Andy_K 

I've got a couple of bikes that I'm working on that need new hoods. I've decided on the bar tape color, but I'd like to ask for opinions about what hoods would look best.

The first bike is a 1974 Masi.



I'm sticking with yellow bar tape, a bit warmer than what it's got in this picture -- closer to the color of the bottle cages. I'm strongly leaning toward gum hoods for this one, but I am also considering white to match the frame. Would that be too much? FWIW, the tires will be black with tan/gum sidewalls, not the black and gray seen above.

Bike number 2 is a 1985 Performance Superbe.



For this one, I'll be using white bar tape (and cables). I like the feel of the gum hoods, so that may win out for that reason alone. Again, I'm considering white to match the tape, but I wondered if white hoods and white tape are too much. Has anyone used that combination? Of course, black is also an option.

I'm also wondering about the saddle color for the Superbe. The saddle shown in the picture is already off the bike. My saddle of choice is the Specialized Phenom. I have one that's white with red trim, but I also have a few black ones. What would you do? White or black? And would that influence your choice of hoods?

Thanks for any suggestions and opinions!

non-fixie 

For the MASI I'd lose all the yellow. Let the decals do the talking and keep the rest restrained: black tape, gum hoods and grey cable housing.

For the Performance I think all black (saddle, tape, housing) would look nice with those tires. (Maybe a less conspicuous grey for the cable housing if you're going to keep them at this length. )

My two cents.

2cam16

Bike 1: gum
Bike 2: black with the white tape

RiddleOfSteel

Masi: Gum hoods are just fine, white hoods for that proper I-like-white-lines look (well, that and a white saddle). Yellow bar tape is cool, black works fine as well. White tape would be epic.

Performance: White saddle and bar tape are an excellent choice. Black hoods with the white look just fine. That white/black contrast is always a cool look.

SurferRosa

I match the tires and hoods. Gum for gum; black for black.

It'll be nice when we can buy gum Rustines on ebay again, you know, post-plague.

​​​​​

Andy_K 

Thanks for the opinions and keep 'em coming. Also, pictures are always appreciated, especially here since my main need is imagination of the combinations. So, if you have something similar that you think looks good, or something that looks awful, let's see it. For instance, I just found this (from guygadois in another thread) which is similar to one of the combos I was considering for bike 2.



I'm still not sure what I think of that but at least not I can picture it.

Andy_K 

Yeah, I was going to ask if anyone had a source for the gum Rustines. I'm sure there must be a shop in Portland that has them, but there are too many shops to visit, especially at a time like this.

SurferRosa

Worse comes to worse (i.e., now), you can probably still buy Campy repops and do some swapping around of hoods in the stable if necessary.

Bicicletta89

Velo-Orange should have them

SJX426 

Not your color choices but a comparison of same color vs variation. The Colnago came with the yellow hoods.
P9161246 on Flickr
P9201297 on Flickr

I swapped for gum to ensure all Campy.
1983 Colnago Superissimo on Flickr

Took a different approach with the De Rosa by doing red, black, white and silver.
P1030588 on Flickr

But, or is that butt, the saddle needed to change for comfort and hence the black saddle. Hard to see due to the background but you might get the idea.
P1030593 on Flickr

Salamandrine 

For the Masi, absolutely gum hoods. BITD you could have any color you wanted, as long as it was gum. I ran black on my Masi for a while, because the LBS was out of campy hoods except for Gran Sport, which are black. That was rebellious, then,
Rustines are best because they are the only ones made from actual gum. If everyone is out of Rustines, Dia Compe Modolo style will do for now. I agree with non-fixie on the grey housing etc, and I'd raise it to include silver cages as well. Your bike of course. Do what makes you "spark joy" LOL. Bar tape can be anything. I used to swap it out once a month.

For the 85 Performance, probably black or gum hoods, Modolo style anatomic. White hoods always look disgusting after one ride. I have an irrational fondness for clown barf bar tape, even though it'd hideous. Black cotton is always a tasteful choice. Black saddle, for sure. Grey housing - underrated. Taste was on its way out by 85...

Andy_K 

They've been out of stock for months. I ended up buying some Campy repros from Italy on eBay.

In case anyone is curious, here is what I ended up with for these bikes:





I haven't replaced the hoods on the Superbe yet and the bar tape is awful cheap stuff that turns black if you wave your hand at it, but I think I'll stick with this basic color scheme.

I have no idea why I'm incapable of cutting the brake cables to a proper length. It's like getting the stem aligned with the wheel...I do it on the workstand and I think it's good, but then it isn't.

SJX426 

@Andy_K Alighning Handlbars - Dave Moulton's Blog - Dave Moulton's Bike Blog - Aligning Handlebars
Tape - 2 mm Fizik Superlight Classic (Microtex) Soft touch. Stays clean a long time!

Dfrost 

+1 on that particular Fiz’ik white tape. Taped the bars with it in 2017, maybe wiped it down once, might replace it this year with more of the same.

Here it is from your neighbor, Andy (whenever they get more in stock). Looks like Amazon is also out-of stock of 2mm “Superlight Bondcush” in white.
https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...s.php?id=97375

And this is great improvement over electrical tape for finishing. No creep, no sticky mess.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

due ruote 

If we are still invited to nitpick, I think a strong case could be made for alloy bottle cages on the Masi. But hey, lovely bike either way.

Andy_K 

Thanks for the tip on the bar alignment. I'll give it a try.

I've got the Fizik tape on a couple of other bikes. I just didn't have any on hand for this one and wasn't ready to invest more money until I'd ridden it a few times.

daka

I'm siding with the faction that thinks the yellow bottle cages are a little loud. Since the shape of typical bottle cages is not especially graceful, I prefer them to disappear/blend in with the background and let the prettier parts of the bike speak instead - and your Masi is a pretty bike indeed!

Rooney 

They both look awesome, great improvements! I love all the yellow on the Masi and don't think you should change it. The Performance feels much more cohesive now too. Beautiful bikes!