mikemowbz

Hi all. My 1991 Marinoni Special and its very 1990s white/purple/black fade are soon to be needing some new bar tape. This is the bike:



I've been considering some options to replace the white/black fade tape that's on there, as one end it getting a bit chewed (as was the case when I got the bike), and it could use freshening up at some point. This is the current tape:



This bike deserves something to suit the paint - simply black or white will not do.

But I can't decide how far to take things, or in precisely which direction. So, I reasoned, how about at poll. Here are the (numbered) options I've come up with:

#1


#2


#3


#4


#5


#6


#7
NONE OF THE ABOVE/OTHER

Let me know what you think! And while we're at it, I've noticed some definite antipathy towards 'splash' pattern tape. People here don't seem to like it...

Why not? Is it ever appropriate? What's up with the hate on 'splash' tape?

Drillium Dude 

Speaking only for myself, if I see flashy/over-the-top bar tape, I figure someone is trying to draw my attention there for a reason. And I don't think the reason is a good one

I think if one goes with basic black/white/brown with matching saddle, it says "now take a look at the details". Flash tends to say "the bars are as good as it gets!".

Since this is most assuredly NOT the case with the Marionini, she deserves some basic black, IMHO

DD

EDIT: How did I miss the fade purple #4? Now, that would match the paint, wouldn't it? Dallas can always be relied upon to help out with my senior moments

photogravity

I definitely like #4 the best and it got my vote. Take DD's comment with a grain of salt, after all he's into drillium, so his taste is already suspect in my eyes.

Yo Spiff

I happen to like splash pattern tape. I had it on my Bianchi for a long time until it wore out and I just can't get Celeste/Black splash pattern anymore. It matches the bike, but is not too much of that color to take away from the frame.

I say the purple/Black splash.

triathloner

If you would have put brooks leather tape on there it would have gotten most of the votes, even though it wouldn't have any business being on that bike. Too many leather lovers here, I voted for splash, not for every bike, but it should look good on your bike.

Chombi

I think White cork or padded vinyl bike ribbon tape will look good on that bike. To me personally, white tape gives a clean, classy look to a bike that's hard to match with other colors or patterns.
Splash tapes kinda have the same effect on me as when I see a mullet haircut on a person......kind of a "Joe Dirt" feel to it....I hope that's self-explanatory....
JMO's

Chombi

auchencrow

These days, I know we must all be utterly PC and tolerant of all forms of personal expression, so, I suppose I'll just have to say there is absolutely nothing wrong with splash tape.

- Just with the people who use it:
Each time I see one go by, I think to myself, "there goes another cannibal serial killer!"

Snydermann

The bike already has enough going on with the fade-style paint. Adding even more design to the handlebar is just too much.

I vote plain black tape.

lostarchitect 

Either #4, or basic black or white.

The hate for splash tape is because it's ugly.

lostarchitect 

I don't think that's true at all. People like leather but most here also have enough taste to know where it looks good and where it doesn't.

puchfinnland

on another note.....
do others have the advert in the first posting?

I try to post a pic as the first reply so it is not reduced in size

the tape needs some purple in it-just do it.

wrk101

None of the above. I would get solid purple tape, something similar to what I put on my Paramount Series 5. No splash tape for me, personally, I think it looks cheap, and once it gets a little dirty, it looks really bad.

RobbieTunes

Splash tape, to me, has way too many psychological issues.
Is it technicolor vomit?
Is it one of those blotch tests trying to trip me up?
Can't they make up their mind?
OK, I see you...but why didn't you do it to your saddle, too?
Do you really think we think you understand chaos theory?
You couldn't find paisely?

IthaDan 

Where are you finding #4 for sale? That's pretty awesome. I'd love that on my stowe, the split yellow/black I just put on isn't cutting it for me.

