Bar tape or no bar tape.
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Bar tape or no bar tape.
It doesn't affect my comfort when riding but just wanted some options. Does anyone else have a vintage without tape?
#2
Senior Member
Use tape. Eventually the salt from your sweaty hands can corrode the bar itself. In the event of sweating, your hands can sleep and steering is affected.
So it's more for your safety than anything else.
So it's more for your safety than anything else.
#3
Mr. Anachronism
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Somewhere west of Tobie's
Posts: 2,087
Bikes: fillet-brazed Chicago Schwinns, and some other stuff
Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 526 Post(s)
Liked 256 Times
in
165 Posts
My sweaty hands get slippery with no tape.
Nice bike!!!
Nice bike!!!
__________________
"My only true wisdom is in knowing I have none" -Socrates
"My only true wisdom is in knowing I have none" -Socrates
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Medford MA
Posts: 2,089
Bikes: Ron Cooper touring, 1959 Jack Taylor 650b ladyback touring tandem, Vitus 979, Joe Bell painted Claud Butler Dalesman, Colin Laing curved tube tandem, heavily-Dilberted 1982 Trek 6xx, René Herse tandem
Mentioned: 80 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 964 Post(s)
Liked 1,451 Times
in
723 Posts
If you want to retain that "no tape" feel but protect the bars from corrosion, there's always Benotto!
Likes For scarlson:
Likes For Jon T:
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,902
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4802 Post(s)
Liked 3,922 Times
in
2,551 Posts
I hope you are riding with plugs in those bar ends. Think crash. I hit an opening car door 50 years ago. Came forward and planeted both thighs on the ends of my handlebars. Had a deep 1" circular bruise on each thigh. Had I no plugs, those wold have been deep cookie cutter wounds.
The bike shops I worked in would just hand out plugs taken from new bikes to anybody who walked in with a plug-less bar. Plugs, corks, it doesn't matter, Just needs to be something.
Ben
The bike shops I worked in would just hand out plugs taken from new bikes to anybody who walked in with a plug-less bar. Plugs, corks, it doesn't matter, Just needs to be something.
Ben
Likes For 79pmooney:
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 3,265
Bikes: '82 Univega Competizione, '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '83 Mercian KOM Touring, '85 Univega Alpina Uno, '76 Eisentraut Limited
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,205 Times
in
701 Posts
Nice Clubman -- I recently sold its twin, a Puch Bergmeister, that i had been using as a commuter for a while. I really liked it for a city bike.
Anyway, I recognize that as San Francisco, and I agree with others that safety is key. I rode there for a decade, and I never did so without a helmet and lights, and I wouldn't consider riding without tape. You might consider Newbaum's cotton tape, which should be pretty inexpensive and retain a vintage feel. Wine corks for plugs look good, too.
Anyway, I recognize that as San Francisco, and I agree with others that safety is key. I rode there for a decade, and I never did so without a helmet and lights, and I wouldn't consider riding without tape. You might consider Newbaum's cotton tape, which should be pretty inexpensive and retain a vintage feel. Wine corks for plugs look good, too.
#9
bill nyecycles
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Houston TX
Posts: 3,328
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 789 Post(s)
Liked 350 Times
in
190 Posts
IMO it looks unfinished without tape - and kinda weird and ugly.
Tape it up, good sir. White, or a green that matches the ring on the seat tube.
Tape it up, good sir. White, or a green that matches the ring on the seat tube.
#10
1/2 as far in 2x the time
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Northern Bergen County, NJ
Posts: 1,746
Bikes: Yes, Please.
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 499 Post(s)
Liked 285 Times
in
222 Posts
Yeah sure, I ride with no tape...
Until I figure out brake handle position, asthetics, like type of tape, and color, and until it comes if I don't have it to hand, and I have time to do the taping. Took a year plus this bike, mostly because I wanted to get a longer stem first. Finally gave up on myself and wrapped, cause I was riding it with lumps of blue painters tape to hold the cables in place
Last edited by Last ride 76; 06-26-19 at 11:07 AM.
#11
seńor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,620
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3878 Post(s)
Liked 6,467 Times
in
3,199 Posts
You have to admit, riding without tape is a lot better than riding without a saddle ...
or brakes.
or brakes.
Likes For SurferRosa:
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 4,701
Bikes: 82 Medici, 2011 Richard Sachs, 2011 Milwaukee Road
Mentioned: 55 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1946 Post(s)
Liked 2,008 Times
in
1,107 Posts
No what!?
So, grips on the drops maybe?
Last edited by Classtime; 06-26-19 at 11:57 AM.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - burrrrr!
