Plastic Handlebar Tape
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Plastic Handlebar Tape
My first bikes in the early 1970’s had plastic handlebar tape, and when cloth became available it seemed exotic so I switched and never thought about plastic again. With this Paramount, I decided to try plastic tape again. From the Schwinn catalogs of that era it looks like plastic tape was how they came equipped.
I was able to find some NOS Schwinn tape and put it on this past weekend. I am surprised how much I like it and the feel of it brings back some nice memories. I’d encourage you to try it again if you’re an old timer like me!
I was able to find some NOS Schwinn tape and put it on this past weekend. I am surprised how much I like it and the feel of it brings back some nice memories. I’d encourage you to try it again if you’re an old timer like me!
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 1,035
Bikes: 1963? Anquetil , 1973 PX10,1979 PX10,1984 PX10, VITUS 979 PX10DU,1970S ALAN,1985 PSV10,1980s PY10FC,1978 bERTIN,ALAN carbon
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 283 Post(s)
Liked 636 Times
in
283 Posts
that red looks good !
I have a couple of machines with plastic bar wrap .
Black is great for hiding the grubby marks too .
I have a couple of machines with plastic bar wrap .
Black is great for hiding the grubby marks too .
Likes For 1simplexnut:
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Peoria, IL
Posts: 4,495
Mentioned: 86 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1834 Post(s)
Liked 3,424 Times
in
1,594 Posts
I would say that if you use plastic tape, you should also be wearing gloves. Partly this is because the gloves provide some padding, and partly because they will provide a bit of grip if things get sweaty.
Here's a close-up shot that shows the molded ribs on the tape...
and an "action" shot ...
Steve in Peoria
Likes For steelbikeguy:
#4
Wheelman
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Putney, London UK
Posts: 861
Bikes: 1982 Holdsworth Avanti (531), 1961 Holdsworth Cyclone
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 299 Post(s)
Liked 691 Times
in
347 Posts
I remembered the original tape on a 1982 Holdsworth Avanti as being silver plastic - I bought one new in 1983.
Got another one 2 years back and found some "VINTAGE OLD SCHOOL SILVER TINTED HANDLEBAR TAPE 2 ROLLS NOS ROSS SCHWINN" on Ebay.
It looks just like I remembered:
Got another one 2 years back and found some "VINTAGE OLD SCHOOL SILVER TINTED HANDLEBAR TAPE 2 ROLLS NOS ROSS SCHWINN" on Ebay.
It looks just like I remembered:
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Fredericksburg, Va
Posts: 9,592
Bikes: '65 Frejus TDF, '73 Bottecchia Giro d'Italia, '83 Colnago Superissimo, '84 Trek 610, '84 Trek 760, '88 Pinarello Veneto, '88 De Rosa Pro, '89 Pinarello Montello, '94 Burley Duet, 97 Specialized RockHopper, 2010 Langster, Tern Link D8
Mentioned: 73 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1617 Post(s)
Liked 2,225 Times
in
1,110 Posts
Likes For SJX426:
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,305
Mentioned: 130 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3464 Post(s)
Liked 2,834 Times
in
1,998 Posts
The resurgence was Benotto cello plastic tape.
I like the earlier American Hunt-Wilde brand
I like the earlier American Hunt-Wilde brand
Likes For repechage:
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Visalia, CA
Posts: 2,249
Mentioned: 45 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 981 Post(s)
Liked 1,844 Times
in
609 Posts
I had a 1970 Raleigh Super Course for a couple of years that I gifted to my former boss. It still has the original handlebar tape!
-Gregory
-Gregory
Likes For Kilroy1988:
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 5,902
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3579 Post(s)
Liked 3,002 Times
in
1,816 Posts
My first bikes in the early 1970’s had plastic handlebar tape, and when cloth became available it seemed exotic so I switched and never thought about plastic again. With this Paramount, I decided to try plastic tape again. From the Schwinn catalogs of that era it looks like plastic tape was how they came equipped.
I was able to find some NOS Schwinn tape and put it on this past weekend. I am surprised how much I like it and the feel of it brings back some nice memories. I’d encourage you to try it again if you’re an old timer like me!
I was able to find some NOS Schwinn tape and put it on this past weekend. I am surprised how much I like it and the feel of it brings back some nice memories. I’d encourage you to try it again if you’re an old timer like me!
#9
Senior Member
-- CAUTION --
Slippery when wet.
Slippery when wet.
Likes For Bad Lag:
#10
Edumacator
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Goose Creek, SC
Posts: 6,998
Bikes: '87 Crestdale, '87 Basso Gap, '92 Rossin Performance EL-OS, 1990 VanTuyl, 1980s Losa, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 1987 PX10, etc...
Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2513 Post(s)
Liked 3,282 Times
in
2,062 Posts
This is the one case where I am more than happy to stay in the present. I like the modern stuff much better for my hands. Fizik, Arundel, Lizardskins, Cinelli.
And yes, I use gloves as well.
And yes, I use gloves as well.
__________________
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super, 1971 Raleigh International, 1998 Corratec Ap & Dun, 1991 Peugeot Slimestone
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super, 1971 Raleigh International, 1998 Corratec Ap & Dun, 1991 Peugeot Slimestone
Likes For jdawginsc:
#11
Standard Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Brunswick, Maine
Posts: 4,280
Bikes: 1948 P. Barnard & Son, 1962 Rudge Sports, 1963 Freddie Grubb Routier, 1980 Manufrance Hirondelle, 1983 F. Moser Sprint, 1989 Raleigh Technium Pre, 2001 Raleigh M80
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1301 Post(s)
Liked 943 Times
in
490 Posts
These are the brands I use, plus the Japanese brand, OGK.
__________________
"In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun, and - SNAP - the job's a game!"
"In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun, and - SNAP - the job's a game!"
#13
Standard Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Brunswick, Maine
Posts: 4,280
Bikes: 1948 P. Barnard & Son, 1962 Rudge Sports, 1963 Freddie Grubb Routier, 1980 Manufrance Hirondelle, 1983 F. Moser Sprint, 1989 Raleigh Technium Pre, 2001 Raleigh M80
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1301 Post(s)
Liked 943 Times
in
490 Posts
I never lost interest in plastic tape, but like steelbikeguy says, it is best to use a good gel glove with it.
Moser with Benotto "brown" (more like copper)
Technium with Hunt-Wylde "plum".
Technium with OGK "yellow".
Moser with Benotto "brown" (more like copper)
Technium with Hunt-Wylde "plum".
Technium with OGK "yellow".
__________________
"In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun, and - SNAP - the job's a game!"
"In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun, and - SNAP - the job's a game!"
Likes For 1989Pre:
#14
Senior Member
Likes For Bad Lag:
#15
Senior Member
If you like that retro look you should try cotton and shellac. You certainly got the look and it is bullet proof. Better yet, it can be easily retouched. Not that I ever had to do so on mine.
For me the no brainer is sewn leather. The grip gets even better if it gets wet. You don't even need an expensive pre cut kit, vintage bars can be done with a 3 3/16(+) strip, and the tools needed are super cheap. They can be the gateway drug to more ambitious leather work.
For me the no brainer is sewn leather. The grip gets even better if it gets wet. You don't even need an expensive pre cut kit, vintage bars can be done with a 3 3/16(+) strip, and the tools needed are super cheap. They can be the gateway drug to more ambitious leather work.
Likes For abdon:
Likes For nomadmax:
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,477
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 883 Post(s)
Liked 2,312 Times
in
1,293 Posts
My first ten speed was a root beer brown Varsity with matching plastic bar tape. It was all the rage in the late sixties-early seventies. If I remember right , that bike had chrome handlebars that made the tape look even better.
Likes For Kabuki12:
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Menomonee Falls, WI
Posts: 1,836
Bikes: 1984 Schwinn Supersport, 1988 Trek 400T, 1977 Trek TX900, 1982 Bianchi Champione del Mondo, 1978 Raleigh Supercourse, 1986 Trek 400 Elance, 1991 Waterford PDG OS Paramount, 1971 Schwinn Sports Tourer, 1985 Trek 670
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 604 Post(s)
Liked 1,064 Times
in
535 Posts
I too like plastic tape on a vintage bike. I put 3 layers of Benotto tape on my Trek TX900. Started with dark blue, covered it with silver, then covered that with light blue tape.
Tim
Tim
Likes For tkamd73:
#20
Newbie
Thread Starter
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 5,902
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3579 Post(s)
Liked 3,002 Times
in
1,816 Posts
#22
Full Member
Join Date: Jan 2023
Posts: 474
Bikes: Two Peter Mooney customs, a 1980 Trek 510 townie, a Marin Stelvio set up for TTs.
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 230 Post(s)
Liked 300 Times
in
164 Posts
I remember doing that trendy braided thang with Benotto tape back in the eighties. It was quite difficult with the Cinelli 65 bars I rode at the time. There was no give in the tape at all; skip the padded gloves, and you're in for a world of pain. I'm quite glad to have modern cork/foam tape instead.
Likes For 1simplexnut:
#24
Junior Member
I used nothing but Benotto for 20 years back in the day when I was young, strong and fearless. I still have some 70's Hunt Wilde type stuff on a bike. The stuff that was on all the Schwinns was super cool with those translucent colors. Looking for some of that in green for a project. That said, I now use the modernish more padded stuff on all other bikes. Never used gloves and still don't.
Likes For robobike316: