TromboneAl

I guess "black" is the obvious answer, but perhaps other colors or patterns are better.

B. Carfree

Any color lasts well as long as it's black.

Zinger

If it's cotton, black or, to a lesser degree, dark brown.

Now I've never tried Shellacing cotton tape before But I'm interested in trying it on a new retro build that I'm starting on this winter.

Here's a guide for shellacing cotton bar tape

Some interesting ideas about padding under cotton tape at the bottom of the above link. I used to wrap the bars on my first two bikes with a double layer of cotton.

I've still got 2 more packages of discontinued "Performance" red padded plastic ribbon stashed, for the present ride, that washes down nicely.

Retro Grouch 

Two words: GoJo. Maybe it's only one word.

Smear it on, hose it off. Takes less time than I spent writing this post. They you don't have to worry about what stays clean looking longest.

az_cyclist

not white!

I didnt chose white; it came with my new Domane, and I didnt want to pay to change it.

Pamestique 

When the shop built up my Landshark, they put on Turquoise tape - way too matchy matchy to the frame color for my taste and when the time comes to replace the tape, I am going to black but surprisenly, the turqoise tape still looks nice. It hasn't gotten dingy over time and it doesn't look dirty so I guess you can use any color tape you want - but do you want to?

osco53

When the shop built up my Landshark, they put on Turquoise tape......... I would like to see that bike, always liked that color..

Cyril 

Black, brown, honey, or tan leather bar tape.
Looks great, looks even better with age.
Lasts for years.

Pamestique 

See here:

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ht=my+new+bike

byte_speed

I put black tape on the bar tops and colored tape to suit in the hooks. I get some color and the tops, where I spend the most time, looks clean.

Biker395 

Just pick something that wears to the bone ... then it never looks dirty.

cyclinfool

Now if you were DF this would have been a poll - just sayin

BluesDawg

yes

Monoborracho

I've some hi-viz orange that I'm planning to put on my tri-bike. Makes it MUCH easier to pick out of several hundred in a transition area. You can literally glance across a thousand bikes and see exactly where you need to go.

Rowan

Look for the carbon fibre lookalike tape. I put it on my Ti bike, and it has worn well. The smooth finish is easy to keep clean.

Leather, of course, is an alternative. Pricey if Brooks, but I think there are some cheaper alternatives appearing. The price has prevented me so far from using leather bar tape.

DnvrFox

TromboneAl

That'll look great when you wipe the cobwebs off it.

jdon

All my bikes have white tape so clearly, I am not qualified to offer advice.

As RG stated, GoJo is your friend.

jyl

Wear gloves . . .

Zinger

Don't know what cheaper brand it would be unless synthetic. Velo Orange is about as pricey as Brooks. Cinelli and Pro are even pricier.

Rowan

This is a US seller:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/GYES-Road...item4174e795fb

Australian seller:

https://www.cyclingdeal.com.au/buy/vi...-tapes/BLT-001

Zinger

Thanks! I'm kind of considering something like that for a winter lugged steel build I'm planning. I like the looks of that with a brown Brooks. My other consideration is shellaced brown cotton.