter!

[Selkie]

Color matters to a degree for me. I'm indifferent to the colors of my Dolces--a blue one and a red one. My Bianchi is that beautiful muted celeste green. My Luna Eclipse is pink, which I love. Funny that my steel frame bikes are my favorites and I really like their colors.
I have to decide what color I'm going to pick for the Orbit that Luna is building for me.
There's a guy whom I see every day who rides a flourescent pink bike, and another whose ride is flourescent orange (I think these must be anti-theft paint jobs because both guys are commuters).

[allabouteva]

but the Orbea comes in pink and white (no, thanks)
KB

ok, I have one of those!:o

And I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but hey it's me! And I lurrvve my pink and white Orbea Aqua Dama with Campy everything, it goes like a dream, the all boy household which I live in (1 DH and 2 sons) stay well away from it. So I know it's only going to be ridden by me.:D

There's room in the world for everyone and their tastes... As long as you love your bike and of course you've got to love the look of it too.

[DeniseGoldberg]

You do realize that not liking the colors of the available pre-built frames gives you a built-in excuse to buy a custom frame, don't you?

--- Denise

[uk elephant]

Must admit I didn't worry too much about the colour when I bought my bike, but I do like the all black. And just to add a touch of colour, I have a bright red bottle cage on it. I think it looks very cool. But if I could choose my very own colour, I'm sure red would be up there. If I ever win the lottery and can afford a custom bike, maybe.....

[KnottedYet]

Nother color trend that I find interesting: the prevalence of army-styled colors. All the dull camo greens and grays and army-boot black.

Bianchi Volpe and Surly LHT and all the Marin bikes for example. Seems like everywhere I look the touring/cyclocross/fixie type bikes are modeled after the military palette.

[Lise]

I think ukeliphant's bike sounds cool--black with red cages. Sounds like a stealth bike, a secret mission bike (I have a rich fantasy life when it comes to who I am when I'm on a bike, eh? :p ).

A bit OT, but it made me think of this thread--I was listening to the BBC news hour on NPR, and they were talking about the EU carbon emission "scheme". A "scheme" to an American is something sneaky, something not completely above-board. So it sounds like the EU's trying to get away with something carbon-related! :rolleyes: OK, I know, we're colonial goofs. L.

[tamara_69]

When I went to buy my bike, the LBS had a dark green one on sale. EWWW! I don't care how good the price is, if you hate the color, it won't matter. I ended up with a red one.

[Trekhawk]

When I went to buy my bike, the LBS had a dark green one on sale. EWWW! I don't care how good the price is, if you hate the color, it won't matter. I ended up with a red one.

Red is good.

PS love your sig line.:)

[Kimmyt]

I don't care how good the price is, if you hate the color, it won't matter.

I don't know... I hate the color of my bike, but it was last year's model (one of the only ones they had in my size from 2005) and I got a big percent off because of this. I ended up with it even though I shuddered the first time I saw the color.... I call it 'My Little Pony Teal' because it reminds me of those toys. I guess I'm just cheap enough to ignore the hideous color and focus on the amount of $$ i saved.

K.

[roughingit]

A bit against the grain here, but when I buy a bike, I'm getting it because of its frame, components, fit, etc, not what colour it is! My bike is black and grey with yellow accents. Splashy? Nope! Pretty? Heck no, I even refer to my bike as a him! Does it get me where I want to be in comfort and do all the things I ask it to? You bet!

It was hard enough finding a touring bike in my size to start with, I can't imagine demanding specific colours on top of that!

If the paint bugs you that much, why not just get it custom painted? I've seen epople with all kinds of crazy combos and their bike's name on the tube and all sorts of things done.

[bcipam]

OK as much as a stickler that I am about sizing and componetry, I still let color dictate my choice. All of my bikes in the past have been blue (deep like indigo), silver, black or some combo thereof (road bike is indigo blue, black and silver). I just bought a new mountain bike. My color choices were red and gun metal grey... ugh. So I bought the red and really, I like it. I really bought the bike cause it had the best components, fit me like a glove, for the right price but now the color is also a plus. I just added a Hope seat post clamp and front and rear wheel skewers in the same red and the bike looks hot. Sorry... sometimes the "bling" factor gets the most of me!

Someday I going ot have a custom bike designed. Probably a Landshark. If you want to get out cool colorschemes go to landsharkbicycles.com or spectrumpowderworks.com. Not only is steel real, but it can be beautifully painted!

[Dianyla]

I just couldn't bring myself to purchase a yellow, orange, or green colored bike. Some reds are nice, but that's iffy. I'm all about the blacks, silvers, and blues. I mean, I wouldn't buy a crappy bike just because it was a cool color, but I couldn't buy a bike in a color that I don't like.

