# What colour should I paint my bike? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 4, 2005, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-colour-should-i-paint-my-bike/297697 "2005-04-04T17:55:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-colour-should-i-paint-my-bike/297697/21 "2005-04-05T16:28:50Z")
> [@Kythereia](#): > > Yeah, yeah, I know, mundane and pointless… > > It’s your basic model, nothing too fancy about it. I’m thinking white, and calling it Shadowfax (to cement myself as a complete Tolkien geek), but what would you lot suggest? You should then check out [Rivendell](http://www.rivendellbicycles.com/html/bikes.html) bicycles. Check out the detailing and color on [this](http://www.rivendellbicycles.com/html/bikes_rambouilletframes.html) beauty. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-colour-should-i-paint-my-bike/297697/22 "2005-04-05T16:35:15Z")
When I got a new bike, I painted it. Why? Because a brightly colored bike is easier to spot among the 500 other bikes at the trainstation. Although that may be an uniquely Dutch problem 🙂 Secondly, because a customized bike is much, much harder to resell and so not nearly as attractive to steal. When I had painted a basecolor (clearblue), I took a clear plastic binder and copied a nice design on it. I chose a cat’s paw print. I cut out the design and so I had a stencilplate/template. Quite easy to fit the template anywhere on your bike and cover it with cute “paw-prints”. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-colour-should-i-paint-my-bike/297697/23 "2005-04-05T16:37:02Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > Zebra stripes are nice. > Really! You mean like Mario Cipollini’s[Specialized](http://www.porsgrunnsykkel.no/nyheter/launchrelease.htm) equipped 2002 Acqua & Sapone team? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-colour-should-i-paint-my-bike/297697/24 "2005-04-05T17:54:25Z")
I know a guy who put away his bike lock after he did a “theftproof” paint job. He painted the entire bike (spokes, handlebars, tires, and all) a garish color. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-colour-should-i-paint-my-bike/297697/25 "2005-04-05T18:00:55Z")
You definately need one of [these.](https://shop.sunrisecyclery.com/item/72/) ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-colour-should-i-paint-my-bike/297697/26 "2005-04-05T18:07:44Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Look. Reflectors _are_ geekie looking. Particularly the ones on wheel spokes. I stand by that because of esthetic AND practical reasons. I \*like \* reflectors. I have them on my bike. And a bell. But then, I also liked Aliens 4, which would be the definition of geekiness. However, being female, I have more leeway. ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-colour-should-i-paint-my-bike/297697/27 "2005-04-05T19:50:05Z")
Hmmm… silver might be nice after all, maybe with some detailing. And that bugle horn of **Shirley** ’s looks great… Don’t worry, **monica** et. al, I’ve invested in reflectors and helmets aplenty, I promise I’ll be very very safe. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-colour-should-i-paint-my-bike/297697/28 "2005-04-05T20:11:06Z")
> [@Kythereia](#): > > . And that bugle horn of **Shirley** ’s looks great… bells better than bugle horns! ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-colour-should-i-paint-my-bike/297697/29 "2005-04-05T21:58:15Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > bells better than bugle horns! Bells, horns… use whatever you like. Nobody will hear either, much less pay attention. 'Cept maybe slow moving bikers out for a Sunday coast. Your choice is either a pressurized air horn (marine supply store) or a good sharp ref whistle at the ready. Both particularly good if you’re a road warrior or bicycle courier. On a bike trail, you’ll just be considered :wally . ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-colour-should-i-paint-my-bike/297697/30 "2005-04-05T23:28:21Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Bells, horns… use whatever you like. Nobody will hear either, much less pay attention. 'Cept maybe slow moving bikers out for a Sunday coast. Who cares if anyone \*hears \* me? Thrrring ring! Thrrrring ring! **Quickie** , baby, I’ve been known to ring my bell even when no one is around, much to the consternation of my SO. ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-colour-should-i-paint-my-bike/297697/31 "2005-04-06T03:55:04Z")
I’d go with bright yellow and purple polka dots. But that would be stealing the style of Captain Outrageous in Key West. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-colour-should-i-paint-my-bike/297697/32 "2005-04-06T04:46:29Z")
If you _really_ want to be heard, a bell is not enough. You need an [Air Zound](http://store.nycewheels.com/air-zound-horn.html) air horn. Don’t use it on pedestrians though, it’s way too loud for that. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-colour-should-i-paint-my-bike/297697/33 "2005-04-06T11:45:24Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Who cares if anyone \*hears \* me? I just figured, given you were all up in arms about reflectors and helmets and floatations devices, etc… 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Fromage\_A\_Trois](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a88e57/32.png) [@Fromage\_A\_Trois](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fromage_A_Trois)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-colour-should-i-paint-my-bike/297697/34 "2005-04-06T13:02:48Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > HOWEVER, there are such a thing as flashing LED lights for visibility from all angles during twilight and night rides. I’m a big advocate of those because you can see them even when the car headlights are not directly pointed at the cyclist. I’m not a big fan of these - they are better than reflectors (and often I think they have reflective backing so you get the best of both worlds), and they get the attention of other road users by