When done correctly, Cycling can be both the hardest and dirtiest of sports. We relish in the glory of returning from a ride, battered by the four winds and soaked by the seven rains; our bodies, faces, and machines covered in the reasons why most people might stay indoors. Given that, there is something almost cavalier about submitting to the deluge in the color white, particularly when it comes to shoes, socks, jerseys, and bar tape.
Modern cycling teams, with budgets outsized only by the egos inhabiting the roster, are tending strongly towards a Three Musketeers, unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno mentality. Yet, in years gone by, when Rule #5 was a way of life more so than a badge of honor as it is for us, teams were dominated by a single leader who shouldered responsibility in all manner of races throughout the season. In those days, team bikes were generally built, as they are now, in accordance with Rule #8, with bars wrapped in blue, black, red, or green tape. One bike, however, always stood out as the exception: the team leader’s bars were always wrapped in white.
White is a glorious color to grace a set of handlebars. It emphasizes the sensual sweep of the drops and the beautiful curve from the hoods to the tops. It brings out the crisp shadows of the cables running beneath the tape to highlight a perfect wrap. It stands as a testament to the care that is undertaken in maintaining the machine, for without meticulous attention white does not stay white for long. It states that these bars are graced not by the sullied hands of a domestique, but by the clean grip of a leader.
When it comes to wrapping bars, there are many classy possibilities – black is always stylish and versatile (you can dress it up or you can dress it down), red is fast, celeste is classic – but for Bike #1, I always choose white not because it’s Pro, but because when I go out, I ride like a leader.
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@paolo
Here is the Park tool They make them for regular hacksaw blades and fatter carbone specific blades. I've used a regular bimetal blade and it is fine. Wrap the steerer in a bit of masking tape to limit fiber fraying.
If you have any woodworking friends, have them drill a 1 1/8th forstner bit hole in a thick bit of square wood stock with a drill press, it's a great way to make sure the end of the steerer is square, post-cut. You push steerer through the drilled hole so when you touch it with a sanding block and sand it flush, you have a perfectly square cut.
Before you cut anything, assemble it all with the headset, spacers and stem then mark your cutting line. I would say 3mm below your stem top or below the thin spacer above stem, your preference. then say a prayer to the baby jesus (and Oli).
@Gianni
Mate, you have done some incredibly rad work there with your machine. It looks like its a different bike. Beautiful. I may end up with a white stem before Keepers Tour. Does 3T make a Rotundo in white?
@paolo
Assuming you have a carbon steerer, you really should also get a carbon blade. You don't absolutely need that blade, but you're better off with it. Also use a saw guide like Gianni says.
What you're trying to make sure you DON'T do is strip off carbon fibers when you finish the cut or you risk the integrity of your steerer. The other trick is knowing how much steerer to leave on. Definitely leave room for a 5mm spacer above the stem so the stem has a good fistful of steerer to hold onto for added stiffness.
@frank
Don't think 3T do white. I was intrigued by the idea, and a quick search could not turn up any classic bend bars in white. Might need to have one custom finished for yourself.
@Oli
Maybe a Fignon-esque nudge of the saddle to relieve a saddle sore?
@roger
The worlds differ on this; in reality with adhesive bar wrap, it matters none. I wrap mine counter-clockwise for obsessive reasons we don't need to get into, but in the true tradition of the sport, you should wrap them clockwise so that when you twist the bars with your hands, you make the tape tighter.
Or I'm looking at it from the wrong perspective and you need to wrap them the oposite way. But with today's tape, just make sure you do it the same way on both sides!
@Nate
My fevered search yielded the same results. I also thought during my long ride Sunday, about wrapping up almost to the stem (such that you cover the logos completely), Lemond-style. Then, with a white stem, it would look pretty bitchin. And a fizik Arione with a white stripe down the middle? Now we're fuckin' talking.
The lot of ya need to stop posting ONLY closeups of bars, stems, etc. No matter what you think about your bike, I want to see it & you're just being a tease. Give 'em to me! Full frontal, full side shots, none of this closeup only nonsense.
Gianni - that bike looks GREAT! Amazing how changing a stem or post or tape can make your entire bike look different. Do you ever catch yourself doing a double take when you pass your bike after some gear changes, as if it's a whole new steed? And Scirocco wheels for you too?
Gore cables. Got it, I'll stay away from pairing those to Campagnolo stuff. Chris - I'll try the rubber donuts. Just going to have to be the perfect size to stay on the cables, as they're on the DT so gravity will be working against them. I know they make different sizes, since I have some that stay in place and some that don't. Shifter vs. brake cable sizing, I suppose.
James - Cool, thanks for the word on the Scirocco wheels. Often wondered about them.
Marko - I don't use my fizik finishing tape. If you want some to replace your sacrificed stuff, I'll mail ya mine! Frank has my e-address. Oh, and I think you're right, fizik tape can look great on any bike, old, new, carbon, steel. Hey, what wheels on your BMC? I'm currently diggin' low profile 32 cross simple, sturdy wheels on nice carbon race bikes. Kind of like, "Yeah, I know it's a race bike, but I don't race. However, I'm still pretty fast, so if you want to try yer hand at that County Line, go for it...I think I'll still be okay, despite not have Lightweights on here." :)
Frank - Ha, the full wrap job to the stem. I say go for it! That white PRO stem looks slick.
mcsqueak - PLEASE go for it! I don't care what people eat, but far too many folks make a big fucking deal out of it. Oh, you don't eat XYXYX? Okay, fine, but I don't need to hear about it all the time. I think a vegan hipster might break down and spill some tears if they exit the bar, all topped up on Pabst, only to discover heir converted "track" bike has Bacon Bars!!
Mikel - A vote for the black tape, just looks better on there. Great bike, really sharp.
Just open pros laced to ultegras. They're going to belgiun though. @Ron
Fucking kindle
@ Giani and Frank
Thanks for the advice. I have a couple of more rides this week, then I am out of town (skiing with Picabo Street on Saturday..this is some week) when I get back it will be time to cut cut..
Frank thats a shame about white rotundo's because 3T make almost everything else in the Team line in white with red trim. I know that if they do have them anywhere theres a place called nonstopciclismo on the web. Keith is the owner, if anyone can locate them, he can.