Originally Posted by
crandress
For my early 50's Terrot that I just getting started building up, I am going to have to choose some handlebar tap. So I have two questions, one factual and one that will lead to all sorts of opinions I am sure, but here goes:
1. What handlebar tape would have been on a French racing/rando bike in the early 50's? Cotton? And part B, if so, is there a way to make it more comfy?
2. I wanted to make this bike retro, but I assume most old style tapes will be uncomfy. This will be a rider. Total opinion, but do you say screw it and go with a more modern and comfortable tape, or stay retro? Or is there a happy medium that looks retro, but has modern comfort?
I will start a build thread soon for this one.
Thanks - Chris
Maybe split the difference and use cotton tape but with some thin padding underneath it like neoprene or old inner tubes?
You would probably be able to achieve a nice skinny bar look but still have a bit of comfort.
Personally, I hate how most modern tape makes the bars look puffy (especially modern "cork" tape
), so I just deal with a single layer of cotton only and sacrifice hand comfort a bit.