Which bar tape do you use?
#1
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Which bar tape do you use?
The bike I'm building is a road bike around 1978-1980, so to be period correct I think cotton or Benotto cello-tape would be appropriate. I love the look of the Benotto tape in black, but it is expensive and I have a feeling I won't like it due to the lack of comfort it offers.
What do you guys use for your vintage builds?
What do you guys use for your vintage builds?
#2
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My preference is not for fat bar tape so I like cotton tape with shellac. I've also used Cinelli black Volee bar tape and it's pretty good but not cheap at $22 or so. Very stretchy and applies very well but it's not a thick spongy tape. I think it's supposed to be about the thickness and feel of tennis racket tape. It's pretty durable -- more so than raw cotton tape, for sure.
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I have Benotto Cello Tape on one bike and while it looks perfect, for that bike, it's my least favorite. I don't ride it much or for very long so it's fine and not worth switching out.
I tried cloth tape with shellac on one build, but it just wasn't for me. I like the look, but it felt too hard.
For all my other vintage bikes I like Newbaum's Cloth Tape, the regular stuff, and I have one bike with the newer Newbaum's CUSHIONED Cloth Tape. The cushioned version is really nice. Same look, but far more comfortable on really long rides.
I tried cloth tape with shellac on one build, but it just wasn't for me. I like the look, but it felt too hard.
For all my other vintage bikes I like Newbaum's Cloth Tape, the regular stuff, and I have one bike with the newer Newbaum's CUSHIONED Cloth Tape. The cushioned version is really nice. Same look, but far more comfortable on really long rides.
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Since my machines Are all riders, no garage queens, I go for comfort. "Cork" tape but not too thick. I've used Cinelli tape and SRAM. My latest build (84 Fuji) has Origin 8 tape. My preference is for tape that is either plain/no logos, like the Origin 8, or the logos to one side such that I can hide them (like Deda). I looked at Salsa tape, good feel and wraps well, but the embossed goop is all over the tape. Way too busy for me.
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My preference is cloth tape, no shellac. When it gets crappy, re-tape it. Its like a new pair of socks. I did a build once with matching leather bar tape and saddle, which was super-comfy, but man that leather tape is $$$!
#6
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Cotton tape was king at that time, if you're wondering about period correct circa 78-80. Though cello tape was around, the great craze for it was still a year or two away, and it was limited to racer types. If you wanted padded tape, Bike Ribbon was fairly common by then. The other padded option was Grab-on. They made a thin racing model. Good luck finding any. Cork tape did not exist yet. There was this bike boom era rubber tape called Bailey's I think, but it never really caught on. Most people just went with cotton, If you needed padding, there were gloves for that.
#7
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My ars poetics: to follow the period of correctness.
Cloth until the late '70s.
Benotto-style celo until the early '80s.
Almarc-style leather or pelten/bike ribbon until the late ’80s,
Cork from the late '80s.
Cloth until the late '70s.
Benotto-style celo until the early '80s.
Almarc-style leather or pelten/bike ribbon until the late ’80s,
Cork from the late '80s.
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For my older bicycles, those that sort of fall into the period correct attempt builds, I always go for cloth tape, which used to be darn near free on Ebay. Anyway, this is the cloth tape that I like for my older bikes. I should add that end caps are important to me, also. With that in mind, I really like the old school Velox product (never falls out)...
For newer bikes, I go with the cheapest cushion tape that I can find. I buy the non-adhesive backed stuff, through Ebay, and sets me back a couple of dollars a set, shipping included. I buy a dozen sets at a time. This is my Jamaica Bianchi and the tape has thousands of kilo meters on it...
For newer bikes, I go with the cheapest cushion tape that I can find. I buy the non-adhesive backed stuff, through Ebay, and sets me back a couple of dollars a set, shipping included. I buy a dozen sets at a time. This is my Jamaica Bianchi and the tape has thousands of kilo meters on it...
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Velo Orange Comfy Cotton is my go-to. (Buy local!) Looks traditional, feels great, and is never too short for your bars.
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have been using VELOX bar tape since the 1970's, but just switched to Newbaum's, better quality and longer rolls...
https://www.newbaums.com/
https://www.newbaums.com/
Last edited by branko_76; 06-30-20 at 11:46 AM.
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Last couple years, it's been whatever Newbaum's I can find sold in pairs on ebay: black, brown, or blue.
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Newbaums - for the reasons in the above 2 posts. Plus, colour selection.
Last edited by Wildwood; 06-30-20 at 12:13 PM.