View Poll Results: What is your Wrap rap?
I use the same wrap on all bikes. Period.
13
15.48%
I use whatever is on sale, because I'm a cheap bastid.
17
20.24%
It has to match my bike. Belt, shoes, bag, wrap, housing...you get it.
47
55.95%
I gotta have squishy wrap for my tender little mits.
7
8.33%
Voters: 84. You may not vote on this poll
Let's Wrap a Little....
08-21-18 | 05:00 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Banned.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Likes: 1,462
Let's Wrap a Little....
OK, OCD/AR people.
OK, whatever's on sale people.
OK, whatever matches people.
OK, Madge, my soft hands need Palmolive and squishy wrap.
What is your wrap rap?
OK, whatever's on sale people.
OK, whatever matches people.
OK, Madge, my soft hands need Palmolive and squishy wrap.
What is your wrap rap?
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 08-21-18 at 05:04 AM.
08-21-18 | 05:26 AM
#6
Not lost wanderer.
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,684
Likes: 1,422
From: Lancaster, Pa
Bikes: Cambodia bike,2012 Fuji Stratos...
I thought you meant me.
So I voted.
I do like a bit of squish for my numb hands tho.
So I voted.
I do like a bit of squish for my numb hands tho.
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72 Geoffery Butler, 72 Gugificatizion Witcomb, 72 Raleigh Gran Sport SS, 74 Raleigh GrandPrix dingle speed, 74 Raleigh international, 81 Centurion Pro-Tour, 85 Gazelle Primeur, 29rBMX, Surley Steamroller 650b
72 Geoffery Butler, 72 Gugificatizion Witcomb, 72 Raleigh Gran Sport SS, 74 Raleigh GrandPrix dingle speed, 74 Raleigh international, 81 Centurion Pro-Tour, 85 Gazelle Primeur, 29rBMX, Surley Steamroller 650b
08-21-18 | 05:32 AM
#7
multimodal commuter
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,810
Likes: 597
From: NJ, NYC, LI
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
I chose option number three because it implies an aesthetic choice. Sometimes it's the same color as the bike, sometimes it matches something else, sometimes it's just black cotton, whatever. But I hope it looks right, 'cuz that matters.
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www.rhmsaddles.com.
08-21-18 | 05:59 AM
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 6,280
Likes: 611
From: Los Angeles
Bikes: 78 Masi Criterium, 68 PX10, 2016 Mercian King of Mercia, Rivendell Clem Smith Jr
None of the above WRT voting. I like it to look nice, but matching isn't necessarily looking nice. Contrast can be good. So I guess #3 is the closest for me, but still not quite right.
Currently prefer Fizik Soft Touch, like sloar.
Currently prefer Fizik Soft Touch, like sloar.
08-21-18 | 06:12 AM
#10
Señor Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 18,462
Likes: 1,554
From: Hardy, VA
Bikes: Mostly English - predominantly Raleighs
for me it's 3... and 4 - but #4 can't be cork. imo, cork tape is just about the worst possible thing. I want something that will last a good long time without absorbing hand, road and glove grunge and get ripped, discolored and hyper-bacterial.
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In search of what to search for.
In search of what to search for.
Last edited by USAZorro; 08-21-18 at 06:28 AM.
08-21-18 | 06:13 AM
#11
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,643
Likes: 3,330
From: Greenwood SC USA
Bikes: 2002 Mercian Vincitore, 1982 Mercian Colorado, 1976 Puch Royal X, 1973 Raleigh Competition, 1971 Gitane Tour de France and others
No. 3 was closest option, although my inner cheapskate is very much on display these days. It's more of an aesthetic match of color AND type of bar wrap - patterned faux-cork for the 90s and later bikes, shellacked cotton bar tape for my nicer long-range bikes, either untreated cotton or funky 70s plastic ribbon for my 70s gaspipe wonders.
08-21-18 | 06:33 AM
#14
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 15,315
Likes: 903
From: Tixkokob, Yucatán, México
Bikes: 79 Trek 930, 80 Trek 414, 84 Schwinn Letour Luxe (coupled), 92 Schwinn Paramount PDG 5
I really like SRAM tape, but I can't always find it. I recently went with Giant, because that's what I could find. Never, ever, white.
Last edited by seedsbelize; 08-21-18 at 06:38 AM.
08-21-18 | 06:38 AM
#16
Death fork? Naaaah!!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,529
Likes: 945
From: The other Maine, north of RT 2
Bikes: Seriously downsizing.
I'm more interested in the look of the bike than the origin/material of the bar wrap.
Top
Top
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You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
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08-21-18 | 06:53 AM
#18
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,305
Likes: 4,801
From: Peoria, IL
My Hetchins and Raleigh Team get black Tressostar.
The Raleigh International still has the original plastic white tape.
The Olmo has some semi-padded yellow synthetic tape that I installed 20 years (and 10,000 miles) ago.