I absolutely love the three tones of blue in my Orbea (see sig link), which is about 30% of the reason I chose this bike. I mean, it already matches my entire cycling wardrobe which is 95% black and silvery blues. :D

[KnottedYet]

I think it'd be a real hoot to custom paint a bike. I always wanted to custom paint a car. Used to glue plastic lizards and frogs to my Honda.

Maybe when my bike is older and not so shiney-purdy I'll play with paint and stickers and stuff.

Remember the Terry bike that was painted like a cow? White with big black blotches, and the bb was pink (like an udder)? That was a cool paint job!

[lnewv5]

So funny how everyone loves different colors! Everytime I see a WSD bike, I oooo and aaaa at the colors because they're so pretty (and so girly). Unfortunately, when I bought my Trek, I fit better on the standard version than the WSD, and thus have a fine, unisex blue/silver color design. But, I must admit, I paid more for the 06 version, because the red, white, and blue 05 version just wasn't for me. The color totally matters to me, but not enough to give up the perfect fit.

The other question is - how many of you coordinate your biking clothes/helmet/other accessories to match your bike?? I admit I definitely do. :p

[nancielle]

The other question is - how many of you coordinate your biking clothes/helmet/other accessories to match your bike?? I admit I definitely do.

Several years ago when I was shopping for my mountain bike, the friend who accompanied me was totally mortified by my response to the woman in the LBS when she asked what I was looking for. I told her "I want something that matches my helmet." :D The helmet was purple/black (love those two colors together. They match the bruises I got on the bike I had prior.) Didn't have exactly that but I ended up with a black mtb with purple accessories.

Didn't have the same luck when I was shopping for a road bike last year :( . The gorgeous purple/silver one I was lusting after came with a price tag that really cooled my ardor. Sigh. The one I got is blue/silver. The other one that fit/handled really well was red and I just do not like the color red. If if don't like the color (I'm the same way when car shopping), I'm not going to use it, let alone pay for it.

[Technotart]

The trek Project Ones come in ANY color you want - in any way you want them - that's my next bike - and there are a number of models to choose from.

Pricey? Extremely...but - as my friend Susan put it so well - what a way to commemorate an event in life! So commemorate I will!

Madone with Flame paint - pearl black carbon center - purple and silver flames...yummmmmmy



-

[Trekhawk]

I just couldn't bring myself to purchase a yellow, orange, or green colored bike. Some reds are nice, but that's iffy.

OK Im covering the ears of my orange moutain bike and red road bike straight away.:D

[Dianyla]

OK Im covering the ears of my orange moutain bike and red road bike straight away.:D
Heh, that just means your bikes will always be safe from me! :p

[KnottedYet]

"coordinate.... to match your bike"

My bike sorta matches my accessories, just because I always buy colors I like, and they tend to go together anyway. Like it's all in the same theme.

My clothes tend to go together for the same reason.

I think I'm fashion-sense impaired these days. Can't go wrong with black shirt, jeans, and sandals!

[annie]

Colors.............. so many beautiful colors out there! I have always loved bright yellow, the color of sunshine. Waaaaaaay before the -Lance- association. So when I finally was able to afford a Trek Project One (4 years ago), I looked at all the choices. There were certainly some beautiful designs. I just wondered how long until I tired of them.............. So I went with my one color of choice and got a metallic yellow, with pin stripes, with my online name, anniebikes, printed on one side. I have not regretted my choice yet, even tho' Lance sorta pre-empted the color yellow for his wristbands and cancer research, etc......... Could be worse things to be associated with! :rolleyes: In any case, I agree with those who say color is important. Even my other bikes, that I had less choice on the color, have a good splash of yellow. Yellow makes me happy. My bikes make me happy..... seems like a good combo. Do my biking clothes always match?? Ha!! Hardly, but they do occasionally and that's good enough for me. :)
If a bike is not going to make you happy, from fit or color, find another one that will. There are many bikes out there!

annie

[Trekhawk]

Colors.............. so many beautiful colors out there! I have always loved bright yellow, the color of sunshine. Waaaaaaay before the -Lance- association. So when I finally was able to afford a Trek Project One (4 years ago), I looked at all the choices. There were certainly some beautiful designs. I just wondered how long until I tired of them.............. So I went with my one color of choice and got a metallic yellow, with pin stripes, with my online name, anniebikes, printed on one side. annie

Hey Annie - that sounds sweet. Do you have a picture you can post?

