Classic & Vintage - Let's see your red cotton bar tape!

I need to expand my color horizons on my future vintage builds... I've been using too many "safe" bar tape colors: mostly combinations of black and brown, with clear or amber shellac. My next build is going to have red bar tape for a bold splash but I'd like to see some examples of red bar tape with various frame colors. Also, please indicate what brand of tape, and if clear or amber shellacked. So, let's see your red bar tape glamor shots!

Got some Newbaum's in red on the Gran Jubile at the house. I'll see if I can post some photos tonight.

4 coats of Amber shellac

Bars
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/bylar13/083.jpg

Whole bike

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/bylar13/075-Copy.jpg

Red Toshi ..

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff142/Head_High_and_Glassy/1973%20Raleigh%20Competition/DSC02361.jpg

Scott

Anton, I used to have red Fizik wrap on my PX-10 and I thought that looked pretty sharp with the white and black. (However, preferring a more classic look I recently switched back to white cotton wrap when I exchanged the red Selle Flite saddle for the Brooks Pro and more period correct wheelset.) I use Tressostar cotton wrap.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5244/5205138479_b80135328e_z.jpg

I also currently have red Fizik wrap on my Freschi Supreme Super Cromo - the point being that I think red is an appropriate color to cap off all the chrome. I've got two rolls of Tressostar red that will replace the Fizik tape when the color begins to wear (for some reason red seems to wear out faster than any other color of Fizik wrap... one more reason to stick with cotton wrap in my opinion.)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5293/5459964395_57b80938bd_z.jpg

AZORCH, the dark teal Schwinn that I got from you from our frame swap is going to be the first recipient of the red bar tape. There is a tiny bit of red in one of the decals, so I hope to set it off with red bar tape and bring some bright color to a dark teal bike with black tires and saddle. I've painted the flutes in my Honjo fluted fenders gold, to set off the primarily gold decals on this bike... it's very subtle against the hammered aluminum, you almost have to look for it, and I think the red bar tape will complement everything nicely.

Red Newbaums, dry, like Elwood's toast :):

http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/images/newest/beautifulness.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/images/newest/handlebars.jpg

My first cloth wrap & my first (bad) twining. Tressostar.
http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/ww1/rothenfield/Centurion%20Elite%20RS/85EliteRS004-2.jpg

I could have done better wrapping it (That's what she said)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FDjSZIBjL6I/TdkrxOQvtEI/AAAAAAAADY8/1Gbt8-Qlv6k/s640/IMG_0256.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZVqW3zIxegc/TdkrrK_OuZI/AAAAAAAADYM/E6oVxBMHmw8/s640/IMG_0242.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5_UdYF0HIIw/TdkryiD-eAI/AAAAAAAADZE/X5IttomKU20/s640/IMG_0258.JPG

I've since changed it to black, unshellacked, but here's my Cinelli with red Tressostar (the lighter red) after about 7 coats of shellack. The next pic is how it looks now.
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h415/devinfan/Cinellib002.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h415/devinfan/IMG_0001.jpg

Red Newbaums, dry, like Elwood's toast :):

http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/images/newest/beautifulness.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/images/newest/handlebars.jpg

This bike is awesome. I love it.

Jan de Reus with red Tressostar tape:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5543947882_b5014fcecf_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5254/5543381005_a5abdc2377_b.jpg

AZORCH, the dark teal Schwinn that I got from you from our frame swap is going to be the first recipient of the red bar tape. There is a tiny bit of red in one of the decals, so I hope to set it off with red bar tape and bring some bright color to a dark teal bike with black tires and saddle. I've painted the flutes in my Honjo fluted fenders gold, to set off the primarily gold decals on this bike... it's very subtle against the hammered aluminum, you almost have to look for it, and I think the red bar tape will complement everything nicely.

Sounds very classy, SPB, and I can't wait to see it. I'm sure it will measure up to everything else I've seen of yours thus far. One thought: Not sure if it's even an option to consider, but if you have the chance to compare a bright red wrap against a deeper burgundy or maroon, you might see a surprising difference in color harmony coupled with the green of your frame. I'd only ever had brown on that bike so I'm intrigued by the direction you're taking things.

