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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@ChrisO
Eurgh, that's not nice! You're not going to ride that on the Keeper's Tour, are you? It won't make it through @frank's scrutineering.
@SimonH
I'm a big fan of those Enigma frames and the company as a whole. I've got one on the shortlist for later in the year if I can scrape the money together. Looks great with campag too, shimano cranksets look wrong on ti bikes.
Is that an Echo, if so how is it?
@Joe
Ride next to Frank, PLEASE. He will love it.
@SimonH
I'd concur with everyone else and switch it up to white tape.
Otherwise, with the exception of the Rule 45 issue, terrific ride.
@Chris
No, but I wasn't going to bring the Ridley anyway, not for the cobbles. The plan had been for my wife and kids to come over from London and bring my steel custom build.
Unfortunately that's been scuppered by CCF camp for our eldest so I'll be using one of the Cyfac bikes.
If I was bringing it then I would have had some tape couriered to me - I'm still considering it anyway, just because I hate looking at and feeling that every day when I ride.
@Marko
Marko, is your bike wearing a bib ? Pray tell which Rule that falls under...
@ChrisO
Its not any thicker than the normal Microtex; its just that you didn't pull hard enough. You should end up with a half meter of tape left over at the end of the wrapping job, but on your bars, you wound up even using part of the tape that doesn't have the holes cut in it anymore - the stuff at the very end. If you pull it tight enough (which is not as easy as with cork and other synthetic tapes) you will get the stretch you need and you'll end up with a beautiful flat wrap. The good news is that you should have more than enough tape left over to redo it, or wait until KT and I'll do it for you and we'll make fun of you after over beers.
@SimonH
Damn it man, can we trade? White tape and the world is yours. It's that easy. That's the look I was heading for except your bike seems muck cooler and your wheels rule. Chapeau squire.
@ChrisO
+1.
@SimonH
That is a great looking ride- congrats!