Honest opinion on white bikes?

[MattTuck]

Strongly leaning toward a paint scheme based on white for my new frame. Several people I've talked to have responded with ":eek:Are you CRAZY?".

So, I need the straight dope on how it is to own these bikes and keep the clean.


I already know they're sexy as hell, so you don't need to tell me whether or not they look good. I just want honest (preferably based on real world experience) arguments for or against white bikes.

I guess the question boils down to: If you had a frame painted white, and had to have it repainted, would you choose white again?

[jmoore]

LOVE white bikes. The bike I'm having built is going to be white.

Get the white.

[MattTuck]

I should add that this will be my daily driver, so will likely see some wet roads, and I tend to ride gravel/dirt on a somewhat regular basis.

[FlashUNC]

Had a white bike for my first six years of riding. Still got it. Yeah, I had to clean it, but any bike is like that.

I like 'em.

[pdmtong]

I have white bike - sort of. the DT, BB, CS, SS are white.

White shows dirt

White shows chain lube

White shows water spots.

Ridden bikes get dirty and greasy and spotty

If you want the 100% clean look all the time do not get white.

If you arent hung up by that, get white.

I like white.

[54ny77]

my day-to-day rig is white and it's a beeyatch to maintain.

sometimes i let the paint get pretty grubby but at least clean the drivetrain (i'm kinda religious about that).

i have a couple of black bikes (and have had black bikes in the past), and BY FAR black is easier to clean & maintain. especially if nice & glossy paint. it just doesn't show dirt/dust as much.

[merlinmurph]

I'm not a white bike kind of guy - I prefer red or orange - but that's just me. And my road bike is brushed ti, so I have no right offering my opinion on color.

My wife's bike is mostly white, and since I'm the in-house maintainer, I find it to be a bit of a pain. Bikes with color look better dirty than a white bike - does that make sense?

Then again, a Kirk in any color looks fantastic.

Murph

[Joachim]

I had a white bike and will never have one again. If you don't mind riding a dirty bike ALL THE TIME, then get white. Even silver-like colors show less dirt. Besides, my Kirk is going to be orange.

[bikerboy337]

I love my white Wojcik, but it does get dirty, especially this time of year... if you want a bike that looks clean all the time, steer away from white, but a simple wipe down every few rides this time of year keeps mine looking great....

i have a black bike that i never really have to clean unless i'm riding in really wet/dirty stuff...

to be honest, I kinda like the look of a dirty white bike...

[CaliFly]

There is a special place in my heart for white bikes. Looking clean is not the same as being clean...gotta clean the bike whether it's white or black or a crazy pattern. These aren't garage queens. We RIDE. Let 'em see just how much. ;)

[dave thompson]

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/3293/travelers1.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/685/travelers1.jpg/)

I love white bikes. White shows off the lines of the bike the best. It allows, if you wish, to have other parts (colored nuts or bolts, bar tape, saddle color, hardware) be the accents.

My last three custom bikes have been white, one was refrigerator white, the next was snow white and the third was a warm white, which I called 'Cream Brulee'.

Everyone knows white bikes are faster and their riders are more studly. Hugh Hefner's bike is white I believe.

[jr59]

Me, I like white bikes. Well, I like all bikes, but I like white bikes best.

As far as dirt and grime goes, yea they get dirty, but so do the other colors.

Seeing as most of my bikes are either white, black, or red, I can't really tell the difference in how often I need to wipe them down.

[jtakeda]

White bikes are awesome. Admittidely, mine is a sort if Sunday rider so it doesn't see much road but I think they're easier to clean because you can see where it gets dirty.

[Dave B]

I have had two white IF cross bikes, 5 white IF mtbs, The Trek Postal bike in white, and a white cannondale.

All were ridden a lot, raced, etc.

White bikes are awesome. There is a white bike thread in the archives somewhere. Look through it and see how many cool bikes there are in white.

[firerescuefin]

That is all:cool:

[Kirk007]

White Kirk's rock: http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=107036

[pakora]

I'm in the don't like white bikes boat but recently at a race I saw a Zanconato in super wet/glossy white with red logos and very subtle accents (SRAM Red bits).