This is red Tressostar. I plan to use clear shellac in the near future.http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5227/5675343985_508d4a76e7_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vonfilm/5675343985/)
0430201173SS 072 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vonfilm/5675343985/) by vonfilm (http://www.flickr.com/people/vonfilm/), on Flickr
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5148/5676075792_ae27d7b5dc_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vonfilm/5676075792/)
0430201173SS 124 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vonfilm/5676075792/) by vonfilm (http://www.flickr.com/people/vonfilm/), on Flickr
1973 Schwinn Super Sport

Tressotar. Several coats of clear Bullseye.

http://gallery.me.com/justinhughes/100250/IMG_2625/web.jpg?ver=12935669940001

http://gallery.me.com/justinhughes/100250/IMG_2632/web.jpg?ver=12935666120001

Tressotar over fake cork. A few coats of clear. Meh.

http://gallery.me.com/justinhughes/100055/IMG_3033/web.jpg?ver=12814098960001

Newbaum's. Two coats of clear Bullseye.

http://gallery.me.com/justinhughes/100288/IMG_3722/web.jpg?ver=13045508030001

http://gallery.me.com/justinhughes/100288/IMG_3710/web.jpg?ver=13045500370001

After two more coats of clear.

http://gallery.me.com/justinhughes/100288/IMG_3740/web.jpg?ver=13046390850001

http://gallery.me.com/justinhughes/100288/IMG_3737/web.jpg?ver=13046389970001

http://gallery.me.com/justinhughes/100288/IMG_3736/web.jpg?ver=13046389630001

Great shots, all! Newbaum's red it is. I picked up a coupla rolls from my LBS on my way into work. To my initial dismay, when I walked outside the tape appeared much lighter in natural light-- not rich and saturated. But after seeing fender1's amber shellac treatment (which I thought would make it too dark and muddy, until seeing his pictures), I think it will darken it and saturate it just enough for my taste.

Justin, who's Moto mixte is that? Very nice! And to all, lots of beauties in this thread! I have a totally new appreciation for red now.

Justin, who's Moto mixte is that? Very nice!

Thanks, Anton. I built up this mixte for my friend Rachel. Here (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/733002-Rachel-s-1x5-C-amp-V-Franco-Japonais-City-Bike-Mixte-Content?highlight=rachel%27s+mixte+city)'s the thread.

I've sometimes mixed amber and clear, or used amber for the initial coat followed by clear - whatever it takes to get the shade I wanted. I can already picture red on a couple of your bikes and I think it would/will look pretty smashing.

btw, Elev12K, that Jan de Reus is amazing.

This is Newbaum's burgandy colored tape.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff169/72tunaboat/IMG_4817.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff169/72tunaboat/IMG_4810.jpg

btw, Elev12K, that Jan de Reus is amazing.

Thank you. To my wrapping I have to add it was my 1st attempt with cotton tape. It took quite some time to develop some experience with it and to get to a satisfactory result, but in the end I managed it imo. There are no layers shellac or whatever applied on top of it.

Red hockey tape and amber shellac. Sort of an Ox Blood result:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0003fr.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0004fr.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0007fr.jpg

Thank you. To my wrapping I have to add it was my 1st attempt with cotton tape. It took quite some time to develop some experience with it and to get to a satisfactory result, but in the end I managed it imo. There are no layers shellac or whatever applied on top of it.

That def. doesn't look like an amateur job. I've done lots of cloth taping over the years and it was always a struggle keeping it even and wrinkle-free, until I tried pre-soaking it like some on the forum recommended. Just dunk the rolls in a bowl of warm water for 5 mins. or so. It makes a marked difference.

This bike is awesome. I love it.

Thanks man, I appreciate it! Riding it is just a cool experience. :)

Red hockey tape and amber shellac. Sort of an Ox Blood result:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0003fr.jpg

wow, that's an awesomely evil color! and I'm color blind...

Jan de Reus with red Tressostar tape:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5543947882_b5014fcecf_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5254/5543381005_a5abdc2377_b.jpg

Wow. I am loving those red cables.

Jan de Reus with red Tressostar tape:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5543947882_b5014fcecf_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5254/5543381005_a5abdc2377_b.jpg

Magnificent! you could easily do leather tape and get away with it!

my 1974 Motobecane Le Champion with red Newbaums, no shellac although considering clear, my test strip with amber looked very maroon to me.

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx224/wtgrantham/1974%20Motobecane%20Le%20Champion/IMG_0051-1.jpg

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx224/wtgrantham/1974%20Motobecane%20Le%20Champion/IMG_0049.jpg

Red Velox, applied wet:

http://www.jaysmarine.com/paramount_seeingdouble_14.jpg

-Kurt

my 1974 Motobecane Le Champion with red Newbaums, no shellac although considering clear, my test strip with amber looked very maroon to me.

