I'm looking for Bikeribbon professional for a couple mid 80s builds that will look good with 'thin' traditional bar tape. I'm seeing some of the carbon look stuff around, but nothing on this side of the pond for plain old black. Any sources or alternatives?

Thanks!

I like BikeRibbon Pro a lot, and have bought it from this eBay seller in CO:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/233208372090

Good heads up for me. A year or two ago, I used up the last package of BikeRibbon Pro on this old lady...


Considering my restoration interests these days (pre-1970), chances are that I will never buy another set. For my rider, I use cheap cushion/rubber stuff from China (about $2.50 delivered for one package)...

Rose Bikes out of Germany!
With 47,70 Euros to ship from Bikeribbon Italy, I ordered 3 rolls the last time to make it worthwhile. But today, I received 3 rolls from Rose Bikes for 28,83 total!

My Favorite non-cloth tape.

I am normally a leather person but they don’t make leather in this wild color scheme.




I just so happen to be working on my next build this evening and the original team wrap used in 1990 was this Bike Ribbon in pink/violet. I don’t know if it’s still made by Ambrosio but that’s who made mine.

Why do people like this stuff?

Who knows?

Have you ever tried it?

Pop?
I had Benotto ribbon rolls in a couple of colors, certainly not for every bike. I wear padded gloves for some cush. Not interested in fat&soft tires, suspension stems and seatposts. If I want a Cadillac ride I'll call a cager.

I have no experience with any Bikeribbon products other than their Professional bar tape. It is awesome stuff for 7,70 Euros directly from the source, I used to get it from Pink Jersey for 9 bucks if I remember right and shipping was little if not free. I’m not sure what’s going on these days at Pinkjersey.com but it is not good. I contacted Bikeribbon some time ago wrt their insane shipping cost. They apologized and said that they were working on it.

Maybe my question came out wrong. What qualities do people like in it? I haven't tried it.

We're talking about the faux-leather plastic tape with a non-porous surface, right?
For me it checks off all the boxes:
It looks good (IMO), lots of color choices.
It feels good--it grips pretty well, and provides some padding. I also like the slight extra thickness of the handlebar.
Easy to apply, and cleans up well.
Quite durable, it can last for years if you don't get in an accident. Still looks good even when old and used.
Used to be pretty cheap.

That's probably what they say about us.

First time user for me and I don’t really care for it but the ex-race bike I am building up had it back in the day. In the interest of originality, I am using it. I am just lucky to have found some in the exact color needed on eBay.

Forever and forever ago I put gold Bennoto on everything. Nice grip. No cush. A lot of people ride without gloves these days need cush.

I would venture to say, most people ride with gloves these days and want even more cush. Cyclists have moved on from the benotto decades ago.

This is just the last survivor of all the original "padded bar tape" that came on every bike from 1987 until the late '90s at least. Vetta, Ciclo, Silva, etc. Smooth surface, bright colors, really thin edges, pretty tough. You sure you've never encountered any?

I really like the feel and look of this type of bar tape - it is also durable and easy to keep clean. And it has a lot of stretch which makes it easy to apply. I used it back in the 1980ies and I am lucky have a nice stash of it for my 1980ies and early 1990ies builds.












And sometimes the ugliest but original colour scheme has to be followed...