Poirier

The Velominati guys sell them. A reminder to obey Rule 5.

https://www.velominati.com/gear/handl...nks-bar-plugs/

ThermionicScott 

Nice. I snag this type whenever I see them, since I prefer them so much over everything else. Can't stand the crappy ones that come with the bar tape, and I was very disappointed in the rubber Velox ones.

Italuminium

oh, and on topic, Velox, whatever I get with the bar tape, and the chrome plastic plugs that seem to come out of the woodwork when restoring vintage bikes. It depends. I once used nice Port corks for my neighbours bike, he's a wine merchant specialized in Portugese wines, so he appreciated the nice touch.

eja_ bottecchia

The NSA is listening....

rootboy 

Actually I thought it was kind of funny. Never knew what Larp was until today. Always good to learn a new term.

I believe it might be a bit misplaced with regard to Compass though. He's a true enthusiast. Way over my level of interest,
But at least he isn't dressing up in tweed knickers.

rootboy 

This thread has inspired me to turn some plugs on my metal lathe. Solid brass. Not for the faint of heart. Or weight conscious.

Wonder if it'll affect my steering?

Zinger

Thanks.

Those might be right for my build if I go with thicker bar wrap. Those brown Cateyes might look right for cotton wrap though.

Dfrost 

I had a pair of those barend blinkers. One worked fine, but the other never worked when it was inserted, but fine out of the bar. Never could figure out the problem with it.

When I did lots of night riding they seemed like a good idea, so I used the working one in the left bar end, and had a bell mounted in the other bar end.

Now I'm using turned aluminum ones from Velo Orange (like Compass') on my "new" Marinoni, and will probably get more for the rest of the stable. The press-in plastic ones fall out, the chromed steel press-in ones are a little better but always come loose on my wife's bike, so those aluminum ones seem like a great finishing touch.

surreal

Many Larpists are truly enthusiastic about vanquishing orcs; the tweed knicker folks are just another kind of bicycle larpist. Essentially, if you ride in "costume" on a bike with an artificial aesthetic, you're larping. Jan wears a 70s fast-guy costume coupled with a bike that's an amalgamation of ancient french styling cues; the tweed folks are trying to look like upper crust businessmen from the time when bikes were the preferred mode of transportation for the well-heeled. The bikes are made to go with that, but the emphasis is on costume. Guys on modern carbon bikes (often with triples) and team kit who do not race, nor can they argue that they're training for a race, are larping, too.

I set the bar low mighty low for myself: I'm trying to look like a fat guy on a dumb bike. I basically have that entire aesthetic nailed.

As for your DIY brass bar-end plugs: I'd love to see 'em. Sounds like a good project to undertake.

RaleighSport

Wow, can't believe I'm going to respond to you and on this topic of all things... and a disclaimer here. It's been over a decade since I was involved in any form of LARP. You've got it wrong though bud, there is cosplay and then there is LARP.

LARP is when you dress up (or not depending) and pretend to be a vampire.. or a troll.. or whatever the game you're playing involves, but it revolves around a game with set rules etc etc.

Cosplay is what you're describing from the other cyclists, no real rules involved just dress up and pretend to be someone/something you like, think comic-con or dragon-con or some other nerd-con.

IMO: Unless the guy is one of those MUP asshat racers or perhaps wears a full lance kit.. they probably aren't even actually cos-playing but most of us don't see it that way. I personally ride in full kits and have a few stylized bikes but I don't view it as dressing up in a costume, I view it as wearing the appropriate clothing to get the most ergonomical results that benefit me while riding.

Edit: Okay I did lie a little, I do have a black spiderman kit on it's way... couldn't resist as we already dress up in spandex anyhow and it's not a "full costume". I've also had the argument with my LARP/Cosplay friends over what LARP/Cosplay each are by themselves..

rootboy 

Interesting. I'm learning something every day. Which is what I like. So, is this Larping? Seems like pretty sensible cycling outfit to me.
Yikes. Now I'm going to be more self-conscious of what I wear while riding. With my 70's era Detto Pietro leather shoes, I'm probably larping all over myself.

Jan Heine

RaleighSport

Looks like cos-play to me Love the bike though, hammered fenders? and what's the bag?

rootboy 

I'll be sure to post them when I get them done, Surreal.
Brainstorming now how to 1) get them to stay in, and
2) keep the weight short of boat anchor.

rootboy 

One of these

https://www.compasscycle.com/bags_gb22.html

due ruote 

If I'm wrapping bottom-up with cloth or Benotto tape I prefer a cap that fits the OD of the bar, either Cinelli or Benotto.


