How do you keep the flow of the angled wrap going yet also finish with a straight edge? It seems like a very delicate balance to keep the flow/overlap just right and also get a clean edge; to get a nice clean edge, it seems like you have to pull the final rotation straight, which causes some extra overlap.

I can get it with many-a-tries, but I’m inquiring to figure out the best method. (is it just having enough tape length so you can really cut a good section off after finishing, then unwrapping one rotation and cutting at an angle?)

Is there a Rule on when tape must be ditched? I’m at about two years on white Cinelli cork tape and it’s still going strong. It’s a bit discolored at this point, but not much. (I do wash it after almost every ride) I love new tape as much as the next guy, but I also love seeing how long I can make it last.

I picked up two sets of the Microtex glossy tape, one in black, one in white. Anyone try this yet? I LOVE the look of the Microtex, but the feel isn’t as nice as plain ol’ cork for me. The glossy tape might be too hard to resist though.

Never seen that photo of Rob. Awesomeness!

frank :

@Souleur
That is absolutely so incredibly cool. SPOT.ON.MATE.

The gears are turning for how to make ones with an orange v-cog.

Hey Frank, did you ever get those custom V-Cog bar plugs?

I ran across this site awhile back, perhaps they could make them for you: http://www.purelycustom.com/c-81-handlebar-end-caps.aspx

Marcus :

@sgt
I got there before you buddy!

Curse you Red Baron…

frank :

@Cyclops
Depends on round bars or air-foil bars or semi-round. If the tops are scalloped at all or have an oblong shape to them, keep the cables together and try to find a spot where they tuck away nicely and feel comfortable.

If they are round bars, it depends on the size of your hands and how you like to rest your palms. The traditional way is to go front/back like Sgt (AT EASE!) suggests; if you want a little extra “sumpin'” to hold on to, you can go with both in front. I think both is back is out of the question, even if it’s technically possible.

In any case, the thing to remember is that you have to go whole-hog on the tape job. Cable layouts need to be absolutely symmetrical and taped over tightly and smoothly smoothly.

Agreed… I have round, traditional (but CF!) shaped bars. And some strategic use of electrical tape to hold the cables in place while you wrap the bars is critical…

If they are round bars, it depends on the size of your hands and how you like to rest your palms. The traditional way is to go front/back like Sgt (AT EASE!) suggests; if you want a little extra “sumpin'” to hold on to, you can go with both in front. I think both is back is out of the question, even if it’s technically possible.

In any case, the thing to remember is that you have to go whole-hog on the tape job. Cable layouts need to be absolutely symmetrical and taped over tightly and smoothly smoothly.

I just received a SRAM Force group – It’s an American group (otherwise I would have said gruppo) going on an American bike (Cracknfale) so lighten up Frances – and was wondering what the preference (comfort-wise) is on cable routing since the Force levers give me the option of inside or outside of the bars. I’m thinking of going on the outside.

The gears are turning for how to make ones with an orange v-cog.

Alas, Carbon bars lack this sleeve so it’s back to some pulled tight overlap with the electrical tape. :(

And yes, absolutely, cut the team just right at just the right angle so that it wraps up perfectly. Cutting it with a knife seems so crude.

Also, I would expect that you finish the taping by cutting the tape properly on a curve, rather than merely taking a knife and cutting around the bars.

You must be from the PNW; we’ve looked at the profile and both that and the distance don’t seem bad, but everyone I talk to say’s it’s brutal. I even chatted about it when getting the kit made with the guys at Castelli USA in Portland and they said it’s hell.

This hurricane you’re talking about doesn’t brighten the picture any.

Background detail: Marko is coming to Seattle after the Tour de Blast where we will be having almost all the Velominati Authors gathering in one location for the first time (only the Aussie Brett will not be in attendence).

Frank: We’ll have to discuss this further. I’m cutting your steerer after you pass out drunk.

Marko: You’re gonna look funny doing that with shaved eyebrows and dick and balls sharpied on your face.

As for how to deal with the issue at hand (great video, Marcus) I never saw it last night and now it’s morning here in the Pacific Northwest, so now I see it. My strategy for this matter, as I stated briefly on the Lexicon, is to make sure she always has a better bike that I do. It helps a lot. Why would she want my bike when hers is better?

I have not seen the shrinkage you mention but will have to pay closer attention.

It happens every time your bike goes in the pool.

Over the years, I’ve learned a lot from Pulp Fiction and quote it often.

Just when I think you can’t screw up any more, you do something like this and TOTALLY REDEEM YOURSELF.

(I, on the other hand, have learned a lot from Dumb and Dumber and quote it often.

using that useless finishing tape they provide with bar tape is a waste of time. Electrical tape is the way to go.

