Euthyphro

Thanks. I've been thinking about trying to match bar tape to the sidewalls on my Cretin. I think the Pasellas look great on all/mostly black bikes, but I'm not sure how it would look to have mostly but not exactly matching bar tape.

Edit: now I see that there's already a thread on this.

Mumonkan

if that salsa tape is the thick & zesty flavor i gotta say, my favorite tape so far. ribbed for my pleasure.

very good quality too, seems nice and tough not spongy and cheap

TejanoTrackie 

The Salsa bar tape that came on my Salsa Colossal over two years ago still looks like new with absolutely no apparent wear. It's also just about the most comfortable bar tape I've ever used. I like it so much I just bought some in red for my carbon geared road bike. My only minor complaint is that the supplied bar plugs are really cheap looking plain black.

Mumonkan

agreed, the fall camo tape i have came with cheapo chrome plugs that i already scratched so im on the hunt for some good looking screw in barends since i tend to lose them and not notice till im 80 miles into a ride

Muffin Man

Next time I'm going up to SF, I'm gonna pick up a set of their oil slick bar plugs. They look sweet.

Wilfred Laurier

bar end shifters = spare bar plugs with every tape purchase

50voltphantom

For when I put 33's on. I just love these old Salsa chainrings.




Dang, those are pretty cool.

Edit:

Also, the wife's black+pink Concor Light saddle arrived yesterday (super-fast!) and man, that is one dope seat.

Unkle Rico

This statement made me do some searching on Salsa for some reason -- They aren't originally from SF are they? I couldnt find any concrete answer but I did learn a little more about Salsa in looking for this answer so thank you good sir

heymatthew

IRD Defiant Crankset, MKS Sylvan Touring Pedals + MKS Clips + White Leather Straps, Shimano Brake Levers + White Hoods, White Bar Tape, Nitto Bar End Plugs and a Crane Bell. Still need wheels and a saddle, but those will have to wait for the next paycheck...

Mumonkan

i believe hes referring to mash

Unkle Rico

Well that makes way more sense ha

SquidPuppet

What did you finally settle on for a frame?

heymatthew

Ended up with a Nashbar SSCX. Came with decent components and I'm swapping out some of the sub-par components as I'm able. I tried to find an old MTB frame locally at pawn shops and stuff, but just couldn't find anything worth picking up and those that were worth getting and building up were way overpriced for what they were.

I'm going to get some Sun M13II rims and run some slightly wider tires on it and have settled on a Brooks C17 saddle. But other than that, I'm all set, I think. Just got the bike today, but looking at it here at work, the frame seems to be rather nice.

50voltphantom

^nice. That bike comes geared really high for a 'CX' designated bike (46x17), sheesh.

rreahard

VO makes simple, nice looking alloy bar end plugs too. Only fit 23.8mm bars though.

SquidPuppet

Cool. What color saddle will you run with the white bar tape and hoods???

Still going with a rear rack?

Open up your pedals and put some grease in them. I love my MKS Touring, but somebody at the factory uses an eye dropper to put one speck of grease in them, and an air gun to "preLOAD" the bearings. :LOL:

heymatthew

I'm using it as a Commuter/Grocery Getter so I wanted higher gearing. Most SSCX bikes come like thirty-something x 18 or so which is perfect for CX, but terrible for riding around the neighborhood. I would have bumped up to something else anyway.

heymatthew

I'm going to do the lighter color Brooks Cambium C17, I think. I really like that saddle anyway (tried it out in a shop about an hour or so from me) and I think it'll look nice with the white/chrome accents. May put some gumwalls on the tires to tie in with the vulcanized rubber on the saddle. I ended up with a Blackburn Ultimate Touring rack, but I'm thinking now it might be a little too narrow. I'll have to see. If it is, I'll just swap it for something a little wider like the Topeaks or something.

Good tip on the pedals! I'll be sure and do that. I appreciate all your help!!

SquidPuppet

That will be an awful lot of work. Why don't you just buy tires that already have gum walls on them?

veganbikes

Finally bought the rims for my touring bike:

WTB Frequency CX 32h
They will be laced to Phil Disc Hubs and Sapim Spokes and Nips which I haven't yet purchased.

heymatthew

I'm an idiot. LOL! I mean't Gumwall tires. Total typo. Haha!!!

SquidPuppet

I couldn't resist.

Muffin Man

My bad. Was posting from my phone, and I guess I didn't type everything I was thinking haha. Those plugs look sweet tho.

Kindaslow

Today I got in a quick 12 mile ride on a trail that I ride on a regular basis. My perception is they roll smoother/faster than my previous wheels. Also, my out and back times were both faster than my usual and the hills felt a little easier. I do believe they are enough stiffer and bumps are a little harsher than my previous wheels, but not extreme. All in all, I am very happy.

IAmSam

If it is not too late...on a CX frame & with your plan for wider tires - do yourself a favor & go with CR18 rims...