Neat Handlebra design. [Archive]

MattTuck

01-18-2013, 10:57 PM

I was browsing handlebra tonight and found these. Not sure I have the juice to put WC stripes on my bike, but I like the design.

http://a248.e.akamai.net/origin-cdn.volusion.com/gybx6.qxd65/v/vspfiles/photos/SHB-WCB-2T.jpg?1329297451

http://store.handlebra.com/product_p/shb-wcb.htm

oldpotatoe

01-19-2013, 08:36 AM

jr59

01-19-2013, 09:00 AM

Yikes, I thought Brooks was expensive.

Truth be told, It's better than brooks, and I have used them both a lot.

But it does have a price tag!

William

01-19-2013, 10:25 AM

Truth be told, It's better than brooks, and I have used them both a lot.

But it does have a price tag!

Looks better, feels better, and I would say probably lasts a lot longer than most wraps. Since it's the part of the bike you touch and feel every moment of your ride, every time you ride, it's worth it. atwo!

William

Ahneida Ride

01-19-2013, 11:18 AM

Yikes, I thought Brooks was expensive.

Hand stitch 10 cords on a sewing machine (now keep em straight and close together !!!!) and see how long it takes .....
Remember, you can't afford to make even one mistake, the leather is TOO expensive.

also add in the time it takes to set and reset the cord color 5 separate times.

It's all hand labor custom work in the USA.

Ahneida Ride

01-19-2013, 11:22 AM

truth be told..... if I were not offering it direct,
typical retail would be 160 frn. So compare it at 160. (and that is for the uncorded version)

I use superior leathers and it costs frns.
I'll go outa business before offering an inferior product.

slidey

01-19-2013, 11:51 AM

Ooh...you should send one to Philippe Gilbert!

rePhil

01-19-2013, 11:55 AM

Well, I'll be the one that says the emperor is not wearing any clothes.
I have used Bike Ribbon brand in black for over 20 years. The price has gone up, it's $8.50 now. For me it lasts and lasts.
I can appreciate the handwork of the WC handlebra, and I wish you nothing but the best, it's not for me.Too many frn's.

Ahneida Ride

01-19-2013, 12:33 PM

I can't afford a 911 Turbo either, but I still want one.

cash05458

01-19-2013, 12:38 PM

Looks better, feels better, and I would say probably lasts a lot longer than most wraps. Since it's the part of the bike you touch and feel every moment of your ride, every time you ride, it's worth it. atwo!

William

love Ray's stuff...and like alot out here, I bet, have found it lasts and lasts...so it ain't overly expensive in my opinion...figure 20 a year on new wrap that wears out each season and I have gotten almost 4 years so far outta my first batch Ray sent me right before he had even gotten his site up and going...well, hard to remember but maybe three and a half...and it still looks and feels pretty new...

Ahneida Ride

01-19-2013, 12:48 PM

I sincerely apologize about the price.

HB uses superior USA sourced leathers and is custom crafted by
USA artisans. In addition, I need to make a profit to stay in business.

HB is designed for Cyclists (like myself) who believe that a superior
leather wrap offers both value and performance.

I waited several years, hoping for some one else to do all the hard work
to create a fine leather wrap. No one did. So I stared HB.

Nowdays there is some limited competition. Check out the wrap
offered by e-Richie. (formulated by Busyman)

rain dogs

01-19-2013, 12:49 PM

Hand stitch 10 cords on a sewing machine (now keep em straight and close together !!!!) and see how long it takes .....

also add in the time it takes to set and reset the cord color 5 separate times.

http://www.schmetzneedles.com/learning/needles/double-triple.jpg

jr59

01-19-2013, 01:29 PM

I sincerely apologize about the price.

Nowdays there is some limited competition. Check out the wrap
offered by e-Richie. (formulated by Busyman)

NO THERE ISN'T!

I have all three. Plus some VO stuff.

The ratings go like this;
1. Handlebra

2 thru whatever; not even close.

This is speaking from someone who owns and uses all 4 brands!

handle bra wraps better feels better and I can tell you that after 3 years looks as good as the day I put it on. Can't say that for the other 3. Just haven't had them long enough to know. I can say this, if it outlast Rays, I may never need more!

Tony T

01-19-2013, 02:01 PM

Truth be told, It's better than brooks, and I have used them both a lot.

But it does have a price tag!

Looks nice. Are bar-ends included with it?

Ahneida Ride

01-19-2013, 02:19 PM

Looks nice. Are bar-ends included with it?

Tony

Sorry ... no .... But I do offer bar end plugs in exotic woods.

http://store.handlebra.com/category_s/87.htm

http://a248.e.akamai.net/origin-cdn.volusion.com/gybx6.qxd65/v/vspfiles/photos/categories/87.jpg?1329297464

Tony T

01-19-2013, 02:21 PM

Tony

Sorry ... no .... But I do offer bar end plugs in exotic woods.

