LarrySellerz

Hey guys, I just got a bike delivered (wabi classic single speed) and I paid for the “leather” tape because it sounded cool. Bike comes and the tape feels like it’s irritating my hands. I suspect a chemical involved in the leather production process is the culprit. Thing is, I found a tick on my leg a couple weeks ago, so I’m on oral antibiotics for Lyme disease. Weird rash has been moving around my body but it feels different than the one I’ve been attributing to my handlebars, but I can’t say for sure. Keeping the bike outside in hopes the chemical gets attacked by the sun and vents out.

have you guys heard of people having a similar problem?

shelbyfv

At least you know it couldn't be a human transmitted STD.

LarrySellerz

Lyme disease is certainly a STD, it’s a very mysterious disease, lots of posters on chronic lyme forums claim to have gotten it from partners and never got bitten themselves. It’s not something they teach in medical school. Some people think Lyme is manmade (it was first described right outside a bio lab) and some think chronic Lyme is mostly psychosomatic. But it’s definitely an STD, it’s actually really similar to syphilis.

but yeah it was from a tick not a human.

squirtdad

Nothing bicycle related, but maybe 15 years ago got a new pair of athletics shoes..... unboxing they put out a noticeable chemical odor.
work them once and skin of feet started shedding....... shoes got returned

veganbikes

Good luck beating Lyme LarrySellerz as much as sometimes you post some ridiculous stuff to rile people up nobody should have to deal with Lyme it is nasty.

In terms of tape no need to harm someone else for bar tape (or really any other reason) and there are loads of excellent tapes out there. However it is probably the chemicals used to process or a result of the anti-lyme drugs you are on or you have an allergy to something and maybe it got onto the tape and is still there. I would take isopropyl alcohol and clean your bike and see if that helps.

XxHaimBondxX

Just get leather gloves.

Maelochs

What evidence do we have that some poster either has a new bike with leather tape and/or has some disease?

LarrySellerz

Maelochs

Good comedy. I appreciate the effort, and I thank you.

DangerousDanR

I hope you are able to make a speedy and full recovery. Mrs Dan had Lyme. It came from a tick bite and the tick was noticed a few days after a long ride on the tandem which included traveling through some vegetation in a deer infested area.

Lyme is a bacterial infection, as is syphilis. But syphilis is caused by Treponema pallidum, while Lyme disease is caused by several members of the genus Borrelia. Yes, they are both blood borne and both are spirochetes, but that doesn't mean they have a similar method of transmission.

XxHaimBondxX

At least Larry smartened up and doesn't show up at food bank on a $4k bike any longer.

13ollocks

"Some people" think the Earth is flat too. While we can't rule out the possibility, there's no credible evidence to support the statement that "Lyme disease is certainly an STD". There are some reports of sexual (or at least non-tick-mediated) transfer in animal models, but all that indicates is that it's possible, not that it actually happens in humans. It's far more likely that the folks who claim to have got it from their partners were bitten by a tick at some location where the bite wasn't visible.

Iride01 

You might better read up on that. Or do you have a different idea what a STD is?

shelbyfv

Larry gets his science from YouTube. Who needs those pointy heads with letters after their names when anyone can post an opinion? In fact, OP often posts opinions about cycling.

LarrySellerz

Let’s stay on topic about leather tape and chemical sensitivity. I’m not going to argue with people, if you want to look into Lyme as a man made disease that can be transferred sexually, be my guest, if you wanna think I’m full of it, be my guest too. I’ve done my research and came to my conclusions.

sidenote: I can be a really frustrating patient for doctors to deal with lol, for obvious reasons.

phughes

No, and wear gloves if it bothers you.

smd4

Why would you even go to a doctor?

bboy314

Ah, classic Larry! “My bar tape feels funny, and Lyme disease is a man-made STD. Thoughts?? Just here for help with my bike, thanks.”

shelbyfv

Has there been anything in your life experience that would lead you to believe you are equipped to "research" anything of a medical nature? It's most likely your rash is something you picked up in a dumpster or otherwise related to deficiencies in personal hygiene.

Koyote

Was this research funded by the National Institutes of Health, or maybe by the National Science Foundation, or by some other organization?

How large was your control group? Your experimental group?

Was it double-blind? What was the confidence interval for your results?

I mean, I'm super-impressed that you've done the research, and I'd really love to know more about it. In which refereed journal did you publish the results? I can't wait to read your research.

tomato coupe

I know several people that contracted Lyme disease from ticks that burrowed into their leather bar tape, because they stored their bikes outside.

genejockey 

As George Carlin said, "Some people are really ******g stupid!"

genejockey 

Double blind? You mean, like this?

genejockey 

On the original topic, sure, it's possible that something in the leather is causing some kind of skin reaction. But I have never heard of it happening from leather bar tape. If you're concerned, take it off and rewrap with come nice, cheap Cinelli stuff.

zandoval 

I do remember some people being sensitive to Leather Wraps on their steering wheels. It was popular to have a similar wrap for steering wheels years ago. The problem was solves by washing the leather wrap mild soap and water once placed on the steering wheel. It set the leather into its proper shape and I guess removed the chemicals on it used during shipment. I also remember upholstery guys wearing gloves when doing new wraps. That was in the 80's...