It was sharp, but that's the first time I drooled over a white bike.

[Likes2ridefar]

I've had a mostly white carbon bike, and it was a PITA to keep clean. Mostly crud from the chain. the DT also looked like crap after a year. after breaking down the bike a nice scrub down with some polish my father had made it nice and white again.

I've also had white cables. Never again. They looked dirty after only two weeks of racing...granted it rained nearly every day at one stage race in Vietnam.

Personally I'd never get white again unless I really enjoyed cleaning my bike....which I dont.

mostly black all the way!

[Kirk007]

White works for daily drivers too. A little mud etc - no big deal. Here in the Pac NW if you have a steel bike and ride it in the winter you are probably going to be cleaning it off regardless of paint color as normal maintenance.

[MattTuck]

You guys are preaching to the choir! I know white bikes are the best to look at! The question is about owning them ;) You've heard this song, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NF5XU-k2Vk) haven't you?



White Kirk's rock:

White bikes are awesome. There is a white bike thread in the archives somewhere. Look through it and see how many cool bikes there are in white.

That is all:cool:

[svelocity]

I've always heard black autos are the hardest to keep shiny and white autos are the easiest. As a owner of a black and white automobile can can concur this is true. Why then would this not translate into white and black bikes?

Edit: I should specify the paint is the hardest to keep shiny. Parts like handlebar tape, cable housing, etc. is different... :)

[William]

White Rocks

That is all:cool:


http://rocktumblingsupplies.com/images/Items/polished-rocks-white-large.jpg

Are they vertically compliant yet laterally stiff? Do they plane?:confused:




;)I like white bikes.


William

[firerescuefin]

They still rock:cool:

[Waldo]

My wife used to call my white Cinelli Supercorsa a "wedding dress"... It was a gorgeous bike that rode nicely.

[christian]

I own a white cx bike. Clean or dirty, it looks great. I'm eventually going to have it re-sprayed, to white with blue panels.

[tiretrax]

White always looks good and is versatile for accents - bar tape, bolts, etc. Any kit looks good on it. All that said, I'm not that vain.

I never complain about cleaning my bike - it means I was able to ride it!

[eBAUMANN]

i like an off/bone white or a pearl white. "enamel" white...not so much.

[Ken Robb]

I love white bikes with red accents but EVERY little scratch shows. I don't cry much when a darker bike gets scratches because I probably can't see them from 6 feet away but scratches on a nice white bike make me sad.

[dave thompson]

White bikes are as easy to clean as any other color. It does show road grime more readily but then others will always think you just completed some epic Rapha ride when they see it. Sorta like dirty white bar tape.

I don't grouse about cleaning bikes and actually enjoy the ritual of doing it, inspecting the bike and getting them ready for the next ride. Much like cleaning my guns after using them.

[Kirk007]

The question is about owning them ;)

Seriously, I don't think its that big of a deal, but then I am fine with a little dirt, a scratch etc. Part of riding in my view.

And when it looks like this, you just need a hose with low pressure some of the pink stuff, some of Too Tall's new lube, a few rags and 5 minutes,

[Hank Scorpio]

I just had this repainted lookin forward to getting it dirty this weekend.

[Gothard]

White is very elegant as a base color for a bicycle:

[MattTuck]

White is very elegant as a base color for a bicycle:

are those red or orange anodized parts? Hard to tell from the light. That bike is fabulous!

[biker72]

Yes I like white bikes.
I regret selling this one.
http://graphicfxs.com/EBay/Paramount13.jpg

[Joachim]

They still rock:cool:

Yeah, Jerry Lee Lewis rock, not Metallica rock.

And a white Kirk with gold logo's and Lexus Matador Red outline. Now that will rock like Nothing Else Matters.

[christian]

Too many posed pictures!