[Jo-n-NY]

Toss this around since last week, I guess I will give my 2 cents. I would go by quality frame and components before color. When looking for the best bike for me, I thought I would get the Allez Comp. I like color and was not crazy about a black and white bike. Then tried the Dolce Comp - a gorgeous shade of RED and was so happy to find it fit me so much better than the Allez. However, if the Allez fit me better, I would have taken it despite not being crazy about the color.

~JoAnn

[annie]

Hey Annie - that sounds sweet. Do you have a picture you can post?

I should do that, I really should. :) And I will, soon......... she IS a beautiful bike, to me, at least.

annie

[susiej]

So funny how everyone loves different colors! Everytime I see a WSD bike, I oooo and aaaa at the colors because they're so pretty (and so girly). Unfortunately, when I bought my Trek, I fit better on the standard version than the WSD, and thus have a fine, unisex blue/silver color design. But, I must admit, I paid more for the 06 version, because the red, white, and blue 05 version just wasn't for me. The color totally matters to me, but not enough to give up the perfect fit.

The other question is - how many of you coordinate your biking clothes/helmet/other accessories to match your bike?? I admit I definitely do. :p

My 2003 WSD Navigator 200 is ... blue with silver/white. The other choice might have been white/red, but wasn't in stock. I was happy to not have a overly "girlie" color, especially because the Navigator has the lowered top tube. On the other hand, that obviously WSD might inspire another woman rider as it sits in the bike rack at the train station.

I'd planned to coordinate my gear with the blue bike -- but then I found a cute exercise seperates collection at Target in light grey and pale yellow. So cute! Now all my things are grey and yellow -- and do you know how hard a combination that is to find?!

This isn't a "girl" thing either. My husband got his bike in part because of the cool bright yellow, and his bikewear all coordinates -- down to his black and yellow socks.

--SJ

[Prairiedog]

I just bought a new bike this spring and the bike I decided on fit me like a glove...but the in store bike was this poopy brown color. Definitely not a chic bike! So I had to order it in the only other color it came in (blue) and wait 4 weeks for it.

The looks of the bike matter.

[bcipam]

I just couldn't bring myself to purchase a yellow, orange, or green colored bike. Some reds are nice, but that's iffy. I'm all about the blacks, silvers, and blues. I mean, I wouldn't buy a crappy bike just because it was a cool color, but I couldn't buy a bike in a color that I don't like.

I absolutely love the three tones of blue in my Orbea (see sig link), which is about 30% of the reason I chose this bike. I mean, it already matches my entire cycling wardrobe which is 95% black and silvery blues. :D

Dianyla:

I'm with you. I've always had a thing for Blue, Black and Silver (that's even my High School Colors). Most of my jerseys are the same although some contain yellow or orange, but always surrounded by blue. The new bike which is red is pretty. It's a dark blue red not orange. I just added some Hope skewers and a Hope seat post clamp in the same red and bike looks sharp. Thankfully I ride a regular bike not a WSD version. The WSD version of the new bike is a orange-red. That would never do for me.

[Dianyla]

The new bike which is red is pretty. It's a dark blue red not orange. I just added some Hope skewers and a Hope seat post clamp in the same red and bike looks sharp. Thankfully I ride a regular bike not a WSD version. The WSD version of the new bike is a orange-red. That would never do for me.
Exactly. I definitely appreciate the cold silvery jewel tone reds, not the warm brick orangey earth reds. I'm wondering how this all ties into skin tone, too.... I'm a "winter" person. :)

[bcipam]

Exactly. I definitely appreciate the cold silvery jewel tone reds, not the warm brick orangey earth reds. I'm wondering how this all ties into skin tone, too.... I'm a "winter" person. :)

I'm "winter" as well so I tend to like the jewel (bluish) tones of all primary colors.

By the end of this year I will most likely have a new Ti road bike built. I just found out, and this breaks my heart, that Chris King no longer manufactures and sells the torquiose component set... darn! The pink is not me so guess I'll do the dark blue.

My favorite colors are indigo blue or a light silvery blue (which my guy friends call "chick blue"). My head hurts thinking of color choices and designs. Sometimes it's better when buying a production bike not to have too many choices.:rolleyes:

[Dianyla]

By the end of this year I will most likely have a new Ti road bike built. I just found out, and this breaks my heart, that Chris King no longer manufactures and sells the torquiose component set... darn! The pink is not me so guess I'll do the dark blue.

