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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My 2 cents..Simon H, nice stuff, looks great with black tape.
Mikel...I'm digging the white.
@Frank Hmmm, maybe - I'll give it another go. But in my book if Product A and Product B both do the same job, look just as good, have no difference in wear and quality but A is easier to use than B, it means B is not as good.
@Snoov Not sure what you mean. The photo of mine is at a slight angle - you can see more of the non-drive side of the rear wheel, which maybe makes the saddle look at an angle. It's perfectly straight along the centre line.
Having said that if you look at it from top down it is slightly lopsided on the wings - you wouldn't see it in a photo but you do in 3D. One of my legs is slightly shorter than the other which must affect the way I sit, and being a Brooks it has molded to my shape. One of the reasons I like them.
So much bike dreaminess here in the last 24 hours. I'm sighing like a 10-year old with the latest issue of Tiger Beat.
@frank
I realize there has been recent dumping on the marque, but here is some food for thought from Ritchey for those of us obsessed with shiny bits:
@paolo
Cutting your steerer is not rocket science. I mark it a couple of mm short of where I want it, then use 2 hose clamps instead of the park tool. I use a Drexel with a cutoff wheel instead of a hacksaw as I feel it gives a finer cut. Just take your time. As nothing actually rests on the top, it is not necessary to have it 100% square - BUT you must have a nice even surface since any abrupt unevenness could be a source of the dreaded stress concentration. Practice on a pice if cheap conduit or PVC if you like.
@ChrisO
True enough, but product B (assuming that's Fizik) does a better job at two out of three on your list.
@Tartan1749
Damn iPad and the autocorrect on spelling. Dremel & piece
Has everyone gone mad? Were The Rules not started, in my garage, simply and wholly on the premise that bartape, saddles, tyres, everything should be BLACK? White bar tape, yeah cool, white saddles, yep no problem, but stems, bars and seatposts? Pull it back a notch, people... you'll all be getting these next. Go on, I fuckin dare ya!
@Nate
Thanks for some sanity, Nate. Those are nice bits, my friend Rachel has them (stem and post) on her Salsa, and they look class.
@brett
What YOU dubbed The Rules, maybe. But Eddy and Roger and Freddy and Jaques and all those dudes way more badass than you "started" the Rules.
And they all rode WHITE FUCKING BAR TAPE.