Bar tape opinions - Bruce Gordon pic heavy

[Vonruden]

I just swapped out my bar tape and not sure its working. It's growing on me, however thought I would get some opinions. My first choice was to go with Brooks brown leather tape or shellac some cloth tape, however might be too Brown.

before -

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj533/vonruden1/56643516-04E7-4C61-9983-218C24C1C994_zpshik8hufm.jpg

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj533/vonruden1/E6AD5133-3762-4A7D-8783-46A5AF13868A_zps3flwwpbx.jpg

After

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj533/vonruden1/534313E9-924A-4063-B88B-A4378E6058F3_zpst2odf9e8.jpg

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj533/vonruden1/B5CBE9DC-55A4-440C-BAF8-2C2E6C22D80A_zpszfmhtyaj.jpg

Thoughts?? Feel free to share some pics. Thanks

[gomango]

First of all, that is a gorgeous bicycle.

Really pretty.

I am rather traditional when it comes to tape colors. I match the saddle the best I can with Fizik and ride the bicycle.

However, I recently purchased a beauty of a Bilenky and I am going to give Handlebra a shot when I tear the bike down for a winter rebuild in the off season. Several friends use it and swear by it.

Again, congrats on your Bruce Gordon. It's quite a find.

[Vonruden]

First of all, that is a gorgeous bicycle.

Really pretty.

I am rather traditional when it comes to tape colors. I match the saddle the best I can with Fizik and ride the bicycle.

However, I recently purchased a beauty of a Bilenky and I am going to give Handlebra a shot when I tear the bike down for a winter rebuild in the off season. Several friends use it and swear by it.

Again, congrats on your Bruce Gordon. It's quite a find.

Thanks G. I had not heard of HandleBar, looks like good tape. Thanks for the compliments.

[pitcrew]

Something to match the saddle (in this case) would be my first choice, however it's just tape.

It's one of the least expensive items on the bike, and one of the easiest things to switch out. It's easy and inexpensive to experiment so when I've put some tape on one of my bikes and I'm not crazy about the end result, I usually ride it for a while then move onto something else.

Great looking BG.

[Peter P.]

Dig the old tape out of the trash and put it back on.

You need a woman to help you accessorize.

[witcombusa]

The (too long) blue brake housings are part of the problem for me. And the brake hoods are wrong and well past their prime. Exact repro Campy hoods are available and made from "better" material. One thing to keep in mind is to use accent colors to highlight what you want the eye to see and conversely use black/gray to keep it from being noticed.

But bottom line is if YOU like it then you're all set!

My '80 Gordon

[oldpotatoe]

I just swapped out my bar tape and not sure its working. It's growing on me, however thought I would get some opinions. My first choice was to go with Brooks brown leather tape or shellac some cloth tape, however might be too Brown.

before -

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj533/vonruden1/56643516-04E7-4C61-9983-218C24C1C994_zpshik8hufm.jpg

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj533/vonruden1/E6AD5133-3762-4A7D-8783-46A5AF13868A_zps3flwwpbx.jpg

After

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj533/vonruden1/534313E9-924A-4063-B88B-A4378E6058F3_zpst2odf9e8.jpg

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj533/vonruden1/B5CBE9DC-55A4-440C-BAF8-2C2E6C22D80A_zpszfmhtyaj.jpg

Thoughts?? Feel free to share some pics. Thanks

Bar tape isn't something I really care about, color but....that red/blue stuff is really.....

awful, IMHO.

[Vonruden]

Bar tape isn't something I really care about, color but....that red/blue stuff is really.....

awful, IMHO.

Lol, I don't disagree and probably not worthy of the build. My main concern if I go Brown leather, it may be too much Brown and I look like the UPS guy. Maybe a solid blue to match the decals and cables??

[Vonruden]

The (too long) blue brake housings are part of the problem for me. And the brake hoods are wrong and well past their prime. Exact repro Campy hoods are available and made from "better" material. One thing to keep in mind is to use accent colors to highlight what you want the eye to see and conversely use black/gray to keep it from being noticed.

But bottom line is if YOU like it then you're all set!

My '80 Gordon

Sweet Gordon. Did you pick that one up here?

[witcombusa]

Sweet Gordon. Did you pick that one up here?


YES!!!

I had been looking for an early Gordon "sport touring" frame in my size for some time.

[Vonruden]

YES!!!

I had been looking for an early Gordon "sport touring" frame in my size for some time.

I wanted that one bad, just didn't have enough funds at the time. Very nice!!!

[feFIFO]

This is a bit like pairing nice houndstooth trousers and Alden tassel loafers with a Hawaiian shirt. Understated and conservative is what your BG wants. New gum hoods, black housing and black tape.

[dekindy]

So your first attempt may or may not be a disaster. The important thing is that you are experimenting, trying new things, which is good.

Handlebra is good but very expensive; better be sure when you order as it is not a cheap option.

[Ahneida Ride]

My suggestion would be HandleBra Auburn (not listed at store)
corded in dual blue cords.

Very nice bike .... :banana:

Send me a PM if you have any questions about HB.

I think you will find the off market brands of leather wrap superior to the standard issue.

