Bar Tape Matchy-Matchy
#1
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Bar Tape Matchy-Matchy
Started with some Pirelli P-Zeros -

But had some issues and had to switch to GP5000's -

But now the bar tape doesn't match the tires! Anyone know of a lighter beige colored tape that will match the gumwall of the GP 5000's?
For reference the current bar tape is Fizik Tempo Microtex "Honey' colored tape. Not interested in cloth or real leather tape.
Thanks!
-Sean

But had some issues and had to switch to GP5000's -

But now the bar tape doesn't match the tires! Anyone know of a lighter beige colored tape that will match the gumwall of the GP 5000's?
For reference the current bar tape is Fizik Tempo Microtex "Honey' colored tape. Not interested in cloth or real leather tape.
Thanks!
-Sean
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Do you really not know how to use Google, or were you just looking for an excuse to post a photo of your bike?
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I don't think that tape works, regardless of sidewall.
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#5
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You are missing out on many things the world has to offer if Google is the only way you know of to find products or restaurants or clothing or...
But that being said I have used google and have not been able to find anything relatively close to what I am looking for. So now I have now invoked the power of the BFKW (Bike Forum Keyboard Warriors).
And as an offering I did indeed post pictures of my bike.
-Sean
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I do green on right side, red on left, like lights on boats and airplanes
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I'm a little color blind, but I think this is pretty close:

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Believe it or not a Google search only represents about 60% of what is in the world around you. In addition only 2-3% of a google search shows up on the first page of a google search and most people have little patience to look further than that.
You are missing out on many things the world has to offer if Google is the only way you know of to find products or restaurants or clothing or...
But that being said I have used google and have not been able to find anything relatively close to what I am looking for. So now I have now invoked the power of the BFKW (Bike Forum Keyboard Warriors).
And as an offering I did indeed post pictures of my bike.
-Sean
You are missing out on many things the world has to offer if Google is the only way you know of to find products or restaurants or clothing or...
But that being said I have used google and have not been able to find anything relatively close to what I am looking for. So now I have now invoked the power of the BFKW (Bike Forum Keyboard Warriors).
And as an offering I did indeed post pictures of my bike.
-Sean
Sounds like you're missing out on about 57% of what the world has to offer if you won't go past the first Google page.
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The colored sidewalls plus the huge graphics on the huge wheels make the thing look really busy, regardless of the bar tape. If you are wedded to those wheels, go black for tires and tape.
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#11
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Heck I could probably drop 80 grams just peeling the logos off

Last edited by Wilmingtech; 06-27-21 at 04:46 PM.
#12
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#13
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Nothing really wrong with leather bar tape I just know there is a huge following of "lovers of leather" here on BF and getting them all riled up makes for an entertaining BF thread.
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-Oh Hey!
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I would go black tape and black sidewalls on that bike and peel off those hideous HED wheel stickers. Or possibly go with red tape to match the Ridley logo.
I think matching tyre sidewall to bar tape is going to be a never-ending and frustrating experience.
I think matching tyre sidewall to bar tape is going to be a never-ending and frustrating experience.
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On that bike, you ought to be going with black sidewalls and red or white bar tape. Bonus: all of that stuff is very easy to find.
#17
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Not into the red tape. Black sidewalls lack creativity. Maybe I should go yellow bar tape and blue tires...
#18
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Red/Black 'splash' tape. Really good match with the bike and Ridley logo colors, might also go good with the beige sidewalls on the tires (although all-black would look even better).

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A tan colored tape to match the tires will turn the bike from ugly to fugly. If you fell the need for light tape, white will at least look pro. As much as I like tan/gumwalls, not on that bike. Not with those wheels, either. Black tape/tires and lose the HED decals.
Last edited by seypat; 06-27-21 at 07:59 PM.
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After looking again, the easiest thing to do would be to cover the Ridley decals with black tape. The Ridley decals are clashing with your vison/look ideas. If you're committed to the Ridley decals, maybe try some dark brown/reddish gummies like the Conti Gran Prix Classic.
Last edited by seypat; 06-27-21 at 08:03 PM.
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I think the whole bike should be murdered out: black seat, black tape, black tires, black rims, black hardware. Make the Ridley decal pop, instead of compete.
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As a concept, I’m not feelin’ the matching of bar tape to sidewalls; the basis for the practice is so fleetingly temporal it seems silly. Sure, have a stylistic theme, but basing it on the most consumable thing on the bike doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. But then, I’m a tire geek and tend to change them often just to see what’s good in rubber.
My suggestion would be to pick up on the grey or red— obviously the OP wants some flair here, and basic black ain’t doin’ that— being careful not to go too strong with the red, because, well, black/red is quite trite, isn’t it?
I can recommend taking a look at Ciclovation tapes based on my experience with with the Advanced Leather Touch and Premium Halo Touch tapes, Maybe the ALT Magma offers the right balance for this bike:
My suggestion would be to pick up on the grey or red— obviously the OP wants some flair here, and basic black ain’t doin’ that— being careful not to go too strong with the red, because, well, black/red is quite trite, isn’t it?
I can recommend taking a look at Ciclovation tapes based on my experience with with the Advanced Leather Touch and Premium Halo Touch tapes, Maybe the ALT Magma offers the right balance for this bike:

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Never occurred to me match the bar tape to the tires, guess all my bikes would have black tape then.
Tim
Tim