Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Bar Tape Question: cotton, stripes, etc

I'm thinking I want to switch out my risers for my drops on my crosscheck (again). Last time I had the drops on I had some black and yellow splash tape on there. I know no one likes splash tape, but I want a black and yellow color scheme. So, now I'm wondering what I can do to keep the color scheme but avoid splash tape.
I could attempt to do a harlequin wrap with cotton tape, but I'm sure I'd screw it up. Are there other patterns people do with cotton tape? Can I just layer two colors for a striped look?
I've never used cotton before, I know it's not gonna be that cushy. Are there any two-toned looks I can do with cork or gel tape? And if I do use cotton do I have to shellac it?
Lots of questions, I don't even know if people here will have any answers. But thanks in advance!

I think splash tape can look great with the right color mix. Alternatively you can find two-toned cork tape with yellow on one edge and black on the other---this will make a striped look.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3324/3444962940_8216b56ed1.jpg

(like this but with yellow, it's Fizik Dual tape)


You should just HTFU and give harlequin wrapping a try though, assuming you have no aero levers on your bars. It's not rocket science and cotton tape is very durable so it will stand repeated wrappings and unwrappings as you work towards getting it right.

The striped look you mention might be possible with two colors of cotton tape but it'd be tricky to get the overlapping right, and probably as hard or harder than a harlequin wrap.

You don't have to shellac cotton tape.

http://i34.tinypic.com/qsnvqp.jpg

I've seen two-toned cork striped tape in some colors, but I haven't found black and yellow.
Perhaps I will "HTFU" and try harlequin - I guess if I doesn't work I can just undo it and wrap it regular.

Yeah if it's what you really want, you should just go for it. There's really nothing to lose and the end result is probably going to be fine.

Edit: http://www.coloradocyclist.com/product/item/DXXLJYU2

fizik dual tape
stella azzurra eleganza tape

or black and white cloth tape & clear shellac aka the beetlejuice treatment:

http://i38.tinypic.com/2ugp389.jpg

I would go with whatever method/tape you find the most comfortable over what you find the most attractive. comfort first, style second.

you do not have to shellac cloth tape, but it will get very dirty very fast. if you prefer more cushion, you can wrap with cork first and then cloth on top, but that always seems too look clumpy and thick. Or you can just quiet the monkey brain and just get fizik dual tape -- very comfortable and durable and much less work.

I love my white/grey/black splash tape. I think it looks good, and it hides stains and stuff because of the irregular pattern.