On something more modern, Fizik or Cinelli cork, I don't mind the black plugs that come with the tape but I don't care for the chromed plastic ones - too garish.

bibliobob

+1 on the Cinelli plugs. I have a few sets that I treasure. I also have an older Colnago pair in use as well.

My only big regret from L'Eroica is that I didn't buy a set of older Bianchi-branded Gaslo plugs. Would've been perfect for my '54 CDM. They were about $100 which, at the time I thought was fair but not a bargain. In hindsight, I should've picked them up....

surreal

@RaleighSport : I see the distinction, and as a former Larpist, you have more knowledge on all of this role-play stuff than I do. Let it suffice to say, the term "cosplay" does not have the pop-culture chops right now that LARP does. Perhaps, one day, that will change. Besides, there are rules: https://www.velominati.com/the-rules/ So, i'll probably stick with "Bicycle LARPing" for now. I generally only use the term during inner-dialogue when I'm confronted with a tribe of Bike Larpists in-person (typically at a cafe), or when I wander over to the V-O, Riv, or Compass sites.

I'm sincerely glad you've found a way to combine exercise with the whimsical pastime of your youth. =D
@rootboy : The JH picture. I'll start with the bicycle itself. It's not entirely LARPish, but the +1 hammered fenders are suspect, and that does appear to be The One Crank To Rule Them All. If he's actually on a lengthy ride, and will possibly need whatever he's stuffed that bag with, then it's real-life. Knowing what I do about JH, he probably is on a long ride, and probably will use whatever he's got stashed in there.

As for his "costume": Yes, that is entirely sensible cycling attire, but that is all part of the costume. The Retro-faux Francophile Distance LARPer exalts the appearance of sensibility; often, authentic sensibility is the easiest way to achieve this look. You're probably squinting at the screen, skeptically, if you're still reading this... But please, consider the following: JH has never been photographed on a bicycle without black cycling shorts, white helmet, and the blue Seattle Rando jersey. If that's not a costume, it's a uniform. FWIW, JH is probably the easiest cycling-related Halloween costume to plan as of right now. (10 days to get that jersey!)

Re: DIY plugs... perhaps you could find some whooped Velox plugs or broken bar cons, and fashion something to work with their retention system?

RaleighSport

Thank goodness the rules are a joke though, unlike LARP ones. Cool to learn tidbits about JH as well.

Back OT a bit, I wonder how hard it would be to make your own molded bar plugs.. I imagine the real pain would be getting NOS originals you'd actually want to reproduce.

wahoonc

Hmmm Larp, cosplay, fred, possuer, etc... I ride what I want to ride in what I want to wear (usually geared towards my comfort) and I am with surreal... I got the old guy on an old bike NAILED. FWIW my cycling wear ranges from Carhartt t-shirts and shorts to a full tuxedo (rode my Raleigh Superbe to my parents' 50th anniversary celebration) I wear tweed jackets because they are A)Cheap and B) Comfortable. I even own a couple of cycling jerseys but seldom wear them, no full kit, but then again I don't really own any go fast bikes, unless you count my 60# city bike with my 220# fat arse and a 60# grocery load on a 20% grade...downhill.

And just to keep it on topic if I don't have bar plugs, or bar end shifters I have grips... don't want to take a plug out of my carcass if I crash.

Aaron

Bianchigirll 

I usually just use what came with the tape but for my Cornelo I did splurge for a set of these from Purdy Custom

spacemanz

Pardon the intrusion, but with 2 (two) water bottles mounted where they are, he'd better have fenders. Hammered or sober.

ThermionicScott 

Smokey, this is not cosplay. This is rando. There are rules.

jimmuller 

BG, that's nice.

Their plugs have tempted me a few times. But I always end up wondering what size, whether the color will be a nice match of a clash, and which bike they would be appropriate for. So I never pull the trigger.

RaleighSport

LoL I'm huge fan of Jackie Gleason.. but being called Buford T Justice kinda bugs me and Rando is awesome, but it's still cosplay

bici_mania

The last bike I borrowed while I was waiting to complete my own had them, they were red blinking LED's. They only seem to make a difference at night, in daylight they just weren't bright enough to be seen. I will probably put them on my commuter when I have one again.

The link below is what is installed on that bike.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/190-1291-LIG...item1e80b632b1