"Stealth" bikes? (black decals on black)

[rice rocket]

Any pics? I'm thinking of stripping my paint and going black. I'll throw some decals on it in black before my final layer of matte clear.

My bike is currently gloss 3k weave, it's feeling...dated. :p

[rice rocket]

I'll start with this 'nago C59.

http://bikereviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2012-colnago-c59-italia-road-bike.jpg

[thirdgenbird]

I'm kinda tired of the look to be honest. I prefer a nice unique solid color or two with some minimal accents.

http://www.blackcatbicycles.net/images/portfolio/popup/olive1.jpg

http://www.blackcatbicycles.net/images/portfolio/popup/grey291.jpg

(Can you tell I'm wanting a black cat)

[rice rocket]

Well, this is for a fat tube carbon bike... I'm not sure any "real" color would work (maybe white?).


This machine:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-A1ACcCSfeiU/UJLpfMGvDDI/AAAAAAAADjU/YC3dGwgkoco/s757/IMG_20121101_171952.jpg

[rice rocket]

Back on topic....


http://brimages.bikeboardmedia.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Alchemy-Arion-custom-carbon-road-bike-01-600x398.jpg

The ghosted logo on this Alchemy is unreal. How do they do it? Acid etching?

http://brimages.bikeboardmedia.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Alchemy-Arion-custom-carbon-road-bike-logo01-600x398.jpg

[thirdgenbird]

maybe white?

I love white bikes. That would be on my short list.

[ultraman6970]

I want my next gloss white with matte white lettering and some florescent matte strikes in red and blue maybe... well still needs to find a frame for this :D

[Dallez]

Back on topic....


http://brimages.bikeboardmedia.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Alchemy-Arion-custom-carbon-road-bike-01-600x398.jpg

The ghosted logo on this Alchemy is unreal. How do they do it? Acid etching?

http://brimages.bikeboardmedia.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Alchemy-Arion-custom-carbon-road-bike-logo01-600x398.jpg

I read a report on Alchemy's show bikes at the. 2013 NAHBS and they mentioned the Alchemy logo is actually carbon and is a part of the last layer of carbon. I believe the "grain" is running in a different direction from the rest of the top tube. IIRC it's also in the same plane and not on top of the top tube like a decal would be.

[canadasteep]

I always think of Cannondale. They pioneered basic black (I believe)

[Salsa_Lover]

Matte black "stealth" bikes look to me the same as some generic $100 all black aluminium frames sold by shops like performance bike or jenson USA.

It was on vogue 2 years ago, it will look really "dated" soon, I would avoid.

[Uncle Jam's Army]

Here's mine. I like it....

http://forums.thepaceline.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=107652&stc=1&d=1355771423

[KonaSS]

Crappy pic and I should cross post this with the $7k Specialized thread. I definitely have less than $7k in this bike. And yes, I have a black saddle on the way.


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8382/8644275940_aa13b77409.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/23648280@N03/8644275940/) photo (24) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/23648280@N03/8644275940/) by Stars and Water Carriers (http://www.flickr.com/people/23648280@N03/), on Flickr

[Russity]

This is my own C59 Nero.....as fast as it looks too...shame I'm not!!!

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=100494

[mcteague]

Who decided flat black was the thing to have these days? It seems like everyone is going that way. When it was unique the look was okay, now...not so much.

Tim

[AngryScientist]

my Argon is pretty stealthy. the graphics pop a little in the sun, but it's really matte black with matte darker grey letters, blends together pretty well.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g7UErNgaeKQ/UB3BZBYL53I/AAAAAAAAAl4/O4U7lyO9guk/s640/IMG_0859.JPG

[rice rocket]

Nick, I like it! Seems like a good balance between anonymous all black and slap-you-in-the-face graphics.

Uncle Jam's Army, you need to do that Crumpton justice with better pics!

[Formulasaab]

Who decided flat black was the thing to have these days? It seems like everyone is going that way. When it was unique the look was okay, now...not so much.

Tim

Everyone is doing their utmost to hide the fact that these fat-tube carbon lay ups are kinda ugly?

Seems they either go for "pop" with massive graphics or "stealth" with very few doing anything in the middle with any skill.

[christian]

I can't think of any visual design I've grown more tired of more quickly than black on black/murdered out. It was boring the second time I saw it.

[rice rocket]

I can't think of any visual design I've grown more tired of more quickly than black on black/murdered out. It was boring the second time I saw it.

I agree with you, in most cases. But did you see that big blob of carbon I posted on the previous page? Fat tubes in colors that pop is like putting wide stripes on a chubby man, it doesn't end so well. I don't know what choices I have other than selling it. :p

[reggiebaseball]

I agree with you, in most cases. But did you see that big blob of carbon I posted on the previous page? Fat tubes in colors that pop is like putting wide stripes on a chubby man, it doesn't end so well. I don't know what choices I have other than selling it. :p

so you hate my bibs, huh? If you are going to look at me anyway, how about I wear my wide stripes and show you that I have a sense of humor.

In the same vein--

Why are you trying to "hide" what is already a "Look at me" frame?

Hot pink
http://bikewar.com/2013/02/27/pretty-in-pink/
http://cielo.chrisking.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_2470.jpg

Moltini Orange
http://www.raydobbins.com/molteni_replica/molteni_replica.htm

metallic gold
http://pro-35.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/5244891958_0e7b3b7aa9_z.jpg

or lavendar
http://pro-35.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/speedvagen_cross_purple_full_view_600.jpg

Speedvagen are great at nailing these "look at me" colors without them looking like poo.

or Gaulzetti, in neon green, pink or belgian blue
http://martinisontheroof.blogspot.com/2011/08/gaulzettis-do-look-cool.html

If you want to be subtle, a highly stylized Aero road frame with deep dish carbon hoops is NOT it.

