I was looking for Gene Jockeys sew on tape and happened across some cool alligator skin tapes...very cool looking. Has anyone partaken?

Alligator

Crocodile

The second reminds me of Arundel Gecko tape which is great bar wrap.

Jdawg,
Not the real thing so I would not go for it. Places like Gripmaster have the real thing available, but at over $200 per side for the wrap. Smiles, MH

Eek!

I like synthetic anyways...don’t feel as bad when it rips...

Might have to try the Croc stuff...

Come on Dawg! You must have gators in your neighborhood!?! Time to trap one of those varmints and turn it into something useful!

This one crawled out of the creek next to our driveway last winter.



Actually, I have this cow hide stamped to look like gator or croc. How's your stitching skills? I could cut two pieces for a sew-on. Or you could send me your bars with the levers attached and I can do it with matching leather hoods.

Arundel Gecko fan here, especially the Synth Gecko. Synth isn't the prettiest bar wrap, but it's the easiest to wrap and rewrap almost indefinitely. Great wrap for beginners to learn on because it's reusable. And great wrap for tinkerers who change their minds often about cockpit setups and could use an economical wrap.

Bob,
Be careful with that offer, other members may request your services.
Ben

I have this stuff on a couple of different bikes. Excellent cushion and a look I like:

https://www.campandgoslow.com/category/bar-tape

That’s pretty cool...!

No gators in my immediate neighborhood except a baby in the Taco Bell pond at the end of the block. Not sure how he got there but he hangs with some tortoises...

I am on the dry side of town (Goose Creek is away from the coast), but there are quite a few on the reservoir side of town.

They did not volunteer to be my bar wrap!

Far out man

you don't feel sorry for crocodiles at all

I do. That’s why the tape is synthetic...!

...nor alligators. They like to feast on our puppies and kitty cats.

When they stay out in the swamps and marshes, fine. They are actually kind of cool to watch from the safety of a boat.

I've been using the Velo-Orange double thickness cotton tape for years and am quite happy with the feel, but I love the look of the tapes Analog Cycles sells. https://analogcycles.com/collections/bar-tape

I do, but crocodiles are way down on my current sympathy list, just a bit lower than camels, shrimp, and the mole.

kind of in the neighborhood of mosquitos and wood ticks then?

A mole.......
Best, Ben

Definitely more pedestrian than alligator or croc, but I saw that Newbaums started making padded tape. https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...xoC5asQAvD_BwE

Has anyone tried it?

Inspired by jdawginsc original post, I started stitching bar covers this morning.



I'm also working on matching hoods and a saddle bag.

Unfortunately, the finish on the leather limits the flexibility and it puckers at the bends. Unmounted from the bike, it feels comfortable. As can be seen, I added a layer of foam under the leather.

I avoid online sellers who misspell and/or use words incorrectly within their ads.

Matching brake lever hood completed.



Feedback and comments are always appreciated.

Dang, that is well done sir! Very cool indeed! I am interested to hear how it feels on the road.

Which bike are you using it for?

Glad I provided the inspiration! (I bought the darn bar tape...haha)

I've got it on my randonneur bike. It's comfy/hard wearing...if the second is more important than the first. It does not "split" colors as nicely as the regular roll, so you need to do some futzing if you want two-tones per side.

PastorBob is now Pimpin'PastorBob.

Bob, will the leather react to heat or water? Anything that might allow the material to stretch on installation, or shrink afterwards?

-Kurt

color me "impressed", Pastor Bob, but that just ain't my style.
I'd try wetting it down to shrink and maybe try a mallet on the puckers when soft, then let it dry and shrink tight, assuming water does not damage this embossed hide.
You have more skills than we knew!