Will standard (i.e. Fizik) plugs work?

Ahneida Ride

01-19-2013, 02:23 PM

NO THERE ISN'T!

I have all three. Plus some VO stuff.

The ratings go like this;
1. Handlebra

2 thru whatever; not even close.

This is speaking from someone who owns and uses all 4 brands!

handle bra wraps better feels better and I can tell you that after 3 years looks as good as the day I put it on. Can't say that for the other 3. Just haven't had them long enough to know. I can say this, if it outlast Rays, I may never need more!

Thanks for the complement .... but I just bet the the BusyMan wrap
from Richard is truly exemplary.

One problem with a fine leather wrap, it that it can last too long.
It's a problem for me ..... not for the cyclist ! :eek:

\

rugbysecondrow

01-19-2013, 02:25 PM

Ahneida Ride

01-19-2013, 02:26 PM

Will standard (i.e. Fizik) plugs work?

Yup!

check out the nice plugs at Purley Custom ...

jr59

01-19-2013, 02:27 PM

Thanks for the complement .... but I just bet the the BusyMan wrap
from Richard is truly exemplary.

One problem with a fine leather wrap, it that it can last too long.
It's a problem for me ..... not for the cyclist ! :eek:

\

You would lose!

I do have both. They both feel good. Yours wraps better! Or I think it does anyways!

cash05458

01-19-2013, 02:33 PM

folks can moan about the price...but as a long time user I can only testify to how nice Ray's stuff is and how long it lasts...normal tape runs about campy level mirage....shimano tiagra or lower...just crap really...Ray's stuff is campy super record level...and I totally appreciate Ray being the only guy to step up and do this...I highly doubt he is making much money, if much at all really...labour of love more like it...p.s Ray check your email for my latest order!

Joachim

01-19-2013, 02:35 PM

I have both white and black HandleBra. Have not been able to find anything better.

Ahneida Ride

01-19-2013, 02:38 PM

http://www.schmetzneedles.com/learning/needles/double-triple.jpg

In theory this works..... reality is another issue.
I've tried this concept with limited success.

Leather does not always respond like one think it should.

Ahneida Ride

01-19-2013, 02:46 PM

folks can moan about the price...but as a long time user I can only testify to how nice Ray's stuff is and how long it lasts...normal tape runs about campy level mirage...Ray's stuff is campy super record level...and I totally appreciate Ray being the only guy to step up and do this...I highly doubt he is making much money, if much at all really...labour of love more like it...p.s Ray check your email for my latest order!

It cost me 10K frns just to get the project up and running !

If at the time, there was a superior wrap in existence, what do you
think I would have done? I waited 3 years for someone to introduce a
fine leather wrap. One day I just got pissed and decided to do it
myself.

I would have been much better off, taking that 10K and investing in gold,
sitting on my Gluteus Maximus and sipping a Brandy Alexandra.

dave thompson

01-19-2013, 02:48 PM

I've got a roomfull of bikes sporting HandBra. One set is entering its' 4th season and still going strong. HandleBra isn't cheap to buy but it's cheap to own!

http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/8100/roubaix22.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/844/roubaix22.jpg/)

cash05458

01-19-2013, 03:02 PM

It cost me 10K frns just to get the project up and running !

If at the time, there was a superior wrap in existence, what do you
think I would have done? I waited 3 years for someone to introduce a
fine leather wrap. One day I just got pissed and decided to do it
myself.

I would have been much better off, taking that 10K and investing in gold,
sitting on my Gluteus Maximus and sipping a Brandy Alexandra.

I hear you Ray...I had tried Brooks and it was crap...I wanted it to work...nope...just crap...dry and hard and useless for the money...so this is why I am saying a labour of love...no way near you got your ten grand return I am guessing...good on you for bringing this stuff out and putting the time and effort in...hopefully, folks will get the idea one day...so much bs is given to bike stuff...guys spend 80 bucks to change out a couple of bolts for ti...how your damn bars feel and even look is pretty damn important...well, to me anyhow...

Charles M

01-19-2013, 04:12 PM

The work going in is nuts but the net effect is great...

http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos/tech/bmc/bmc01bra.jpg
http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos/tech/bmc/bmc01larger.jpg

cash05458

01-19-2013, 05:20 PM

The work going in is nuts but the net effect is great...

http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos/tech/bmc/bmc01bra.jpg
http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos/tech/bmc/bmc01larger.jpg

charles...just to point out the obvious...you didnt actually win the world championship at any point...really silly via all those stickers...you even race?

