RFC

It's the odd day when I actually ask you guys for bike fashion advice, so enjoy it.

I just put a black Brooks Pro on my 1994 Litespeed Catalyst and like it. I also want to put brown or honey Brooks bar tape on the bike. Is this a bad combination -- black leather saddle and brown leather tape on a Ti gray bike?

I don't want to use black leather tape because black tape, whether cork or leather, just kind of looks like black tape where the brown is unmistakable as leather.

Also, does Brooks make a honey or brown Pro?

All photo examples welcome.

Thanks as always,

RFC

USAZorro

They make Honey Professionals and Team Professionals (huge rivets).

I'd go honey/honey rather than try to mix/match. That would look wrong on just about anything IMO.

norskagent

brown w/ brown:

dudeona3V

VO had an off-white elkhide sew-on cover that would look great with a black Brooks. Maybe if you poke around eBay or solicit the WTB thread you can still find some. Wish I had some too.

poprad

I have used both types of Brooks tape, the perf and non-perf. I really prefer the perforated kind, it seems to lay flatter and grip better. Expect the color to change fairly significantly if you get anything other than black; the effects of weather and sun on leather are certainly more than on cork-type materials. I don't mind the weathering at all, I think it looks better actually, but it will darken or lighten considerably over a season or two.

That, and of course the price. Egad....the price.

jeremyb

i tend to match my bar tape to the saddle.

bullwinkle

Brooks honey tape will fade significantly. Mine is now a light tan.

Sirrus Rider

+1 I agree. Either Brown wrap/Brown Saddle or Black Saddle w/ white (or black), leather, cork, or cloth. (Or depending on the frame color other colors of wrap would go with a black Brooks)

In the matter of brown with black you wouldn't wear a brown belt with black shoes (or vice versa) with a business suit would you? Same thing here.

JunkYardBike

Try some neatsfoot oil or proofide (if you want to darken it). I applied proofide to my honey tape when new, thinking it might help protect it, and it turned brown! Didn't do the same thing to the saddle, likely because the saddle was finished differently than the tape.

poprad

Funny thing on mine; I had one bike with perf honey color tape and another with non-perf honey tape. The non-perf faded to a nice light tan, the perf darkened from sweat and turned a deeper brown. Rode both bikes through the summer in both sun and rain. Weird.

badmother

I`ve seen grey bikes with brown seat and / or bar tape. It looks great. This is what I am doing for my sons new ride. I think grey bike , black seat and brown tape could work fine. Try to photoshop it first if possible.

Panthers007

Do treat the leather - both saddle & tape - with Proofide after you have installed same. It should keep the tape/saddle fresh as it should block out UV from the Sun.

dudeona3V

Along similar lines, if you don't mind being adventurous with $60 tape, applying several layers of black shoe polish over honey tape creates some very rich, warm textures that go nicely with the patina of a well-broken-in black Brooks. As you can imagine, it is rather shiny after you first apply it, but much like shoes, it will dull over time to a handsome finish.

btw, gorgeous International up there! ^^^

RFC

Thanks for all of the great comments and photos. Because I have a garage full of bikes, I tend to be a little frugal in accessorizing, and I already have the black Pro, although I am tempted to get a honey.

Here is the bike pre Pro for your analysis and consideration:

ldmataya 

That is a fantastic idea - would love to see someone try that. When we were kids, we always thought our new ball gloves needed something, anything to protect them. So we would put every manner of shoe polish, mink oil, motor oil and whatnot on them. I remember a friends leather glove with black shoe polish as the polish wore off. Looked very major league.

norskagent

saddle looks very forward ^^, things like that stand out to me as much as color co-ordination.

RFC

I'm sure you are aware that there is medication available to help you overcome those types of obsessons.

Old Fat Guy

Bob, you do this every time you post a picture. You ask for comments and make snide comments when someone points out the obvious.

Yes, I know about your 'fit issue'.

lagrassa

Brooks Professional honey saddle with matching Brooks honey perforated bar tape.

norskagent

Health care costs too much $ for treatment, I'll just deal with it and take comfort that my saddle, bar tape and seat position are all correct.

well biked

JunkYardBike, that's a beautiul bike!

RFC

You are my model, John.

RFC

Sounds like a sane response to me.