Fashion police -- black or white

[Keith A]

To help you get in the mood of helping me decide which way to go, here's a little video for you...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2AitTPI5U0

I just finished updating my Kelly Bedford fillet brazed compact CSi with a new saddle, bars and stem. I know it's silly, but I just can't decide if I should go with black or white for the bar tape. What say ye?

[PNW]

Black...with the white stem, black fork, and color of the frame...white would be too much I think. Black will look good with the spacers too.

[binxnyrwarrsoul]

Black. Tape and saddle match, always.

[Black Dog]

Any colour you want so long as it is black.

[gasman]

If you do white bar tape you’ll need a white saddle. It will look sharp.

[Keith A]

If you do white bar tape you’ll need a white saddle. It will look sharp.There is a white stripe and lettering on the saddle ;)

[old_fat_and_slow]

I like as is. I might think about going black on the stem too. YMMV.

[Vientomas]

Sounds as if you just put the white Deda stem on...but, I think black would look better. Especially if you want to run white tape.

My OCD does not permit the stem and seatpost to be different colors ;)

[Keith A]

Sounds as if you just put the white Deda stem on...but, I think black would look better. Especially if you want to run white tape.

My OCD does not permit the stem and seatpost to be different colors ;)Actually...the bars, stem and saddle are new to this bike. I think I might have a Deda black stem in the right length. I had a black stem on there previously, and thought a white one would like good.

[fignon's barber]

Look in the mirror. Ask yourself: "will I keep this white tape clean?" If you cannot answer absolutely "yes", there is one answer: Black.

[wc1934]

Any colour you want so long as it is black.
In his autobiography that's what Henry Ford said about his model T.
"Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants so long as it is black."

[Bob Ross]

Look in the mirror. Ask yourself: "will I keep this white tape clean?" If you cannot answer absolutely "yes", there is one answer: Black.

We can hang.

[GOTHBROOKS]

i mean, you already posted a nondrive side pic so why not break some other rules and mismatch your bartape.

[Keith A]

Look in the mirror. Ask yourself: "will I keep this white tape clean?" If you cannot answer absolutely "yes", there is one answer: Black.Actually the Fizik Performance bar tape stays pretty clean. I've got two bikes with white tape now, and they still look good.

[holliscx]

Neither should read it depends

[fignon's barber]

We can hang.

:cool:

[fignon's barber]

Actually the Fizik Performance bar tape stays pretty clean. I've got two bikes with white tape now, and they still look good.



You have the knowledge. You have the tools. You have earned the right to use white.:beer:

[texbike]

I love white bar tape and use the Fizik tape with great results. It resists dirt and is fairly easy to clean.

However, white tape would just be too much white here. Black seems kinda boring. How about gold? At least it would stand out...

Texbike

[Mikej]

I’d go black on that stem

[Bradford]

Whatever color the Serotta decal is on the seat tube.

[zlin]

Navy blue or coffee brown leather.

[Keith A]

Whatever color the Serotta decal is on the seat tube.
It's silver or grayish.

Navy blue or coffee brown leather.I was actually thinking about navy blue, like this...

https://www.bike24.com/i/p/7/6/44967_01_d.jpg

Or even orange...

https://www.excelsports.com/assets/gallery/104122-1.jpg

[Nooch]

black stem, and go loud on the tape. some supacaz or something.

but, i'm the guy who love pink tape on anything 'plain,' like ti or white or black..

[msl819]

Black. Tape and saddle match, always.

Totally agree. But I also like my stem and post to match so...

[charliedid]

As is with black tape. The stem mimics the stripe in the saddle.

You know it's true.

[zlin]

It's silver or grayish.

I was actually thinking about navy blue, like this...

https://www.bike24.com/i/p/7/6/44967_01_d.jpg

Or even orange...

https://www.excelsports.com/assets/gallery/104122-1.jpg

Yes! That blue is what I was thinking - go for it! :hello:

[Keith A]

As is with black tape. The stem mimics the stripe in the saddle.

You know it's true.I didn't think of that...good catch.

[Keith A]

Here's a super quick photo hack with at black stem...

[taz-t]

The correct answer is: WWED? (What Would Eddy Do?)

White tape with black saddle is always okay. (And black w/ black is too, obviously).

But WWED? White tape.

- taz

[kppolich]

If you are keeping the saddle black, then black. If you are dead set on white, then get a white saddle to match. Last option is something bright with the black saddle, maybe an accent color like something from Supacaz
https://static.evanscycles.com/production/bike-components/handlebar-grips--tape/product-image/484-319/supacaz-super-sticky-kush-galaxy-bar-tape-purple-EV309843-4000-1.jpg?Lo0P=67c52b3775b3ec76dd8e8097817f1352Db

or get a white stem and seatpost :)
https://www.pedalroom.com/p/traitor-sscx-35004_2.jpg

[Keith A]

I like the white seatpost! I might have to get the fork painted too.

[R3awak3n]

It's silver or grayish.

I was actually thinking about navy blue, like this...

https://www.bike24.com/i/p/7/6/44967_01_d.jpg

Or even orange...

https://www.excelsports.com/assets/gallery/104122-1.jpg

If you are thinking about that blue, I have some here (fizik, not exactly that model but that color, pretty sure its just all perforated which imo nicer), would trade for black fizik tape (I am a boring man).

I voted black but I can see a different color as well.

I am going through a similar thing, white bike, white cables, black saddle and was going to go with black tape... however I can't find any. Instead I have this soft gray fizik tape I may go with... 2018, year of change.

[Cicli]

Fluro Pink Fizik.

[Gummee]

Fluro Pink Fizik.

Flouro yellow FTW!

May as well be obnoxious 'cause the rest of the bike is rather staid

M

[bironi]

Dead of winter - Black.

[terry]

White, always white.

[Jad]

Have your cake and eat it too--that sweet bike needs both:

https://www.bricklanebikes.co.uk/content/images/thumbs/0019609_cinelli-mash-parallax-bar-tape-black_1200.jpeg

Or just throw off the shackles of decorum and go black and white splash...

[arik]

Have your cake and eat it too--that sweet bike needs both:
Or just throw off the shackles of decorum and go black and white splash...

Best ideas yet

[velofinds]

I vote black stem and color of your choice (but neither black nor white) on the tape.

[Gummee]

White, always white.If you're going to do white, make sure you get non-sticky tape and flip it over when it starts to get grungy.

At least that way, you'll have 2 uses of the stuff before buying new.

M

[Keith A]

How about orange? (this is just my quick photo hack, not real tape)

[jgarrett]

Supacaz has some pretty sweet tape options with lots of color or subtle color accents.

[IFRider]

Look in the mirror. Ask yourself: "will I keep this white tape clean?" If you cannot answer absolutely "yes", there is one answer: Black.

Rode my Paramount in this same colourway with black painted steel fork, bright white frame, and all black cockpit. Seeing this kind of makes me regret repainting it ...

[charliedid]

How about orange? (this is just my quick photo hack, not real tape)

It just looks like lipstick to me. ;-)

What draw so much attention to the bars?

Just me.

[AngryScientist]

i think the brooks cambium rubber bar tape, which is a "deeper" shade of red might look good their Keith...

http://cdn.brooksengland.com/media/catalog/product/cache/0/image/1000x625/602f0fa2c1f0d1ba5e241f914e856ff9/a/c/accessories9.jpg