Pretty much. If a thief has a battering ram, he can get through my front door. But that doesn't mean I'm not going to lock it. And for what it's worth, I've had zero saddles stolen since I started using that chain, as opposed to two before.

Yeah, most thefts are easy opportunities. When I ride my bike to the Kroger for grocery shopping, I use a thin cable and small padlock to secure it to a cart corral. If I didn't it would probably get stolen while I was inside by some homeless hangout there, but they don't have cable cutters on them, so that is enough to deter theft. Now, if I left it there overnight, then nothing I did would save it.

I think I'll just do handlebars and new tape for now. As well as an overall disassembly and cleaning.

Can't do the second one properly without getting deeply involved in the first one.






Unless I misunderstood the second post and you meant "have it done."

No, you are correct. I will have more questions soon once I get the proper tools, but I'm trying to wait for Christmas time so I can have a mechanic stand.

In the meantime...handlebar tape! Just got a new pack, and I'm ready for my first attempt!

On bullhorn bars, is it a terrible idea to start at the top near the stem, and work my way towards the horns? Some YouTube guy said the problem is that it would put the raised portion of the wrap heading in the wrong direction, but I also see the benefits (no electric tape needed, just a clean start point, and some plugs).

I tape all of my bars, horns and drops, top down. I trim the tape at an angle at the starting point so there won't be a bulge on the first turn and use some electrical tape on the tip to prevent the bar tape from slipping when I start. Once I wrap it, the electrical tape is covered up. I tape forward at the top so my hands make the tape tighter when I grip it.

https://m.imgur.com/a/z72vl

Thanks, [MENTION=168526]TejanoTrackie[/MENTION]. Is that the Charge Spoon saddle? If so, can you give me your quick pitch on why I should buy one? I almost got the brown one on Amazon today, but I wanted to hear some more user reviews.

No, it's the Charge Knife, although I do have the Spoon on several other bikes. Both saddles are very comfortable for me, and the quality is very good for saddles that inexpensive. The Spoon has more paddling and a rough texture covering that keeps you from slipping and sliding on the saddle. It has a pressure relief groove, and I've never gotten numb crotch on it. But, as many have pointed out, saddles are a very personal thing, so what may work for me might not be good for you.

I recently switched to a bullhorn bar on one of my bikes.



I didn't trap the bar wrap under the end plug or brake lever. I installed them first and then started wrapping right at the end of the bar itself. When I ended near the stem, I used some of my new favorite product: silicon tape. It has no adhesive, but sticks to itself really well. It never slips, peels, or turns gummy, even out in the sun. And it gives a smooth, shiny appearance. Much better than electrical tape. I'm not bothered by the black color, but if I were, the LizardSkin bar wrap comes with little pieces of finishing tape that I could put on top of it.

This is the method I prefer, but your plan sounds like it could also work out well.

I had a Charge Spoon on one of my bikes a few years ago -- quite liked it, despite it being wider than I typically go for. Charge saddles are definitely some of the best bang for buck out there.

I can tell, and for me, it would drive me absolutely nuts. If you start at the end of the bar, and wrap properly, once the plug is in there, it looks really clean. There is a bit of a technique to it though.

Yeah. At the ends of the bar, where I started, there is a tiny sliver of bare metal on each end. It *kind of* bugs me. Enough that the perfectionist in me wishes I'd paid more attention, but not quite enough to make me redo it.

I've gotten good results with the end of the tape held under the plug, but I find there are pros and cons to every approach.

I just got my Charge Spoon saddle in the mail. Gotta love Amazon Prime. Unfortunately, I took the old tape off my handlebars, and don't have time to rewrap them before work tomorrow. Good thing I'll only have to ride a few miles on bare metal.

So you are going fixed gear, no foot retention, and now no bar tape? Oy vey.

Hahaha, no you must have misunderstood me. I don't love the metal cages that I have, but I absolutely use them. I can't stand riding fixed without foot retention. It feels so wrong. I also ride with a front brake, that I intend to save for emergencies only. My ride to work is only 2 miles, mostly along a designated bike/running path. I'll be careful, I promise!

Well, I wrapped the handlebars (my first wrap ever)! After unwrapping the old tape, I found out I don't in fact have bullhorn bars. I have someone's old drop bars that they decided to take a pipe cutter to and flip upside down

No matter. Real bullhorns will go on the Christmas list. I've been putting some short but fast rides on this thing, and track stands have become a much more tire friendly addiction than skids. Loving riding fixed so much. Need to get some longer rides under my belt. Found out the back wheel is completely off, but I have a buddy who is willing to teach me how to true it in his shop for free. We will probably also tackle the headset, just so I can learn how to disassemble and maintain one. Pictures coming soon.