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

Ron says:

Feb 13 2012 at 7:15 pm

Frank - Oh wow, setting it all on a bench. Awesome! I've long struggle to get my shifters in the same spot on each side of the bars, plus at the same angle.

And, bars like Dedas that come with marks are so darn nice! Getting the shifters, bars, stem, etc. all lined up and equidistant can be a major pain in the arse. I think each time I do it I come up with a new plan of how to pull it off properly, but I'm not sure any of them has been perfect.

The bench is a great idea.
Marko says:

Feb 13 2012 at 7:18 pm

@Ron

I still am pissed about a guy I saw last year in a group ride who was on a very nice new Pinarello with white bar tape that had slipped, thereby allowing a gap straight through to the bars, and it was dirty. What a fucking jerk. I thought about confiscating his bike.

Go get 'em, Tiger.
scaler911 says:

Feb 13 2012 at 7:28 pm

@frank

@Marko
That's the Fun Mobile. Its genius. It holds bikes, surf boards, SUP paddles, everything except people. Brilliant.
@James

@ Marko
I'm definitely planning to replace with plain white too, when the split tape is done. I thought the 'split' would end up under the hoods as well.
@ Frank
Keen eye. The levers are a touch too low for my liking, causing me to rotate the bars further back than I'd like for reach. Not a big deal for now, but when I come to replace the tape I'll be making some adjustments.

The fi'zi:k stuff lasts for ever - you'll go at least a season if not more before "needing" to replace it. Just suck it up and buy some new tape if you don't like what you have.
As for the levers, learned a great trick from Rouleur's edition on rebuilding de Vlaeminck's bike a few issues back. I've always done it using a straight-edge and making sure the levers are even with the bottom, but the mechanic in that special (Also Gios, who was actually RdV's wrench at Brooklyn) was shot setting the levers on the bars and leveling the whole assembly on the workbench. It's genius. I did it for my last two builds since, and it is magic.

Fuckin' awesome! Why didn't I think of that? I've used a straight edge, level, measuring tape (like the one used for sewing), but that's just brilliant in it's simplicity.
scaler911 says:

Feb 13 2012 at 7:30 pm

@monkeyman

Maybe I'm too old school but I was surprised to see that the rules did not include any mention that bar tape MUST BE WHITE. I move that the rules be amended to include it.

Naw. 'Cause only the team leaders could be white (by tradition). Explains why mine are white though........
sthilzy says:

Feb 13 2012 at 7:31 pm

@frank

As for the levers, learned a great trick from Rouleur's edition on rebuilding de Vlaeminck's bike a few issues back. I've always done it using a straight-edge and making sure the levers are even with the bottom, but the mechanic in that special (Also Gios, who was actually RdV's wrench at Brooklyn) was shot setting the levers on the bars and leveling the whole assembly on the workbench. It's genius. I did it for my last two builds since, and it is magic.

FREAKIN LIGHT_BULB MOMENT!
I've spent heaps of time friggin around with straight edge and ruler! Left side, Right side, check back left side, check back right side - loop.

Note that the head stem is fitted first, then levers!
Now-a-days, just remove the stem's front clamp plate and "ikity akity oop - all yours" for perfect eveness!
sthilzy says:

Feb 13 2012 at 7:33 pm

Now - who has the best method of lining up the stem straight in-line with the frame/wheels?
James says:

Feb 13 2012 at 7:38 pm

@Frank
Great tip, thanks for posting
scaler911 says:

Feb 13 2012 at 7:44 pm

@sthilzy

Now - who has the best method of lining up the stem straight in-line with the frame/wheels?

Jeff Spicoli:
Nate says:

Feb 13 2012 at 8:08 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.

Brah, you must need some serious sunnies against that white cockpit there in the tropics. It's so bright you almost don't notice the black frame pump under the top tube.
SurLaPlaque says:

Feb 13 2012 at 9:13 pm

Yeah, that trick about putting up the levers is golden! Lesson learned.