Old 07-12-08 | 10:37 AM
  #3  
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stronglight
Old Skeptic
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,044
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From: New Mexico, USA

Bikes: 19 road bikes & 1 Track bike

A search on eBay for "HUNT-WILDE" will usually pull up many listings for their "FLEXON" vinyl handlebar tape. $5 to $10 for a package of 1 or 2 large new rolls is a typical cost. This was the genuine item, used for half a century on Schwinns, and countless other bikes. The company has now recently gone out of business entirely being unable to compete with Asia prices for vinyl products, but they still made the tape until very recently. All of their products had been quickly unloaded but much of the bar wrap was picked up by retro bike enthusiasts and even small bike shops - like my own LBS.

The vinyl typically had a textured waffle pattern, but they also made some in a faux leather finish. If possible, for larger handlebars, check the length which is listed on the packages. This is usually 5 to 7 yards but even 5 yards is usually plenty for a complete handlebar - unless you need it for high-rise "rams horn" bars. The tape is not adhesive backed so the instructions advise wrapping from the center of the bars and then tucking the excess under bar end caps. It wraps easily because the vinyl is a bit stretchy, if properly wrapped it does not slip and is of course very washable - so, unlike cotton tape - even the white tape keeps very clean. As you probably know, it came in dozens of different colors ranging from opaque to transluscent (which can look good over shiny handlebars and a good compliment for the right flamboyant or metallic frame paints).

Great Stuff. Good luck.


Last edited by stronglight; 07-12-08 at 10:43 AM.
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