My favorite colors are indigo blue or a light silvery blue (which my guy friends call "chick blue"). My head hurts thinking of color choices and designs. Sometimes it's better when buying a production bike not to have too many choices.:rolleyes:
When I bought my Orbea I was also looking at the Litespeed Bella (http://www.litespeed.com/bikes/bella.aspx), which is a very pale silvery blue. The one I looked at had very entry-level components and didn't fit me well. But I'm sure you could order a customized one... :D

[ladyfish]

I had to add my first bike color story to this thread. In my house growing up, your 8th birthday meant your one and only bicycle. Now I had learned to ride a bike (2 wheels, no training wheels) when I was 4 (had older brothers--had to keep up or exceed!) so waiting until I was 8 was FOREVER.

I was (and still am) not a girly girl. In other words, I didn't like or wear girly colors. Blue was and still is my favorite color. So of course I was dreaming of a blue bike for my birthday. Unfortunately, I didn't announce this desire!

On my birthday my parents proudly presented me with a PURPLE bike! Oh the horror! I was crushed that it wasn't blue. But knowing that it was the ONLY bike they would buy me and that there was no turning back, off I went with my purple bike (we didn't have a lot of money, and I was lucky to have a new bike at all). This was one of the schwinns of the '70's with the banana seat (which was white). So I got used to and enjoyed my purple bike and rode it to school every day.

Then came the christmas a few years later. Both my brother and I needed new seats, because plastic just doesn't hold up well in the Arizona heat. So we asked for new seats for Christmas. Remember, we didn't have a lot of money, so Santa always shopped for bargains. Imagine my surprise (not a good one) when Santa brought a slime lime green banana seat. Arghhh. Not exactly a girl's dream for her PURPLE bike. Gad, that was an ugly combination.:eek:

So I guess that color really does matter. When I went shopping for my road bike (the first one I bought as an adult) you can bet it was BLUE!!! That was a great bike. Then when I bought my current bike, although I wasn't as set on a color, I knew of ones I didn't care for. And my bike is definitely not PURPLE AND SLIME LIME GREEN!!!

Do what makes you happy!!!

[bcipam]

Too funny!

[DirtDiva]

Heh. I haven't even put a bottle cage on my current bike because I think it would look bad. Just as well I already had CamelBak tendencies. :p

[SnappyPix]

Have decided to carry on window shopping for my next, ultimate bike - thanks for all your comments, you've made me realise that the "wow" factor IS important to me!

Regarding wearing co-ordinated clothing - I'm quite lucky because my current bike is silver, so goes with most outfits! I will admit to having developed a sock fetish though - and these absolutely MUST go with the outfit I'm wearing!
I've had to make myself stop buying socks, because they're the first thing I gravitate to in a bike shop (less dangerous than carbon frames!) and I find myself coming over all Homer Simpson-ish, whispering "Mmmmm, socks" to myself in a drooling fashion.
My favourite are a pair of Sock Guy ones which say "Your bike sucks"!!

[kjay]

Well, after decrying the fact that the Trek Pilot 2.1 is black with pink lettering, I bought it anyway. The ride is smooth and the bike fits well. I live in the Bay Area and with all the bicyclists around here, one would think that bike shops would carry quite an inventory of bikes to test ride. Not the case in my experience. Consequently, I didn't test ride that many. I went with the Pilot 2.1 because it has more carbon fiber for a smoother ride. Told myself that I simply won't look at the bike while riding it. :D

[DirtDiva]

I don't like my bike clothes to match too much - might make me look like I know what I'm doing, which would be false advertising. :p

[winddance]

My LBS was making fun of me because I refused to purchase Specialized shoes with pink accents. I just don't understand why they have to take a perfectly good shoe and make it feminine. Sure, offer it as an *option*, but I am very peeved when I go into a store looking for new clothing to buy, and all they offer for women is silvery blue, red, and black. All colors I love, but I ride an orange and yellow bike. (and I found shoes that fit better...if it's a true gear decision, I'd buy what fits and live with it.)

I think for me, it was more an issue of knowing what color I didn't want than being set on a certain color. I didn't want pink or purple or anything like that, even though I understand why someone might. Why not? I think a blue frame would've been my first choice, but the one nice thing about riding a screaming orange and yellow bike is that people can definitely see me coming! :)

clicky for Orbea's photo (http://www.orbea-usa.com/fly.aspx?mId=m17&layout=viewproduct&taxId=231)

[DirtDiva]

I've thought about getting the Spesh Riatas (http://specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=15034) and colouring over the stitching with my black Sharpie... Or just jumping in a puddle of Essex mud... ;)

[ladyfish]

"subtle styling nod to your inner cowgirl. " What a hoot! Those shoes look like they would be nice, but the stitching is definitely a bit over the top (and I'm from Arizona originally, but it's not my thing!):D

[farrellcollie]

I considered a pilot 2.1 despite the fact that I really did not like the black with pink writing - just couldn't pull the trigger because of the color scheme - then a bianchi imola (a very pretty blue) that I was in the process of buying when discovered it just didn't fit (despite lbs trying many things) I finally ended up with scott contessa roadster - subdued grey and white - not bad - but not as colorful as I would have liked. I really liked the blue color of the trek 5.0wsd pilot - but could not justify the extra dollars just for color.

