Indolent58

So here is my eBay score. An 80's Columbus SLX frame made by Robe Stowe. It has a period-correct ugly paint job in fair condition. This is a budget build for me so I intend to leave the paint as-is unless it looks really shot when the frame arrives.

So rather than trying to fight the look, what would be appropriate bar tape and cable colors for that 80's vibe? The rear brake cable is externally routed so I think black would be fairly ugly running across the top tube. Blue tape/White Cables, RedTape/Red Cables? Pink even?



Don't worry. You won't be the one riding it.

redxj

I would say white cables and blue/white splash bar tape. Or you could do red tape, red cables, and red tires to tie it all together.

el twe

White housing, saddle, and tape. Saddle and tape must match. Or get a blue Regal from Sachs (I ****ing love those!) and blue bar tape.

Indolent58

I only stopped using splash tape recently. Is it out of style?

The red tires would be nice, but then I am being cheap here. I've got black tires, saddle and bars that are going on, at least for now. I would love to get a white saddle but it will have to wait.

pirate

this in blue and white

marengo

I hate colored tires. And splash tape. Always.

P.S. I would not call that paint ugly at all, I'm not generally too fond of fades, but you could park that next to many 80's bikes and look rather tastefully restrained in comparison

yellowjeep

is that a dura ace or campy seat post?

Indolent58

I don't know what it is, as I don't have the frame yet. The seller says that it's "Italian" but I assume if it was Campy he would have said so.

WNG

Agree, that 2-tone fade isn't so bad. At least the colors are tasteful. Some 80s fade just don't age well on the eyes. I have a phlem-white/red Specialized that I had to put it out of its (and mine) misery.

If you want to maintain the 80s theme, blue/white bar tape, white saddle, white brake cable housing and blue rear derailleur housing. Blue tires would give it a bit of a contemporary 'bling' touch.
Since it's getting a black saddle, bars and tires: blue tape, white brake housing, blue derailleur housing.

redtires

oh my freakin gawd I hate you, I hate you, I hate you....so yoooooooour the sob that out bid me in the last 8 seconds of that auction!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Damn I wanted that frame!!!! Now I have to wait another 5 days for a simply gorgeous Tommaso!


But seriously, congrats and glad to see it went to someone here on the BF...nice bike! (grrrr....) Personally, on that bike I (would have!) go with black, especially if you'll have a black saddle.












Grrrrrr..........

marengo

My money is on Selcof.

yellowjeep

Its too polished to be DA, 7400s have more of a satin finish. (if you can call it that, but its defiantly not polished out like that.)

colintdesign

I like that paint job. I think it will only look goofy if you add more color in the components. My vote:
black cork bar wrap, black saddle (brooks maybe?), black tires and white brake cable housing. Simple.

BlankCrows

A midline cable housing coupler over the top tube could remedy any color clashing issues. Blue over blue & white over white. Or put two housing end caps face to face with a cable doughnut spacer in between.

McDave

I like the Pelton Blue/white fade bar tape suggestion. I would also go with blue housings fr/rr and a black Brooks along with all black tires.

Indolent58

You mean this one?



Nice. Mmmmmmmmmmm. I do like red too.....


Just kidding...

Indolent58

Different color brake and derailleur housing?? I swoon!!

WNG

Keeping with the old theme, I assumed downtube shifters. Therefore just a loop of cable at the rear, with contrast.
If you're putting brifters, that's different, one color up front. But I'm not sold on mechanical brifters. Don't like the clumsy look and cabling of Shimano units.
I will switch when electrical brifters are offered. Being an electrical engineer, it's only normal.

Hmmm, maybe I'll just create my own.