Does wearing all black make one a faster cyclist?

Alain Quay
Alain Quay Posts: 534
edited March 2015 in The cake stop
Admittedly, a number of cyclists I see in all black are actually pretty fast cyclists. But it is an odd trend/fashion/statement/whatever. It's dark out there on the roads at 6 pm. in February.

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Comments

  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Even Rapha have veered away from the all black for their Sky Team training kit. It seems that its not as cool as it once was.

    That said - colour isnt great in the dark anyway - if you're riding in the dark - get shed lots of reflectives all over your kit.

    Black IS practical from a grime and oil point of view.
  • lancew
    lancew Posts: 680
    I find that the light being absorbed by my black clothing turns directly into power.

    And the drag of peoples eyes when they can actually see me causes me to be less aero.
    Specialized Allez Sport 2013
  • graham.
    graham. Posts: 862
    Certainly makes you faster when your impaled in someone's radiator grill!
    My Flickr Pics
  • RideOnTime
    RideOnTime Posts: 4,712
    Black cycling clothing is perfectly safe if contrast with very white teeth...

    o-JOEY-ESSEX-facebook.jpg
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,418
    cougie wrote:
    Black IS practical from a grime and oil point of view.
    This is the only correct answer.

    Does anyone actually think that they look good in cycle gear?
    You are kidding yourself.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • kajjal
    kajjal Posts: 3,380
    PBlakeney wrote:
    cougie wrote:
    Black IS practical from a grime and oil point of view.
    This is the only correct answer.

    Does anyone actually think that they look good in cycle gear?
    You are kidding yourself.

    Speak for yourself I am bronzed, ripped, Adonis in my cycling gear.

    No photo's by order of the wife before I get over run with requests :oops:
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,418
    Kajjal wrote:
    Speak for yourself I am bronzed, ripped, Adonis in my cycling gear.

    No photo's by order of the wife before I get over run with requests :oops:
    No need for a photo.
    I do want to know the make and model of your mirror though.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • pinno
    pinno Posts: 52,448
    cougie wrote:
    Black IS practical from a grime and oil point of view.

    What on earth do you do whilst wearing your bike gear?!
    seanoconn - gruagach craic!
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,418
    pinarello001 wrote:
    cougie wrote:
    Black IS practical from a grime and oil point of view.

    What on earth do you do whilst wearing your bike gear?!
    I know that you are aware of that story.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.

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