Bike Colors

[jeannierides]

Ok. I am currently riding a beautiful Colnago. I love it, but it's time for something new. The Colnago isn't a perfect fit, so I'm going to be looking at several mfgs. to figure out the best fit for me. My biggest problem is choosing a color (or colors)! The bikes I'm considering right now are from Independant Fabrication, Gunnar and Luna. All of those bikes give you the option of choosing your paint scheme. What do you gals have on your bikes that would maybe help inspire me to something really special?? Any ideas?

[jobob]

I like gazing at the Rivendell member's gallery

Also, you could go to a car painting shop and ask to look at their book of Imron paint chips - Imron paints are used to paint bicycle frames as well as cars. Some bike shops that do custom work may also have an Imron book. Be warned though, there could be thousands of colors in that book, it could send your head spinning !

[jeannierides]

Thanks, JoBob, I checked out that site...very cool.

[DeniseGoldberg]

If you're picking colors from paint chips, make sure to look at them in natural light. And don't trust colors on your computer monitor, ask for paint chips. The colors you see on your monitor may not be a good representation of the actual color.

[MomOnBike]

One thing to consider in choosing a bike color:

In some communities (my daughter's college, for instance) old beater bikes are aquired, put into working order, spray painted yellow and put out for use by anyone to ride. In those communities owning a bike that just happens to be yellow would be hazardous.

I really like the YellowBike idea, but I'm never going to buy a yellow bike for that reason. That and the fact my bikes are blue, darn it.

[jeannierides]

thanks everyone. I'm thinking I'll probably choose from a book or from pictures of actual designs I like. Landshark bikes has a great gallery to check out! I understand about paint chips as I am in the design business. Never Ever pick a paint from a 2" chip! This is probably going to be a process for me. Right now I'm kind of going through galleries and seeing what I like and ruling out what I don't. We'll see what happens...

[Cari]

Ok. I am currently riding a beautiful Colnago. I love it, but it's time for something new. The Colnago isn't a perfect fit, so I'm going to be looking at several mfgs. to figure out the best fit for me. My biggest problem is choosing a color (or colors)! The bikes I'm considering right now are from Independant Fabrication, Gunnar and Luna. All of those bikes give you the option of choosing your paint scheme. What do you gals have on your bikes that would maybe help inspire me to something really special?? Any ideas?

Did you check out the paint gallery link on Independent Fabrication's website? They have some pretty neat stuff there, like flames, "kaboom!" panels, and original designs, like a Joker-themed bike. They also have more standard stuff like harlequin colors and color fades. And since IF has several decal color choices, you can see how the different decals would look with each frame color. You can also check the IF owner's club, where people post pics of their bikes.

I don't blame you for your indecision, though... I'm going to buy an IF Crown Jewel -- my first real, adult road bike -- and deciding hasn't been easy!

For some reason, I have the idea that road bikes shouldn't be too "loud", whereas mountain bikes can be as crazy as you want them to be. Is that weird?

Oh, and if you're the kind of person that likes to match your helmet to your bike (as I am), I guess you might want to keep that in mind when choosing your bike color.

Good luck, and keep us posted on the birth of your new bike!

[jeannierides]

thanks, Cari. I have looked and looked and drooooollled over the paint schemes and colors in the IF galleries. Yes I DO want my helmet to match - the outfits are oh so important, don't you know?! I'm leaning toward something *subtle* like a purple w/sparkles & maybe a design of viney flowers ? Ummm not too sure. It's a fun process...but at some point I HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION!! Too many awesome decisions to make...<<sigh>>