Do you care about the paint scheme?

[TrekTheKaty]

I know we've done this before, but it's come up again. I love my current bike's paint scheme (black, white, red). It was important to me two years ago when I bought my first road bike (I refused to ride a black and hot pink Ruby, but DH forced me--didn't buy it because it was a compact double and I wanted a triple). But now I'm shopping again, and I'm more interested in other things (compact double, carbon frame, ultegra).

However, we just realized we have "TEAM" colors! DH's new frame is black with white and red accents. He sold is old bike to a friend and it is black and red. Another friend just bought a black and white Madone. BIL's bike is red and white. DANG! How cool will we look rolling down the road at the Big Dam Bridge ride in Little Rock in September! We need matching jerseys!

So now the pressure is on. Obviously, these are popular colors right now. Give me strength to not sway based on paint scheme!

I stepped out of the car the other day and I realized I was wearing a black and red jersey (TE!), red gloves, black and red helmet (coincidence--I already had the helmet) and two black camelbak bottles. That's a big investment! Not that matching is that important--lots of my jerseys don't match my bike, but I guess I've acquired all this over time

[Lesley_x]

Yes, I do care about the paint job. It's a psychological thing. I need to feel like I want to get out there and work hard. Flowery/girly paintjobs don't do that for me. The bike needs to look aggressive.

I want something that's going to make me get out there and ride my bike.

My current Giant hybrid has a matt black paint job with red flashes. It looks aggressive, and that pushes me further.

[Blue_Fedora]

I do care about paint scheme! When I bought my current bike I had my heart set on "last year's model" and primarily because it was a gorgeous red color. The LBS was going to give me a great deal on it as it was last year's model and they wanted it gone. Sadly, it was the wrong size. They were willing to give me the same deal on the current year's model. Sounded great and DH quickly said "take it!" but the problem I had is it was primarily glossy black with a bit of red and some white accents. I decided to buy it and luckily it has really grown on me. Love the black and white and red now. I find over time I've gotten jerseys, socks and a helmet in the same "theme" so I really do like it

[Trek-chick]

Color is very important to me. I think it has something to do with the artsy part of my personality....I have millions of sketch books and paintings---I love art I like traditional colors but, there is a part of me that likes my bikes to be uniquely mine with a bit of flair. I'm in the process of transforming my trek 520 into one that is "all me" I get bored with the off the shelf look that everyone else may have.

[TsPoet]

Yes and no... The bike is more important, but a nice paint job, that's precious.
Can you also consider saddle and HB tape and things like that which can be added to emphasize your colors?

[Crankin]

I have never, ever thought about color or design when buying a bike. The only thing I've ever thought about is the fit and the components. I wouldn't look at a girly thing with flowers, but so far, no one has shown me a bike with that!
And I would never pay for special paint, decals, etc. I know this is important for some people, but to me it's just not important.
My bike is red, black, and a little white. When I needed new shoes, I got red ones, but I was wanting them anyway. I also eventually bought a red helmet, but I have a black and yellow one, too, which I wear regularly. I hardly had any red jerseys, though. Now I have 2, bought more because they were TE designs. My hybrid is blue, and I like that color, too. No matching helmet, but my shoes with spd cleats are blue, although I had them a long time before I bought the bike.
I care more about the color/style of my jerseys. The bike is all about the fit.

[Catrin]

I don't seem to care for the flowery designs I have seen, but I do like vibrant colors. Apparently, right now, my favorite color for transportation appears to be cobalt blue (LHT and my car actually match - that was totally unconscious). While I wouldn't care for a pale or pastel pink, I can see me totally loving a black and really vibrant pink bike. I love vibrant colors

So yeah, I do care about the paint scheme - but it wouldn't be my first consideration. One can always get the frame powder-coated if needed

[kfergos]

I care, but I don't let it influence whether I buy the bike or not. It can be tough to find a bike that fits well and has the components the way you want; adding color pickiness into the mix could make it impossible. I wouldn't not purchase a bike just because I thought it was ugly. In fact, I rode a red bike for a long time that I just wasn't wild about.

Of course, when I bought my latest bike, I specifically asked for it totally unpainted, so I guess looks *do* matter... So I guess if you thought it was totally hideous and the ugliest thing you'd ever seen, that's one thing. Mild dislike for the color wouldn't stop me from buying a bike that rode like a dream.

[sundial]

I'm picky if I have a choice of color. If not, well....
One of my bikes comes in the color Fun Guy Green.