Personally, I think your bike looks like the bikes from Tron - and I would go for an electric blue color
http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Tron-Legacy-lightcycle.jpg

[dd74]

I think if you were going with matte black, you should use white decals. Colnago has a color scheme like that for their C-59 Italia, and it looks good.

To be honest though, as others have said, it feels as if the scheme could get boring pretty quickly. I fell off the matte black wagon when I saw a Porsche Panamera with that scheme. It was hideous.

[mcteague]

Back on topic....


http://brimages.bikeboardmedia.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Alchemy-Arion-custom-carbon-road-bike-01-600x398.jpg

The ghosted logo on this Alchemy is unreal. How do they do it? Acid etching?

http://brimages.bikeboardmedia.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Alchemy-Arion-custom-carbon-road-bike-logo01-600x398.jpg

I think this looks terrible. It reminds me of unfinished frames on display to show the quality or the joints. You should get a big discount to take a frame that looks like this. People have different tastes, to be sure, but I just don't get this.

Tim

[Suntourguy]

I like the matte black on matte black one because it looks good and second because I think it is good urban cammo. I feel like my glossy red, white and black Madone is a large neon sign which reads steal this bike now. Cannondale has a super six or whatever stock black on black which covet. How much do they charge for painting carbon frames?
Ken

[Dave Wages]

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8R17HtNRVwE/UWn0eGCeuVI/AAAAAAAAH9U/te17di7EGkM/s720/IMG_1235-Edit.jpg

My two cents...

[mcteague]

I like the matte black on matte black one because it looks good and second because I think it is good urban cammo. I feel like my glossy red, white and black Madone is a large neon sign which reads steal this bike now. Cannondale has a super six or whatever stock black on black which covet. How much do they charge for painting carbon frames?
Ken

I actually do like some bare frames. I just bought a Seven 622SLX which is naked carbon and Ti. But, the decals have white edges to help with the look. And, the filament wound carbon has an interesting pattern that appears to change in different light.

Tim

[uno-speedo]

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8256/8649062842_24c5c8a41a_z.jpg

[Tony T]

http://media.cannondale.com/media/catalog/category/550X331/evo_hero_1.jpg

[vqdriver]

My two cents...

fixed it for you

absolutely sick frame

[GeekBoy]

I tend to think it's been overdone, but here's a couple examples I'd love to have:

Bmc-Hublot collaboration from a couple years ago:
http://www.thetimetv.com/_upload/_actu/actu_1676.jpg

Pinarello Dogma Black on Black:
http://brimages.bikeboardmedia.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/2010-pinarello-dogma-black.jpg

[bluesea]

Personally, I think your bike looks like the bikes from Tron - and I would go for an electric blue color




Quorra would ride a CAAD 10.


http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/9149/c133raxicbla18.png

[BYKE-RIDER]

Any pics? I'm thinking of stripping my paint and going black. I'll throw some decals on it in black before my final layer of matte clear.

My bike is currently gloss 3k weave, it's feeling...dated. :p



Where Im from they call this "Murdered Out"

[Bob Ross]

I'm kinda tired of the look to be honest.
Matte black "stealth" bikes look to me the same as some generic $100 all black aluminium frames sold by shops like performance bike or jenson USA. It was on vogue 2 years ago, it will look really "dated" soon, I would avoid.
Who decided flat black was the thing to have these days? It seems like everyone is going that way. When it was unique the look was okay, now...not so much.
I can't think of any visual design I've grown more tired of more quickly than black on black/murdered out. It was boring the second time I saw it.


I'm happy and proud to say that I disagree with youze guyze completely. Totally stealth murdered-out black on (matte) black is the only color for a carbon bike.

...unless you have a child who will clean your bike for you, and then gloss white is okay.

[enr1co]

I think if you were going with matte black, you should use white decals. Colnago has a color scheme like that for their C-59 Italia, and it looks good.



Thanks! :)

http://imagehost.vendio.com/a/3577307/view/295639_10151500838488571_1909176325_n.jpg

[earlfoss]

I love my CAAD10, it's a great race machine. I love it even more with the Hyperons on it though.
http://s19.postimg.org/uonfi2z2b/photo_1.jpg

[benc]

Here's my Wormtown. Black decals.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8523/8651436825_9e932924bd_z.jpg

[BumbleBeeDave]

I'm happy and proud to say that I disagree with youze guyze completely. Totally stealth murdered-out black on (matte) black is the only color for a carbon bike.

...unless you have a child who will clean your bike for you, and then gloss white is okay.

. . . just like neon everything did in the early 90's. At least with the matte black you do have the option when the fad passes of adding accessories of various colors to rehabilitate the color scheme. Not so with that old neon stuff . . . :eek:

BBD

[boxerboxer]

Any pics? I'm thinking of stripping my paint and going black. I'll throw some decals on it in black before my final layer of matte clear.

My bike is currently gloss 3k weave, it's feeling...dated. :p

"Pics" must be some sort of Paceline slang for "opinion on my aesthetic choices", right?

Someone already posted a better pic than I have of a black on black CAAD10.

I will say, up close it looks cool, and I love my frame, but if you're not close enough or in the right light to catch the glint of the gloss lettering against the flat black frame, it's not super interesting to look at IMO, unless you have some black on black deep section rims to go with it (and hopefully not silver brakes :eek:;))

[rodcad]

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8R17HtNRVwE/UWn0eGCeuVI/AAAAAAAAH9U/te17di7EGkM/s720/IMG_1235-Edit.jpg

My two cents...

This is the ONE by a mile.