robtown

I've been wanting to try a Honey Brooks. How do you think it'd go on my Paramount? Maybe gumwall tires, and hoods would match. The rims are dark brown/gold annodized Matrix Open Pro CD.





Updates to follow - when I get the gumwall tires on. This is natural cork tape that has been stained and shellacked to match the honey brooks.

Bikedued

Needs some wrap to match, gumwalls too! Nice bike BTW,,,,BD

stringbreaker

YESSSS OH YESSSS and +1 on the wrap and gumwalls

pastorbobnlnh 

Rob, on your beautiful white Paramount, I'd stick with black, unless like the others have said, you switch the hoods, tires, and wrap to simular shades. Just my two cents.

ragboy

I agree with matching bar wrap. It'll look sweet!

I just ordered me a honey Brooks as well to go with my 80s white/green Schwinn Traveler. Had to get another one before the price hike takes full effect.

mastershake916

I like black, I just don't know if it would really match.

linux_author

- love my pro honey/copper brooks... but it took 1,897 miles to break in!

(it sits on a Merlin Ti road bike)

cudak888 

Stick with black, or forgo the Brooks and put on an '80s all-white Italian saddle.

-Kurt

robtown

So do I, but I have an all black Miyata (that'll get the black B17N) and a red/black Fuji. I'm looking for a reason to try a professional in honey.

Wil Davis

I think it would look nice, but you certainly have to change the tape (Brooks leather would look good), and the tyres, and perhaps even the rims (not necessarily silver, but anodized aluminium). Also, bear in mind that as the honey ages, it will develop a nice patina (see pictures from when mine was new 2 seasons ago, to some more recently earned road-rash…)

- Wil

McDave

Agree if you go with the honey seat the bar tape and hoods will need to be a closer match too. But the red tires may be just fine, imo. See how red trim compliments the honey on my 11.8 (below)? I'm about to put some narrow bronze rims on this bike and I'm either going to stick with the all black tires or maybe some red/black Rubino Pros. Will see.

stringbreaker

McDave thats a beauty of a machine. The Brooks looks great with the bartape and hoods

McDave

Thanks sb. Health concerns have kept me off my bikes for about a month now. When I was out in the shop earlier today it was calling to me. Maybe in the morning...

Sammyboy

I'm going to reccomend that rather than Brooks bar tape, which costs the same as your bike did, you go for Velo Orange wrap, which looks like it's what McDave has. Way cheaper, and, IMO, nicer.

https://www.velo-orange.com/elsebarco.html

Wil Davis

McDave, that looks really nice; especially the bar tape. The only Brooks tape I've seen comes in rolls, so what's the story with yours? It looks like it's a tailor-made job, with requires some expert fitting. I'd be afraid of scuffs & road-rash. I especially like the randonneur bars, they look perfect on your bike!

- Wil

McDave

Thank you Wil. Yes, those are Nitto randonneur bars and Velo Orange Elkhide bar covers like Sammyboy said. They do take a couple hours to stitch up but it's not a difficult job and they should last a long long time... much more durable than regular bar tape. Check the 'Woody' bike in my sig below for another example.

Wil Davis

Nice job with the "Woody". All your bikes look so good that if they were mine, I'd be afraid to take them out in case they got scratched or dirty. Nice job, and thanks for sharing (sorry to the OP for the tangent…)

- Wil

Stacey

McDave, hope you can get back in the saddle soon. I know what being out too long feels like... Sux!

tarwheel 

I wouldn't worry about the gumwall brake hoods, but some natural color Cinelli cork tape looks great with a Brooks honey saddle. The skinwall tires also would add a nice touch. I did the same thing with my blue/green De Bernardi. It originally had black tape, saddle and tires. I changed the tape to natural cork and the tires to Panaracer Paselas TGs with skinwalls. Kept the black Fizik saddle because it's more comfortable and lighter than a Brooks, although I have a honey B17 waiting in the wings if I change my mind. I also have a Barley saddle with natural leather trim, which also matches nicely.

mrmw

That bike is so beautiful, if it were mine I would move it into the house and keep it as close to me all evening as our two cats when the wind blows, branches fall and the power goes out. Sometimes I would put it on a stand just to spin the crank and the pedals and watch the wheels go round, being careful to dust it and keep it lubed with a gloss of light weight machine oil only so as not to attract too much lint. I could go on, but why?

First, however, I would powdercoat the stand flat black, like in a gallery--as that's where your bike needs to reside. Don't laugh -- both industrial and decorative arts museums would kill for that bike. There are several in NYC and Chicago I know.

(PS-the 30 day disabled list is hell, I just got off it.)

McDave

Thanks again for all the kinds words guys. Looks like I'll be going for a short ride as soon as the morning traffic dies down!

Now to steer this thread back on topic. Here's another photo of the same bike shortly after restoring it with gumwall tires. To my eye light colored frames need dark tires, and dark frames look best with the gumwalls. The bottom photo shows my black 11.8 with gumwalls (and the chrome bike in it's current configuration).

Kommisar89

Never thought about that but yes, after looking at those pictures I have to agree. Both beautiful bikes.

barndoor

Honey B-17 and bar tape...

barndoor

....but now I have brown 3m electrical tape that matches pretty well on the handlebars....didn't like the black

Pogliaghi

I really like the honey Brooks saddle and put one on my Baines. It really is a nice touch.

Mike.