How important is bike color to you?

[Running Mommy]

not that it matters now... But the zw3 retails for 21-2200.00
I'm a felt dealer as well.
Felt is currently out of road bikes. The last I called them they told me no bikes till the end of September. I've pretty much given up calling them for availability.

As for color, must be something in the air this year. Giants Avail 3 is gold and white. They also have a lot of orange throughout their line this year??

[ridebikeme]

I suppose in the real world, you are the only one that can answer that question. As others have mentioned, the 2009 bikes are on their way and of course prices will be significantly higher... maybe that will be another factor in your decision. Color schemes for these bikes are all over the place.. from brights to some more subdued... depends on the line. But like most everything, everything happens in cycles and color choices have always followed suit.

Good luck in your search ... it's a fun time to be buying a new bike!!

[TxDoc]

What do you think of this color combo?
http://www.feltracing.com/09-catalog...9-zw3-int.aspx
I don't know about that gold...it's just not me.

It looks like a really nice bike to me... and I love the gold! In fact the only thing I would change is to replace that white saddle with a gold carbon seat, and maybe a golden wheelset like the khamsin or the shamal. You can give the final touch with the handlabar tape... It's going to be a hot bike!

[RolliePollie]

not that it matters now... But the zw3 retails for 21-2200.00
I'm a felt dealer as well.
Felt is currently out of road bikes. The last I called them they told me no bikes till the end of September. I've pretty much given up calling them for availability.

As for color, must be something in the air this year. Giants Avail 3 is gold and white. They also have a lot of orange throughout their line this year??

Ooooh, maybe can you please tell me the prices for the ZW2 and the ZW25 too? I was estimating around $2,200 for the ZW3...since the ZW2 has Dura-Ace, I'm imagining it's quite a bit more. I was hoping they would be offering an Ultegra equipped bike...carbon with Ultegra or maybe even the aluminum/carbon with Ultegra like the 2008 FW25. For some reason, I kind of like the green ZW25. And the black/blue on the ZW2 is much nicer than the gold on the ZW3. I wish I wasn't so picky...I guess they can't possibly please everyone!

[Jiffer]

I, for one, am glad that I "love" the color of my bike. It's not an amazing color ... it's black, silver and white ... but because it's neutral, I can do anything with it. I choose to do PINK with it, of course.

I do wonder, however, if you have seen that bike in person and, if not, if you would like it more than you think you do based on the photo. Just a thought. But, ultimately, if you know you flat out don't like the color ... I'd keep shopping until you do. Someone like my husband would think that's ridiculous and that's not how you buy a bike. But my belief is, the more you love your bike, the more you're going to want to ride it. He loves his bike for what it does for him and color is not a priority. But, there are so many options out there, there certainly ought to be an awesome bike in your price range that is a color you like. You just have to figure out what YOUR priorities are and see what your options are. Good luck!

[smurfalicious]

Funny thing about this thread, when I first read it I forgot that I HATED the colors of pony when I first bought her. It was between the GF Tassajara and the Big Sur GS. I liked the colors of the Tass but the Big Sur was a better fit, and more aligned with my wannabe racer goals. I ate ramen to pay for that bike, it better be good!

So yeah, she came home with me, and I despised her colors for weeks until we rode together enough that I loved her despite it. Then something clicked in me and I thought she was cute as a bug's ear. It didn't hurt that she fetched TONS of compliments and is the reason I have more blue jerseys than brain cells. I feel a little sad looking at her now, I miss her so much.

http://fisherbikes.com/archive/model/86

I like the gold, a lot. It's really classy and different! I say go for it. Can you imagine with leather bar tape? Oooooh! I say your bike must be at least this ugly before you can complain about color:

[VeloVT]

I don't object to that color scheme. However, I would not put white tape and seat with those colors, regardless of how trendy white tape is. The bike will look much more subtle and sophisticated and sleek and stealthy with black seat/tape, imo.

BTW here's the bike for those of you who are too lazy to click on the link (I would be some days):



(And I really like the look of white tape generally and even have it on my roadbike).

That said, I am of the school that would probably buy the bike, if I loved the ride and the price/components were right, even if I didn't love the colors.

Heck, I don't love the color scheme on my Bianchi cx/commuter bike. Now I really like celeste -- I do -- but the graphics on my model year are just kind of ugly in my opinion.



