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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@Chris
Take out "slightly worried that" and replace with "scared for the time when" and your post will be accurate. Then do us all a favor and come dialed so we can get to the business of riding and drinking.
@Marko
Oh don't worry, mate the bike will be dialled - it largely is. The adjustable angle stem will be slammed, the tritard seat-mounted bottle holders and comfort saddle will be gone, although, I will be keeping the bar end tassels, whippy aerial with flag and that little plastic dayglo thing that folds out to keep the traffic at a safe distance.
Marko - Nah, I'll let him ride on with his gapped, dirty tape. There are people who get it & those who don't, you know? A nice bike doesn't mean you've got the proper style or form.
James - How are those Scirocco wheels? I've read good & bad reviews of them. Seem a bit below the level of that awesome bike (but hey, it's your nice bike!). My LOOK is the same way - tried to keep the overall build below a certain total price so have some low-level Neuvations on mine. But, they've done well for two full years, are pretty darn light, and very, very cost conscious.
Two questions for the group: I'm getting ready to recable my 1990 Tommasini. It's steel, it's mostly red. It has external cables that pink pink & jangle on the downtube when riding. It's kind of annoying. Do you think Gore sealed cables might stop this? Or, should I stick to Campa cables with the Record gruppo?
Secondly, the tape on there is the original Cinelli cork in white. What tape would perform & look the best on an older steel bike? I like the Fizik Microtex, but is that proper on an older bicycle? Should I just stick to plain ol' cork tape? There are so many tape options out there now.
@Marko. Riding and drinking, drinking and riding, it's all good.
Going to have to take a blowtorch to my right crank to try and unsieze the bloody pedal too. Alternatively, I'll just employ the creak as a psychological weapon to unhinge the more mechanically sensitive amongst us.
@Ron
Assuming the Gore stuff has the same continuous liner, it should make less noise than bare cable on the down tube. What about some of those little rubber things that slide onto the cable for that purpose?
@ il ciclista medio
not beetroot (good idea to grow, though), chard.
@Ron
Thanks. The Scirocco wheels are somewhat below the level of the rest of the bike, but not the rider... Seriously, though, so far I like them well enough. My bike #2 has Mavic Kysriums on it and I can't tell the difference, except for the fact that the hub in the Campa is much quieter.
I had to chuckle as soon as I read the title of this post, because I knew, somewhere in the comments, @frank's perfectly wrapped Rotundo bars would make an appearance!
Not that I'm poking fun--I saw Frank's bars in my dreams the night before I re-wrapped mine after my most recen build.
+1 on white bar tape. have it on all my bikes, but one (and that's just because there's no white anywhere in the bike's color scheme). the foam-based tape definitely attracts dirt a hell of a lot faster than the cork-based and is more difficult to clean up. which brings me to cleanup: any suggested methods? i use a rag and a citrus-based cleaner and just grip the bar with the rag tightly, then wrap in the direction of the wrap job. works pretty well to get rid of the damn black glove residue.
great wrap job examples here. any thoughts on finishing tape methods? i have done both the method frank employs (leaving a tiny bit of the bar tape sticking out) as well as wrapping the tape all the way onto the bars. my preferred look is do as frank has done, but also have it wrap around the edge of the bar tape (but not physically touch the bar). i've not perfected how to do this though.
Same bike - one photo with black bar tape, one with white - you be the judge ...
Cool, once again learn a new nuance about the craft and history. Never knew that about the team leader only riding white bar tape.
Guess that makes me double sure to stick with my black tape, at least for the time being!