First world problem, what color cable housing?

[Gsinill]

I was totally set on red Campagnolo cables for this one but when I got them delivered today they turned out much lighter than I expected.
To the point where it’d look horrible with the more burgundy accents on the bike.
The bar tape will be a darker red, matching the rest well.
So, what would you pick?
I am trending towards white I guess, unless there are cables in a darker red that I am not aware of.
Can’t really picture black.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200510/8c016fac965abf95087eeafcc690a105.jpg

[zmalwo]

I don't see any other option besides white

[gbcoupe]

Nice looking bike!

Black or white. The reds I'm aware of would be lighter/brighter and clash.

[saab2000]

Black. If not black, white.

Colored housing rarely works. Black is the neutral choice and almost always works. Additionally, it complements the other black accents, like the scripting.

Also, get the levers up just a bit higher. The tip should not be lower than the level part of the bar unless you are Sean Yates.

[maxim809]

I don't see any other option besides white

This.

[Morgul Bismark]

I'm not normally a white cable person, but in this case that would be my choice.

[charliedid]

Black

That bike makes a beautiful statement all by itself. I'd also do black tape.

White housing will make it look like a free spirit.

[Veloo]

Transparent.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Old-Stock-Shimano-Brake-Cable-Housing-Set-w-Clear-Color-and-Red-Labeling-/271607348745

[gbcoupe]

Transparent.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Old-Stock-Shimano-Brake-Cable-Housing-Set-w-Clear-Color-and-Red-Labeling-/271607348745

Might be a good choice. Hadn't thought about that one. My old DA housing is like that.

[rccardr]

Check out Porkchop BMX. Yeah, hokey name, but they have a killer selection of cable housing. Seems to me they have a dark red/maroon translucent as well as a nice clear housing.

Meanwhile, I'm jones'in over your Rolls.

[Gsinill]

Black

That bike makes a beautiful statement all by itself. I'd also do black tape.

White housing will make it look like a free spirit.

Maybe not a bad idea, and switch to all black tires...

[Gsinill]

Check out Porkchop BMX. Yeah, hokey name, but they have a killer selection of cable housing. Seems to me they have a dark red/maroon translucent as well as a nice clear housing.

Meanwhile, I'm jones'in over your Rolls.

Didn't you have one on the white/red EM you sold?
I was about to ping you back then to check whether you wanted to sell me just the saddle.
Decided to reupholster one myself instead...

Will check the site.

[Veloo]

Corsas are on sale.
https://www.merlincycles.com/veloflex-corsa-folding-road-tyres-700c-65524.html

Maybe not a bad idea, and switch to all black tires...

[thirdgenbird]

Black

That bike makes a beautiful statement all by itself. I'd also do black tape.

White housing will make it look like a free spirit.

Agreed.

Maybe not a bad idea, and switch to all black tires...

Negative. Tan tires rock and in this case, it complement the gold logos.

Black housing, black tape, and leave the tires alone. (Beautiful by the way)

[djg21]

I was totally set on red Campagnolo cables for this one but when I got them delivered today they turned out much lighter than I expected.
To the point where it’d look horrible with the more burgundy accents on the bike.
The bar tape will be a darker red, matching the rest well.
So, what would you pick?
I am trending towards white I guess, unless there are cables in a darker red that I am not aware of.
Can’t really picture black.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200510/8c016fac965abf95087eeafcc690a105.jpg

Love your bike. Tony was a good friend. As to cables, look at Yokozuna. You may find your color. https://www.yokozunausa.com/shop?&search=vintage

[rwsaunders]

The builder (Anthony Mezzatesta) was a nice guy who passed away two years ago. Post the final build pics when you get a chance including the lugwork...thanks.

[djg21]

The builder (Anthony Mezzatesta) was a nice guy who passed away two years ago. Post the final build pics when you get a chance including the lugwork...thanks.

Tony built a bike for me that I rode for almost 20 years. My wife’s old Mezzatesta Frame is still in my basement. He did beautiful work. Tony was a good friend.

[charliedid]

Maybe not a bad idea, and switch to all black tires...

Now you're cookin'. That bike is killer by the way.

[jb_11]

Jagwire Elite Link has a slightly darker red. The gold might work as well.

https://jagwire.com/products/diy-cable-kits/2017road-elite-link-brake-kit

[mhespenheide]

Yokozuna red or gold. Maybe you can find a semi-translucent gold like there used to be in the late 80's?

Also love the Mezzatesta. I knew Tony in my high school days and hung around his shop being impressed by his work, even though he told me outright multiple times that I shouldn't try to become a framebuilder...

[maj]

It’ll be gorgeous no matter what but if we’re mine, I’d go with red leather bar tape, white cable housing (can you still get the kind with campy logos?), and white- or red-lined tires.