Getting muddy:
http://www.christianedstrom.com/zanconato/westpointcx20121021_2.JPG

Scraping paint off the chainstays:
http://www.christianedstrom.com/zanconato/westpointcx20121021_1.JPG

Exceeding the load spec:
http://www.christianedstrom.com/zanconato/matty_daddy_trailabike.jpg

[bluesea]

A "cool" toned pearl white (pink, blue) is the ultimate.

[firerescuefin]

Christian...is that your Co-Driver/Nav in that last photo?;)

"Dad 200 m, square left "

[christian]

Christian...is that your Co-Driver/Nav in that last photo?;)Poor man's Cancellara seat tube motor. If you yell, "Turbo boost!" it responds with 40w of power for 15 seconds. Use it three times and it demands chocolate milk and a sandwich, though.

[mistermo]

white's cool. Bike's not mine.

[Gothard]

are those red or orange anodized parts? Hard to tell from the light. That bike is fabulous!

Orange, Tom Kellogg used the headset as a color to copy for the paint line.

[pdmtong]

I just had this repainted lookin forward to getting it dirty this weekend.

I like the way post crash/repair v2.0 came out a lot.

[jlwdm]

No white bikes for me. It is not the cleaning, I just see very few white bikes that I think look good.

Jeff

[Fishbike]

The reality is other color bikes get just as dirty as white. Ok maybe light color bikes show the dirt a bit more, but dirt is dirt and all dirt should be cleaned eventually to suit your personal dirt tolerance level. If you like a white bike -- get a white bike. So many look fabulous!

[aoe]

If the question is do white bikes require more maintenance than other colors to keep clean? yes. Is it worth it? yes.

Dirty white bikes look better than dirty black bikes. I also like the look of dirty white bar tape and think clean white cycling shoes look ridiculous.

[aoe]

Exceeding the load spec:
http://www.christianedstrom.com/zanconato/matty_daddy_trailabike.jpg

Zanc does white so right. Very cute kid, Christian. Get him some carbon soles into some clipless and I'd bet he'd mash down some serious watts.

[nekoball]

You -like- the look of dirty white bar tape? :eek:

I like white bar tape, but guilty of not changing it enough... and then when you take the tape off and compare it with the covered, unexposed tape it's pretty gross.

If the question is do white bikes require more maintenance than other colors to keep clean? yes. Is it worth it? yes.

Dirty white bikes look better than dirty black bikes. I also like the look of dirty white bar tape and think clean white cycling shoes look ridiculous.

[christian]

You -like- the look of dirty white bar tape? :eek:
Love it. I'll be dropping my MX-L off at Signature some time in the next few weeks for a tune-up. With the express instructions to keep their paws off my faded, filthy white bar tape. Beat up white bar tape says, "Things need to look just so, but I still have to ride my bike!"

[cnighbor1]

If going with a white frame I would some of those sparkle chips mixed in with paint. white can be very flat in appearance. Or in other words dull. To avoid dull get some strong color decals like red than match the red with red bar tape etc.
One other item is do like richard sachs does and have panels of say red

[Llewellyn]

That's it, you guys have convinced me. My next frame will be white with either, red, black or blue panels.

Some sexy bikes in this thread

[kohlboto]

But, I have to say I prefer a slightly off-white tone.
My Vanilla Shake Hampsten was sublime:

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=93915&highlight=Hampsten

It reminds me of the Bridgestone MB-0...

[azrider]

white is where it's at

[Kirk007]

Hey Matt, per your request - here's my kirk built up with the mango Chris King headset. I guess it could really be pimped out with mango or green hubs and bottom bracket!

[sailorboy]

this, just this...

[MattTuck]

Hey Matt, per your request - here's my kirk built up with the mango Chris King headset. I guess it could really be pimped out with mango or green hubs and bottom bracket!

Looks great! Ignore the PM I just sent about emailing me the pics. That looks like a bike that makes you proud to throw your leg over it.

[1centaur]

This is a personality test, and the only personality test that matters is the owner's. If you're a clean freak, such that cleanliness itself is highly important in your surroundings, then white bikes don't give you plausible denial.