flashing. Also, because it’s flashing, you know it’s a bike, and not a car going at the same speed as you in your car. HOWEVER, on their own, it’s hard to judge the distance of the bike. If it really is black, and the only thing you can see is the little LEDs, I find it hard to see how far away they are, or how fast they’re moving. It’s because you only see something while they’re on… for half a second… then you see nothing… then it pops back… it’s a bit like strobe. In the UK it’s illegal to cycle after dark without front and rear lights - non-flashing lights, that is. These mean that distance can be judged. I think the flashing ones are good in conjunction with normal ones because they grab your attention. Strictly speaking, over here, it’s illegal to have flashing lights on your bike, although you are allowed to have one on your clothing while you cycle. I have no idea who pulled that one out their arse. ---
**Author:** ![Fromage\_A\_Trois](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a88e57/32.png) [@Fromage\_A\_Trois](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fromage_A_Trois)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-colour-should-i-paint-my-bike/297697/35 "2005-04-06T13:04:59Z")
> [@bras0978](#): > > In the UK it’s illegal… …over here, it’s illegal Of course, doesn’t mean everyone actually obeys the law - it’s shocking how few people do. I think it’s also against the law to cycle without a helmet - although I might be getting confused. Again, a lot of people ignore this. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-colour-should-i-paint-my-bike/297697/36 "2005-04-06T13:56:09Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > I just figured, given you were all up in arms about reflectors and helmets and floatations devices, etc… 😛 While I definitely think everyone should wear a helmet, the other things I’m flexible on. Get reflectors or flashy things, bells or whistles, just get something! I just happen to like bells better. Hmm…flotation device…I \*do \* live right near the Hudson River. ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-colour-should-i-paint-my-bike/297697/37 "2005-04-06T14:02:02Z")
> [@bras0978](#): > > I’m not a big fan of these - they are better than reflectors (and often I think they have reflective backing so you get the best of both worlds), and they get the attention of other road users by flashing. Also, because it’s flashing, you know it’s a bike, and not a car going at the same speed as you in your car. > > HOWEVER, on their own, it’s hard to judge the distance of the bike. If it really is black, and the only thing you can see is the little LEDs, I find it hard to see how far away they are, or how fast they’re moving. It’s because you only see something while they’re on… for half a second… then you see nothing… then it pops back… it’s a bit like strobe. > > In the UK it’s illegal to cycle after dark without front and rear lights - non-flashing lights, that is. These mean that distance can be judged. I think the flashing ones are good in conjunction with normal ones because they grab your attention. Strictly speaking, over here, it’s illegal to have flashing lights on your bike, although you are allowed to have one on your clothing while you cycle. I have no idea who pulled that one out their arse. I have flashing LEDs on my “errand bike”. There’s no half-second delay or anything. They probably flash 5-6 times per second, without going fully dark in between. I think they’re more eye-catching than a solid light which could be mistaken for a red-light, or green-light in the distance. They don’t light my way, but that’s not what I’m worried about in the city. I just want cars to notice me. I don’t see how a flashing light makes it any harder to judge distance than a solid light anyway. Or at least, not one flashing at a high frequency. ---
**Author:** ![fessie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@fessie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fessie)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-colour-should-i-paint-my-bike/297697/38 "2005-04-06T14:06:06Z")
I think you should use invisible paint, like Wile E. Coyote. That would be cool. ---
**Author:** ![Fromage\_A\_Trois](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a88e57/32.png) [@Fromage\_A\_Trois](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fromage_A_Trois)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2005, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-colour-should-i-paint-my-bike/297697/39 "2005-04-07T10:13:25Z")
> [@Trunk](#): > > They don’t light my way, but that’s not what I’m worried about in the city. I just want cars to notice me. > > I don’t see how a flashing light makes it any harder to judge distance than a solid light anyway. Or at least, not one flashing at a high frequency. You’re right - with a high frequency they’re ok to judge by, and in a city where there are streetlamps they’re fine. I think this is because they grab a driver’s attention, but once they know you’re there, they can see you in the streetlamps. I live out in a village, and it’s pitch black on the country roads - the only thing you can see is the lights on the bike. Anyway, I’ve gone completely off topic. Similar to **fessie** ’s suggestion, how about tartan? ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2005, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-colour-should-i-paint-my-bike/297697/40 "2005-04-07T10:42:25Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Who cares if anyone \*hears \* me? > > Thrrring ring! Thrrrring ring! > **Quickie** , baby, I’ve been known to ring my bell even when no one is around, much to the consternation of my SO. I knew I liked your style. I vote for white or gunmetal gray. If I had a bike, I’d paint it purple, but that is because I am a strictly daytime rider with a passion for purple. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-colour-should-i-paint-my-bike/297697.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-colour-should-i-paint-my-bike/297697.md?page=3)