Posts: 11,674
Bikes: 1958 Rabeneick 120D, 1968 Legnano Gran Premio, 196? Torpado Professional, 2000 Marinoni Piuma
Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1372 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,751 Times
in
938 Posts
I agree with Last ride 76 regarding no tape until brake levers are set in place. My 1958 Rabeneick 120d on its test ride. No bar tape, no transmission. Just the bare necessities to be road worthy and safe to ride. All of my bikes are first ridden without tape and transmissions, just to be sure that they track well...
However, once satisfied that the controls are properly situated, I always opt for bar tape. Not the expensive stuff, nosiree! I get the inexpensive stuff from China and I am good to go. I might add that I tend to change my bar tape every riding season, hoping to prevent the sweat from soaking through the tape and damaging the bars. I have seen some handlebars so badly eaten by salt that they cannot be trusted. Anyway, cheap bar tape...
However, once satisfied that the controls are properly situated, I always opt for bar tape. Not the expensive stuff, nosiree! I get the inexpensive stuff from China and I am good to go. I might add that I tend to change my bar tape every riding season, hoping to prevent the sweat from soaking through the tape and damaging the bars. I have seen some handlebars so badly eaten by salt that they cannot be trusted. Anyway, cheap bar tape...
__________________
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
Last edited by randyjawa; 06-26-19 at 12:07 PM.
#15
Senior Member
The 11th Commandment - though shalt use bar tape.
#17
www.theheadbadge.com
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Southern Florida
Posts: 28,512
Bikes: https://www.theheadbadge.com
Mentioned: 124 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2421 Post(s)
Liked 4,388 Times
in
2,092 Posts
-Kurt
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NW Burbs, Chicago
Posts: 12,053
Mentioned: 201 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3015 Post(s)
Liked 3,792 Times
in
1,406 Posts
Likes For iab:
#19
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,513
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4559 Post(s)
Liked 2,802 Times
in
1,800 Posts
I rode my Ironman sans bar wrap for a couple of weeks last year, when I was making frequent adjustments.
Looked awful. Like, pawn shop flipped up drop bar hobo beer bike awful.
Surprisingly, it wasn't uncomfortable, at least on my usual 20-30 mile rides. Probably partly due to a combination of good bike fit and better physical conditioning.
But I still prefer padded bar wrap. Better on chip seal after a long ride.
Looked awful. Like, pawn shop flipped up drop bar hobo beer bike awful.
Surprisingly, it wasn't uncomfortable, at least on my usual 20-30 mile rides. Probably partly due to a combination of good bike fit and better physical conditioning.
But I still prefer padded bar wrap. Better on chip seal after a long ride.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - burrrrr!
Posts: 11,674
Bikes: 1958 Rabeneick 120D, 1968 Legnano Gran Premio, 196? Torpado Professional, 2000 Marinoni Piuma
Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1372 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,751 Times
in
938 Posts
Tape is for sissies. Bone is for real riders.
__________________
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Berkeley CA
Posts: 2,536
Bikes: 1981 Ron Cooper, 1974 Cinelli Speciale Corsa, 2000 Gary Fisher Sugar 1, 1986 Miyata 710, 1982 Raleigh "International"
Mentioned: 97 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 930 Post(s)
Liked 1,290 Times
in
486 Posts
Let me add my voice to the chorus regarding bar plugs. Put those in before you suffer a DIY massive biopsy puncture. Racers showing up without bar plugs get ejected from the race lineup by the safety marshal, for good reason.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - burrrrr!
Posts: 11,674
Bikes: 1958 Rabeneick 120D, 1968 Legnano Gran Premio, 196? Torpado Professional, 2000 Marinoni Piuma
Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1372 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,751 Times
in
938 Posts
Let me add my voice to the chorus regarding bar plugs. Put those in before you suffer a DIY massive biopsy puncture. Racers showing up without bar plugs get ejected from the race lineup by the safety marshal, for good reason.
It is because of the falling out bar plugs that I started using this Velox style. They look vintage, they are vintage and they work just great...
__________________
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
Likes For randyjawa:
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Seattle WA
Posts: 2,841
Bikes: 2009 Handsome Devil, 1987 Trek 520 Cirrus, 1978 Motobecane Grand Touring, 1987 Nishiki Cresta GT, 1989 Specialized Allez Former bikes; 1986 Miyata Trail Runner, 1979 Miyata 912, 2011 VO Rando, 1999 Cannondale R800, 1986 Schwinn Passage
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 796 Post(s)
Liked 522 Times
in
367 Posts
I ride with bare bars during set up so I can move the brake levers if necessary before taping but its only for a ride or two.