If you're a bit more mellow but don't want it to look really bad, do you have five minutes at the end of a ride to fix 95% of the problem? Then no problem.

If you're in the out of sight, out of mind camp for cleaning stuff, then don't buy a white bike.

If you're an absolutely obsessive cleaner, get a white bike because it's easier to see it's clean :)

If dirt and gravel riding all the time, make sure the paint has plenty of clear coat.

Me, I have lots of white bikes and really like them. I don't stare at the bottom of the down tube that often, but I wipe down the easily visible surfaces with bike cleaner and bike shine stuff every few rides or when I notice some spots. No big production of hoses and buckets and sponges just because it's white. I'm the 95% guy - kinda mellow about stuff like that.

Personality test.

[kohlboto]

Is great insight.

[alioup]

+1 white bikes:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8445/7903382444_618083945b_z.jpg

[Puget Pounder]

+1 white bikes:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8445/7903382444_618083945b_z.jpg

Holy bar drop, batman!

[jmeloy]

Love the white. Ride it everywhere! Blue STRONG with brown bands on each side and brown bar tape and fizik saddle.

[aoe]

this, just this...

That's a painful picture for me personally...I almost bought that frame from Bikyle....it's the 54 no? I hesitated then finally emailed them only to find out it'd been sold that day.

[DRZRM]

What's not to like. I like the white, don't mind it a little dirty from time to time, but usually I wipe it down with baby wipes when I get home from a wet ride. The hardest stuff to get off is from the roof rack, those bugs liquify and then dry. Still my favorite color for bikes. There is a little pearlescent green mixed in with this paint too.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f302/drzrm/2012-11-15134148.jpg

[sevencyclist]

Had a white Cannondale M400 from 1988, then switched to Tusk color Bridgestone MB-Zip which was great looking. I suggest slightly off white so the dirt does not show as much and blends in well into the bike.

[ergott]

White bikes just remind you to clean them.

http://ergottwheels.smugmug.com/Sports/The-bikes/i-rVSJ9Qw/0/XL/ZanconatoHD-XL.jpg

[93legendti]

My next bike will be white

[54ny77]

White bike + NYC road grime + bathroom shower bike cleaning = strange looks from wife...

:p

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z113/jpmz06/Bike/IMG_1158_zpse2cf02c9.jpg

[BumbleBeeDave]

What's not to like. I like the white, don't mind it a little dirty from time to time, but usually I wipe it down with baby wipes when I get home from a wet ride. The hardest stuff to get off is from the roof rack, those bugs liquify and then dry. Still my favorite color for bikes. There is a little pearlescent green mixed in with this paint too.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f302/drzrm/2012-11-15134148.jpg

This machine and ergott's cross bike make me want to run out to Home Depot, grab a half dozen cans of Krylon, and start spraying all of mine! :p

NICE looking machines!

BBD

[William]

What's not to like. I like the white, don't mind it a little dirty from time to time, but usually I wipe it down with baby wipes when I get home from a wet ride. The hardest stuff to get off is from the roof rack, those bugs liquify and then dry. Still my favorite color for bikes. There is a little pearlescent green mixed in with this paint too.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f302/drzrm/2012-11-15134148.jpg

That's a real looker Zach!:cool:




BBDave, two words for you: Rattle can!!;)




William

[shovelhd]

1centaur nailed it.

I don't have an all-white bike like some of these beauties, but both of my bikes have white in the paint scheme. I race with white tape and a white saddle.

[DRZRM]

Thanks William and BBD, I'll admit that my in matchmaker wants to put an Enve/Edge seat post on this (I restickered the wheels with custom matte black stickers), even though I generally avoid carbon SPs.

[oldpotatoe]

Strongly leaning toward a paint scheme based on white for my new frame. Several people I've talked to have responded with ":eek:Are you CRAZY?".

So, I need the straight dope on how it is to own these bikes and keep the clean.


I already know they're sexy as hell, so you don't need to tell me whether or not they look good. I just want honest (preferably based on real world experience) arguments for or against white bikes.

