Classic & Vintage - Handlebars on '83 Raleigh Olympian

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raleigh83
05-31-08, 09:01 PM
My 1983 Raleigh Olympian came stock with this thick foam padding on the handlebars. I'm considering cutting that off and replacing it with modern grip tape. Would doing this lead to the famed hand/wrist fatigue that comes from road vibration? As it is, I don't feel anything at all. What should I do with this beast? Modernize it, or leave it be?

Sigurdd50
06-01-08, 10:53 AM
since handlebars haven't changed much in like... a hunnert years, and back then, they had thin cloth wrapped around them, I don't see problem. I've cut LOTS of that foam tubing off bars... it was very popular for a while. I find something in between to be better... too soft and you can't get the feel.

One vote for modernizing! Planet Bike cork tape is good, or just plain old cloth VELOX
roccobike
06-01-08, 12:17 PM
I leave the foam on if it's in good shape. However, most of the time, 20-30 year old foam is not in good shape. You can buy replacement foam, but I don't. Like Siqurdd said, I go with cork replacement. I think I get much better road feel while it still absorbs shock. If you're going to replace, go with cork, not foam.
BTW I'm assuming you ride with gloves.

raleigh83
06-01-08, 01:37 PM
Recently I've been rolling without gloves, actually, but I figure I'll get them back on as I get into it more. Thanks for the advice. The foam is in relatively good shape, but I think that I might replace it with cork or other tape for the aesthetic of having it match the blue as well as a more modern feel.
nlerner
06-01-08, 01:50 PM
I vote for cork tape. Must better looking than that closed-cell foam stuff and just as comfortable.

Neal