[northbend]

VR, thats a great bike. My opinion is that a vintage BG looks best when understated. It showcases Gordons' elegant work.
You cannot go wrong with HandleBra. Expensive, yes but if you select the right color, it holds up for years and that is where IMO, it's shows it's real value. Really comfortable too. Here's mine after about 4 years of hard use/abuse.
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj140/northbend/P1040574_zpse88d1c7d.jpg (http://s271.photobucket.com/user/northbend/media/P1040574_zpse88d1c7d.jpg.html)

[gomango]

VR, thats a great bike. My opinion is that a vintage BG looks best when understated. It showcases Gordons' elegant work.
You cannot go wrong with HandleBra. Expensive, yes but if you select the right color, it holds up for years and that is where IMO, it's shows it's real value. Really comfortable too. Here's mine after about 4 years of hard use/abuse.
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj140/northbend/P1040574_zpse88d1c7d.jpg (http://s271.photobucket.com/user/northbend/media/P1040574_zpse88d1c7d.jpg.html)

Timeless.

So functional.

Are those hoods examples of Rootboy's handiwork?

[northbend]

Thanks Grady, yes. The Hoods were some prototypes that Scott Gabriel made last fall - this photo taken just after putting them on. They are aging nicely.

[cinema]

imo it's awesome leave it. adds character and no one will ever have the same thing ever. It's all about being a little crazy and saying idc if it doesn't follow the tenets of what's considered 'rad' nowadays. If you dig it keep it.

[EricEstlund]

Tape feel is really personal.

If it was mine I'd wrap in traditional black cotton and not shellac it. Once it has some sun, sweat and wear it will look great with that saddle and frame without looking forced (because it isn't).

But I love the feel of straight cotton tape.

[Beldar77]

VR, thats a great bike. My opinion is that a vintage BG looks best when understated. It showcases Gordons' elegant work.
You cannot go wrong with HandleBra. Expensive, yes but if you select the right color, it holds up for years and that is where IMO, it's shows it's real value. Really comfortable too. Here's mine after about 4 years of hard use/abuse.
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj140/northbend/P1040574_zpse88d1c7d.jpg (http://s271.photobucket.com/user/northbend/media/P1040574_zpse88d1c7d.jpg.html)

Great job framing the bars in the photo. What mountain is that in the background?

[thirdgenbird]

First of all, that is a gorgeous bicycle.

Really pretty.

I am rather traditional when it comes to tape colors. I match the saddle the best I can with Fizik and ride the bicycle.

However, I recently purchased a beauty of a Bilenky and I am going to give Handlebra a shot when I tear the bike down for a winter rebuild in the off season. Several friends use it and swear by it.

Again, congrats on your Bruce Gordon. It's quite a find.

I couldn't have said it better. I get matte perforated fizik to match my saddle but I've been tempted to go handlebra on the "good bike." The fizik stuff is very nice for the money, its a great value.

[Frankwurst]

HandleBra. :beer:

[Llewellyn]

HandleBra and black housings

[shovelhd]

Gorgeous bike. Don't like the tape. I do like the white tape.

[bironi]

Great job framing the bars in the photo. What mountain is that in the background?

Matt must be out on his bike so I'll answer your mountain query. It is Mt Si, in North Bend's vicinity east of Seattle a bit.

Byron

[Vonruden]

Timeless.

So functional.

Are those hoods examples of Rootboy's handiwork?

Agree, it's a beauty.

I'm leaning towards the handlebra, however I will give the flashy tape some time to get dirty and fade.

Thanks all for the great advice and opinions.

Gomango, how about a pic of that Bilenky of yours? :)

[gomango]

Agree, it's a beauty.

I'm leaning towards the handlebra, however I will give the flashy tape some time to get dirty and fade.

Thanks all for the great advice and opinions.

Gomango, how about a pic of that Bilenky of yours? :)

Will do.

Soon as it stops raining here. :(

Many of my favorite ride routes are under water.

Parts of the Mississippi looks like lakes instead of the normal river channels.

[Vonruden]

Will do.

Soon as it stops raining here. :(

Many of my favorite ride routes are under water.

Parts of the Mississippi looks like lakes instead of the normal river channels.

Oh yeah, keep those bikes stored high :)

Seriously, stay safe.

[thirdgenbird]

Will do.

Soon as it stops raining here. :(

Many of my favorite ride routes are under water.

Parts of the Mississippi looks like lakes instead of the normal river channels.

Can you use the sailboat on your bike route?

[cat6]

i think you should call bruce and ask him.

[Saguaro]

I agree, beautiful bike. You really can't go wrong matching the bar tape color to the saddle. Put some black bar tape on it (I like Cinelli cork or Black Newbaums cloth) and be done with it.

[gomango]

Can you use the sailboat on your bike route?

:)

I wouldn't go on that river right now for a one inch pile of twenties.

It's crazy dangerous.

[Pete Mckeon]

I have for me. Longevity, looks, and Ray customizes to YOUR desire!:banana:

[weaponsgrade]

i think you should call bruce and ask him.

Lol!,

I like the white but it's impossible to keep clean. I wouldn't go brown either. I'd probably go black or blue. I've got cotton on one of my bikes but it doesn't offer much padding. I wouldn't want it for long rides.

[hokoman]

White tape is relatively easy to keep clean theses days - a lot of options wipe clean, but I would make everything (cable housing/tape) white or black to really show off the frame. The current bar tape distracts from that. It is like putting a wing on a civic as someone pointed out in the motorcycle thread. :)

[sloar]

If it were my bike, I would just use black cables and black cloth tape.

[bdawe]

Me too. Black.

[palincss]

Thanks G. I had not heard of HandleBar, looks like good tape. Thanks for the compliments.

Handlebra (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhandlebra.com%2F&ei=6GywU-fBC8qjyASEoYGQBQ&usg=AFQjCNHlphbKWLKJ3q-RNdju5b6e6B43XQ&sig2=LZx498upDavzC3cM3I1k9Q&bvm=bv.69837884,d.aWw), not "handlebar"