The more modern bikes that get a lot of miles have modern cork-ish tape, such as Cinelli.
The Tressostar does fade with use and get a bit worn, but it's authentic and I like the texture. Much better than slick plastic wrap such as Benotto or the stuff that came with the International. The lack of padding doesn't bother me either... maybe the gloves compensate for it?
Steve in Peoria
The Raleigh International still has the original plastic white tape.
The Olmo has some semi-padded yellow synthetic tape that I installed 20 years (and 10,000 miles) ago.
The more modern bikes that get a lot of miles have modern cork-ish tape, such as Cinelli.
The Tressostar does fade with use and get a bit worn, but it's authentic and I like the texture. Much better than slick plastic wrap such as Benotto or the stuff that came with the International. The lack of padding doesn't bother me either... maybe the gloves compensate for it?
Steve in Peoria
08-21-18 | 06:55 AM
#19
Fillet-Brazed Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 488
Likes: 21
From: Brooklyn, New York
Bikes: ⊕
I like Brooks Cambium rubber black tape, great grip. I also like SRAM or Cinelli cork tape in black, the Cinelli seems slightly cushier. For something retro, I really like Ambrosio Bike Ribbon.
08-21-18 | 08:40 AM
#21
Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Somerville, MA
Bikes: '72 Peugeot PX10, '74 UO-8, '77 Peugeot PX10, '89 Peugeot Triathlon, '03 Cannondale R3000
I've been using Brooks honey-colored microfiber tape to match the one (honey) Brooks saddle that I move around among my 70s Peugeots.
08-21-18 | 08:52 AM
#22
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 22,994
Likes: 10,496
From: Sacramento, CA
Bikes: old ones
...it seems counter intuitive to use the same tape on a bike set up for faster, shorter rides and one for longer, distance type touring. So I go back and forth with what's on sale online cheap. Mostly in black, but I just wrapped a Carlton Flyer yesterday morning in white Cinelli corked tape. It was something used I took off another bike, though. That's how cheap I am. 
08-21-18 | 10:35 AM
#23
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,474
Likes: 4,878
From: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, 86 De Rosa Pro, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
I hate wrapping......it always stresses me. My last job ended up better than my average though
Ok pretty much always black...as that matches my bikes If found a white brooks swift, I would do a white bar
I keep trying different stuff.... the lizard skin was comfy but wore out way to fast. was never really happy with the Cinelli...... Just used Fizik and i think that is my go to from now on....
Ok pretty much always black...as that matches my bikes If found a white brooks swift, I would do a white bar
I keep trying different stuff.... the lizard skin was comfy but wore out way to fast. was never really happy with the Cinelli...... Just used Fizik and i think that is my go to from now on....
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Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can.
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can.
08-21-18 | 11:30 AM
#24
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,474
Likes: 4,878
From: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, 86 De Rosa Pro, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
with apologies to all
I have a bar on my bike it's gotta look right
wrap it in white, that's tight
Black wrap is where it's at
Cinnelli is all of that
I can always wrap pink
as long as it don't cause a stink
Brooks seat, wrap leather
No shellac, no weather
my wrap can't make me sick
Maybe I will go with Fizik
I have a bar on my bike it's gotta look right
wrap it in white, that's tight
Black wrap is where it's at
Cinnelli is all of that
I can always wrap pink
as long as it don't cause a stink
Brooks seat, wrap leather
No shellac, no weather
my wrap can't make me sick
Maybe I will go with Fizik
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can.
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can.
08-21-18 | 12:07 PM
#25
aka: Dr. Cannondale
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 8,656
Likes: 6,288
Another vote for Nashbar tape. Same stuff is also sold by eBay seller Abaxo. Inexpensive, comes in lots of colors, works great when hot, cold or wet. Have had white, red, black, blue, brown on many bikes for as long as 8 years without having to re-wrap. The white is easy to clean, doesn't stain easily.
Have a couple bikes with Sella San Marco leather tape, supposed to match the Concor saddles. Nice, especially when wrapped over a layer of Nashbar, but after a few years the upper colored layer starts to wear off.
Have also used the Selle Italia leather Smootape, which feels nice but bleeds color into my gloves and stains my palms when wet or sweaty.
Just wrapped the Zunow with Cinelli Calaido (sp?)black tape; top Fizik-like layer is perforated to show the colorful speckeled underlayer, so a little thicker than Fizik. We'll see how that works out, and it also comes in white.
Have a couple bikes with Sella San Marco leather tape, supposed to match the Concor saddles. Nice, especially when wrapped over a layer of Nashbar, but after a few years the upper colored layer starts to wear off.
Have also used the Selle Italia leather Smootape, which feels nice but bleeds color into my gloves and stains my palms when wet or sweaty.
Just wrapped the Zunow with Cinelli Calaido (sp?)black tape; top Fizik-like layer is perforated to show the colorful speckeled underlayer, so a little thicker than Fizik. We'll see how that works out, and it also comes in white.
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