Keepers Tour Update: Contact Point Supplier: fi’zi:k
It’s crazy to me how fast two months from peaking goes by. At Christmas time I remember thinking how distant the Keepers Tour 2012 felt and that I’d have plenty of time to train. Now that time is measured in weeks instead of months and my feelings tend more toward doubt about my form. Cycling in Northeastern Minnesota in January, February, and March entails a mix of trainer time and wondering how well skate skiing will translate to riding a bike fast and far. I hope those frites are fried in clenbuterol.
Of course there are myriad other ways the other Keepers and I have been preparing for the Keepers Tour. Aside from the mundane tasks of making plane reservations and figuring out train schedules from Amsterdam to Lille, there are the fun tasks of acquiring new gear for our #1 Steeds which we’ve chronicled on these pages. We’ve had numerous shouting matches that have ended with at least one of us storming out of the boardroom over t-shirt designs, Gianni’s VMH has been frantically sewing musettes (they live on Maui so how frantic could it be?), Brett has been scouring travelogues of Amsterdam’s red light district in between training and racing with Rigid in the Austral summer, and I shudder every time I think of what Frank’s to-do list is like. I’ve seen it – it’s three pages long. All this, when executed perfectly, is surely going to amount to the most rad week of drunken debauchery Flanders has ever known and that’s really saying something. There’s no way they’ll let us back there which is why we’ve also begun planning the next Keepers Tour in Italy for the Giro.
With these preparations we are excited to announce fi’zi:k as the official contact point supplier of the Keepers Tour. We’ve extolled the quality, style, and passion fizik has for cycling since we started this site. In fact, I’d say most of us in the community ride, at a minimum, their bar tape. As it happens, the good folks at fizik aren’t offended enough by what we do and are followers of the site; a partnership was the next obvious step for two groups of people so unyieldingly devoted to Cycling.
What this partnership represents to us is affirmation of our community from the broader cycling world – a community that has grown with us and continues to contribute to our identity and which challenge us to be better. fizik values what we do and have agreed to support us in doing more of it, in style, with rad gear. This partnership doesn’t mean tiles or ads cluttering up the clean look of the site any more than fizik clutters up the clean lines of their saddles and shoes with unnecessary accouterments. It does mean that you’ll see more Keepers riding with more fizik gear and consequently a few articles related to fizik products, some tweets, friendfacing, and a few embedded links (per usual). Keepers Tour attendees will also find a few fizik goodies tucked inside their Velominati Mussette. And, if you haven’t already noticed, pay attention the next time you type “f-i-z-i-k” into a post, our boy-genius programmer did something nifty there as well. We’ll also emphasize that it is our strict policy that no Reverence article will ever be written by request of a vendor and, while we may elect to continue to Revere the fizik line of products, designation of a product as Reverence-worthy is solely at the discretion of the author.
For our part, we approached fizik because we believe in their products. Reverence for the best gear available is the domain of the Velominatus and we know that while you may disagree with our specific choices, you feel the same way in principle. That’s why you’re here. fizik is one of us; have a look at their site, check out the feedzone newsletter, even subscribe to them on twitface if you’re so inclined. They do a lot of insightful and behind the scenes posting about some of our favorite teams and riders – stuff you won’t get from the usual suspects.
What it boils down to is that fizik is Rule compliant. That’s something we can all get behind.
@frank
I am surprised by that. With as much attention to detail as you put in on the other aspects of your machines, I was sure you would have your plugs properly oriented. I guess my OCD is worse than yours in one respect.
@eightzero
Cool idea, especially if it was a subtle embossed black like the fizik plugs. Nothing too ostentatious.
@Flying Crowbar
@Fränk: I’m pissed that I missed that when your steed was at my house! Wrong orientation on the plugs are just about as bad as a gap in the tape (looking at you G’rilla). Damn!
@frank
Yup, it’s Mario.
@Marko
OMFM. I just read the article. I had no idea.
@cyclops You are awesomeness personified. Times 10. Squared.
And I thought I was doing good by successfully making myself a bowl of cereal. I guess I could send Frank a bowl of cereal. The official Velominati bowl of cereal. Made by me. I can put it in a orange bowl. That’s about the best I could do. Frank, I hope you like cereal.
I’m going to go now.
@Jeff in PetroMetro
*sigh*
Its good to have you back, mate. I’ll gladly eat the cereal, though my northern european roots call on me to eat bread with hard cheese for breakfast. For you, I will eat cereal. From an orange bowl.
@minion
Ooooh! Ooooh! Check out @minion’s new music video!!! It is awesome!!!
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/trouee-darenberg-to-be-cleaned-as-soon-as-possible
Looks like the trouee d’Arenberg is back in play after all. The Keepers tour just keeps getting better. Can’t wait to hear all about it.
@Jeff in PetroMetro
I can’t believe I just watched all 3:35 of that. Awesome, especially if you have kids.
Welcome back from wherever you’ve been JIPM.
