Brown would be great. But brown tape and black saddle - is that like blue suit and brown shoes, a faux pas? I have to keep the saddle as it is the only one she finds comfortable.
Incidentally, the VO rack came with this interesting springy steering damper thing. Like
http://velo-orange.blogspot.com/2010...tabilizer.html I didn't install it, but may try it out if the loaded rack results in floppy steering.
It's not a big deal if the tape doesn't match the saddle, but if it matters, go with black tape. Leather is nice but cork or cloth are way cheaper and just as sharp looking. Cloth over cork yields a very comfy bar.
I have the wheel stabilizer spring on my Surly Long Haul Trucker. Works as advertised and you don't really notice it.