Categories: Accessories and GearKitNostalgiaThe Hardmen

Ride Like a Leader: White Bar Tape

The Prophet rode white tape, how about you?

When done correctly, Cycling can be both the hardest and dirtiest of sports. We relish in the glory of returning from a ride, battered by the four winds and soaked by the seven rains; our bodies, faces, and machines covered in the reasons why most people might stay indoors. Given that, there is something almost cavalier about submitting to the deluge in the color white, particularly when it comes to shoes, socks, jerseys, and bar tape.

Modern cycling teams, with budgets outsized only by the egos inhabiting the roster, are tending strongly towards a Three Musketeers, unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno mentality. Yet, in years gone by, when Rule #5 was a way of life more so than a badge of honor as it is for us, teams were dominated by a single leader who shouldered responsibility in all manner of races throughout the season. In those days, team bikes were generally built, as they are now, in accordance with Rule #8, with bars wrapped in blue, black, red, or green tape. One bike, however, always stood out as the exception: the team leader’s bars were always wrapped in white.

White is a glorious color to grace a set of handlebars. It emphasizes the sensual sweep of the drops and the beautiful curve from the hoods to the tops. It brings out the crisp shadows of the cables running beneath the tape to highlight a perfect wrap. It stands as a testament to the care that is undertaken in maintaining the machine, for without meticulous attention white does not stay white for long. It states that these bars are graced not by the sullied hands of a domestique, but by the clean grip of a leader.

When it comes to wrapping bars, there are many classy possibilities – black is always stylish and versatile (you can dress it up or you can dress it down), red is fast, celeste is classic – but for Bike #1, I always choose white not because it’s Pro, but because when I go out, I ride like a leader.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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View Comments

Mark1 says:

Feb 13 2012 at 3:57 pm

@James
Looks OK to me but I'm not familiar with how the split tape should look, maybe post some close ups.

Nice looking bike though!
scaler911 says:

Feb 13 2012 at 3:58 pm

Just make sure you don't end up with a foot extra, including gaps. (looking at you G'rilla).
And in spite of Zinn's article in "Tech Talk" on how to wrap tape in Novembers Velo: (and I quote): "HTFU, Anthony! Who cares what direction you wrap your handlebar tape!" (Holy Merckx's cock on a crutch, first he uses Rule V, then fucks it all up); start at the ends, work your way to the tops and don't cover the "names".
SurLaPlaque says:

Feb 13 2012 at 4:02 pm

Humbleness always holds me back from white tape. That, and an all black bike.

More Ninja, less Pirate...

Wrapping the tape is probably the most fun part of taking care of your ride. Last touch on a new build or just some «coquetterie». What mathod is everyone using? Figure 8? An extra piece on the inside? Something secret?
frank says:

Feb 13 2012 at 4:12 pm

@brett

You'll be riding like a follower on the Keepers Tour.

Behind black tape.

I've learned something about the internet the last few years; people are two shades tougher and three shades faster online than they are in person.

So your black tape will be where it belongs: being my domestique to the Kapelmuur and then getting dropped like last week's newspaper.
Marko says:

Feb 13 2012 at 4:12 pm

@James
Sweet as...but to your question, ive never been much of a fan of the look of the split tape. I have three Antarases - one black/red, one black/patent black, one just like yours. I rode the split tape as long as I could but switched to regular. Looks like your bars may be smaller though so they're not truly split. My splits always ended up somewhere under the hoods.
Marko says:

Feb 13 2012 at 4:13 pm

@frank

@brett

You'll be riding like a follower on the Keepers Tour.
Behind black tape.

I've learned something about the internet the last few years; people are two shades tougher and three shades faster online than they are in person.
So your black tape will be where it belongs: being my domestique to the Kapelmuur and then getting dropped like last week's newspaper.

Where does that leave Gianni and I?
brett says:

Feb 13 2012 at 4:15 pm

@Marko
Who?
brett says:

Feb 13 2012 at 4:18 pm

@frank

@brett

You'll be riding like a follower on the Keepers Tour.
Behind black tape.

I've learned something about the internet the last few years; people are two shades tougher and three shades faster online than they are in person.

So, nothing for me to worry about then...
Marko says:

Feb 13 2012 at 4:19 pm

@brett
Exactly.
Gianni says:

Feb 13 2012 at 4:19 pm

@James
Wow...another hot like wasabi Look bike. What is going on here? The red and white is mighty great looking, I'll take it.