Categories: Accessories and GearKitNostalgiaThe Hardmen

Ride Like a Leader: White Bar Tape

The Prophet rode white tape, how about you?

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.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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View Comments

scaler911 says:

Feb 13 2012 at 4:21 pm

@frank

@brett

You'll be riding like a follower on the Keepers Tour.
Behind black tape.

I've learned something about the internet the last few years; people are two shades tougher and three shades faster online than they are in person.
So your black tape will be where it belongs: being my domestique to the Kapelmuur and then getting dropped like last week's newspaper.

Pneumonia *cough*
Gianni says:

Feb 13 2012 at 4:26 pm

I just re-pimped the Merlin with more white goodness:white FSA bars, white stem, new white tape. The specialized roubaix tape was getting dirty even as I was wrapping it so it's not on for long but it is nice and squishy. But I'm rolling with the white tape fo-eva. But not this stuff.
frank says:

Feb 13 2012 at 4:39 pm

@SurLaPlaque

Wrapping the tape is probably the most fun part of taking care of your ride. Last touch on a new build or just some «coquetterie». What mathod is everyone using? Figure 8? An extra piece on the inside? Something secret?

First off, excellent use of the angle quote, my favorite character in the whole wide world. Second, absolutely - the taping job is the most fun, the way to finish your bike, and to add that little last touch of Awesome.

I don't use a figure eight, because it adds bulk to the hoods - one of the hallmarks, in my opinion, of a perfect wrap job is that there is absolutely no bulk anywhere. I cut off a very short section of tape to stick over the bit that shows when you wrap up around the bars. When I say short, I mean it only touches handlebar, no shifter body.

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Anjin-san says:

Feb 13 2012 at 4:40 pm

@James

Totally agree, but what about fi'zi:k split tape (which came with my Antares saddle)? I put it on but I'm still not sure I like it, although that could be due to my difficulties wrapping it. Yes, Cinelli cork ribbon is a lot easier. And here, for your consideration is my ride - you can just see the red tops of the bars, maybe I did it wrong?

+1. Sweet ride.
Anjin-san says:

Feb 13 2012 at 4:43 pm

@frank
Very nicely done Frank. I am going to try that technique next time. And yes, I am going to try some white tape on Bike #1... should look slick. I have been a black tape guy for a while, time for a change of pace.
frank says:

Feb 13 2012 at 4:45 pm

Same bars, same tape, just one is in black. The white ones look way more sexiful.

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I love the fizik microtex stuff, though, it stays clean even in the most nasty weather.
frank says:

Feb 13 2012 at 4:50 pm

@Gianni

I just re-pimped the Merlin with more white goodness:white FSA bars, white stem, new white tape. The specialized roubaix tape was getting dirty even as I was wrapping it so it's not on for long but it is nice and squishy. But I'm rolling with the white tape fo-eva. But not this stuff.

Gianni, I need a full shot of that whole bike. Love that Deda stem, one of my favorites. I have been SO tempted to get white bars/stem for the #1 for ages, just gaggin' to see what yours looks like!
DerHoggz says:

Feb 13 2012 at 4:54 pm

I don't do anything behind the lever bodies. I go up along the inside under the hoods, which switches the direction of rotation of the tape.
frank says:

Feb 13 2012 at 4:54 pm

@James
Looks great except the levers are too low? I've seen lots of people with that era of Campa place them right where you have them, though, so maybe its to do with the length of the levers?

@SurLaPlaque

Humbleness always holds me back from white tape. That, and an all black bike.
More Ninja, less Pirate...

See the rain bike above for questions about black bikes with white tape. Issue settled.
Calmante says:

Feb 13 2012 at 5:02 pm

@frank
That is an impressive wrapping job. Shouldn't the finishing tape font be the other way, to match the bar logos?