White leather handlebar tape?
05-12-22, 06:45 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 3,515
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2113 Post(s)
Liked 1,714 Times
in
1,047 Posts
White leather handlebar tape?
Aside from the insanely cool factor, I’m guessing there’s no real advantage to white leather handlebar tape—especially in the getting-dirty and hard to clean department.
I use white vinyl now. Just discovered the leather tape a few minutes ago through a random Google search. But I’m still intrigued...
I use white vinyl now. Just discovered the leather tape a few minutes ago through a random Google search. But I’m still intrigued...
05-12-22, 07:31 PM
#2
john903
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sequim,WA
Posts: 49
Bikes: Curtlo, CHE cos'e,
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 33 Times
in
14 Posts
Hello, I really like Fizik micro tec classic. It is 2.5 mm think and wears very well. It can get dirty but cleans up easily and quickly, just get in the habit of wiping it down every couple rides. I use light soap and water. It can take a bit to get a good wrap you have to wrap it pretty tight, but once it is set it looks wonderful. Add a white saddle and the cool factor goes up X2.
Have a great day
Have a great day
Likes For john903:
05-12-22, 07:38 PM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 3,515
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2113 Post(s)
Liked 1,714 Times
in
1,047 Posts
Damn you john903. I was hoping you’d talk me out of this!
05-12-22, 07:44 PM
#4
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 7,358
Bikes: Old school lightweights
Mentioned: 84 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3163 Post(s)
Liked 4,734 Times
in
2,465 Posts
If Fizik still offers the glossy version, it's even easier to keep clean.
Likes For SurferRosa:
Likes For P!N20:
05-12-22, 08:16 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Beaverton, OR
Posts: 1,215
Bikes: You had me at rusty and Italian!!
Mentioned: 27 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 482 Post(s)
Liked 744 Times
in
422 Posts
Hello, I really like Fizik micro tec classic. It is 2.5 mm think and wears very well. It can get dirty but cleans up easily and quickly, just get in the habit of wiping it down every couple rides. I use light soap and water. It can take a bit to get a good wrap you have to wrap it pretty tight, but once it is set it looks wonderful. Add a white saddle and the cool factor goes up X2.
Have a great day
Have a great day
My first serious attempt at wrapping a bar correctly. I’m okay with it.
Likes For RustyJames:
05-12-22, 08:24 PM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 3,515
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2113 Post(s)
Liked 1,714 Times
in
1,047 Posts
05-12-22, 08:45 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 18,493
Mentioned: 122 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2807 Post(s)
Liked 1,893 Times
in
1,378 Posts
White leather can have various final finishes on it, some are a bit glossy which will be less grippy but much easier to clean. For white leather I would look at the stitch on strips.
do it off the bike and a clamp or two with a block of wood to maneuver things.
and time, don't try and do it in one shot.
do it off the bike and a clamp or two with a block of wood to maneuver things.
and time, don't try and do it in one shot.
05-12-22, 08:52 PM
#9
Full Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Palm Springs, California
Posts: 464
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 206 Post(s)
Liked 446 Times
in
175 Posts
The Fizik stuff is great, It's not real leather, but it looks and feels like it. It cleans up really easily, and if you get any chain grime on it, just use some degreaser, and you're good as new.
05-12-22, 09:21 PM
#11
Full Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: North Seattle
Posts: 383
Bikes: Davidson ’81
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 120 Post(s)
Liked 222 Times
in
117 Posts
I will also throw myself into the Fizik tape love fest, I have used both the old 3mm Microtex Classic and newer Tempo Bondcush and found them to be spectacular, hard wearing and easy to keep clean and looking sharp. The Bondcush stuff is my favorite but at $40/roll not all my frames are worthy 
05-12-22, 10:49 PM
#12
Raging Suntourophile
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 4,040
Bikes: Schwinn Volare ('78); Raleigh Competition GS ('79)
Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 764 Post(s)
Liked 671 Times
in
333 Posts
Fizik on both my bikes and it ruined me for anything else.
__________________
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
Likes For Fahrenheit531:
05-13-22, 12:37 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 1,950
Bikes: ‘87 Marinoni SLX Sports Tourer, ‘79 Miyata 912 by Gugificazione
Mentioned: 162 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 488 Post(s)
Liked 394 Times
in
233 Posts
I’m another Fiz’ik white Classic Touch fan.
In the process of trying an alternate handlebar, I retaped bars three times with the same tape. Didn’t quite get the tiny smudges re-aligned the last time, but oh so close. Great stuff.
I’ve been using white self-fusing silicone tape for finishing tape. Minimal creep, no sticky residue!
In the process of trying an alternate handlebar, I retaped bars three times with the same tape. Didn’t quite get the tiny smudges re-aligned the last time, but oh so close. Great stuff.
I’ve been using white self-fusing silicone tape for finishing tape. Minimal creep, no sticky residue!
05-13-22, 02:30 AM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Beaverton, OR
Posts: 14,409
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 497 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2987 Post(s)
Liked 3,015 Times
in
1,204 Posts
Oh, you have to get a white saddle to go with it...
__________________
My Bikes
My Bikes
Likes For Andy_K:
05-13-22, 06:35 AM
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 3,515
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2113 Post(s)
Liked 1,714 Times
in
1,047 Posts
05-13-22, 07:32 AM
#16
Full Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Tropical Montana
Posts: 349
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 192 Post(s)
Liked 969 Times
in
290 Posts
From a previous post:
Handlebra is the best leather tape I’ve come across. Expensive but worth it.
