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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@frank
Read what I said... white tape good, white bars, stems, posts, not.
@brett
I have to read? Like, all of it? As for those sexy tires, do they come in tubular?
I'll give you tat its not like a white stem will redeem my bikes (the stems won't be shorter and won't make the saddle lower) but Gianni's Merlin looks the fuckin' business with that while stem/bar combo...
@brett
Ill back you up on that. take it on a case by case basis. your Cervelos frank would not look good with white bars, stem and post IMO.
@Ron
Thanks bro. for @Nate
I was going to get that exact combo, all silver all the time, because all this black was boring, but somehow I went all white.
@frank
Glad you approve, it is a large cosmetic and functional change for the trusted +15 year old bike. Your #1 would look awesome with the white touch.
@brett
You are mad. We will settle this in Amsterdam...
@RedRanger
A case by case basis for sure... Gianni's bike looks good, but wouldn't look any worse with a black bar... it's only a little bit of bar actually showing, so the contrast (as in Simon's white bar/black tape) is a good thing.
@Gianni
The only thing we'll settle in Amsterdam is into a soft couch in a cafe... Frank will settle the tab.
I love you guys.
Woh, look what happens when I don't log on for a few hours, the comments board goes crazy. I spent the evening with the VMH due to it being Valentines Day ;-)
@All, cheers for the positive comments guys re: No.1, only recently converted from MTB, really enjoying the faster pace and suffering of road riding.
@Marko
Ha ha, cheers Marko, it's all about the bike !!!
@Chris
Thanks Chris, that's what I was aiming for. A bike with some components on that only a lover of the machine would know. Not a fan of bikes plastered in look at me stickers / garish colours, althought I know that is a nod to all things PRO.
@Mikel Pearce
I get what you mean, I have the black hoods and if I switch to white tape (now I'm thinking of doing so) then black hoods would have to go on, all white would look shite !!!
@Souleur
If I go white I think I may opt for the Lizards Skins DSP (1.8mm). I like the subtle gold ball style dimples, it's super light, grippy and cleans up really easy. I'm not avers to trying Fizik though, I have a couple of their saddles on my MTB's and the gorgeous R1 shoes.
@frank
Cheers Frank, from you I know that is worthy praise. I'm considering a switch to white now, before race season kicks off properly. I like the white stem / bar, New Ultimate are also quite understated not being to gaudy with their decals. The saddle has been amazing so far, still getting dialled on fit but very very comfy. Better than my MTB which I used to ride in baggies with no padding on a Fizik Arione . It sure does toughen up the starfish !!!
@Gianni
Sorry we can't trade, especially not the wheels which are the niceset part about the bike, humming along as they do, complete silence except for the sound of the derailleur purring like a contented cat sat it front or a warm home fire !!!
@ChrisO
See, I like the brown / honey bar tape, bike No.2 being an example
It also reminds me of this ...
... which was taken from the Rapha 1910 Challenge where a few hard men took on the mighty Luchon to Bayonne 326km ride through the high Pyrennes (6000m in accordance with Rule 24). Also, plenty of Rule 5 and Rule 9 were dished out.
In fact, I'm selling my two MTB's a getting a cross bike (probably steel) and keeping an avid eye for Franks choices. It will also be my first bike where I build the wheels from scratch !!!
@Derhoggz
Sorry, can't do white outers, would be way to much white then. I would never have bars, stem, tape and cable outers matching, something has to give a contrast IMV.
@brett
Cheers Brett, I'm gonna do it, as said above Lizards Skins DP 1.8mm unless the Velominati say otherwise.
@Anjin-san
Thanks.
@Gianni
Sorry we can't swap bikes, especially not the wheels, Tune hubs sounds amazing when descending at speed. I know everyone goes on about Chris King hubs sounding like a bunch of angry bees but these things sound like nothing if ridden before, Coupled with the rims they are supe stiff in prevent my mass from flexing them in the climbs and sprints.
Also sold on the white tape now, that Ti machine is a thing of beauty ... gonna swith to white tape / black hoods ASAP.
As mentioned also the fame is an Enigma Echo, they now do one set up to take Di2 if you so wish, I'm gonna stick with mechanical shifts for the time being, don't want to ever rely on a battery to power my machine, but then that is a whole new topic I'm sure that will be covered on here in time.
@Oli
Nope, you are correct, it been adjusted since the pictures were taken.
@paolo
I think I like both but the Ti bike with all white cockpit does look good too.
@Calmante
It was ever so lightly pointed down, I was till getting it dialled and is now compliant. I kept sliding forward on the saddle so knew on descents and braking so knew it needing tilting back up towards the family jewels.
Forgot a few replies ...
@motor city
Yes it is an Enigma Echo, first road bike so not alot to go on. It's comfy enough for all day riding, seems compliant on the bumpy stuff (read shit fucking UK roads). It regularly hits 45mph on a sweet fast descent near home and gets quite a few comments when I'm out riding, so it's all good.
@The Oracle
Gonna go the switch in a week or so, will need to buts the cables to shorted the outers to keep tham regulation, so will get some new gear and brake cables at the same time.
Will also drop the stem 20mm to get it down to 10mm below and 5mm above the stem, I think my back is ready, although maybe not to be completed slammed.
That will also entail chopping the steerer, a fairly easy process with the Park Tool guide (I think I have the cheaper Ice Toolz one)
Also, whilst on asthetics, should the gear outers not cross around the headtube as per Rule 73 cos there appears to be an ungodly number of violations on here !!!
nice bar wrap by the way.
@all
WFT? You lot have been up all night obsessing about this? I know it's important but did you not wonder why your significant others looked a bit disappointed when you got home last night muttering about whether it should be black or white and either logged on headed straight out to your garage?
VMH: Good day at work, honey?
@whoever: mutter mutter black mutter hoods mutter mutter bars... ...er what? yeah, it was all right... mutter mutter white mutter @fronk mutter clockwise? mutter
VMH: Hungry? I've cooked your favourite and there's a nice bottle of wine chilling/breathing
@whoever: mutter mutter white mutter stem mutter mutter bars... ...er maybe later... mutter mutter cables? mutter @brett mutter No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, gold! mutter GOLD? mutter no...
VMH: oh... Ok, I might just go to bed... got a bit of headache
@whoever: mutter mutter mmm Ti mutter Ridley, oh yeah mutter mutter mutter mutter Brooks? brown? hmm? mutter no, hmm, maybe mutter mutter Ti, mmm, Ti mutter T.I.
@Ron
The little rubber donuts have a smaller internal diameter than your cables, you stretch them to get them on so they don't move.
I've had the Gore cables on my MTB and they've been great. Proper fit and forget regardless of the amount of shit I've ridden through over the last couple of years. I guess I wouldn't be such a fan if they'd fallen apart, though.
@Chris
WHAT FUCK THE??