Llewellyn

01-19-2013, 05:43 PM

I just wish I had more bikes to use Handlebra on. Ray's workmanship and service are exemplary. I may have to get a couple of rolls in for "future" projects.

If it lasts 10 years it will ending up having cost you peanuts per kilometre. Even if it only lasted 5 years it would still be great value.

But in the end, if you don't like the price - don't buy it. Simple really

yakstone

01-19-2013, 06:13 PM

I am a big fan of Ray's Handlebra and have it on all of my road bikes. Sure, it is expensive but as another poster stated, this is a contact point that you interact with 100% of the ride. the quality and workmanship are top shelf and everything is done in the USA not outsourced to China.
Amortized over 5 years - that's about 6 cents per day. What do you spend on coffee per day?

oldpotatoe

01-19-2013, 06:15 PM

Hand stitch 10 cords on a sewing machine (now keep em straight and close together !!!!) and see how long it takes .....
Remember, you can't afford to make even one mistake, the leather is TOO expensive.

also add in the time it takes to set and reset the cord color 5 separate times.

It's all hand labor custom work in the USA.

Didn't say it wasn't worth it, just that it is expensive.

I have never looked at this tape, i was surprised when I looked it up.

You'd think I was bad mouthing Campagnolo.

Not something you'd see inna bike shop. I doubt he could sell it at wholesale.

tuscanyswe

01-19-2013, 06:48 PM

Its like dope. Its very hard to put something other on after you felt the sweet stuff. Come to think of it i have a black unused at a friends house. I had forgot!

Really is a very nice tape!

bargainguy

01-19-2013, 10:00 PM

How easy is this tape to wrap around the bends? I've done stitched tape before and it usually takes me four times as long to get everything just right.

Charles M

01-19-2013, 10:02 PM

This stuff isnt bad... I dont even think I worked at it to get it done. It's a pretty small section of the tape and handlebra is really pliable.

Charles M

01-19-2013, 10:05 PM

.....

Ahneida Ride

01-20-2013, 10:58 AM

How easy is this tape to wrap around the bends? I've done stitched tape before and it usually takes me four times as long to get everything just right.

It's easy ...... get someone to hold the bike as you can PULL HB wrap tight !

Wrap over hockey tape, or cheapo cork for a cushion effect.

There is no stick um on HB. you can easily wrap and re-wrap to get it
right.

Elefantino

01-20-2013, 11:10 AM

It's easy ...... get someone to hold the bike as you can PULL HB wrap tight !

Wrap over hockey tape, or cheapo cork for a cushion effect.

There is no stick um on HB. you can easily wrap and re-wrap to get it
right.
Beggin' your pardon, Ray, but I've found that putting on HB while the bike is on a trainer is easier than when someone is holding it.

It also wraps nicely over Specialized gel pads. You can even wrap over old wrap (even BarPhat) for a real Tyler-Hamilton-riding-with-a-broken-clavicle effect.

Ahneida Ride

01-20-2013, 11:17 AM

Wrappin is easy..

However ....

getting it to look just right takes a few dry runs,
but its easy to figure out.

Tony T

01-20-2013, 11:40 AM

Wrap over hockey tape, or cheapo cork for a cushion effect.

....or Fizik BAR:GEL (http://www.fizik.com/accessories/bartapes/Bar-gel/)

Llewellyn

01-20-2013, 05:16 PM

Wrappin is easy..

However ....

getting it to look just right takes a few dry runs,
but its easy to figure out.

Too right. It took me well over an hour to get mine looking just right, but that's because I'm a fussy sod like that.

Charles M

01-20-2013, 05:22 PM

Wrap over hockey tape, or cheapo cork for a cushion effect.

I bought 10 rolls of cheap sponge bar tape just for that... I wrap the sponge to the levers and leave the drops small...

jmoore

01-21-2013, 11:20 AM

I bought 10 rolls of cheap sponge bar tape just for that... I wrap the sponge to the levers and leave the drops small...

Interesting idea. I've got some Handlebra coming for my Bedford. I am going to pinch this idea for sure.

whforrest

01-22-2013, 12:49 AM

charles...just to point out the obvious...you didnt actually win the world championship at any point...really silly via all those stickers...you even race?

If u are being serious, not cool, go to another forum please, thanks negative nancy

whforrest

01-22-2013, 12:58 AM

2nd set I have 2 sets of handlebra. Ray does a nice job. I think I'll go for the world championship design next! As a longtime cat 2 racer starting in 1983 to present it annoys me when other cyclists get cocky about racing. If someone wants to wear a world championship jersey, yellow jersey, and you have a problem with that get over yourself. Travel around Europe and you'll see riders wearing all types of jerseys. I'm not into the cocky cycling code of unwritten rules. The rainbow strips on white looks badass. I'm done with my rant!