I voted 4 fwiw.

realestvin7

I have some white tape with purple dinosaurs on it. Lol.

frantik

the pictures of the bartape are all tiny

the purple fade #4 seems like it might be worth a try but might be too much fade. might look great. #6 might also look ok. solid purple i think would be worth trying. or white. definitely NOT black

i don't have a problem with "splash" bar tape... depending on the bike

mikemowbz

I know, pulled the pics straight off my ebay watch list...sorry if it strains the eyes, but that's actually 'full size' and I can't pull .jpgs onto my desktop when I get to the expanded photos (I suppose I could screen capture one at time, maybe later). On the bright side, it's not as though there are a lot fine-grained details to appreciate in this case...

Found it on Ebay (click to link to the listing). Might be able to track it down elsewhere based on the 'F.U.B.A.R.' branding.

I like it too, and it's polling in the lead (just ahead of 'NONE OF THE ABOVE/OTHER'!)


I tend to agree with puchfinnland that this bike needs some purple. Of course, wrk101s suggestion of solid purple could fit that bill.

But I do tend to think that something flashier, (if not 'splashier') might be, frankly, more appropriate - after all, it's not like the paint job is so conservative that anything other than solid black or white will look out of place or anything. Generally, I'm a black saddle/black tape kind of guy (I sympathize with Drillium Dude's point of view, though I do note that even Jeff has cast an approving glance at #4), but I can't shake the feeling that black, or solid white or brown, wouldn't be in the spirit of the thing...

Some support for the splash here, too. A part of me (maybe the cannibal serial killer part?) sort of likes the black/white splash, but I do tend to think that it might be a bit much. 'Psychological issues' noted.

A conundrum.

With that in mind:

What kind of dinosaurs? Lumbering herbivores would give the wrong impression (I'd like to think), but carnivores, we might be talkin'...

mikemowbz

Not even to go with this...

realestvin7

Carnivores, I believe. Lol

WNG

I voted for the white to purple fade (#4). Sometimes, certain bikes, and paint schemes can look good with tape that isn't monochrome.

Otherwise, it's white (classy) or purple. Something with a Fizik Microtex finish. I think this stuff has one of the prettiest surface finishes of the tapes on the market.
Black is too utilitarian IMO for this paint job.

'Splash' tape: kind of neutral on the look. Some work, most don't quite poorly. Reminds me of camo tee shirts. Probably where the idea of splash tape originated, but some look like it was designed by marketing experiencing an acid trip. Solid colors will never fall out of fashion. In the end, it's just a bike, and one can do as he/she pleases.

On the personal side, I used red/black 'splash' tape for one build, but it's a customize 'urban gorilla' bike, and felt the tape worked there. Also have a harlequin taped, very 80s looking Vitus. Also have a box of that FUBAR red/black snakeskin tape too.

RFC

Actually, I do.

KonAaron Snake 

While it would be bad manners to criticize your tape if unsolicited, you did ask!

I'm surprised no one posted this yet:

https://raydobbins.com/splash/splash.htm

I'm sure somewhere there is a bike that benefited from splash tape, but I've never seen it. When I showed your photos to my wife, she said, and I quote, "It looks like a can of paint threw up on the handlebars".

Needless to say, I voted none of the above.

Orrery

I'm all for splash tape. We uninhibited few can proudly proclaim our bodaciousness by the splattered mien of our handlebars.


IMAG0390 by orrery84, on Flickr

JesusBananas

I voted for #4 purple fade, but I think solid purple would be a good option as well.

+1

I think splash tape is gaudy and ugly, which is why I imagine most people don't like it.

mikemowbz

Looking at a solid near-50% for #4, the purple/white fade...

I think I might be placing my order shortly. The fade from white to purple as the eye moves down from the top of the bar to the drops mirrors the fade from white to purple as the eye moves down the frame & fork quite nicely, has a harmonious air about it. A bit different, but not quite outright tacky.

Though I see Orrery has applied the splash to another slick Quebec-made ride without regard for the naysayers...