Diamond Pattern bar taping

[makoti]

The bar tape thread had a link to Newbaum, which had links to videos on their tapes, one of which created a diamond pattern.
Has anyone done this? Pics of the finished product? Was it as difficult as my brain is warning me it would be?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Le43Tm6neVo

[prototoast]

I tried it once. It's really hard. And also if you don't do it absolutely perfectly, it looks horrible. I never got it done well enough to keep it, but I have a lot of respect for anyone who has done it well.

[makoti]

Originally Posted by prototoast

I tried it once. It's really hard. And also if you don't do it absolutely perfectly, it looks horrible. I never got it done well enough to keep it, but I have a lot of respect for anyone who has done it well.

Kind of what I expected. They make it look easy, but everything on YT looks easy.
I noticed he stopped at the bends and then started from the bar ends, again stopping before the hoods. Did you try that or try to Diamond it all the way (which before watching is what I would have done and THAt part has to be crazy. I have enough trouble going around hoods as it is)?

[SlowPokePete]

Just get this....

https://www.campandgoslow.com/produc...ttler-bar-tape

sold out in brown, though...

April 9, 2024 by SPP™ SlowPokePete, on Flickr

SPP

[dgauthier]

Originally Posted by makoti

The bar tape thread had a link to Newbaum, which had links to videos on their tapes, one of which created a diamond pattern.
Has anyone done this? Pics of the finished product? Was it as difficult as my brain is warning me it would be?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Le43Tm6neVo

Holy cow. It looks like an immense pain.

What I think is especially telling is there's no "proud moment" at the end of the video showing off the completed bars. Did they do both sides, or did they give up?

I think it's just a clever ruse to double bar tape sales.

[prototoast]

Originally Posted by dgauthier

Holy cow. It looks like an immense pain.

What I think is especially telling is there's no "proud moment" at the end of the video showing off the completed bars. Did they do both sides, or did they give up?

I think it's just a clever ruse to double bar tape sales.

This guy's video is a little better, and does show the end results well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD2uCEzBXHc

Kind of what I expected. They make it look easy, but everything on YT looks easy.
I noticed he stopped at the bends and then started from the bar ends, again stopping before the hoods. Did you try that or try to Diamond it all the way (which before watching is what I would have done and THAt part has to be crazy. I have enough trouble going around hoods as it is)?

Your question presumes I made it as far as the hoods before giving up.

[unterhausen]

I used to think I was pretty good at wrapping bars, but modern tapes have humbled me a bit. At least with newbaum I have a fighting chance since it's just like old timey tape.

Their online store has 100m rolls. How do you use such a thing?

[dgauthier]

If I can't put on bar tape while sipping a glass of single malt, it ain't happening...

[P K]

Harlequin is the term I've heard. It is a mild pain, like braiding hair. I only do tape jobs like this for special occasions or for people I really like.

[EB]

Originally Posted by SlowPokePete

Just get this....

https://www.campandgoslow.com/produc...ttler-bar-tape

sold out in brown, though...

April 9, 2024 by SPP™ SlowPokePete, on Flickr

SPP

FWIW I tried this stuff and I really didn't like it. YMMV.

Specifically, it's very thick and lacks a lot of stretch, so it's a bear to wrap well, and worse - it frays when you cut it, making it hard to create durable edges.

The look is unique, I'll give it that.

[makoti]

Originally Posted by P K

Harlequin is the term I've heard. It is a mild pain, like braiding hair. I only do tape jobs like this for special occasions or for people I really like.

Nicely done. I'd love to have that on one of my bikes. Some day...

[donevwil]

I always thought this would be fun to try one day so thanks for the video, I've changed my mind.

[smontanaro]

I recently saw a three-color tape job. Yikes! I can barely do one.

[SlowPokePete]

Originally Posted by EB

FWIW I tried this stuff and I really didn't like it. YMMV.

Specifically, it's very thick and lacks a lot of stretch, so it's a bear to wrap well, and worse - it frays when you cut it, making it hard to create durable edges.

The look is unique, I'll give it that.

I've had two mechanics wrap my bars with this tape.

The first told me it was hard to wrap...yet it came out perfect.

The second said nothing...yet it came out perfect.

Anyway, I like the look and the feel, and since I'm not the one wrapping the bars, I'm pretty happy with it.

SPP