 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
So here I am, finger poised over the buy button for a Bird Aeris 145. Only one question remains.... Stealth black (anodised) or Orange (painted)? I'm pretty much set on the stealth black but I do wonder which is the harder wearing finish?
Obviously paint and anodising quality varies between brand, but is there a rule of thumb, or even personal experience with the Aeris as to which is the tougher?
I've got an old anodised Santa Cruz in a beautiful dark blue. Â It's an old frame and the finish shows no sign of degrading regardless of hard life etc - not rubbed or noticeably faded etc.
There are aspects of anodising that aren't great eco wise, but overall its probably the best way you can finish Aluminium. Â Shame they're only offering black.
Anodising. You may scratch it, but you'll never chip it.
Green is the only colour for an Aeris... what were you thinking? 
The anodised one should, technically, be a bit lighter.
🙂
Never had an anodised bike.
But like the looks of it and: the anodised aluminium surface is harder than the base material "aluminium". Means the surface will be much harder than a painted surface. This is very good.
Aluminium, winter biking, salt water: unprotected aluminium tends to corrode. No idea if paint or anodising is the better protection. If you bike a lot in mud and on salty roads and if you don't have a good dry storage for your bike: this might be important then.
Above post from vincienup: sounds like there are no problems.
The stealth black Birds are painted, not anodised - I know, I own one!
My stealth black Banshee is anodised and it is a tougher finish (and lighter too). But it isn’t an option on the Aeris.
Thanks Chief. Now I feel a bit of a numpty. I just assumed from the pics that the stealth black was painted but the tungsten grey of the 120 was painted. When I think about it..... it doesn't make much sense!
How are you getting on with your Bird? Is it a 120 or the 145? I can't wait to get mine ordered, though the black/orange debate still hasn't sorted itself in my mind. I've already spent an eternity mulling over the spec. I hate SRAM shifters but will be going for Eagle, Pikes, XM1501 wheels and swaying towards a Bikeyoke dropper, even though I'm not sure it's worth the price.