What's available for plugs for handlebars?

[MattTuck]

What are people doing these days for plugs? Should I just use the 4 cent plastic version? Anything a touch more interesting?

[redir]

Wine corks.

[eddief]

I like how they suck in the tape ends as you shove in the plug. I also like that they are tad bigger in diameter and make for a cleaner finish. Maybe too heavy for your build :).

[slidey]

The 2c plastic ones that come with the bar-tape.

[danielpack22@ma]

http://www.ifbikes.com/assets/images/store//830201273322AM6E3QBBFFW0/Barend_IFlogo_tn.jpg

http://www.ifbikes.com/assets/images/store//830201274930AMUD924O6WN0/Barend_monkey_tn.jpg

[sc53]

I use these (http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/accessories/leather-goods-handlebar-grips/velo-orange-bar-plugs.html) from Velo Orange, these (http://store.handlebra.com/Exotic_Wood_caps_p/hbcc-caps.htm) from HandleBra, these (http://www.cycleway.cn/mowa-bar-end-plug) from Mowa (found on eBay) and these (http://www.outsideoutfitters.com/p-17027-hope-grip-doctor-bar-end-plugs.aspx?variantID=36585&gclid=CLiw2s-78LYCFUHe4Aod_SEAhg) from Hope (also from an eBay store). Yeah, I have a bar end problem. If you find you just want the free plastic ones that come with bar tape, PM me and I can send you any no. of them. I also recently discovered that the end plugs that come with Lizard Skin bar tape are actually really nice!

[christian]

Velox, velox, and only velox.

I quote from a PM I wrote to a certain fellow here:

Yes, they're really clever. The way the elasticity of the rubber pre-loads the lock washer to work is quite pleasing - this is actually why I grease them, it allows you to insert them with absolutely minimal preload/minimum expansion and still have them expand when tightened. (without -some- preload on the lock washer, the nut will just spin.)

They are really the very simplest mechanism that could do what they do, they take advantage of all the properties of synthetic rubber (which was pretty new when they came out), and they're obviously based on the prior art of expanding-cone quill stems. And they're basically reusable forever.

Pretty much, they're the one invention I wish I'd come up with. And they still come in a point-of-sale card that looks like it's from 1964.

[illdthedj]

im partial to any ones that tighten inside the bar with a hex bolt...plus they tend to look a little fancier with anodizing and whatnot
http://c.shld.net/rpx/i/s/pi/mp2/21402/aHR0cDovL29sZC5iaWtlc29tZXdoZXJlLmNvbS9pbWFnZXMvbG FyZ2UvQzg0MkRCMEItNTA1Ni05MjAyLTM1NEEzQjk0REFCQUQ0 NTYuanBn?src=http%3A%2F%2Fold.bikesomewhere.com%2F images%2Flarge%2FC842DB0B-5056-9202-354A3B94DABAD456.jpg&d=a391a152d1f968ed1e9a09738ebc6a0e758c1264

i also have some of these soma bar end lights...some might find them cheesy but i actually really like them...

http://unrealcycles.com/mmunrnet/Images/soma_light_road_flares.jpg

[pavel]

velox - the zertz of yesteryear.


but seriously. velox.

[Aaron O]

I really like the wine cork look, but somehow no corks I have seem to fit.

These are pricey, but beautiful:

http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad205/aolk67/Vanilla/photo-48-1.jpg

http://www.renehersestore.com/servlet/the-370/Berthoud-cork-handlebar-plug/Detail

[GRAVELBIKE]

velox - the zertz of yesteryear.


but seriously. velox.

Same here. The soft rubber is far less likely to dent your top tube, or your thigh.

[Louis]

The 2c plastic ones that come with the bar-tape.

+1

I can be anal about only so many different things in my life. Bar-end plugs are not one of them. Plus, the cheapo ones seem to work well enough.

[Fishbike]

I was looking at some nice ones on the Soma Fabrications website last night.

[false_Aest]

Commuter bar by me for me.

That's polished copper yo.

[cdn_bacon]

add a bit of class.

[Look585]

Belgian beer corks. Good excuse to do some "research" to find the best fit for your bars and personality.

I like Unibroue.

http://untamedbeer.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/corks.jpg

[bikerboy337]

I use a Chimay cork with the Metal piece... had to shave the cork a bit to get it to fit... but works perfect for me...