[zmudshark]

I had a similarly painted bike. I went red.


https://photos.app.goo.gl/cbD5kehSUHRRgWhJ9

[KonaSS]

Normally black is always the answer. But on this bike. Go white. Cable housing should blend in, disappear. I don't want it to be an accent piece. Too many accent pieces = gaudy, and this bike already has a lot going on.

[Veloo]

Yokozunas on sale.

https://www.competitivecyclist.com/yokozuna-reaction-universal-kit

[rccardr]

Didn't you have one on the white/red EM you sold?
I was about to ping you back then to check whether you wanted to sell me just the saddle.
Decided to reupholster one myself instead...

Will check the site.

Yeah, and it was a NOS Due. Wish I’d kept that saddle...

[Gsinill]

Yeah, and it was a NOS Due. Wish I’d kept that saddle...

Yep, was looking for 3 months and finally gave up.

[ctcyclistbob]

I'd look at gold housing also. It would complement other bits like the back of the Rolls (and rails maybe).

Great looking frame!

[tuscanyswe]

Gold housing ? U guys must be mad :banana:

I think white may distract from the clean lines of the frame. Id go with black.

[OtayBW]

White (but only after Memorial Day)...;)

[Tickdoc]

Black>White>(all other colors) except for this bike, where white is the clear choice.

[Gsinill]

Haha, should have created a poll instead.

[Seramount]

...and switch to all black tires...

+11...tan walls just don't work for me...ever.

black cables, don't see them as item to accent on most bikes. white or gold are a hard no-go.

if you can find bar tape that is very close to the saddle color, do that. otherwise, black.

[sleepyfelix]

Aside from black or white, how about grey? ...And keep the tanwalls :-)

[teleguy57]

With the gold graphics I'd give gold a try. I really liked the Jagwire Gold Medal; the woven effect is really nice (from Velonews; not my bike):

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/0b/7d/21/0b7d211f51e42830170848a751f9ed58.jpg

Had this on a LeMond Buenos Aires I had repainted white with blue panels -- very classic look. The gold added just a touch of pop without being too much.

I have the jagwire elite in gold here and they are a bit orangy; I'd stick with conventional housing on a lugged steel frame as sweet as that.

[veloduffer]

I vote for white bar tape and white housing; grey housing would be my second choice. Lovely bike.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[mhespenheide]

With the gold graphics I'd give gold a try. I really liked the Jagwire Gold Medal; the woven effect is really nice (from Velonews; not my bike):

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/0b/7d/21/0b7d211f51e42830170848a751f9ed58.jpg


Yep. That's what I'd try. I'm not normally a "gold" person, but I think it would go great on this bike.

[rwsaunders]

Anthony had been jeweler at one time...he might have liked the gold.

[gbcoupe]

Never would have thought it, but I think I'm in the gold camp. Could go matchy with a gold chain as well.

[Veloo]

Such a divisive thread. :)

[gbcoupe]

Such a divisive thread. :)

Gold's my final answer till somebody throws something else out there... oh, shiny. ;)

[donevwil]

Velo Orange Metallic Braid housing is quite nice and look great. No silly branding as well.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2196/9775/products/73ffb3fed8fd21baf37d8a96002731cb.jpg?v=1507085111

[thew]

I was totally set on red Campagnolo cables for this one but when I got them delivered today they turned out much lighter than I expected.
To the point where it’d look horrible with the more burgundy accents on the bike.
The bar tape will be a darker red, matching the rest well.
So, what would you pick?
I am trending towards white I guess, unless there are cables in a darker red that I am not aware of.
Can’t really picture black.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200510/8c016fac965abf95087eeafcc690a105.jpg

Beautiful bike. I love the stem and handlebars you have on it, what are they?

Not taking a position on cable housing color :)

[m_sasso]

Gold or Silver braided, no black, will make it look like just another bike.
No white, cables will get lost on the bike.

[jtbadge]

Contrast is important. If the whites don't perfectly match it is going to look bad.

[Toeclips]

I kinda like blue housing and red tape

[pdmtong]

White housing will make it look like a free spirit.

^ this made me laugh

oddly, I find myself in the gold camp

[vqdriver]

Holy hell, nice ride

White tape
Gold housing
Black sidewalls

[Blue Jays]

I'm thinking black cable housing, black tape, and black tires.
Alternately white cable housing, black tape, and black tires.

[Gsinill]

Beautiful bike. I love the stem and handlebars you have on it, what are they?


Thanks, stem is a Cinelli Grammo with a matching titanium spacer and the bars are Nitto Noodles.

[Gsinill]

Thanks all!

I think I will go with gold for the cables and stick with red bar tape and the tanwalls.
Funny someone mentioned a gold chain. I actually toyed with it on another bike with, British racing green with gold outlined decals.
Put it on, looked actually good but was just a bit too glitzy for my taste.
Might give it a try on this one since it is still somewhere in my stash of parts.
Easy to changes anyway...