ok, I give up...
06-26-05 | 04:01 PM
#1
Thread Starter
bannned
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,228
Likes: 0
From: philadelphia
Bikes: black bike, white bike, blue bike, yellow bike, silver bike
ok, I give up...
I've been trying to figure this out on my own but still haven't got a clue. what's the deal with the little-bump-of-electric-tape on the top tube? everyone's doin' it and I am so out of the loop. is it so you can tell your bike apart from the other bikes on the racks?
06-26-05 | 04:07 PM
#6
to keep your top tube from getting dinged when your handlebars swing around and whack the top tube. doesnt happen on geared bikes cuz of all the cables, i guess.
handlebar tape also solves this problem unless you are rollin' those little trackstar grips that only cover the drops.
my handlebars are covered in grab-ons, so i took off my toptube protector. however I still have one (a bit of bar tape) around the downtube, where the barrel adjuster of my front brake hits on its orbit.
though I think you summed it up best when you said "everyone's doin' it." i personally am working on a little toptube jacket for my bike. chimblysweep knitted a cozy for hers.
handlebar tape also solves this problem unless you are rollin' those little trackstar grips that only cover the drops.
my handlebars are covered in grab-ons, so i took off my toptube protector. however I still have one (a bit of bar tape) around the downtube, where the barrel adjuster of my front brake hits on its orbit.
though I think you summed it up best when you said "everyone's doin' it." i personally am working on a little toptube jacket for my bike. chimblysweep knitted a cozy for hers.
06-26-05 | 04:22 PM
#8
無くなった
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 0
From: Sci-Fi Wasabi
Bikes: I built the Bianchi track bike back up today.
There's one on my bike that I think is built into the top tube. Considering that my winter road conversion has a dent in that exact spot from the thicker steel in my bars from a wreck in Feb, I'd say it's a good thing. The BET is over the top of something that's metal...
Nevermind - I just checked and it was all BET. But there are no dents there...
Nevermind - I just checked and it was all BET. But there are no dents there...
06-26-05 | 04:31 PM
#9
Iguana Subsystem
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,016
Likes: 0
From: san francisco
i've got the fuji set up with a couple of wraps of cork tape on the tt, held on with electrical tape; it's not as clean-looking as the kasimax protector, but it didn't cost me anything, and i bet it works at least as well.
06-26-05 | 04:38 PM
#10
無くなった
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 0
From: Sci-Fi Wasabi
Bikes: I built the Bianchi track bike back up today.
I just moved mine forward about a cm to line up with the bars better...
06-26-05 | 05:10 PM
#11
cxmagazine dot com
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,269
Likes: 1
From: WI
Bikes: Titus road, Fort CX
I have part of an old innertube wrapped a few times and then covered with tape. I am sure that since I used heavier rubber instead of light cork, I will now lose every race I enter. Dammit...why am I so stupid? 
06-26-05 | 05:30 PM
#12
無くなった
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 0
From: Sci-Fi Wasabi
Bikes: I built the Bianchi track bike back up today.
I'm going to blame the weight in my bag for any races I lose...
06-26-05 | 06:36 PM
#13
Thread Starter
bannned
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,228
Likes: 0
From: philadelphia
Bikes: black bike, white bike, blue bike, yellow bike, silver bike
Originally Posted by Walkercycles
I feel like Cliff Claven....
Its a little thought about fact, that when your bars swing around if your bike tips over that the bars will actually hit the thin section of the double butted tube. Those that use electrical tape are still risking it a hair, but those that use a cork tape which cushions the bar better have a less likely chance of a ding...
CC
Its a little thought about fact, that when your bars swing around if your bike tips over that the bars will actually hit the thin section of the double butted tube. Those that use electrical tape are still risking it a hair, but those that use a cork tape which cushions the bar better have a less likely chance of a ding...
CC
06-26-05 | 07:39 PM
#14
Thread Starter
bannned
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,228
Likes: 0
From: philadelphia
Bikes: black bike, white bike, blue bike, yellow bike, silver bike
just realized – while the handlebar hits the top tube on the left side, the brake hits the down tube on the right. now I don't see anyone protecting the down tube. what gives?
06-26-05 | 07:45 PM
#15
無くなった
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 0
From: Sci-Fi Wasabi
Bikes: I built the Bianchi track bike back up today.
Brake? Huh?
06-26-05 | 07:53 PM
#16
Cornucopia of Awesomeness
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,847
Likes: 0
From: not where i used to be
Originally Posted by steaktaco
just realized – while the handlebar hits the top tube on the left side, the brake hits the down tube on the right. now I don't see anyone protecting the down tube. what gives?
no top tube dealy for me. i've got bar tape
06-26-05 | 10:17 PM
#18
Iguana Subsystem
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,016
Likes: 0
From: san francisco
Originally Posted by steaktaco
just realized – while the handlebar hits the top tube on the left side, the brake hits the down tube on the right. now I don't see anyone protecting the down tube. what gives?
