Mesmerising Metallics - and the Colours That Go with Them

[early Raleigh in unpainted steel, image via A. Weed]

I love the look of silvery-metalic bicycles: stainless steel, clear-coated steel, chromed, nickel-plated, silver paint, even titanium. And though I do not own such a bicycle myself, it is nice to live vicariously through others. One of my readers, Jim P. , is getting a stainless steel bicycle from Royal H. Cycles that will be ready in a couple of months. 

[stainless steel Gerhard Marshall bike at DBC, image via Lovely Bicycle]

Jim's bicycle will be fitted with an internally geared hub and upright handlebars. And while waiting for the frame to be finished, he is trying to decide about colour. The frame will mostly be stainless steel, but he is considering a secondary colour - for some panels, Royal H. insignia, and lug outlining - and has asked me for advice. After thinking about it, I realised that it is actually quite difficult to decide what goes with stainless steel, or any silvery frame.

[Co-Habitant's silver Motobecane, image via Lovely Bicycle]

One direction to take, would be to go for low contrast. For instance, the Co-Habitant's vintage Motobecane Super Mirage has black insignia and decals that blend in with the frame colour. I have also seen beige, navy blue, white, and coppery-gold used in the same manner: to break up the sea of steel, silver, or chrome without attracting attention to the secondary colour.

[chromed Rene Herse, image by Mike Kone via J. Ferguson]

Or one could go in the entirely opposite direction, and choose a colour that creates a strong contrast. Red seems to be a popular choice when going this route, like on the Rene Herse above.

[chromed Alex Singer randonneur, image via cyclezine]

or on this Alex Singer

[chromed Waterford bicycle, image via velospacee]

or on this modern Waterford, which I believe was built as an homage to the vintage Schwinn Paramount (though could somebody please explain that saddle?...).  I have also seen the high-contrast look achieved with a lemony yellow (on a vintage Panasonic touring bike), and I think orange and pink can work pretty nicely as well - for those who like those colours, of course.

[nickel-plated bicycle; via Steve on Bike]

One colour Jim was considering was turquoise, or blue-green. I was not able to find any examples of this colour integrated with the frame, but you can sort of tell how it would look next to the stainless steel based on the picture above. Personally, I think this would be a great choice. It would not provide quite as much contrast as red, yellow, orange or pink, but it wouldn't blend in with the frame either. It would be an interesting and unexpected combination, and would evoke a shimmery seascape - which would be fitting, as Jim P. lives near the water. If it were me, I might also choose violet - which would offer a similar degree of contrast as the turquoise, but in a slightly warmer tone. And I would definitely keep the secondary colour to a minimum - maybe some narrow strips on the seat tube and downtube instead of full panels.

[chromed Peugeot PX10 via fixomatosis]

Of course if Jim is feeling indecisive, he can go with a little bit of everything and choose the rainbow look - which, if done in moderation, I in all seriousness think could look nice.

[silver Royal H. track bike, image by Eric Baumann]

Generally speaking, what do you think of stainless steel as a frame material? - in of itself, as well as in comparison to chromed frames, nickel-plated frames, titanium, and "plain old" silver paint?  Personally, I think stainless is a great idea, especially for those who live near salt water, or who cycle through the winter. And the finish looks fantastic to me. But I was surprised that I was not able to find any good images of stainless steel bikes on the internet. I have seen a few in person, but apparently not many builders are showing them off online. Bob Brown does have a few here, but I can't find one of a fully built up bike without a carbon fork. There are also a few by Bilenky, such as this one, but I am a little confused by the wiring and the components these bicycles are fitted with. Feel free to point me to any others, if I have missed them. Of course, when Jim's bicycle is finished I will take loads of pictures, so the internet should have no shortage of stainless steel "bike porn" after that point!

Posted in: diamond frame, framebuilding