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Bar tape - materials and more importantly colour.

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Bar tape - materials and more importantly colour.

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Old 04-11-20, 06:28 AM
  #1  
kidadam
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Bar tape - materials and more importantly colour.

I’m looking at replacing my bar tape and brake housing and thought I’d throw it out to the community on options. Should I stick with yeller or something like brooks black leather? Clearly I’m bored.



Replacing the old tires.

New skin


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Old 04-11-20, 06:36 AM
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You must be, tape looks fine, so do the colors, work on a different bike, or get one.
Tim
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Old 04-11-20, 06:55 AM
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Get cloth tape--same color--and get hoods that fit better.
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Old 04-11-20, 07:13 AM
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I'm a big fan of $2 bar tape from China. I bought this goldish tape which in the hand looks like a satin subdued yellow. It has a white backing that does a thin spiral on the bars from the back and is comfortably spongy. It's kinda wide which makes wrapping around the brake levers bit tricky, so I recommend buying 2x just in case.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Pair-Bike...sAAOSwBPxcghiG
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Old 04-11-20, 07:21 AM
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The tape looks fine to me, and the color goes well. If you're able to find a reasonably appropriate saddle that matches the color, and that is comfortable for you (not the easiest find I'll admit), that would ace the aesthetic test, imo. Failing that, black on both saddle and tape would also look good, and opens up many more options for you.
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Old 04-11-20, 07:24 AM
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I think the yellow looks fine. I wouldn't change a thing, unless the cable housing is worn out, then I would look for a brighter yellow to match the bars.
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Old 04-11-20, 07:44 AM
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I was going nto suggest changing the tires and leaving the rest alone, but I see you already changed them.

It looks great with the yellow
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Old 04-11-20, 08:26 AM
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Well I think I’ll leave it.

I just rode for an hour and averaged 20kms / hr. It’s great yellow or not!
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Old 04-11-20, 08:30 AM
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The yellow looks great the way it is. If you are bored, maybe shorten up the brake cables just a little. I use my fist on top of the bar as a gage. That said I too have a couple of bikes where after building it looks like they are a little noodley. The bike looks beautiful and yellow is the perfect contrast . Also, I have some hemp twine that I wrap at the cable crossing to keep them orderly . After wrapping I use wood glue that dries clear to protect it. Just dab it on the twine until it completely covers the cross. Are you still bored? Then go ahead and mount that front wheel with the lever on the left.( reverse the skewer)

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Old 04-11-20, 08:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Classtime
-and get hoods that fit better.
This. Spend your money on Rustines (sp?) hoods instead.
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Old 04-11-20, 09:41 AM
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The yellow tape looks fine, ... but..... if you just have the urge to play around with something, I suggest doing a blue/yellow harlequin tape job!

I gave it a shot on one of my bikes recently. The bike is a solid burnt orange color, so the harlequin wrap adds a bit of novelty.





I was a bit worried about the tape getting dirty fast, so I didn't extend the orange tape all of the way to the brake levers where my hands are usually located.

Steve in Peoria
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Old 04-11-20, 11:13 AM
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When I saw your bike I saw red...fire engine red

Do it!

https://velo-orange.com/collections/...otton-bar-tape
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Old 04-11-20, 12:03 PM
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Blue Newbaum's tape, Rustines hoods, and shorten the brake cables.
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Old 04-11-20, 12:56 PM
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My local bike shop has one pair of replica campagnolo hoods in stock.

I do like the idea of red but maybe I’ll start with the hoods.
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Old 04-11-20, 02:38 PM
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Originally Posted by steelbikeguy
The yellow tape looks fine, ... but..... if you just have the urge to play around with something, I suggest doing a blue/yellow harlequin tape job!

I gave it a shot on one of my bikes recently. The bike is a solid burnt orange color, so the harlequin wrap adds a bit of novelty.





I was a bit worried about the tape getting dirty fast, so I didn't extend the orange tape all of the way to the brake levers where my hands are usually located.

Steve in Peoria
Damn, it’sa fine looking machine! Burnt orange you say...

Poster, keep the yellow to bring out the decal. Fine looking machine as well!
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Old 04-11-20, 03:44 PM
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Had the same thing to decide a few years ago. Went from this...


to this, which I like a lot more...
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Old 04-11-20, 03:58 PM
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good move!
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Old 04-11-20, 08:27 PM
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Check out Arundel Synth Gecko. Soft, grippy 100% silicone, doesn't need any adhesive backing. Reusable indefinitely, as long as it's not cut or torn. Washable. And it doesn't take a set. After peeling it off, hang it for awhile and it'll straighten out. So it can be rewrapped easily without worrying about matching the correct side of the bar.

The hi-viz yellow ain't subtle. Might not be to everyone's taste.


1993 purple Trek 5900 with Arundel Synth Gecko hi-vis yellow bar wrap.
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Old 04-11-20, 08:36 PM
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Originally Posted by kidadam
Well I think I’ll leave it.

I just rode for an hour and averaged 20kms / hr. It’s great yellow or not!
Nothing wrong with new tape but consider Adarga tape over Brooks. Made here in the US, it’s also a single piece while Brooks can be spliced.
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Old 04-11-20, 10:42 PM
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Originally Posted by kidadam
I’m looking at replacing my bar tape and brake housing and thought I’d throw it out to the community on options. Should I stick with yeller or something like brooks black leather? Clearly I’m bored.



Replacing the old tires.
White Ambrosio tape "it's easy to wash", grey cables, skinwall tires.
Black cloth tape, grey cables, skinwall tires
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