Campoli

I hate to initiate one of these threads but I am in dire need of opinions. I am unsure of which Bar Tape and Saddle colour combo to go with. I originally had decided on white/white but apprehensive on the maintenance and wear. Also considering Black/Black, White/Red. The saddle on the bike will be replaced as this poor 1976 San Marco is much worse in condition that it appears.



Note: The tube 'decals' are just paper print outs for design and placement before I have them created.

UPDATE:
Since I did not have a big selection of ribbon or coloured paper, I decided to take to Photoshop! I will likely be getting this San Marco saddle but silver seat post.

Here are my top 3 colours for the grip tape. What do you think?


Note: Not actual tube decals, just design brainstorming.

icepick_trotsky 

I would go with white tape, black saddle. The Fizik white tape wears well and is easy to keep clean. Cool bike -- that seat tube angle!

davester

Saddle should be black. White tape gets cruddy looking too fast IMHO, though it would look good. I'm thinking perhaps something jazzy and contrasting might look good...perhaps blue. Before doing that I'd hold up some color samples and get a feel for whether it looked jazzy or stupid though. Another idea that would probably work well would be to match the color of the "Atala" script on the seat tube.

KonAaron Snake 

With this, black -black

nycbianchi

I recently put white tape on my bike and was surprised that it didn't look grubby for quite a while. Certainly doesn't wear as well as black tape but hey, pretty cheap to replace and always feels wonderful when you do. You might consider a seat which would enable you to switch from black to white for variety, like this one:

? Aliante Gamma K:ium Black White - Cover: Black Microtex - Central Cover: Gummy Black Microtex - Thigh Glides: White Microtex - Rear Cover: White Microtex - Scuff Guards: Black

Campoli

I really like the way this looks, but realistically how long would it stay 'this' white? lol

jimmuller 

With those tires? Black/black.

Velocivixen

Black & black are always the "safe" answer. It reminds me, though, of people who always just wear black clothes - makes me think it's a cop out because they can't figure out what other colors to wear. Black/black make it easy.

I prefer Fizik Microtec tape. Black does not always look best. I have dark metallic grey Miyata with red panel on head tube. In the process of freshening it up, I installed a Brooks B17 in black then in Honey. Took photos of each. Consensus was that Honey looked better. Black made it look cold. Same with tires - thought I wanted something other than tan sidewalls, so installed solid black - again, consensus was that tan sidewalls looked better.

Do do you have a few different colors you could out on, so you could stand back and get a "feeling"? I go by what my "gut" tells me, not necessarily what logic would dictate when it comes to aesthetics.

Force 

The orange reminds me of Eddy's Molteni orange, which had white tape and black saddle. If you did that, would get some tan sidewalls. Great looking bike no matter what you do.

09box

Go with black. Keep it simple.

SquidPuppet

Agreed.

jimmuller 

Black because it creates contrast:



And this bike even has tan-wall tires in this pic. It currently wears black tires and a black bag under the saddle. I just wish it rode better.

rccardr 

White/white. It's not that hard to keep clean.

crank_addict

Could change it up and go against the popular. Not the same animal as the OP, but take a look at some Motobecane team Champions - yellow, orange and a de'rty white wrap. Last one is a WHiP faux BIC with the black Hutchinson and brown B17 narrow. Not sure, but I'm thinking of an over wrap of the Hutchinson and in a yellow cloth.

Campoli

Thanks for the opinions and great examples! The bike is actually a powder coated RAL 3020 Red lol. It looks slightly orange under the dim light. I have the chance to pick-up some of the Fizik Performance tape for a great price and get it in White, Black, Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, etc.

I am intrigued by the Yellow to give it some pop but that may be too much pop. Black would work for sure but I want it to stand out a bit. Given that I may try out the white and see how that goes.

Any other opinion and pic examples are greatly appreciated!

RAL 3020

tarwheel 

Black, white or blue -- if you match the saddle to the bar tape. Honey brown would be another nice option, again if you matched the saddle to the tape.

davester

My opinion is that you should go buy a packet of cheap construction paper in multi-colors, wrap some around the bars then step back and look.

uncle uncle

Black is not a color, it's a shade. If you have no imagination, stick with black. If you want something different, pick one of the dominant colors in the logo's.

Jimsl78

If you cant make up your mind go two tone, Black from the hoods back, and the color of your choice from the hoods down into the drops. If you ride mostly in the tops and the hoods, the color part will stay nice a long time.

rootboy 

Uh huh.

rootboy 

Actually, I don't care. As long as you get that flying saucer off the rear wheel.

gomango

Touchdown.

Spaghetti Legs 

Black - black. White tape will look good also, but again only when clean. No red as that frame doesn't look red in the picture. BTW - I solicited opinions on my build in a recent thread and will never do that again.

Campoli

i was unsure if I should remove the dork disk or leave it as it's rather nice looking....or at least I thought so lol.

Campoli

Your last comment is very true. It's a hit or miss but it's nice to get honest opinions, especially when attempting this restoration project green.