Put this question up several days ago but just realised it was in the chat section. Figured it would be better placed in here 🙂

Simple one really, am getting my Stiffee powdercoated, but am completely on the fence about white with decals or stealth black ..Excuse the bodged photoshops, but I know STWs opinions are more valid than elsewhere 😛

Most people I’ve spoken to have said white, but I’m erring now to the dark side …

http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/6813/stbw.jpg%5B\img]

Or

http://imageshack.us/photos/my-images/203/stwz.jpg%5B\img]

Owen

Sorry, trying to get the pics up off Imageshack from my phone, complete nightmare. Bare with.

Owen

Whilst i’d normally go with black every time, no matter what the colour if you dont put decals on the frame it makes the bike look like a respray.
so in this case i’d go with the white.

Here we go:

Or

Owen

+1 white

Black

Black with white ‘outline’ decals

This:

no matter what the colour if you dont put decals on the frame it makes the bike look like a respray.

Even with basic decals it looks better:

Your front skewer is in the wrong position and looks dangerous imo.

And I’d go luminous yellow.

White

Enfht, cheers for your concern, bike is currently in bits and to be rebuilt after a full service at LBS.

Hmm, maybe with decals is the way to go. *scratches chin*

White with black decals or black with white ones then?

Argh!

Owen

Both dull IMO.

Black with white graphics, stealth approach in the main

In true STW style I have entirely different answers: send it to a polishers to be stripped and buffed like a chrome monster or send it to an anodisers for a black finish.

Mirror finish and black outline decals or black ano and matt decals (reflective black if you can locate someone to do some for you).

That rear mech cable needs tucking in 😉

+1 for stealth black with white decals!!

Black on black. First picture looks fantastic, put some black stickers on and it would be even better – only visible at the right angle, that sort of thing 🙂

Black and as suggested ^ with black decals.

Cynic-al, yep, but I’m not down with the kids enough for lime green or whatever.

Black on black eh, hmmm, like that.

It would also match the car it’ll be strapped to for trips. (Sans little head 😆 )

Owen

Photoshop of the suggested black-on-black …

Opinions?

Owen

Looks ace, I think. Hard to tell, eyes sore after pouring bleach into’em after seeing your car 😯

Brilliant 😆

Owen

White.

Black on black, matt frame and glossy decals. Like the sound of black reflective ones a lot 🙂

Orange. Failing that; white.

White should never ever be the colour of any bike under any circumstances – unless the alternative is one of those trendy luminous colours that will date your bike like a 80’s haircut

BLACK

Only colour any bike should ever be.

Kawasaki green.

/end thread.

Black on black for sure after seeing the photoshop one.

(and that car is ****ing ace)

Black on black, matt frame and glossy decals.

This. Absolutely this.

Then again, I have a Henry Ford approach to bikes and components, so maybe I’m not the best person to ask.

I’m not racist, but would go for white 😀

Thank you gents, I think I’m going black on black. If anyone knows any reason why this bike and black shouldn’t be lawfully entwined, speak now …

Owen

And cheers Pik, he’s getting rarer by the year! 😉

Owen

Taking inspiration from cars, go white and white graphics. Finish with high polished silver.

Jez http://www.followingthechainline.blogspot.com

You can see my example on this link: http://www.followingthechainline.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/build-progress.html

Would be very interested to see more pics of the car if you have them, I’m a sucker for a rare jap 😉

Black. I have a white bike and its the stupidest colour ever for a mountain bike. Looks lovely when its proper clean, which in this country, is about the first 3 seconds of any ride.
Black every time.

Hammerite or GTFO you homo.

Ps. nice rex. 8)

Gloss black decal on Matt/satin black frame yea!

Once you try black,
You wont go back. 😀

Cheers fellas, agreed on the matte/satin with glossy decals.

Pik, here are a few more of Nighthawk 🙂

Owen

Right, got the Stiffee back from the powdercoaters, and I’m bloody impressed. Armourtex did a fantastic job in matte black, £70, one week turnaround.

It then went in for a full rebuild, new BB, new pads front and back, new cables, new Deore rear mech, everything trued, greased, straightened and fitted, ready to go (bar a necessary Ragley Stubbing stem!)

Here’s a pic of how it stands:

And it’s a dodgy phone pic but I’ve fitted gloss black Cove decals both sides and the maple leaf up front for a change. I’ve got the top tube Stiffee ones to go. They look awesome in real life – nice and subtle, but there. Stealth.

Owen