@sgt
Any wear was not detectable by visual means. Your steed appeared meticulously maintained.
@scaler911
Thanks! I like it here. I think I’ll stay.
Looks like my comments are being screened. All I can say is, for the love of Merckx, will someone give JIPM a hug.
As usual am late to all this mind blowing stuff – the Fi’zi:k conection, Keepers to Giro/Worlds and a future report on the inner workings of post ride Amersterdam – It just does not get any better!!
@frank
Thanks for the info, Frank I’ll give that a go. By the way you are in serious breach of Rule #26.
@frank
What does the mode button on the campag shifters do?
@snoov
It is used when you mount and connect Campagnolo ErgoBrain computer.By pressing the button you skip between different functions of your computer.
@RedRanger
3T LOVE !!!
@Shepster
I have petitioned the council on an amendment that while riding in the big ring is badass, there is nothing badass about parking your bike in a gear you can’t start in. I have had no success in this matter.
On the plus side, it proves that I’m not a dictator, as has been suggested even by my closest Keepers.
I am, on the other hand, a pig-headed, stubborn bastard with what usually winds up being the loudest voice in the room.
@frank @eightzero @chrisO @anyoneImayhaveoffended
I have decided to show my face once more with a little explanation:
1. If I came off as a dick in my post, it is because I am a total snot about bar wrap jobs. Bicycles are works of art and the bar wrap is the equivalent of putting the lovely glow on the Mona Lisa’s brow or halo on the Madonna.
2. I have been a mechanic for 10 years and have learned at the hands of first rate mechanics in first rate shops the FINEST points of cycling repair. The call of a keeper of the cog is to prevent erosion of the dearest of cycling traditions and I do my part at the most sacred level: every day in the shop. From making sure you could eat off of your drivetrain to the meticulous art of gluing tubulars, I take great care in my work and taping bars is my absolute favorite thing to pain over.
Here is a broad view of my of the honey Brooks tape on my classic Pinarello.
here is a tighter shot of the top of the bar. Notice that the direction of the tape will tighten as I ride on my hoods at the center of the V locus. Note that the tape is neatly trimmed to end squarely and the end thereof is covered neatly by complimentary brown vinyl tape.
Here is the origin of my tape sans cork for your viewing satisfaction. Start the roll tight, covering the end of the bar and then maintain the pitch of the wind meticulously up to the hood.
Here is the tidy figure-eight at the back of the hood. This should be wrapped with the same attention and reverence of the priests wrapping a mighty Pharoh in his death clothes.
Here is the side view of the figure-eight section. The provided short strap can be seen sticking out in this position. It should be aligned with the collar beneath the figure-eight. Look beyond and you will see the perfect end of the bar with cork in place. If you are in a public place, please hide your erection.
@eightzero You may be commended for your beautiful image gallery. I envy your web chops. Watching your bar tape enter the your lever zone however, leaves much to be desired, and much to be evacuated from the stomach upon seeing it.
This is where I stand. I would mini pump battle even my own mother to the death if that is what it took to defend my position.
I close my epistle in the name of Merckx. Amen.
@prowrench
Gorgeous… best bar tape photos ever.
Exactly the look I was hoping for, but failed to achieve, with the ‘honey’ Fizik tape to go with my honey Brooks saddle. Please tell me you have a matching saddle.
I would have gone with the Brooks leather instead of the Microtex but I was worried about the amount of sweat that it would soak up here in Abu Dhabi.
The saddle obviously also gets sweaty and is quite discoloured now after nearly 2 years, but I figure the harder leather (and regular proofing) keeps it OK.
Having seen yours I think I might get the Brooks leather anyway – let me know where to send the air ticket so you can come and wrap it for me ;-)
@ChrisO
I do have the matching saddle. It is a honey-top Brooks Professional with copper rails. Unlike the saddle however, the Brooks Gods do not require blood sweat and tears before they will allow you to feel good riding the tape.
@prowrench
Thank the lord@prowrench
Praise be to Merckx… we need more photos.
I have a honey Swift with Ti rails (and copper rivets)on my Ridley Noah. I also have an alloy black Team Pro on my Colnago Master and a black Swift on my Roberts, and a B17 on my fixie.
I seem to have a Brooks arse. I put the Swift on my Roberts and just about the first ride I did on it was the L-B-L sportive, which turned out to be perfectly comfortable. I’ve never had to even think about breaking them in.
I would support approaching look, I love their pedals.
@prowrench@ChrisO
For some reason I don’t see any photos….?
Can you repost them peu d’etre?
@prowrench
I commend your meticulousness, but beg to differ on your figure 8 theory – your own pictures show how much of a bulge is created by this method. It’s much tidier to use a short section under a single pass wrap, then trim the excess under the hood to prevent any bulge whatsoever, without leaving any unsightly gaps.
Presto!
(forgive the grubby paw prints…)
@Flying Crowbar
Agree! Cool idea!