I guess the question boils down to: If you had a frame painted white, and had to have it repainted, would you choose white again?

My 'honest' opinion is that they are a PITA to work on. Unless all the stuff on them is new, they are almost impossible to get and keep clean looking.

If I had a frame for respray, I would never pick white.

[fuzzalow]

That IndyFab is hot stuff.

White bikes look great. Yes they are a bit more maintenance to keep pristine but IMO they don't look as bad as Bianchi Celeste looks dirtied up. Must be that white-black comes across as edgy and celeste-black looks ill-maintained.

This is definitely a winter time conversation.

[sashae]

I love white bikes, especially when they start showing wear.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2038/2539755512_1ef78c5337_b.jpg

http://subtle.org/se/gallery/d/11033-2/IMGP5285.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8188/8121978919_c235a73214_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7161/6437672335_4f66f1e171_b.jpg

[mnoble485]

this, just this...

That unprotected bottom bracket sitting on concrete brought shivers. What a great looking frame though.

Mike

[scrubadub]

Dirt? What dirt?

P.S. I tried hard for awhile to keep my white Handlebra clean, used the recommended stuff, still no luck. Oh well, glad others like dirty white handlebar tape :) Also for some reason I find it funny now that the snow picture is from the SF Bay Area and the dry/sunny ones are from New England.

[everbeek]

White bikes are pretty when either clean

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/101170332189904141132/albums/5128375269523363265/5663817523263899458?hl=en
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/101170332189904141132/albums/5128375269523363265/5663816598580767106?hl=en


https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/101170332189904141132/albums/5614038560618487889/5618041632198898610?hl=en
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/101170332189904141132/albums/5614038560618487889/5618041632198898610?hl=en

or dirty.
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/101170332189904141132/albums/5128375269523363265/5651511661461035666?hl=en
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/101170332189904141132/albums/5128375269523363265/5651511661461035666?hl=en

-Mike

[nekoball]

or dirty.
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/101170332189904141132/albums/5128375269523363265/5651511661461035666?hl=en
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/101170332189904141132/albums/5128375269523363265/5651511661461035666?hl=en

-Mike

^---- This.

[timto]

In addition to the comments already made - white bikes really show the quality of frame construction - uneven fillets, lumpy shorelines or what have you - really show up more on white than other colors I've found

[jmoore]

Hotness! Are those accents red or orange?

This is almost exactly the paint scheme I'm going with. Glad to see I'm on the right track!

I just had this repainted lookin forward to getting it dirty this weekend.

[one60]

I have a white bike (see pics on the white bike thread) with red pinstriping around the lugs. Looks great. It gets dirty but unless its ridden in rainy weather stays cleaner than my brushed Ti bike.

A good coat of wax helps a lot. Rather than wash it with a hose, I use an auto detailer spray and a soft microfiber cloth. It removes dirt & leaves a nice shine. Its only 10 tubes (steel fork) and takes maybe 10 minutes.

[rugbysecondrow]

I love white bikes, I have a white Bedford andI never noticed them looking dirtier than other bikes, I actually think they hide some of the day to day grime pretty well.

[weisan]

You either have a white bike or you don't. Get one.

http://alicehui.com/pics/nc/img/81.jpg

[slidey]

A colour scheme is a very personal thing...its something that should make you want to ride it everyday, it is an extension of your personality or desires, etc. Let me speak for myself, and hopefully not offend you.

I've not found a single white bike that has appealed to me, nor can I think of a situation which would make me look at one of these desirably (not even if it were offered free; I'd just sell it off to pocket some cash). When I look at a white bike, I think of dirt/grime/holidays spent cleaning instead of working on my research, etc; so yeah, nothing positive from me on white bikes. :p

[dave thompson]

A colour scheme is a very personal thing...its something that should make you want to ride it everyday, it is an extension of your personality or desires, etc. Let me speak for myself, and hopefully not offend you.

