old fashioned bar tape?
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
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old fashioned bar tape?
Just got some bar tape at the local and installed it on my '85 super course, hmmmm, no, not right, looks like the bars are wearing a winter coat. Much too thick and modern looking for a retro ride.
So where can I get some good old fashioned thin bar tape?
Someone did tell me to try Fizik so went to their web site and the superlight is only 2mm thick but really can't tell unless I see it in person and to do so I have to order it. Anyone have experience with Fizik superlight or maybe there is another tape I should look at to get that old time feelin' when grabin' the bars.
So where can I get some good old fashioned thin bar tape?
Someone did tell me to try Fizik so went to their web site and the superlight is only 2mm thick but really can't tell unless I see it in person and to do so I have to order it. Anyone have experience with Fizik superlight or maybe there is another tape I should look at to get that old time feelin' when grabin' the bars.
Last edited by teisco; 06-07-14 at 06:56 PM.
#2
Merckx wannabe
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 254
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From: Zagreb, Croatia
Bikes: Rampon EL/OS 5700 groupset
#3
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2014 Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2
2019 Salsa Warbird
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#7
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,321
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From: Wisconsin
Bikes: 2012 Salsa Casseroll, 2009 Kona Blast
How about leather?
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#8
Senior Member
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Bikes: 1986 Alan Record Carbonio, 1985 Vitus Plus Carbone 7, 1984 Peugeot PSV, 1972 Line Seeker, 1986(est.) Medici Aerodynamic (Project), 1985(est.) Peugeot PY10FC
Most padded type tapes will add a bit of thickness to your bars. Cork's a good alternative but some people don't like the way they get dirty quick if you get light colors, but you could always get black too..,,,
Newbaum's cloth is really nice. I think it's softer and maybe a little bit thicker than the cloth tapes I used in the early 80's. Best thing about it is Newbaums gives you a long enough tape, so you don't have to be skimpy with the wrapping overlap, like I remember having to do so with cloth tapes of the past.
Newbaum's cloth is really nice. I think it's softer and maybe a little bit thicker than the cloth tapes I used in the early 80's. Best thing about it is Newbaums gives you a long enough tape, so you don't have to be skimpy with the wrapping overlap, like I remember having to do so with cloth tapes of the past.
#10
Still learning

Joined: May 2012
Posts: 11,529
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From: North of Canada, Adirondacks
Bikes: Still a garage full
Looks like leather, cheap, easy to apply, thin. A little slippery, but if you wear gloves, a non issue.
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Used below.
Robot Check
Used below.
#11
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,338
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
That Deda stuff looks nice, and the price is decent. I happen to like Newbaum's but of course, it doesn't stay clean for long.
I finally tried leather tape. I got it from Nashbar, and unfortunately, they don't sell it any more. Leather tape is fantastic, and I expect it to last long enough to justify its price, too. I should have tried it years earlier. I have a set of leather tape from Brooks but haven't put it on a bike yet.
This fake cork stuff (or is it real cork?) is awful for me. It's delicate, and I don't like the feel.
Oddly, I like Benotto. I don't know why the slipperiness doesn't bother me. Maybe it leads me to grip harder. Whatever. I think it's pretty good. Is it still made?
I finally tried leather tape. I got it from Nashbar, and unfortunately, they don't sell it any more. Leather tape is fantastic, and I expect it to last long enough to justify its price, too. I should have tried it years earlier. I have a set of leather tape from Brooks but haven't put it on a bike yet.
This fake cork stuff (or is it real cork?) is awful for me. It's delicate, and I don't like the feel.
Oddly, I like Benotto. I don't know why the slipperiness doesn't bother me. Maybe it leads me to grip harder. Whatever. I think it's pretty good. Is it still made?
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#12
#14
What??? Only 2 wheels?


Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Boston-ish, MA
Bikes: 72 Peugeot UO-8, 82 Peugeot TH8, 87 Bianchi Brava, 76? Masi Grand Criterium, 74 Motobecane Champion Team, 86 & 77 Gazelle champion mondial, 81? Grandis, 82? Tommasini, 83 Peugeot PF10
You want trad? Tressostar cloth tape, black.
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Real cyclists use toe clips.
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Real cyclists use toe clips.
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#15
elcraft

Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Greater Boston
#16
Get off my lawn!


Joined: Nov 2010
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From: The Garden State
Bikes: 1917 Loomis, 1923 Rudge, 1930 Hercules Renown, 1947 Mclean, 1948 JA Holland, 1955 Hetchins, 1957 Carlton Flyer, 1962 Raleigh Sport, 1978&81 Raleigh Gomp GS', 2010 Raliegh Clubman
Cloth tape
#17
Senior Member


Joined: May 2008
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From: Fredericksburg, Va
Bikes: ? Proteous, '65 Frejus TDF, '73 Bottecchia Giro d'Italia, '83 Colnago Superissimo, '84 Trek 610, '84 Trek 760, '88 Pinarello Veneto, '88 De Rosa Pro, '89 Pinarello Montello, 'Litespeed Catalyst'94 Burley Duet, 97 Specialized RockHopper, 2010 Langster
Bennoto NOS from when ever, not the new stuff:
]
1983 Colnago Superissimo by superissimo_83, on Flickr[/IMG]
]
1983 Colnago Superissimo by superissimo_83, on Flickr[/IMG]
#18
.


Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 12,769
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From: Rocket City, No'ala
Bikes: 2014 Trek Domane 5.2, 1985 Pinarello Treviso, 1990 Gardin Shred, 2006 Bianchi San Jose
Velo-orange has leather bar tape for $75, elkhide bar wraps you sew on, and Tressostar cloth tape for $5Handlebar Tape, Grips, Accessories - Accessories
Cinelli cork tape for $12 and Tressostar cloth tape for $4
Lickbike.com | Product Index - Handlebar Tape/Grips
The LBS always has a big supplyof Fi'zik and that's what I normally use. I've also used the cloth tape and it looks good.
Plastic bar tape
https://chickscyclingclub.com/plastic-handlebar-tape/
Velox Plastilac tape NOS
https://www.budgetbicyclectr.com/velo...handlebar-tape
Velox Guidoline Champion NOS cloth tape
https://budgetbicyclectr.com/velox-gu...qt9auhaacce113
Cinelli cork tape for $12 and Tressostar cloth tape for $4
Lickbike.com | Product Index - Handlebar Tape/Grips
The LBS always has a big supplyof Fi'zik and that's what I normally use. I've also used the cloth tape and it looks good.
Plastic bar tape
https://chickscyclingclub.com/plastic-handlebar-tape/
Velox Plastilac tape NOS
https://www.budgetbicyclectr.com/velo...handlebar-tape
Velox Guidoline Champion NOS cloth tape
https://budgetbicyclectr.com/velox-gu...qt9auhaacce113
Last edited by bbattle; 06-09-14 at 08:59 AM. Reason: to add the plastic bartape offerings
#20
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,338
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
I like Newbaum's better than Tressostar, and no one needs to know it's new.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#22
Me too. For me it's either Newbaum's (for vintage bikes), Fizik (for most other bikes) and Brooks leather for when only leather will do. I don't really use cork or any other tapes. I have heard good things about lizardskins, but haven't tried it yet.
#24
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Prior Lake
Bikes: 1989 Tommasini Super Prestige, 1985 Chris Kvale, 1977 Colnago Super, 1992 Serotta Colorado, 1984 Schwinn Cimarron
I have the VO perforated leather tape on one of my bikes and really enjoy it. It's a good thickness to the point where it's not bulky but not too thin. Matches up very well with an out of box brown Brooks as well.

Going to try Neubaum's on my other C&V.

Going to try Neubaum's on my other C&V.
#25
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,338
Likes: 6,637
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.





