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-   -   Bar tape. (https://www.bikeforums.net/fifty-plus-50/801786-bar-tape.html)

t4mv 03-01-12 09:29 AM


Originally Posted by Allegheny Jet (Post 13917756)
"white tape is so pro"

White also shows up better in pictures, especially in days of yore when photog was b&w (right, DG? ;)). Just ask the pros.

bigbadwullf 03-01-12 09:29 AM


Originally Posted by Yo Spiff (Post 13917791)
I'm getting rather fond of torn Celeste patched with electrical tape.

In the day that meant black tape. Today you can get electrical tape in all kinds of hideous colors. Haven't seen white though ;)

Digital Gee 03-01-12 11:39 AM

Seems like it was a few years ago that I became the unofficial spokesman/advocate for white bikes (pointing out why they are the fastest bikes because they pit no additional weight, with no added pigment on the frames, among other reasons), and look what has happened. White bikes everywhere from all the biggest manufacturers.

Now, the debate shifts to white bar tape with the usual objections -- it's too hard to clean, etc. The zeitgeist is shifting, people. The rise of popularity of white bar tape is as inevitable as the rise of the sun tomorrow morning.

Bikes with white bar tape are faster, sexier, reduce flats, prevent rider fatigue by absorbing vibrations better, lead to better pie choices, and have higher resale value down the road. None of that can be debated anymore.

It's time to join the white bar tape revolution.

leob1 03-01-12 01:21 PM


Originally Posted by bigbadwullf (Post 13917810)
In the day that meant black tape. Today you can get electrical tape in all kinds of hideous colors. Haven't seen white though ;)

I have some. And orange. My wife has an orange and cream bike, with white(ish) bartape. I use the white and orange electrical tape to accent the handle bars, and her areo bars, and as pinstriping.
The things we do for love.

Mobile 155 03-01-12 01:59 PM


Originally Posted by Digital Gee (Post 13918326)
Seems like it was a few years ago that I became the unofficial spokesman/advocate for white bikes (pointing out why they are the fastest bikes because they pit no additional weight, with no added pigment on the frames, among other reasons), and look what has happened. White bikes everywhere from all the biggest manufacturers.

Now, the debate shifts to white bar tape with the usual objections -- it's too hard to clean, etc. The zeitgeist is shifting, people. The rise of popularity of white bar tape is as inevitable as the rise of the sun tomorrow morning.

Bikes with white bar tape are faster, sexier, reduce flats, prevent rider fatigue by absorbing vibrations better, lead to better pie choices, and have higher resale value down the road. None of that can be debated anymore.

It's time to join the white bar tape revolution.

So it is you I have to blame? I remember your white bike theory when I got my Masi and my first Lapierre, both in White. I had to carry a clean rag in my jersey packet. After a while I started bringing cleaner, then polish. Soon I needed a back pack for all the cleaning supplies I would have to use and then one day I found I had so much cleaning supplies it was time to start pulling a trailer, in white of course. So to stay as fast as other bikes I had to wear a white jersey and white Bibs with white shoes with a white helmet. Next from all that white the reflected sun started to sunburn my face, arms and legs. So I had to buy white arm and leg warmers and a supply of zink oxide to cover my face. Then I noticed my teeth looked dull because of all of the rest of the white on me so I had to get my dentist to whiten my teeth. Then people started calling me an albino and I lost all my friends and no one would ride white me because I would allow ungloved hands closer than ten feet from me or the bike.

Now that I know who to blame you will be hearing from my lawyer sir.:innocent:

John_V 03-01-12 02:03 PM

Still have the white tape that came on my N+1. Thinking of going to red, but the more I see the white, yhe more I like it. I'll have to see if Zipp makes a washable white tape and will keep it white if they do. Right now, the OEM tape (one month old) is already showing the dirt around the hoods. The OEM tape can be washed, but it doesn't clean like washable tape does.

billydonn 03-01-12 02:29 PM

2 Attachment(s)
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=239566http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=239567

Here's an innovative option that has not caught on yet. It is both "Pro" yet level-headed and sensible... probably the wave of the future. :)

Made by Lizardskins

Yo Spiff 03-01-12 02:55 PM


Originally Posted by Digital Gee (Post 13918326)
It's time to join the white bar tape revolution.

