Bar tape - materials and more importantly colour.
#1
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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
Replacing the old tires.
New skin
#2
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You must be, tape looks fine, so do the colors, work on a different bike, or get one.
Tim
Tim
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Get cloth tape--same color--and get hoods that fit better.
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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
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Pair-Bike...sAAOSwBPxcghiG
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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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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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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
It looks great with the yellow
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
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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)
Last edited by Kabuki12; 04-11-20 at 08:39 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
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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When I saw your bike I saw red...fire engine red
Do it!
https://velo-orange.com/collections/...otton-bar-tape
Do it!
https://velo-orange.com/collections/...otton-bar-tape
#13
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Blue Newbaum's tape, Rustines hoods, and shorten the brake cables.
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#14
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Thread Starter
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.
I do like the idea of red but maybe I’ll start with the hoods.
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#15
Senior Member
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
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
Poster, keep the yellow to bring out the decal. Fine looking machine as well!
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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...
to this, which I like a lot more...
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#18
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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.
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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Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!