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.
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Absolutely. One of the bright sides of my Bianchi being black rather than celeste (last one in the shop, low price, optimum number of bikes being n+1, etc.) is that it came with white bar tape and saddle.
Nice article, if you're going to have white bar tape ride like you have white bar tape.
In the CSC days Bjarne Riis wanted all his team to ride with white bar tape because he felt anyone, at anytime is capable of being a leader. In fact words to a similar effect were printed on the CSC bar tape packaging. Indeed they did - Cancellara, Sastre, Voigt, Schleck bro's, O'Grady, Julich + so many more.
Swear by white bar tape #HTFU
Well said, as always.
you guys won me over on this a while back.
Then there is the other side of the coin; dirty white bar tape. Sadly, it's a sight I encounter way too often at the races or just riding along. I always feel the urge to wash my hands when I see one of those..
.. and this stuff is easy to wrap and stays white for longer than any other I've tried, with or without logo. Excuse the yellow tinge which is entirely due to the the dodgy flash on my phone.
@Mark1
Nice tape job old chap, looks perfecto. You're 100% correct about the stay clean quality of fizik microtex. Not only that, it feels good under hand. There's a certain depth and warmth to it that exudes quality.
Ive only got white on #1 but when I finish a new colnago I'm building I think I may go white as well. The psychological difference is notable.
Totally agree, but what about Fizik split tape (which came with my Antares saddle)? I put it on but I'm still not sure I like it, although that could be due to my difficulties wrapping it. Yes, Cinelli cork ribbon is a lot easier. And here, for your consideration is my ride - you can just see the red tops of the bars, maybe I did it wrong?
@marko
Thanks marko but have to say the tape should take most of the credit, it makes it quite easy to get reasonable results. You can give it a good old tug, so to speak, to get a nice tight wrap without risking tearing it. Your right about the feel too, just the business. The bikes original spongy stuff wasn't a patch in comparison and was irreversibly filthy within 200-300k.
@James
Pimp.
@frank
You'll be riding like a follower on the Keepers Tour.
Behind black tape.