[SnappyPix]

but could not justify the extra dollars just for color

Tish tosh! I've now decided that as black isn't my chosen colour of choice - I'll go for the S Works Roubaix, instead of the standard Roubaix Pro ...
In fact, I'll take two please!
It is my wishlist, after all!
Oh, and apparently the frame is a bit better too, that's a bonus!

[mimitabby]

Nother color trend that I find interesting: the prevalence of army-styled colors. All the dull camo greens and grays and army-boot black.

Bianchi Volpe and Surly LHT and all the Marin bikes for example. Seems like everywhere I look the touring/cyclocross/fixie type bikes are modeled after the military palette.
These are pretty dumb colors because they were developed to HIDE the wearer. Just what a bicyclist needs, to be INVISIBLE going down the trail!!!
:eek: :eek: :eek:

[mimitabby]

A few months I walked into our LBS and almost barfed. Except for the far out cruiserbikes (the ones that look like a Hawaii postcard) every bike except one was black. There was one very dark maroon with that matte finish.

I asked the proprietor what gives. he said no one wanted colored bikes.
I scratched my head and told him I LIKE COLORS

I am sort of in shopping mode for a road bike, and whenever I go looking, I look at colors first. Then prices bring me down to earth. Sorry, I know it's not practical, but if i put that much $$ into something (more than 200 bucks) I want
it to stand out. I have had my fill of blue bikes; my dear father bought me at least 3 blue bikes, and I have a blue one now.I would be happy with neons, reds, oranges.. anything but blue white or black.

Yes, I want good components, yes, I want nice tires, yes, I care about brand; but sheesh, I spend 10 minutes matching my jersey to my shorts, can't COLOR matter on the bike too?

I hope some bike manufacturers are reading this thread!!!

[kjay]

Oh, dear, I just bought the black Trek Pilot 2.1 . . . guess I'll have to make up for it by wearing fluorescent colors from head to toe. :(

[KnottedYet]

TE sells an awfully nice neon Pearl Izumi Whisper vest....

c'mon, you know you want one.... ;)

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=10404

[kjay]

Well, I am proud to say that I already own that neon vest. I just wore it this morning on the first ride on my new bike. I was smiling from ear to ear because I was able to ride nearly 15 mph into a head wind, which was double the speed into a headwind on my old hybrid. Wheeeeeeee . . . . I LOVE MY BIKE! :D

[GLC1968]

Color totally matters to me!

I test rode a 2005 Specialized Dolce and I was so bummed that the only bike they had in my size was a girly purple! Luckily, it wasn't the bike I wanted (it was the base model), so I just HAD to order a new one anyway. I'm not a girly, girl...at all. But I am a fan of girly colors in SMALL doses. I love, love, love my 2006 Dolce Comp because its pearl and black with tiny pink accents. Not too girly...but definitely still pretty. Kind of like me! :p

Luckily, all my gear (helmet, shoes, gloves, etc) are in black or silver to coordinate with my old bike (which was black with red and blue accents) so they all will still 'go' with the new bike. I might just have to splurge on a pink and black messenger bag though! ;)

[jeannierides]

My Gunnar Roadie is made by Waterford. They have some of the most awesome colors - your bike can be whatever you imagine! Check this out...
http://www.waterfordbikes.com/site/style/fades.php :D

[SalsaMTB]

Color doesn't really matter that much to me. I don't know, I guess I like most colors I see, although I'm starting to get turned off of all the really girly pink bikes (and I ride a pink and green custom bike, but it's a really bright pink).

I was a little insulted though a couple years ago when I went into a bike shop and told them I was interested in a bike. After I was asked what type of bike I wanted the very next question was about color. Before showing me or fitting me on any bikes, they asked about color. I don't know, I think a bike shop should be telling you fit is important, not color. I was just like, ummm...I guess I'm just concerned about fit instead of color since this is my first bike. I just thought it was an odd question to ask. I don't think DH has ever been asked that in the 13 years he has been riding and countless bikes he has purchased.

If you're going custom, that's a whole different story! If I'm laying down a big chunk of change on a bike, I want that bike to be as beautiful as possible :)