HandleBra : Exemplary Leather Bicycle Handlebar Wrap : "Wait ' till you put your hands on this!" TM
This bike gets ridden less than 300 miles per year but the tape has been on since 2012 and still feels great for bare-handed riding. The chamfered edges make for a very smooth wrap. Only been wet a few times but I never had issues.
Handlebra is the best leather tape I’ve come across. Expensive but worth it.
HandleBra : Exemplary Leather Bicycle Handlebar Wrap : "Wait ' till you put your hands on this!" TM
This bike gets ridden less than 300 miles per year but the tape has been on since 2012 and still feels great for bare-handed riding. The chamfered edges make for a very smooth wrap. Only been wet a few times but I never had issues.
__________________
Montana, where men are men and sheep are lying little tramps.
Montana, where men are men and sheep are lying little tramps.
Likes For majmt:
05-13-22, 02:04 PM
#17
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 3,515
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2113 Post(s)
Liked 1,714 Times
in
1,047 Posts
The Handlebra stuff looks very nice indeed. I ordered from the site I linked to, Leh. Of course, I already have the white saddle--a Selle San Marco Regal with titanium rails and silver rivets.
Anyone remember the magazine ad back in the 80s of--I think it was a Tommasini? Painted in kind of a fuchsia and white?--that had Cinelli bars with a stitched white leather wrap? Talk about classy...
Anyone remember the magazine ad back in the 80s of--I think it was a Tommasini? Painted in kind of a fuchsia and white?--that had Cinelli bars with a stitched white leather wrap? Talk about classy...
05-13-22, 02:22 PM
#18
Full Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 229
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 79 Post(s)
Liked 218 Times
in
89 Posts
Used Selle Italia Smoothtape Classica Leather handlebar tape On my Zullo recently.
will be using black Brooks leather handlebar tape on my Tesch rebuild.
will be using black Brooks leather handlebar tape on my Tesch rebuild.
05-13-22, 02:28 PM
#19
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 3,515
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2113 Post(s)
Liked 1,714 Times
in
1,047 Posts
That Zullo is a work of art. *drool*
05-13-22, 03:09 PM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,270
Bikes: Kirk Custom 85 team Miyata (modern 5800 105) on the sale block , '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2032 Post(s)
Liked 2,104 Times
in
1,188 Posts
great thread.... helps for a future build
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or whole biked 57,58)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or whole biked 57,58)
05-13-22, 03:32 PM
#21
Full Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Tropical Montana
Posts: 349
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 192 Post(s)
Liked 969 Times
in
290 Posts
The Handlebra stuff looks very nice indeed. I ordered from the site I linked to, Leh. Of course, I already have the white saddle--a Selle San Marco Regal with titanium rails and silver rivets.
Anyone remember the magazine ad back in the 80s of--I think it was a Tommasini? Painted in kind of a fuchsia and white?--that had Cinelli bars with a stitched white leather wrap? Talk about classy...
Anyone remember the magazine ad back in the 80s of--I think it was a Tommasini? Painted in kind of a fuchsia and white?--that had Cinelli bars with a stitched white leather wrap? Talk about classy...
I've posted this photo before but I love seeing my bikes on the interweb
__________________
Montana, where men are men and sheep are lying little tramps.
Montana, where men are men and sheep are lying little tramps.
05-13-22, 03:38 PM
#22
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 3,515
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2113 Post(s)
Liked 1,714 Times
in
1,047 Posts
05-13-22, 05:19 PM
#23
Full Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Tropical Montana
Posts: 349
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 192 Post(s)
Liked 969 Times
in
290 Posts
Thanks, please post photos of the completion. I have another set of wheels (actually three more sets) for this one to continue the whiteness.
Some might say "too blingy" but I think that's impossible.................. since it's 100% Italian (er, except for the bar tape)
Freshly restored 10 years ago. Hard to find 8-speed Campy cable housing now.
Some might say "too blingy" but I think that's impossible.................. since it's 100% Italian (er, except for the bar tape)
Freshly restored 10 years ago. Hard to find 8-speed Campy cable housing now.
__________________
Montana, where men are men and sheep are lying little tramps.
Montana, where men are men and sheep are lying little tramps.
Last edited by majmt; 05-13-22 at 05:32 PM.
05-13-22, 05:27 PM
#24
john903
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sequim,WA
Posts: 49
Bikes: Curtlo, CHE cos'e,
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 33 Times
in
14 Posts
So it sounds like you ordered the LEH natural Leather bar tape. I also have that brand in white. I like it with two exceptions it is a bit to slippery, and it stains easily. If it is dirty it cleans up ok, but if you ride in the rain and your gloves are wet somehow the dye from the gloves stained the bar wrap. For cleaning traditional leather wrap it was suggested on another forum to use tooth paste and a tooth brush to clean the bar wrap. Sure enough it works quit good. So don't forget to brush.
05-13-22, 05:42 PM
#25
If I own it, I ride it
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Cardinal Country
Posts: 5,536
Bikes: Lejeune(14), Raleigh, Raysport, Jan De Reus, Gazelle, Masi, B. Carré(4), Springfield, Motobecane(2), Greg Lemond, Andre Bertin, Schwinn Paramount
Mentioned: 55 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 576 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 591 Times
in
282 Posts
I have bought from Handlebra and Leh Leather. Both gave excellent customer service. . In both cases, they went out of the way to get me what I wanted.