I was looking at my tired old Cinelli plugs and thought about replacing them with something like this;
(chef’s voice) Here’s one I prepared earlier today!…
[dmalbum: path=”/velominati.com/wp-content/uploads/readers/sthilzy/2012.03.08.11.17.49/”/]
@sthilzy
Holy broken biscuits, you’re a master of that design software. I was impressed by the diagram you did for the foam discussion, these are ready for production (although all black which will be discreet (eightzero) and cheap).
@prowrench
First, I didn’t think you came across as a dick. Second, I agree wholeheartedly with all the above – these are the marks of a Velominatus. Third, I would never, under any circumstances, wrap my bars as you have done. Such are the differences in taste.
The important thing here is that you love the detail of wrapping, and that you’re passionate about how to do it and willing to impart that on others. Less important is that you’re wrong.
And that was my tape job, not @eightzero’s, just for the record.
@ChrisO
Dude, leather just gets mo’ betta with age, sweat, etc. Will it get discolored? Sure, but who gives a shit? It will tell the story of every hour spent in your grip. Go for it!
@Oli
I’m with you, man! (This is weird, is it happening again?)
@Oli
Quite the vinyl and DVD collection.
@sthilzy
Um, yes please. There is a company that @eightzero pointed me to but they are pricey and metal. Are these for real? Can they be made?
@Flying Crowbar
I was a little surprised at that too; this is the same guy who came down on me because my topcap was askew!
@sthilzy
Where do I send the check?
@sthilzy
Beautiful, I’ll have two sets please!
@prowrench
Well Merckx be praised. Those pictures were nearly pornographic. I love the theory of the figure eight mummy wrap but I never seem to have enough tape to go running laps around my ergo-lever.
Chapeau for introducing yourself and explaining your passion with the wrap. I’m genetically indisposed to to pulling off the perfect wrap but I too try. Your poor mum, she doesn’t know how to fight with a mini-pump.
@sthilzy
Uh, WANT! Do you have access to a 3D printer, by chance?
@sthilzy
I’ll take a few sets as long as I don’t have to tap the kids college fund (again).
@Oli
Very, very nice job there. Tape seems so simple, but the required technique is intimidating. I’ll glue tubs, but haven’t been able to get tape anywhere near that level of finish- well done! That said, I am going to replace the tape on bike #2 in the next couple of weeks with some white microtex and I’ll try again.
at all: great discussion on something of the smallest details, THAT MATTERS!
I have to admit, I have always wrapped according to the ‘Oli-ean’ practice, minus the BRILLIANT ring of celeste showing proximally for all to see, man I wish I had thought of that because someones making the bacon on that one. The direction, around the levers, and all, I do as well and only did after many hours spent on being schooled and repeating throughout the riding season. I just wish my Celeste stayed as bright and clean as his does, but my grubby paws must dirty the wrap over time and Fizik doesn’t make anymore Celeste Microtex any longer.
Off topic, but I am stoked that Jagwire makes a Celeste matching brake/shifter cable system!!! for your next replacement.
Does it really matter how your tape is wrapped? If you are meditating on Rule #5 then the only thing that matters is “wrestling the Gorilla”. If a bearded hairy legged munter passes you on a climb it doesn’t matter how sweet your bar tape looks,you will look like a poser. Pain is your friend.
@Guido
Being a poser is all I’ve got, and I’m not even very good at that…
@mcsqueak Do you have access to a 3D printer, by chance?
Building as we speak!
@Guido
True enough, but we can’t all be geniuses, can we? Looking Fantastic and Having Immaculate Bar Tape will help you weather the humbling defeat and get you back on the bike the next day so you can get fit and crush the hairy-legged guy*.
@Oli
Word.
*Hairly legged guy crushed me on Round One of Haleakala. He didn’t show up for Round Two, but I would have made him into a grease mark.
@sthilzy
Building a printer or building V plugs?
Pics, please, when the prototypes are complete!
@sthilzy
Awesome!
I am finally gonna get to the part of town my LBS is located to pick up some new tape for my bike. its been about a year since I have even thought about taping bars and cant for the life of me remember how the hell I did it last time. I wouldn’t care except that it looked fucking awesome last time. this is going to drive my nuts!
@sthilzy
Ill buy a pair!
@sthilzy
Pretty fucking sweet end caps you’ve CAD-ed up there! Did you take the detailed measurements yourself or just guestimate? I’d favor a pair of your caps over these, even.
As someone who’s always struggled with the whole taping thing I’ve followed this piece with interest.
Earlier today I found myself searching YouTube for taping guides. I fear my geekery has hit new highs(or should that be lows?).
No love for the top-down method here, I see… but why? I can’t stand the feel of finishing tape.
From my observations, top down always ends up with the tape trying to roll up behind the hoods and on the drops. Admittedly, this is on clients bikes so the taping might not be to the best standard anyway – I wouldn’t know from my own bikes because I don’t roll like that.