'nother "Gimme your handlebar wrap color opinion" thread...
#1
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'nother "Gimme your handlebar wrap color opinion" thread...
So I have finally gotten around to swapping out the short stem on my 1989 Paramount for a longer, better-fit-for-me stem. Meanwhile, I've been putting off any decisions until now about bar wrap. As built, this thing comes off a little bit like Darth Vader. Especially with the basic black wrap currently on the bike, it all feels a little overwhelming. At issue is the frame color, which is Waterford's "Emerald Black" — a green so dark that you have to see it in the right lighting just to pick up on the fact that it's not really black at all. I sure love brown wrap but I'm not feelin' it here. So, I'm looking for suggestions from the group. Here's the data to work with:
(Shown here with the original short 3ttt stem)
And in this picture I've slightly lightened things to show that the "black" really is green. (It's nowhere near this light though. The pictures above are much more accurate to real life.)
Let the opinions flow!
(Shown here with the original short 3ttt stem)
And in this picture I've slightly lightened things to show that the "black" really is green. (It's nowhere near this light though. The pictures above are much more accurate to real life.)
Let the opinions flow!
#3
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I think white wrap without changing anything else would look good too. Orange would give it a totally different (sportier?) look, but pick up on the brown tires and copper rivets. My vote is for white, though.
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I neglected to mention that the saddle is a "non-negotiable" for me; the Regal fits me pretty much perfectly. (And the cost of Campy replacement hoods is absolutely beyond ridiculous!)
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I vote for white too, to brighten up the bike a little bit. White's really nice too if you have enough white graphics on the frame. Kinda picks it up.
After seeing all that white padded bike ribbon tape on TDFrace bikes through the 80's I just can't consider anything else myself since then.
Please stay away from any camouflage or splash pattern tape.....they are tacky looking on any bike, IMO.
Chombi
After seeing all that white padded bike ribbon tape on TDFrace bikes through the 80's I just can't consider anything else myself since then.
Please stay away from any camouflage or splash pattern tape.....they are tacky looking on any bike, IMO.
Chombi
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I vote for white too, to brighten up the bike a little bit. White's really nice too if you have enough white graphics on the frame. Kinda picks it up.
After seeing all that white padded bike ribbon tape on TDFrace bikes through the 80's I just can't consider anything else myself since then.
Please stay away from any camouflage or splash pattern tape.....they are tacky looking on any bike, IMO.
Chombi
After seeing all that white padded bike ribbon tape on TDFrace bikes through the 80's I just can't consider anything else myself since then.
Please stay away from any camouflage or splash pattern tape.....they are tacky looking on any bike, IMO.
Chombi
#9
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I hate splash too. As it ages, it looks worse and worse.
+100 White, and white housing. Saddle and lever hoods up to you.
+100 White, and white housing. Saddle and lever hoods up to you.
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I try to match my nail polish, so I change it once a week or so.
#11
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I agree with the suggestion of white cables and synthetic tape.
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Silver Fizik.
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Black Lizardskin Wrap.
Silver Jagwire or Silver VO housing, will "carry" the component colors up the sight line, connect the stem and seat post, bring out the lettering without having to add white housing. White housing won't accent the white lettering as much as add to it, and beg more. Silver, light grey, or the VO housing will blend the white lettering, polished components, and contrast with the frame a bit, but won't create work for the brain to process.
Done.
3.50
Silver Jagwire or Silver VO housing, will "carry" the component colors up the sight line, connect the stem and seat post, bring out the lettering without having to add white housing. White housing won't accent the white lettering as much as add to it, and beg more. Silver, light grey, or the VO housing will blend the white lettering, polished components, and contrast with the frame a bit, but won't create work for the brain to process.
Done.
3.50
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 06-19-12 at 07:18 PM.
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the other option to brighten things up...
...is gumwall tires.
keep the black saddle, black tape, black housing. get the cool stripe effect with those ano'd rims & gumwalls.
...is gumwall tires.
keep the black saddle, black tape, black housing. get the cool stripe effect with those ano'd rims & gumwalls.
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the beauty of this bicycle is the simplicity, really. when you start adding white saddles and white housing and white tape...well, then, the bicycle turns into a fred-mobile. no offense to the freds.
I say switch out the tires to some gumwalls. Or just go with white tape. Done & done.
I say switch out the tires to some gumwalls. Or just go with white tape. Done & done.
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Conti GP4000s in 700cX25, White Bar wrap, White Cables thru out. Leave the Hoods black so they Match the saddle.
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the beauty of this bicycle is the simplicity, really. when you start adding white saddles and white housing and white tape...well, then, the bicycle turns into a fred-mobile. no offense to the freds.
I say switch out the tires to some gumwalls. Or just go with white tape. Done & done.
I say switch out the tires to some gumwalls. Or just go with white tape. Done & done.
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Another vote for white. I usually shy away from it, but this bike is calling out for it. White perforated - in leather or Fizik Microtex - would be awesome.
#22
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Keep the black.
Only bike that has white tape on it in my household is my girlfriend's...just sayin'
Only bike that has white tape on it in my household is my girlfriend's...just sayin'
#24
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No tape color other than black, white, or brown (with matching saddle) belongs on that bike. Bringing another color in wouldn't look right IMO. My favorite bar tape is the Performance Grip-Tec stuff. It's the same as the Shimano Pro and Arundel tape but $5 cheaper. It's super grippy, feels fantastic (thin gel), and when the time comes to replace it it doesn't leave any residue. As for the white cable housing suggestions, I've never understood why you would want to call attention to cable housing. Bright white loops of housing tend to detract from the lines of the bike. ...but that may just be me.
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