Which means it will be the status quo shortly. Old ladies will have white bar tape on their Huffy beach cruisers. Kinda like when they all did the Hustle or the macarena to show they were hip and cool old folks, so the 20-somethings quit doing it. We're chasing our tails. Back to Celeste and black electrical tape for me.

stapfam 03-01-12 03:35 PM


Originally Posted by lhbernhardt (Post 13916920)
The better you get as a cyclist, the more you're likely to use white tape. The top cyclists are very aware of the bike, and are able to avoid touching the greasy parts. A good example is to look at bike racers. The top Cat 1 and 2 riders are always very clean and neat-looking, legs shaved, jersey zipped up, all the sponsor logos looking clean and sharp. Your typical Cat 4, on the other hand, is usually in slightly baggy shorts and dirty socks with grease from the chainring splotched across his leg. Right.

So you earn the right to have white tape on the bike. Enough said!

Luis

The better you get as a cyclist- The less you have to touch the bike except for feet- hands and Butt. The bike butler does the rest--Or in the case of the Poor Professionals-- The team mechanic.

Bronze Potato 03-01-12 03:36 PM

Bar tape is either white or black. There is no discussion.

GFish 03-01-12 03:45 PM

Black tape is dull and just plain boring.

White tape adds a level of class and BLING to the bike. And bonus points if the white tape is dirty, this means you're actually using the bike. People won't confuse you for a poser, you're a real cyclist and you have the white dirty tape to prove it.

Ride up off the saddle, stand on those cranks, you deserve it, be proud!! :giver:

Yo Spiff 03-01-12 03:48 PM


Originally Posted by Bronze Potato (Post 13919148)
Bar tape is either white or black. There is no discussion.

That was only true back when the world was Black & white. Now it's shades of Celeste™ and mauve.

NOS88 03-01-12 04:04 PM

I've never quite understood why anyone would care what color bar tape I use. On their bike, I understand, but on mine? It makes no sense. I guess I might change my view on this if the folks who seem to have an opinion on what color I use were buying the bike, tires, tubes, cables, chains, lube, etc.

Bronze Potato 03-01-12 04:11 PM


Originally Posted by Yo Spiff (Post 13919241)
That was only true back when the world was Black & white. Now it's shades of Celeste™ and mauve.

Not in my reality.

Bronze Potato 03-01-12 04:12 PM


Originally Posted by NOS88 (Post 13919338)
I've never quite understood why anyone would care what color bar tape I use. On their bike, I understand, but on mine? It makes no sense. I guess I might change my view on this if the folks who seem to have an opinion on what color I use were buying the bike, tires, tubes, cables, chains, lube, etc.

Friends don't let friends drive drunk.

fietsbob 03-01-12 05:12 PM


"white tape is so pro"
and the Pro's have a team mechanic to take care of the bike maintenance ,
.. replacing whole bikes, overnight,
including re-taping the bars , before the Next day's racing ..

Phil85207 03-01-12 05:31 PM

I have a Felt with white Fizik bar tape with 7000 miles on it and love it. Its easy to clean and looks great.

Digital Gee 03-01-12 05:46 PM


Originally Posted by Mobile 155 (Post 13918697)
So it is you I have to blame? I remember your white bike theory when I got my Masi and my first Lapierre, both in White. I had to carry a clean rag in my jersey packet. After a while I started bringing cleaner, then polish. Soon I needed a back pack for all the cleaning supplies I would have to use and then one day I found I had so much cleaning supplies it was time to start pulling a trailer, in white of course. So to stay as fast as other bikes I had to wear a white jersey and white Bibs with white shoes with a white helmet. Next from all that white the reflected sun started to sunburn my face, arms and legs. So I had to buy white arm and leg warmers and a supply of zink oxide to cover my face. Then I noticed my teeth looked dull because of all of the rest of the white on me so I had to get my dentist to whiten my teeth. Then people started calling me an albino and I lost all my friends and no one would ride white me because I would allow ungloved hands closer than ten feet from me or the bike.

Now that I know who to blame you will be hearing from my lawyer sir.:innocent:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Digital Gee 03-01-12 05:49 PM


Originally Posted by t4mv (Post 13917806)
White also shows up better in pictures, especially in days of yore when photog was b&w (right, DG? ;)). Just ask the pros.

You got THAT right.

Gravity Aided 03-02-12 05:21 AM


Originally Posted by Digital Gee (Post 13919812)
You got THAT right.

Especially if you ferricyanide bleach the handlebars in the photograph , makes them pop even more .

Retro Grouch 03-02-12 06:19 AM

1 Attachment(s)
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=239667You may be my doppleganger. It's good that you live in socal because, if we ever meet, the universe may implode.


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