I've not found a single white bike that has appealed to me, nor can I think of a situation which would make me look at one of these desirably (not even if it were offered free; I'd just sell it off to pocket some cash). When I look at a white bike, I think of dirt/grime/holidays spent cleaning instead of working on my research, etc; so yeah, nothing positive from me on white bikes. :p

Geez you make it sound like cleaning a bike is an all-day job. Not so in my white bike experience.

[slidey]

haha...I'm just a total lazy bum.

Geez you make it sound like cleaning a bike is an all-day job. Not so in my white bike experience.

[Kirk007]

A colour scheme is a very personal thing...its something that should make you want to ride it everyday, it is an extension of your personality or desires, etc. Let me speak for myself, and hopefully not offend you.

I've not found a single white bike that has appealed to me, nor can I think of a situation which would make me look at one of these desirably (not even if it were offered free; I'd just sell it off to pocket some cash). When I look at a white bike, I think of dirt/grime/holidays spent cleaning instead of working on my research, etc; so yeah, nothing positive from me on white bikes. :p

Interesting; I don't think I feel that strongly about any color! For me, white bikes, pearly white Harleys with shiny pipes and black leather seats and bags, white cars; love 'em all. I'm very found of white/black/chrome/aluminum/stainless with a little primary color for accent.

[slidey]

I thought about this a bit more - I simply love vibrant colours, and if they were to get dirty as easily as lets say, white, I'd still buy them. I guess, white just doesn't appeal to me one bit, and I'm using frequency of cleaning the bike as an excuse to justify this.

But, white/black/red totally works! :banana:

Interesting; I don't think I feel that strongly about any color! For me, white bikes, pearly white Harleys with shiny pipes and black leather seats and bags, white cars; love 'em all. I'm very found of white/black/chrome/aluminum/stainless with a little primary color for accent.

[MattTuck]

This is a personality test, and the only personality test that matters is the owner's. If you're a clean freak, such that cleanliness itself is highly important in your surroundings, then white bikes don't give you plausible denial.

If you're a bit more mellow but don't want it to look really bad, do you have five minutes at the end of a ride to fix 95% of the problem? Then no problem.

If you're in the out of sight, out of mind camp for cleaning stuff, then don't buy a white bike.

If you're an absolutely obsessive cleaner, get a white bike because it's easier to see it's clean :)

If dirt and gravel riding all the time, make sure the paint has plenty of clear coat.

Me, I have lots of white bikes and really like them. I don't stare at the bottom of the down tube that often, but I wipe down the easily visible surfaces with bike cleaner and bike shine stuff every few rides or when I notice some spots. No big production of hoses and buckets and sponges just because it's white. I'm the 95% guy - kinda mellow about stuff like that.

Personality test.

Well, I'm definitely not obsessive when it comes to keeping things clean. I think given the opinions in here, I won't be making a decision on paint based on the pros/cons of white paint. Really will just have to find the color scheme that speaks to me!

Thanks all for your Honest opinions.

PS. Zanc does white very well.
PPS. We should merge this with the white bike thread, even though my original intention wasn't to show case white bikes...
PPPS. Even though I didn't ask, thanks for sharing your white bikes! They rock :)

[cnighbor1]

Or if not sure about and all white bicycle one can sit on the fence a bit
My Davidson A salesman sample I got from Davidson

[MattTuck]

Well, closing in on 900 miles with the white Kirk... and I can say that many of you were right. It is a bitch to keep clean. Especially when riding any kind of dirt roads and/or dusty conditions.

All that said, I still love riding a white bike and I don't mind letting it get a little grubby... If its too clean, that just means I should have spent my time riding and not cleaning.

Still, I think my next bike will be another color.... :D :banana:



I had a white bike and will never have one again. If you don't mind riding a dirty bike ALL THE TIME, then get white. Even silver-like colors show less dirt. Besides, my Kirk is going to be orange.

I have white bike - sort of. the DT, BB, CS, SS are white.

White shows dirt

White shows chain lube

White shows water spots.

Ridden bikes get dirty and greasy and spotty

If you want the 100% clean look all the time do not get white.

If you arent hung up by that, get white.

I like white.