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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@john Jesus Christ, Rob. That's a kick-ass photo.
Warning - this post is multi-purpose.
Cycling history - 1990-1995 raced mountain bikes and Cat 3 road in a very average way. 1996 broke neck (C4) playing football (soccer to the US readers ;) ). No real exercise for 4 years. 2000-2005 motorcylist until crash in 2006 resulting in posterior dislocation of left shoulder, snapped left shoulder blade, broken knee, jaw, hip, wrist and elbow. No real exercise until 2008 when I started running and then started cycling again pretty much on my 40th birthday in December 2009. I cannot believe how hard the first 6 months have been until I 'clicked' when I rode a hilly (10,000ft climbing) 100 mile sportive in May in 6hrs 45mins. I ride l'Etape in July. I generally ride with a good friend who is a very good climber so I'm pushing myself hard.
I'm a recent convert to the K-Wing compact bars as my neck/shoulder/back means I can't get down too low on the drops. I was running some Bontrager X-Lite Ergo bars and Christ they sucked hard. The K-Wings really hit the spot for me, partnered with Fizik tape.
As an aside, and as very much an apprentice Velominatus, how is this looking on the co-ordination front:
@guycollier
Handy with that camera and self pics eh guycollier? Nicely done. When I first had my k-wings I only taped them to the curve on the tops like you. I liked it that way and hated to cover up those sexy bars. Then, I got some new Yokozuna reaction cables and there was no way those fuckers were going through the cable routing holes. Hence I am now wrapping the hole bar.
Anyway, you certainly get points regarding the Rules on coordination. However, some here might have something to say about that frame mounted pump and your stack height. I'm guessing your stack height though has a lot to do with that shoulder injury you mentioned, so it's understandable. But when that shoulder gets under control, SLAM THAT FUCKER DOWN! :-)
@guycollier
Lookin pretty good on the co-ordination there mate; even the bidon!
But you need to get rid of the pump, and your gear cables are too long and need to be routed around the headtube. Then we can give you a pass!
(Seriously, it doesn't really matter if you do that or not, it's great that you're able to ride at all after your spate of injuries. And doing l'Etape, awesome!)
Cheers gents. I knew there were existing violations for the stack (sadly needed for now) and the pump. But I really hate walking :D
@guycollier
Down to the tires matching! I love it! Guy, you are totally coordinating that shit up, Frank-style!
I'm impressed with the precision on the final strip of tape; that is a tough spot to get right when you only go half way on the tape. That said, I'm a firm believer in taping all the way up, although have to say I struggled to cover that beautiful carbon on my own K-Wings.
I have to say, though, given your history of injury: perhaps more time should be spent looking at the road?
You might have a point there Frank!
I rarely crash but when I do they tend to be big ones.
I just put some Stella Azzurra "Eleganza" (perhaps one of the worst names ever for any cycling product, but that's another problem) on my bars. Stitched white, so nice on the hands. Soft, but not spongy. Gel tape has the feel of a wet diaper. I ride gloveless when the weather warms, and this stuff has the best grip wet or dry. Alas, it does dirty easily so some effort is involved keeping it white. Anyone have tips on cleaning white tape?
@guycollier
That pump should be in your middle jersey pocket along with a new tube,and some peel and stick patches all wrapped in a thick rubber band.
@guycollier
You need to get yourself some cable cutters. Just because the cables come long, doesn't mean you have to use them all. You could hang someone with those gear cables.
It is essential that you get them sorted out immediately. They should only be long enough toalmost touch.
In fact, we need a rule about this.