Nothing says “amateur” more than an imperfect handlebar tape job, a dirty bike or a nasty grimy chain. Conversely, a clean bike feels faster. And new handlebar tape and a clean chain imbue a rider with extra fortitude and a little extra snap in the legs.
The professionals don’t need to wrap their own bars-they have full- time mechanics who can do it blindfolded. No matter how carefully I did my handlebar tape around shop owner George, he would regard the job, and then cruelly shoot me a look that said “amateur!” I have studied him wrapping tape. It looks effortless and he might also be talking to a customer, mocking a minion, his mind on many things – but the final result is perfection.
This drives me crazy.
It should not be so hard. I replace my tape maybe two or three times a year, just seldom enough to forget how to do it properly.
The Velominati have spent a lot of energy debating bike color co-ordination (see Rule eight) and I had a bad tire/tape issue, so I had to go white (I don’t do black tape). There is no doubt white looks great; the question is how long will it look great?
The bike shop I like to use, close to us, did not carry my favorite Fizik tape. It is bombproof and magically never ever gets dirty. So I bought what they carried, some white Deda tape.
I stripped off the old and tried to put on the new. After three attempts of rewrapping with more tension and less overlap each time, I was still short on one side. The tape was so stretched I might as well have been wrapping my bars with plastic wrap or the old Benotto cello tape. Son-of-a-bee-aatch!! (F’ing Italians, would it kill them to give me another few centimeters? The other side was better – could they be different lengths? F’ing Italians!) The only way to make it even meant both sides ended up short and too far from the stem-completely unacceptable! This put me in a mood most foul.
I called the other shop within riding distance, a Specialized shop, and was told they had three kinds of white Specialized tape. Three kinds- really? Of course when I got there, it wasn’t so-but the one they did carry has rocked my world. Specialized S-Wrap Classic 3 ply fake leather with some sweet dot perforations. It is $25 but supplies more than enough tape for the perfect wrap. It’s mighty fine looking and feels perfect; perfect cushion, perfect grip, oh, I’m in love. But, will it stay white? How bad will it look in a month? Two weeks of fair weather riding leaves the tape still bright white.
Again Specialized has impressed me with their form and function. I have some Specialized S-Works road shoes and a pair of their leg warmers and they are great. Their glue-less inner tube patches: the jury is out. Sure they lose some cachet because their items are made in China not Italy but until the Italians give me a little more tape, I’m an S-Wrap boy.
*Is it wrong to be this excited about handlebar tape? Is it dangerous to ask this question? I’m hesitant to answer either of these. And yes, Rules violations in photo, how many can you find?
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@Josh
It is ON. It is ON LIKE DONKEY KONG.
Back in my bike shop daze of the early '80s, taping bars was my favorite part of a new bike build.
After completing assembly, would wash my hands to remove any grease before unboxing the rolls of tape. Back then, it was cloth tape only. Then I'd carefully wrap the bars to perfection. Well, my idea of perfection anyway.
My carbon Ibis sports the perfect tape job, if I can say so myself - though its a little dirty at the moment.
My steel Ibis commuter weapon wears a total crap tape job from years ago - now complete with rips and horrible electrical tape finsh near the stem. I'll get around to redoing it eventually.
I'm all for matching saddle and tape colors - though I break that rule often.
@Dan O
I agree. A pro tape job is like shining the chrome on your motorbike's exhaust pipes after givin' 'er a fresh wax.
@all
Am I the only one who wishes he could get his hands on some old Benoto bar wrap? I loved that stuff. Something about the way it shined that makes me want some. Not sure what I'd even do with it...
@frank
Oh it's out there. Benotto but is seems like pretty worthless tape unless you are 'core and want no cushion at all. Rob's 753 Raleigh still has it I bet, or some cotton velux tape. He is old school but that bike was cutting edge when he was racing it. Sort of a nice celeste green as I remember. No decals to speak of, just light.
@john
Wow, dude. I've looked all over for this, I can't believe it's still there. I might just have to grab a few rolls of white just for some future rockin' project. Thanks for that.
Rob's bike, I bet, has that nice redish-pinkish headtube color, too. I had a brown Raleigh like that. Lost it. Shit.
Am I in heaven? John you are a genius no matter what they all say! And Frank thanks for asking -Benoto original tape - whoaaa!!! I am getting a box full so I will have it until I can no longer turn the cranks. Might get some Velux too. A friend did some work on the bike for me a few years ago and put on some thick punky corkie tape that I hate and have been to lazy to change - but now! If your seat is level we don't need no stinkin padded tape.
The old Raleigh started out life with team colors (she was an insurance settlement for being run over, but that's another story). The next year because I rode for a small local team with Bianchi as a sponsor and was given a tank of a Bianchi the 753 became Celeste color to hide her pedigree. Three years ago it had finally gotten tired looking so it was sent to Jacksons for a paint job. In a misguided moment I had them paint it canary yellow. I like to be seen in traffic. Next time it will go back to Celeste or team colors. . .
Whatever the color that bike is the love of my life. She took me to my highest highs (I saw god riding her at the top of Smugglers Notch). With the front derailleur off and 210 gram sew ups on light wheels she weighed 16 ½ lbs. and gave me 2 great rides up Mt. Washington. Plus many great crits, road races and time trials and I still ride her now - not so hard.
I am sorry to go on but if there ever was a great bike this was it. Snaps to follow - soon.
Rob - awesome. Can't wait to see pics.
Thanks Joe, rereading, just have to clarify - that was "I saw God when I was riding her..." Not "I saw God riding her..."
Note to self - Have to stop posting late at night.
@Joe
Yeah, I second that. And Joe - rumour has it that Rob also rode a modified racer with 20 inch wheels and did the Mt. Washington Hillclimb aboard a steed adroned with a BMX plastic saddle to save a few precious grams.
Talk about Obeying Rule 61. Not to mention Rule 5. And Rule 6, I'm guessing.
@Rob
If God is a cyclist, I'm afraid common imagery has him breaking Rule 50. And, I'm guessing, Rule 33. Maybe that's at the root of all this turmoil in the Catholic Church.