Handle Bar Wrap Opinions
06-05-10 | 07:11 AM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 698
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: Leader 722TS, Surly Cross Check, GT Outpost, Haro Z16, Trek 1000
OK - I'm back home so here's the picture I promised:
From the ground my saddle is 94cm-95cm and my bars are 90cm - only a 4-5cm (depending on the angle you look at the measuring tape) drop which is less than 2 inches no matter how you look at it. And no, I'm not expecting a whole s--t ton of padding. Like I said - this wrap plus my (thinish) gloves is perfection as far as feel. I just don't think I should have to wear them just to ride more than 5-10 miles of city streets.
Thank you all again for your previous and continuing help!
From the ground my saddle is 94cm-95cm and my bars are 90cm - only a 4-5cm (depending on the angle you look at the measuring tape) drop which is less than 2 inches no matter how you look at it. And no, I'm not expecting a whole s--t ton of padding. Like I said - this wrap plus my (thinish) gloves is perfection as far as feel. I just don't think I should have to wear them just to ride more than 5-10 miles of city streets.
Thank you all again for your previous and continuing help!
06-05-10 | 10:39 AM
#30
THE STUFFED
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,671
Likes: 21
From: San Francisco, CA
Bikes: R. Sachs Simplicity; EAI Bareknuckle; Madone Gen 8
06-05-10 | 11:26 AM
#31
Thread Starter
Hiphopopotamus
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA
Bikes: 90s GT Outpost, Windsor Clockwork
Ive told you I love your bike right!? Woot for GT Outpost! anyway, I recently have been going the grips route. I have horn and use ourys in the middle with track grips on the rest. pretty happy with the setup though I also always wear gloves too. Many many crashes ago and pretty cut up hands, I started riding with gloves all the time. Now its just habit/ a blanky LOL!
I know I keep saying it, but thanks again for the assistance.
06-05-10 | 10:13 PM
#33
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 698
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: Leader 722TS, Surly Cross Check, GT Outpost, Haro Z16, Trek 1000
06-06-10 | 10:22 PM
#34
Thread Starter
Hiphopopotamus
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA
Bikes: 90s GT Outpost, Windsor Clockwork
06-07-10 | 08:20 AM
#36
Nü-Fred
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn, NY
Bikes: Torelli Tipo Uno (stolen), Peugeot Nice, Mercier Kilo TT
That said, I use Brooks leather wrap. It's as comfy as the fizik stuff that everyone likes, and doesn't fall apart. I hit a patch of gravel while cornering the other night and scuffed and gashed it, which is a huge bummer considering how much it costs. The gash is only cosmetic, but still. If it holds up for another year, I'd probably buy it again; as two years of use seems reasonable for the cost.
even tho it's pricey, i love my brooks. And it lasts.
06-07-10 | 08:54 AM
#37
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 27,266
Likes: 152
From: YEG
Bikes: See my sig...
Clear shellac over white cork... ends were finished with green cord which still needs a few coats of shellac.
White tape / cork only stays white long enough to take a picture and the clear shellac does give the white an antique look... amber shellac would have given it a honey colour.
Best thing is that the bars clean up with just a little soap and water which does not affect the cured shellac.
White tape / cork only stays white long enough to take a picture and the clear shellac does give the white an antique look... amber shellac would have given it a honey colour.
Best thing is that the bars clean up with just a little soap and water which does not affect the cured shellac.
06-07-10 | 08:57 AM
#38
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 27,266
Likes: 152
From: YEG
Bikes: See my sig...
I have off white leather on my '55 Raleigh and it is wonderful stuff but a pain to keep clean... think this was offered by Velo products which also makes a decent microfibre wrap that is inexpensive, has a great feel, and looks like leather.
06-07-10 | 03:37 PM
#39
thread derailleur
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,095
Likes: 1
From: beyond Thunderdome
Bikes: 82 Bianchi ECO Pista, Pake, Kilo TT, some *** bmx i found underneath an old house
probably kinda hard to see, but here's amber shellac over white cloth tape. the amber shade that 65er talks about is what's going on here, although I applied a bit more layers of it as I was trying to match my saddle.
06-11-10 | 12:14 PM
#41
Thread Starter
Hiphopopotamus
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA
Bikes: 90s GT Outpost, Windsor Clockwork
I agree, that amber shellac is incredible!
I finally re-wrapped by bars. I found some cork tape that I like quite a bit so far. I also put my new saddle on and ended up raising my seatpost a little more than it was. Like I was saying earlier in the thread, I was unhappy with the cloth because it was uncomfortable, not because of pain. I think this will be the winning setup (for now!).
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions, it's much appreciated!
I finally re-wrapped by bars. I found some cork tape that I like quite a bit so far. I also put my new saddle on and ended up raising my seatpost a little more than it was. Like I was saying earlier in the thread, I was unhappy with the cloth because it was uncomfortable, not because of pain. I think this will be the winning setup (for now!).
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions, it's much appreciated!
