Looking for input: Black, Red or White

[Keith A]

I finally got around to trying out a newer style handlebar after using the traditional shallow drops for many years. So I installed a white Deda 100 stem and black Deda 100 bars on my Colnago and am trying to decide which color bar tape to use...and was curious to get some input from my fellow Paceliners.

So what do you think? (Ignore the lousy picture and quick Photoshop hack)

[AngryScientist]

normally i'd vote white, because white is PRO, but then you would have to change the saddle too. red actually looks really good on that bike, red red red.

[nighthawk]

Why does your rear wheel look so big? must be the angle. I vote black.

[Keith A]

Why does your rear wheel look so big? must be the angle. I vote black.Yes, I wanted to take the picture outside to use the natural lighting and there wasn't much room on the balcony at work where the picture was taken...and so I'm pretty close to the bike which distorts the picture.

[jeduardo]

INHO if you are going to ride your C50 a bunch stay away from white (white bar tape looks like a$$ after 1-2 real rides). I think your bike would look very nice with some red Deda tape, but much like white it is susceptible to grey matter, but it will look good for noticeable longer.
Black has its place but for this lovely bike, it is just too boring.

I finally got around to trying out a newer style handlebar after using the traditional shallow drops for many years. So I installed a white Deda 100 stem and black Deda 100 bars on my Colnago and am trying to decide which color bar tape to use...and was curious to get some input from my fellow Paceliners.

So what do you think? (Ignore the lousy picture and quick Photoshop hack)

[christian]

I am a 100% proponent of white. All the time.

In this case, you should wrap it red the first time. Because it looks hot. And you'd get it out of your system.

After that, you'd obviously go with white.

[christian]

(white bar tape looks like a$$ after 1-2 real rides). My white Fizik tape is shagged after this year. But I love the look. Every time I look down at that blackened, faded, thinning tape, I think about the great miles that took it there.

[DRZRM]

White for sure. Handlebra or that Fizik stuff clean up pretty well, it just looks right, and I don't think it requires changing seats. The paint lets you "match" white up front and black in back...atmo.

[thegunner]

white tape demands white saddle (as angry said :))

[Keith A]

white tape demands white saddle (as angry said :))How about a black saddle with a white stripe?

[Roger M]

Red tape, if you can find a red saddle that matches(my 2 cents)

[Gummee]

Bars = saddle

Go black

...or get some of that half red/half black tape from Fizik like what's on my full tilt boogie

M

[Keith A]

Red tape, if you can find a red saddle that matches(my 2 cents)This is the saddle that's on there now...
http://a248.e.akamai.net/origin-cdn.volusion.com/ewzwk.crpfx/v/vspfiles/photos/cx-bk-rd-2.jpg

[67-59]

White tape + white saddle.

Anything else and you'll always be lamenting "why didn't I"?

[terry]

Always white, regardless of the saddle (but that's just me).

[fuzzalow]

Red tape. Perfectly transitioned by the red accents on the frame and the existing red stripe on the Arione.

[rustychisel]

+ 1

looks ok to me. White is for pro riders and people whose bikes spend way too much time in the man cave.

[gavingould]

any of those colors would be fine, but my preference is black.

[dekindy]

Want to like the red but it and white are out; definitely black even though I am trying to get away from black because it is so predominately used in cycling. Having said that, am having my Serotta Colorado repainted classic black and white two tone and will go with black tape and saddle. Will probably show your bike to my restorer and see if he can do a version that would include red accents.

[jds108]

I'd go white tape and black saddle. you've got a white to black fade scheme going with the paint job.

[Elefantino]

always white, regardless of the saddle (but that's just me).
+1

[mike p]

Black bar tape, white saddle.

Mike

[shovelhd]

White only looks like ass if you're lazy.

[vav]

White Fizik with subtle black stitching. I like the idea of matching white front and black back.

[zennmotion]

White Fizik with subtle black stitching. I like the idea of matching white front and black back.

What he said. White up front, black saddle on that paint design. Eleven81 is my latest favorite tape, I mourned the loss of the rubberized and stitched Bontrager tape no longer made, but this stuff is better. If I owned a bike shop, I'd carry Eleven81, Fizik, and Cinelli Cork. Would cover all the bases and make everyone happy.

