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View Full Version : White bar tape recommendation!


GLC1968
07-18-2007, 06:21 AM
When I got my new bike last November, I was really tempted to change the standard white bar tape to black so that it would stay newer looking longer. I didn't do it right away and the longer I left the white, the more I liked it. I liked that it was DIFFERENT (as everyone around here has black).

So, fast forward to May and my tape was GROSS looking. I took my bike for a professional fit, and I was embarassed to see it sitting there amongst all the new custom bikes with such nasty bar tape. The woman in the shop recommended a bar tape that they just got and I figured it was worth a shot.

I've had it on my bike for awhile now and I LOVE it. Not only was it easy to put on flawlessly, but it STILL looks nice. It washes clean very easily! I tried a number of things to clean my old cork tape with no luck. This stuff...no problem! I'm sure it would also work wonderfully with any lighter colored bar tape as well.

It's not as plush/cushy as some tapes, but you could easily apply the gel inserts underneath if you need more padding. The top surface is a textured vinyl that isn't slippery, but that doesn't absorb dirt and grime either. I love it! If you ride gloveless and your hands sweat, you may not like the non-absorbant quality of this, but that's not an issue for me.

Bike Ribbon Professional Bar Tape
http://www.excelsports.com/image/Bike%20Ribbon%20Bike%20Ribbon%20Handlebar%20Tape.jpg

The one I have is the textured vinyl surface (in white). According to the website (www.bikeribbon.com) it comes in multiple surfaces.

Anyway, this stuff gets a big 'thumbs up' from me!
roadfix
07-18-2007, 06:52 PM
I use white vinyl bike ribbon tape on a couple of bikes and I like them. I don't necessarily spend time keeping them looking like new. In fact, I prefer the slightly soiled look on most light colored bar tapes. I think it adds character to the bike. I don't like anything that looks brand new. :D
KnottedYet
07-18-2007, 07:42 PM
I've gotten super-geeky with my new Surly Cross Check, loving the fact that EVERYTHING is black. Even the bar tape. I've never had black bar tape before. (just got black-n-yellow Ortlieb panniers today. I figure the yellow is a safety accent! :D ;) )

My Trek 420 was lovely blue with white bar tape, and I kept white bar tape for years. Loved it! I think it was a spongey/corky tape, and it did get dirty, but not too bad. And it looked gooooooooood on the blue bike!
RoadRaven
07-19-2007, 01:14 AM
White bar tape seems very trendy at the moment...


I prefer black myself, or black speckled with the coloour of the bike.

One of my sons has a red Scorpio and he has red/black bar tape (and red tyres)

Another son has a green Giant with green/black bar tape (and, of course, green tyres)

Both bikes look zeer smart :D
GLC1968
07-19-2007, 06:17 AM
White bar tape seems very trendy at the moment...


You know, I've been noticing that watching the TdF...everyone seems to have white! Now I'm not feeling so 'different' anymore. :(
RoadRaven
07-19-2007, 11:13 AM
Yup... that's what we noticed too...

LOTS of white at the TdF

Funny how people are influenced by fashion though... white is appearing on some of the bikes in our local club already (on bars that didn't need retaping).

If you like white, then go for it... the fad will go and then you'll look different again.

I have never been one to follow fashion "just because". In the late 70's I never wore a mini skirt "just because" they were in fashion again... I don't like my knees and I always wear mid-calf to ankle length skirts cause I like them.

That should be your guiding idea... if your bike looks purty and sweeeet... then white it must be, because thats the tape you like best.

Gargh... I'm waffling now! Hope you get what I'm trying to say...
Aggie_Ama
07-20-2007, 03:53 PM
Of course GLC your Terry would look fabulous with a blue like I put on my Cannondale! I love the blue because it is different. You're different because you just don't see many Terry bikes. :D
KnottedYet
07-22-2007, 02:17 AM
Funny how fashions come and go. My white-tape bike was about 10 years ago...

(it came with white tape. my older bike -late 1980's- had white tape with purple and blue speckles in it.)
sundial
07-22-2007, 07:24 AM
I've outfitted my silver Sequoia with a white saddle and white bottle cages and I think the white tape would look fabulous on it as well. Hmmm, I think I found something else to do to my bike. I planned on having the LBS remove the cheater breaks, maybe I'll have him change out the tape too. :cool:
nafula
09-14-2007, 05:54 AM
I just bought some shiny silver Fi zi k bar tape yesterday. Hopefully I can put it on tonight. I think its going to look great on my bike, plus the fact that it should feel better than what is sliding off my handlebars at the moment,
RoadRaven
09-14-2007, 11:43 AM
Nafula... I don't think I have ever seen silver tape!

Can you either post me a link to a pic of it, or take a pic of yours once its on and post here?

I'd be really interested to see it... might be just-the-business for my silver and blue Giant...
DirtDiva
09-15-2007, 02:06 AM
Some of the SUBs have silver tape. Go have a gander at your local Avanti shop if you wanna see it in the flesh. :)
nafula
09-17-2007, 04:53 AM
Nafula... I don't think I have ever seen silver tape!

Can you either post me a link to a pic of it, or take a pic of yours once its on and post here?

I'd be really interested to see it... might be just-the-business for my silver and blue Giant...

Here's a picture from a site, however, it doesn't do it justice.

http://wheelandsprocket.com/page.cfm?PageID=263&action=details&sku=HT1254

I wrapped mine yesterday and it looks fabulous.