[bambam]

Belgian beer corks. Good excuse to do some "research" to find the best fit for your bars and personality.

I like Unibroue.



I use either as well. The problem is that some don't expand enough after they are out of the bottle and some expand to fast. Have a set of bars ready to plug them in, at least for the time being. If they don't expand enough, Oh Well, Just drink another beer. I call that a bonus.

[eddief]

put one more thing on your anal list...and this year is still young. if you get the car purchase off the list then you will have room for 10 more smaller things.

+1

I can be anal about only so many different things in my life. Bar-end plugs are not one of them. Plus, the cheapo ones seem to work well enough.

[Aaron O]

None of my Lagavulin corks fit. I've tried.

[Lewis Moon]

After seeing a friend take a perfect "cookie" out of his abdomen during a crash, I'm pretty careful. I've had a lot of trouble getting the plastic ones that come with the tape to stay in, especially as they have sharp edges and catch on anything they brush against. I used to love the old metal ones, but they don't fit the newer, thin wall bars. I would rather that the bar makers just include a cap that fits into the bar w/o tape wedging, and start the tape outside the bar.

[Ahneida Ride]

How about these ..

Available in Ebony, Coca Bola, and Purple Heart.
or the wood of your choice ( you supply the wood)

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

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/88602804/Coca%20Bola.JPG

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/88602804/Bar%20End%20Caps.JPG

[FlashUNC]

Velox. Awesome plugs.

[Ahneida Ride]

Velox. Awesome plugs.

I wish the still came in colors !

[FlashUNC]

I wish the still came in colors !

Its the Henry Ford approach. They'll come in any color you like, as long as its black.

[one60]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7274/7644881732_7d4518ecb7_m.jpg

Seems most cinelli plugs these days are black plastic which IMHO clashes with any color but black bar tape. Some spray paint & a steady hand with a sharpie can yield this...

[christian]

Velox still come in colors. So long as you're up for the hunt. I have blue and white in the parts bin at the moment.

[christian]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7274/7644881732_7d4518ecb7_m.jpg

Seems most cinelli plugs these days are black plastic which IMHO clashes with any color but black bar tape. Some spray paint & a steady hand with a sharpie can yield this...

Ok, I'm a Velox fanatic, but this I like! Well done!

[John Price]

I use Purely Customs - come in a variety of colors and you can get a variety of engravings (including your initials if you so choose).

John

[rounder]

I usually use what comes with the tape, unless I do not like it.

That said, I bought ahneida's ebony plugs for my new bike. The plugs are beautiful and, to me, are worth it.

[EricEstlund]

Velox are great, but just a note that the molds are different and the fit up has changed a bit.

The rubber Cateye are great, as are the new plastic expanding Cateye.

The Nitto are nice, but the rubber plug may need to be thinned (in my experience).

The Soma are pretty good if you are using cork or thick wrap tape, and they cup well.

Berthoud ones, when you can get them, also seem nice.

(Can you tell I prefer expanding/ locking plugs?)

[EricEstlund]

Oops- double

[choke]

None of my Lagavulin corks fit. I've tried.Balvenie ones fit pretty well. :) Hint: if the cork is too small wrap some tape around it to make it bigger.

[Aaron O]

Never tried it - I'm pretty loyal to Islays.

[MattTuck]

A lot these responses involve drinking. giggety! :banana:

[avalonracing]

A lot these responses involve drinking. giggety! :banana:

Maybe it should be merged with a helmet thread.

[dsb]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/dbateman/IMG_3450.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/dbateman/media/IMG_3450.jpg.html)

Asti cork for an Italian bike...

Got Cork? (http://mybloodybikeblog.com/got-cork/)

[tv_vt]

Balvenie? - Good choice there! Their Doublewood Scotch is the sh-t.

Seriously, though, no need for a left side handlebar plug - you need this - really -- http://www.aspirevelotech.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=RBM_1001

Italian Bike Mirror... don't leave home without it. Highly recommended.

[MattTuck]

Balvenie? - Good choice there! Their Doublewood Scotch is the sh-t.

Seriously, though, no need for a left side handlebar plug - you need this - really -- http://www.aspirevelotech.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=RBM_1001

Italian Bike Mirror... don't leave home without it. Highly recommended.

I'm highly dubious of any product that willingly places itself next to splash bar tape.

I also ride with a helmet mirror :P

http://www.aspirevelotech.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/Italian-Road-Bike-Mirror_tn.jpg