[zennmotion]

normally i'd vote white, because white is PRO, but then you would have to change the saddle too. red actually looks really good on that bike, red red red.

To every rule there are exceptions. Black saddles and white tape are allowed to comingle. Red tape only if the saddle is entirely red. But unless it was pro-team issued by a sponsor that would look like you're trying too hard.

[slidey]

I have the same saddle, and went for the Fizik red-black handlebar tape. But, first option would still be all-black.

This is the saddle that's on there now...
http://a248.e.akamai.net/origin-cdn.volusion.com/ewzwk.crpfx/v/vspfiles/photos/cx-bk-rd-2.jpg

[Keith A]

What he said. White up front, black saddle on that paint design. Eleven81 is my latest favorite tape, I mourned the loss of the rubberized and stitched Bontrager tape no longer made, but this stuff is better. If I owned a bike shop, I'd carry Eleven81, Fizik, and Cinelli Cork. Would cover all the bases and make everyone happy.Some of the new Fizik tape looks interesting. They have some "tacky" finish options.
http://www.fizik.com/accessories/bartapes/performance/

The Stella Azzurra Eleganza has a great feel and look, but it doesn't last long. Also their red it's great one and I don't know how the white holds up.
http://www.stellaazzurra.com/index.php?section=products&category=BAR%20TAPE&product-name=eleganza

[slidey]

Or there's this on Amazon that I was talking about: http://www.amazon.com/Fizik-Dual-Bicycle-Tape-Black/dp/B001SLD6VK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354241296&sr=8-1&keywords=fizik+red+black+bar+tape (don't see it in the link you posted)

Some of the new Fizik tape looks interesting. They have some "tacky" finish options.
http://www.fizik.com/accessories/bartapes/performance/

The Stella Azzurra Eleganza has a great feel and look, but it doesn't last long. Also their red it's great one and I don't know how the white holds up.
http://www.stellaazzurra.com/index.php?section=products&category=BAR%20TAPE&product-name=eleganza

[bobswire]

It's Italian,you gotta go white besides as someone else pointed out it works with the paint scheme. No need for a white saddle.

[thashicray]

Is it me, or does the tail light and the red tape kind of bookends the look nicely? I vote for red.

[wc1934]

I voted for black, but that was before you showed the red/black saddle.
Now I vote other - black with red stitching.

[scooter]

Black with white stitching (Stella Azzura or Handlebra) or Black with red and white stitching (Handlebra).

[tv_vt]

What I want to know is how that bike rides. I've seen one in my size for sale in that same 'colorway.'

And, is $1750 a good deal for this frame?

Like all the HB tape colors. Tape is cheap. Try one and change it. Repeat until happy. (You can do that for bar tape. Don't recommend that technique for most other decisions, though.)

[Andrewlcox]

I like the white too.

Not to hijack the thread but is it okay to use white bar tape and white hoods or is it one or the other? I'm building my Legend and thought white Campy hoods would look good but with white tape I'm not so sure.

Andy

[cdn_bacon]

Look at how the handlebars pop and pull the red from the frame and complete the bike.

Clear as day if you ask me.

[benv]

I must match my bar tape to my saddle. So, depends on the saddle.

I would do black saddle and tape. Makes the details of the frame pop more and you wont have to worry about the eventual dirt build up.

[William]

But....

Black Saddle:
Black Bra(balances it out.)
Black Bra with white stitching

Red/Black Saddle:
Red Bra with Black stitching
Black Bra with Red stitching

White saddle:
White Bra
White Bra with Black stitching








William

[cdn_bacon]

Can't we all just get along?

In the infamous words of BBD...

Campy or Shimano.

[Liv2RideHard]

Black. The other colors draw the eye away from the frame. Focus should be frame and not tape or saddle. So I say black.

[BumbleBeeDave]

can't we all just get along?

In the infamous words of bbd...

Campy or shimano.

S.R.A.M.

D'uh! :)

BBD

[wpod]

A vote for the black tape- but the white option was a close second...

[FlashUNC]

Black. A thousand times black.

[alancw3]

white tape demands white saddle (as angry said :))

i would have voted white if the saddle was white. but as shown then black. anyway enjoy.

[azrider]

winter=training/base miles=black bar tape