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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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!!

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

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.

Not in my reality.

Friends don't let friends drive drunk.

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 ..

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

You got THAT right.

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

You may be my doppleganger. It's good that you live in socal because, if we ever meet, the universe may implode.