I've had the bike two years and I haven't changed my opinion on this. However, it's the little engine that could. It's just such a workhorse. And the geometry is so comfortable. I love riding it. The fact that it's not what I would ideally choose aesthetically somehow doesn't bother me.

My road bike... I'm constantly fussing over whether I like this or that on it... are the pink tires cheesy... does the black seat with white center stripe work acceptably well with white tape? and I'm just never satisfied... even though up close, the quality of the finish job on my road bike is beautiful (whether or not you like the graphics -- and I'm okay with them, though I think Cervelo, for instance, has nicer graphics).



I guess my point is, it's more complicated than just the colors. I would give the bike a chance. At least wait until you see it in the flesh.

[Running Mommy]

Ooooh, maybe can you please tell me the prices for the ZW2 and the ZW25 too? I was estimating around $2,200 for the ZW3...since the ZW2 has Dura-Ace, I'm imagining it's quite a bit more. I was hoping they would be offering an Ultegra equipped bike...carbon with Ultegra or maybe even the aluminum/carbon with Ultegra like the 2008 FW25. For some reason, I kind of like the green ZW25. And the black/blue on the ZW2 is much nicer than the gold on the ZW3. I wish I wasn't so picky...I guess they can't possibly please everyone!

No prob-
ZW2 3400-3599, and ZW25 1529-1599. The low # is the lowest felt will allow you to sell it at, but the high number is msrp.

[VeloVT]

I'm dating myself, but the name of color scheme REALLY makes me think of the scene in "Ghost" (w/ Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Whoopi Goldberg) where Whoopi Goldberg, as a fake psychic, is channeling an older lady's dead husband, and she says, "damn baby, what'you do to yo' hair?" and the woman gets all flustered and flirtatious and says, "you like it? it's AUTUMN SUNRISE." (yup, orange).

sorry, carry on...

[RolliePollie]

No prob-
ZW2 3400-3599, and ZW25 1529-1599. The low # is the lowest felt will allow you to sell it at, but the high number is msrp.

Thanks RunningMommy...it helps to have the pricing. All three are around what I was expecting, so no big sticker shock at least! If only the ZW2 was $1,000 cheaper!

I agree, Liza, that the white bar tape doesn't look quite right with the black and gold. On the Felt website, it says the bike comes with yellow bar tape. Now that sounds really scary to me...gold with yellow? But like everyone has said, seeing it in person might make all the difference.

My current bike is a Trek 1000 WSD in a really pretty shade of blue. I love the color. It's made me more fond of the her even though I know she's an entry level bike. So I think I have come to the conclusion that color matters a lot to me. Hmmm...now what do I do?

[wildhawk]

I remember when DH bought me my current bike “Spirit”. I had sold my black Stony Point mountain bike and we went to the LBS and the only two choices in my Giant for that year were red and a deep, dark purple. I have NEVER been a fan of purple - but the bike rode great and it fit me like a glove and had all the features I was looking for. So I went with her - I used to call her my “purple pavement eater”. But DH offered to repaint her for me, but over time the purple has grown on me and I now like her color a lot. I get lots of compliments on her. I decided to accessorize her with black and silver so I can still get the black accents in there (I really like black - I know - its not like green or pink - but it is one of my favorite colors for vehicles). Ask yourself what is more important - color or comfort? Accessories or durability/rideability? You can have the most gorgeous color bike in the world, but if it does not fit you or does not have the features you need, what is the point? Besides, paint can always be changed. Good luck with your choice - the bike looks really nice, and gold is a neutral enough color to go with anything.

[lph]

the bike looks really nice, and gold is a neutral enough color to go with anything.

*snort* this reminds me of one of those "You know you're a cyclist when... screaming yellow is a perfectly acceptable fashion colour"

[NbyNW]

And yeah, the first thing I thought when I looked at it was 'Pittsburgh Steelers'.

Actually, the metallic gold is closer to the New Orleans Saints' palette.

THIS says Pittsburgh Steelers:
(and I do hope that any would-be thieves in the Seattle area would find this to be a vomitous color combination)

[Zen]

Vomitous- I like that word!

[ginny]

I just went through the bike color ordeal. I decided that I would promise myself that I would powder coat any bike I didn't like the color of. That allowed me to open up my search. Having said that, I just bought a bike I wasn't super stoked on the color, but it's growing on me and it's all about accessorizing So, if you like the bike and the components, etc, powder coating around here is only about $80-100 for the frame... not a reason not to buy a bike in my opinion. Happy new bike!