WolfRider

Hi, Newbie here just recently getting back into cycling. Trying to restore a Rossin record and frame is burgundy/ Maroon. Going with Burgundy white theme. Just picked up a white leather san marco Rolls saddle. I like the white tape on this bike. Anybody know what type it is? it looks like leather. Any ID help would be appreciated.

WolfRider

Not sure why image is broken

The Golden Boy 

You might need something a little more descriptive than "white tape" and "looks like leather."

You may have better luck asking about what kinds of white leather tape are available... if that's what you're interested in...

DiabloScott

You didn't paste an image, you pasted html.
I forget who used to make this stuff, but google "sew-on leather handlebar tape" for some modern versions.
It was never very popular, not sure why.

Big Block

Original maker: Almarc
again in business: Almarc leather bar cover w/ Cinelli stem and bar - Cicli Corsa

and Toshi: Fuji Otaku: The Phoenix Project - Toshi/Fujitoshi Stitch-On Leather Handlebar Wrap and still listed at
Toshi Stitch-On Ecsaine Handlebar Wrap Red - Ben's Cycle

current kits: Elkhide Sewn-on Bar Covers, Hand Cut - Handlebar Tape, Grips, Accessories - Accessories

and Velo-bitz velo-bitz | eBay

DIY: DIY Almarc-like leather handlebar cover | Retrobike

rekmeyata

https://www.amazon.com/Adarga-Leathe.../dp/B0078S91V6
https://walnutstudiolo.com/products/...iant=291888107

Some older bikes used cotton tape, see: Planet Bike Organic Cotton Handlebar Tape Black - Ben's Cycle

due ruote 

White Fizik would be a good (non-leather) alternative.

Don Marco 

I seem to remember it being quite expensive.

peter_d

And it's a bit of a pain to install but feels nice under the hands.

Chombi

Maybe not popular because they were/are not that cheap........Plus quite a bit of fiddly work to install.... anyway, they work best for bikes ta5 don't get ridden too much or are wall hangers, as handlebar wrap is pretty much a disposable item tat usually gets dirty and beat up and changed regularly.....

rekmeyata

Leather is expensive but it far outlasts any other type of tape. I have leather on one one of my bikes and it has roughly 20,000 miles of use on the tape with no signs of wear, whereas standard tape will only last maybe 10,000 miles if I'm lucky.

SloButWide 

Those Velo-bitz look really, really nice. I wonder how many dozen i'd have to do before my stitches were that even. Hmm, need to cultivate an OCD surgeon or seamstress friend.

Grand Bois

It's not hard to get the stitches even. I've done two. That example would look better to me if the stitches were placed more toward the bottom of the bar on top and to the inside on the drops. That's how I've seen them and how I did mine.


The fizik tape is very nice and very cleanable. I've started using it on my vintage bikes, even though it not at all vintage-looking.

rekmeyata

You Tube is fantastic source for watching and learning how something is done, here's one about stitching a leather bar tape:
Also on my leather tape I used hemp twine to terminate the ends instead of tape. Once I finished with the hemp I then shellacked the hemp which darkens it some, but the shellac seals the twine and glues it all together so it stays together, after the shellac dries you can cut any knots or loose twine off, it will stay because of the shellac. Some people shellac the leather, I haven't done that, but supposedly shellacking the leather makes it last longer but mine is 15 years or so old and still seems to be great. There is some argument about whether or not salt from sweating soaking through the leather and corroding the bars, but I always wear gloves anyways so I doubt my bars are corroded, anyway the shellac will form a barrer and prevent the salt from going through to the bars..

You can also do the same thing with cotton and cork bar tape, use hemp and shellac all of it which makes the cork look like leather when your done for far less money than leather, but I doubt it would hold up as well. Shellacking cotton or cork will make the tape darker.

Usually you have to use about 4 coats (allow each coat to dry before applying the next) of shellac to get it right, but be careful of getting shellac on the bike or ground, so make sure you use a drop cloth and tape off anything you don't want shellac to get on.

If you go for the twine look make sure you get hemp, it holds up better than any other type of twine. Twinning is time consuming but the end results makes it more than worth while.

WolfRider

Yeah the white leather sew on type would look nice. Doesn't look like an easy first timer install. The video is pretty well done. Not sure if they carry the White like on that bike though.