Beautiful bike...lovely!

Jan de Reus with red Tressostar tape:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5543947882_b5014fcecf_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5254/5543381005_a5abdc2377_b.jpg


Which bars are these? They seem to have a deep drop that I like.

^^^ Pretty sure those are Cinelli 66. Same as these:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5094/5456613902_0035645983.jpg

That def. doesn't look like an amateur job. I've done lots of cloth taping over the years and it was always a struggle keeping it even and wrinkle-free, until I tried pre-soaking it like some on the forum recommended. Just dunk the rolls in a bowl of warm water for 5 mins. or so. It makes a marked difference.

I 1st dared to make an attempt after I read the comments and suggestions on BF. I did wet the tape. I wet it using my waterbottle during the entire wrapping process. Dunking them in warm water for 5mins prior to using is a new idea and I hope to draw benefit of that next time. Makes it a little less complicated task.

Which bars are these? They seem to have a deep drop that I like.

They are Cinelli Campione del Mondo, old logo. There are no numbers visible I am afraid.

I 1st dared to make an attempt after I read the comments and suggestions on BF. I did wet the tape. I wet it using my waterbottle during the entire wrapping process. Dunking them in warm water for 5mins prior to using is a new idea and I hope to draw benefit of that next time. Makes it a little less complicated task.

In the interest of full disclosure, it will tend to unroll on you during the application, but it's still worth it imho.

I don't get it guys. I have never had to moisten or wet my tape to get a good wrapping job done. What gives?

I don't get it guys. I have never had to moisten or wet my tape to get a good wrapping job done. What gives?

I'm not saying you have to. I wrapped for years without wetting it. I'm just saying it's easier.

Red Tressostar going on my white (well it's getting there) Rossin Record project when I finish the trivial stuff. I sometimes hold the rolls up next to the bars and squint to get the feel....I'm pretty sure it's going to work real nice.

I'm not saying you have to. I wrapped for years without wetting it. I'm just saying it's easier.

I get it. Tressostar tape and many others are prone to wrinkling badly and don't conform to the bar well, so it is difficult to get a perfect wrap. I can just do it now after many practice tries, and it involves very carefully maintaining pressure on the tape and getting the right angle as you wrap. I thought I had developed a useful and special skill until I tried another brand and realized that wrapping with cloth tape is easy - if you're using good cloth tape! Cat-eye is great, a monkey could wrap with it, Newbaum's is good, and I haven't tried them but I've heard Viva and Toshi are good as well. I may end up using my special secret wrapping skills again, but that is only because Tressostar is available locally in a good selection of colours, unlike the other brands.

Devin, I use to hate wrapping cloth tape until I discovered Viva and Toshi. Then I started using Newbaum's and that made it even easier. Not only does it wrap easier, it's thicker, softer, longer and the colors, especially black, are more saturated. That's what I used on my recently completed Austro-Daimler.

Scott

I'm in love with every bike posted here. Keep 'em coming!

I had a good feeling about clicking on this thread. Great bikes! Unfortunatley I don't have any bikes with red cloth wrap to offer, but I do have a Gitane hanging in the garage waiting to be built up, and I think red will have to be used on the bars :)

My Mercian with Newbaums red and 3 coats of Bullseye "clear" shellac. I've liked the Newbaum's tape, I will definitely buy it again.

I borrowed your light mount idea too:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3575/5704140627_305cb5613b_b.jpg

mkeller, I like your Newbaum's treatment.

Last night I wrapped my bars with the Newbaum's red. I'm not so happy with it as-is-- the color is a tad light for my tastes, and not very saturated. The clear shellac seems to saturate the color some, as shown on mkeller's Mercian. And, I think mkeller's red is spot on for matching the red in my Schwinn's top tube decal. But I also like fender1's treatment with amber shellac. It didn't darken it nearly as much as I would have predicted.

mkeller, I like your Newbaum's treatment.

Last night I wrapped my bars with the Newbaum's red. I'm not so happy with it as-is-- the color is a tad light for my tastes, and not very saturated. The clear shellac seems to saturate the color some, as shown on mkeller's Mercian. And, I think mkeller's red is spot on for matching the red in my Schwinn's top tube decal. But I also like fender1's treatment with amber shellac. It didn't darken it nearly as much as I would have predicted.

Anton, that's interesting, I found the red to be more saturated when I used it on my Newest. I wonder if they have some inconsistent dyeing issues going on.

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff142/Head_High_and_Glassy/1973%20Fuji%20Newest/file-34.jpg

Scott