Bike Forums - White bar tape

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- - White bar tape (https://www.bikeforums.net/fifty-plus-50/798282-white-bar-tape.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by CACycling (Post 13847926)

White reflects light so you'll have to overcome that resistance. Black absorbs light and will actually pull you along. The sunnier the day, the more these effects can be felt.

:lol:

I went from black to white bar tape and have had n.o trouble keeping it clean. I will get a white saddle next. I like the look much better than with the black tape
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1...y/DSC_2923.jpg

While riding my bike today, I actually took some time to look at the white tape on my bike. I really like the way the tape looks but the bike is only two weeks old and the tape is starting to show signs of getting dirty at the hoods. I'll see how the red tape does when I get it. If I don't like it, I will,go back to white or go with black.

Quote:

Originally Posted by baj32161 (Post 13848014)

Yup, the white saddle with the white bar tape is a no brainer.. A match made in heaven..

http://www.cehoward.net/lsraw47x1.jpg

And my vintage favorite.. ;)

http://www.cehoward.net/presty2.jpg

Seriously? White tape is hard to keep clean?

I ride my bike in all sorts of weather, often in a pace line, literally showered in muck. I get my fair share of flats. Yes, I do wipe my bike down following most dirty rides. After a few thousand miles, the white Deda tape is a little grungy, but I'll tell you what - after I replacing cables last month, that tape was wrapped right back on. The nicks and scuffs dished out by riding are a lot more unsightly than the slight grime.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamieElenbaas (Post 13848119)

Seriously? White tape is hard to keep clean?

I ride my bike in all sorts of weather, often in a pace line, literally showered in muck. I get my fair share of flats. Yes, I do wipe my bike down following most dirty rides. After a few thousand miles, the white Deda tape is a little grungy, but I'll tell you what - after I replacing cables last month, that tape was wrapped right back on. The nicks and scuffs dished out by riding are a lot more unsightly than the slight grime.

You FAIL to realized it tis a labor of love in keeping our white bartaple clean, thank you... ;)

Again, speak for your own bike. Others here have nothing but PRAISE for the white bartape, its use, its upkeep, etc... ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Velo Fellow (Post 13843182)

I'd like to put in a word for being anti-prissy about tape. Personally, white tape with a little grime on the edges suggests a hard and often ridden bike-- or, admittedly, a slob-rider with greasy gloves. Just like a well-used steel frame gets a few dings and scratches and develops "character". ("Yup, that scuff on the fork is where I hit the guard railing and took down two other guys.") Anyway, tape is easy to change out......different seasons, different moods, different "images" we want to project.............try 'em all.

New bikes do demand the perfect tape color, texture, end caps, etc. The older and more familiar the bike, the funkier we can get. Years ago my newliwed wife only wore the the most delectable gossamer stuff to bed...years later it was hard to tell which species she belonged to. But it somehow didn't matter.

So, Deege, no matter what the wrapping, the ride will be just the same. :lol:

I could not agree more. I use white on several bikes and I don't even think it gets all that dirty. A little smudgy, yes. But I like that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BikeWNC (Post 13843193)

I use white bar tape. I like the way white offsets the darker hoods, wheels and frames of my bikes. I almost never wash it and replace it when I can't stand how it looks anymore.

That too!

On some bikes I think black or gray looks better. Here's a new compromise I'm trying but I'm not committed to it yet.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=237327 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=237328

This.

Here it is on my Cervelo. I have about 600 miles on the bike and the tape looks new. The finish does not attract dirt.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...5/IMG_3389.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...5/IMG_3393.jpg

I've made my decion. I will take the maiden voyage as Masu intended, in beautiful white tape. I will then give it a fair test with a few hundred miles. I like the way white bar tape looks. :)

If its too much bother to keep it reasonably clean I'll swap out for black. By then I'll know if I'm keeping the saddle as well. I can make color changes on both if I want.

Thanks for all the input. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hermes (Post 13848612)

$31 for bar tape? :twitchy: My parents grew up in the depression. I would be sick to my stomach spending that much for tape.

Quote:

Originally Posted by berner (Post 13846859)

In my mind white bar tape is in the same category as mustache wax.

A mustache will keep your face warmer in the cold months. Mustache wax prevents ice from forming on said 'stache.