Tricking out my ride :-)

[WindingRoad]

M-Kay, here's my question: Is it a fashion no-no to have black handlebar tape with a white saddle? I personally think it looks kinda cool on my bike. I'm working on getting a pic up for you all to judge. I was going to put on white tape but then noticed how dirty the handlebars were on my boyfriends new bike with white tape. So....I'm stopping halfway through some minor style modifications on my bike and second guessing the tape???? If I was really talented I could do that black and white zebra look which would be totally cool but no idea how to do it? Anyone a taping Diva here? :

[Loraura]

If a black and white scheme might work, you could tape from the hoods to the end of the drops in white, and the tops in black. That would avoid most of the dirt issue.

They sell bar tape that is half black, half white to achieve the zebra look. I have it with gray/orange. It was more challenging than single color tape to wrap (I had to get it JUST right or it would have driven me crazy).

[Trek420]

I They sell bar tape that is half black, half white to achieve the zebra look. I have it with gray/orange. It was more challenging than single color tape to wrap (I had to get it JUST right or it would have driven me crazy).

Like this?

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodPD_TACOR11.html

[Tri Girl]

My DH's bike has a white seat with black bar tape. The seat just happened to be the only one that was comfortable and it happened to be in white. I think his bike looks awesome. I'm sure yours will too (and black will definitely hide the dirt a lot more).

[Cataboo]

M-Kay, here's my question: Is it a fashion no-no to have black handlebar tape with a white saddle? I personally think it looks kinda cool on my bike. I'm working on getting a pic up for you all to judge. I was going to put on white tape but then noticed how dirty the handlebars were on my boyfriends new bike with white tape. So....I'm stopping halfway through some minor style modifications on my bike and second guessing the tape???? If I was really talented I could do that black and white zebra look which would be totally cool but no idea how to do it? Anyone a taping Diva here? :

It's your bike, do what you want

[Geonz]

Your tape. Your rules. Define cool.

[copperlegend]

My trek 1.5 has a white seat and white tape. The white tape is already getting dirty enough to drive me crazy, so once it gets sufficiently grungy I'm doing pink tape! My bottle cages are pink so my somewhat OCD brain says it's ok Do what makes you happy, it's your bike after all!

[Kalidurga]

It's your bike, do what you want

+ a gazillion. I don't understand questions like this.

[WindingRoad]

"+ a gazillion. I don't understand questions like this."

OK.

[redrhodie]

Anyone a taping Diva here? :

Andrea is the diva of tape. I don't know where the thread is, but I remember she did a harlequin pattern that is probably just what you're looking for. If she reads this, she'll probably be able to offer some assistance.

[CyborgQueen]

http://www.wastedlife.org/bike/harlequin/index.html

Very cool. :-)

[Miranda]

I think you need this black and white add on...

http://www.terrybicycles.com/saddles...ly-ti-saddle-1

My old ride was the black and white theme. Before it started to become so popular. Now I have some pink color in my life. And have become obsessed that way.

BUT... I just think this saddle is so cool! Plus, prints hide flaws / dirt better than solids. If not all black that is. Though my all black tri-gel version of this saddle does show some chamois butter stuff. But, I digress...

I think the black tape is good for one style thing, besides the dirt in your set up...

When I was on a white saddle and bar tape kick, I figured out there are many *shades* of white out there! OK, granted they are not RIGHT next to each other. But if this sorta stuff bothers your fashion sense, then just something to consider.

Lastly, if you do decide to add some white in the bars, Simple Green wipes in a canister work pretty well for quick clean up. Some peeps use the Clorox wash stix. It just freaked me out. I had these visions of some residual bleach junk ruining my black gloves. Or bleach can eat a hole is stuff etc.

When I get home from a ride, the Simple Green canister is right there when I store my bike, and viola... mostly all clean. Some things not perfect. But cork type speckles help hit some things.

Happy decorating!

[WindingRoad]

OMG the Harlequin pattern is friggin' awesome! I LOVE that zebra stripe saddle too but it was on backorder from Terry for an indeterminate amount of time when I was ordering. The one I bought still took a month (the white one ). I love those Butterfly saddles they are the best. I'm excited about trying the cotton tape pattern. Thanks so much for the input! I know what you mean about the different shades of white. That has been an ongoing 'issue' with my bike. It's a funky white and green combo, the green is so close to celeste but not quite and the white is just a notch below 'true bright white'. The whites are far enough apart that they still look pretty awesome though!

[Tri Girl]

ummm... I'm going to need to see a picture of your bike (pretty please).

[ehirsch83]

a little secret... when riding, no one sees your seat! it is under your butt,hehe