Have I taught you nothing?! Electrical always shrinks over time and leaves a small smudge as it does so. Very unappealing. The finishing tape needs to be applied just like the rest of the tape, firmly and with consistent pressure – not so much it stretches but enough that it stays snug. Clean your hands first to keep good adhesion on the tape, and don’t touch the last little bit of it as you apply the end, or it will eventually come loose. If it does start to come loose there, you can just apply a drop of super glue to it.

The only hope I can offer for the future is that 3 things will lessen the conflict. Kid in college, dog dead, and menopause. Seriously life gets incredibly good! I won’t go into details but suffice it to say in my case the dog was the last to go and at the end we were having conversations about her being selfish and if she really loved me she would give it up for the cause.

Anyway it all worked out and life is good, I am regularly doing 300-400Km a week and am on track to be peaking in July.

And that call on Rule #37, what a catch, I looked at that late at night thinking something was not right but missed it, good one.

Vincent: What’s more chickenshit than fucking with a man’s automobile? I mean, don’t fuck with another man’s vehicle.
Lance: You don’t do it.
Vincent: It’s just against the rules

Sweet bikes, however you say it!

Mine is one they did in the relatively early stages of their biz. Will take a few pics – after a thorough review of the Rules!

I remember talking to Darren at the trade show in Sydney many years ago, when I first saw his bikes. He had a steel Ristretto singlespeed mtb on show, and I saw the welds and was blown away. I asked if the welds were filed back, so smooth were they. He said ‘no, just one pass with the torch.’ Absolutely amazing craftsmanship.

You’re a lucky guy.

Nice call on the Pegoretti. When I get to purchase my dream bike, it will be something steel, probably a good Aussie bike like a Baum, or even a Colnago Master X Light…

i love my Garmin, and having fucked my back by carrying stuff on it when I crashed I tend to be wary of carrying anything there beyond a Rapha Stowaway now. With that in mind it appears that the Cognoscenti is calling.

As for the Trek. My friend runs a chain of shops that sell Trek and that bike there cost me £800 rather than the £3000 it should have. It’s a good ride but my next bike is likely to be a Pegoretti Marcelo. 2011 all being well.

@Marcus
Nice pick-up of Rule 37, don’t know how we let that one slip…

@david
I was so close to mentioning the Madone, but thought that might be a touch cruel at this stage… give it a week or two!

Maybe some velominati can illuminate me as to how to get out for a ride when my wife says no (other than a good dose of Rule 5 of course).

P.S. The frame mounted mini-pump does really have to go.

@brett
Do you have two spacers above your stem in that R-EPO man pick? Frank was busting my balls today about my bike having two spacers above my stem. I figure when I’m old or injured I might want to put one underneath since it’s slammed down now. Cheaper than buying a new fork.

Cable length rule coming up…

Now I have a very solid tan line 1 and 13/16th inches above my anklebone.

@frank Oh stop, I’m blushing…

@guycollier Classy (except for the pump)!

While riding a bike you must always be wearing socks

That’s already Rule 27.

I think Rob gets a pass for having fucking balls. And check out his guns, man! But, these days, I’m sure he would never dare ride sans socks.

While riding a bike you must always be wearing socks

It is essential that you get them sorted out immediately. They should only be long enough toalmost touch.

In fact, we need a rule about this.

@guycollier
That pump should be in your middle jersey pocket along with a new tube,and some peel and stick patches all wrapped in a thick rubber band.

I rarely crash but when I do they tend to be big ones.

I’m impressed with the precision on the final strip of tape; that is a tough spot to get right when you only go half way on the tape. That said, I’m a firm believer in taping all the way up, although have to say I struggled to cover that beautiful carbon on my own K-Wings.

I have to say, though, given your history of injury: perhaps more time should be spent looking at the road?

But you need to get rid of the pump, and your gear cables are too long and need to be routed around the headtube. Then we can give you a pass!

(Seriously, it doesn’t really matter if you do that or not, it’s great that you’re able to ride at all after your spate of injuries. And doing l’Etape, awesome!)

Cycling history – 1990-1995 raced mountain bikes and Cat 3 road in a very average way. 1996 broke neck (C4) playing football (soccer to the US readers ;) ). No real exercise for 4 years. 2000-2005 motorcylist until crash in 2006 resulting in posterior dislocation of left shoulder, snapped left shoulder blade, broken knee, jaw, hip, wrist and elbow. No real exercise until 2008 when I started running and then started cycling again pretty much on my 40th birthday in December 2009. I cannot believe how hard the first 6 months have been until I ‘clicked’ when I rode a hilly (10,000ft climbing) 100 mile sportive in May in 6hrs 45mins. I ride l’Etape in July. I generally ride with a good friend who is a very good climber so I’m pushing myself hard.

I’m a recent convert to the K-Wing compact bars as my neck/shoulder/back means I can’t get down too low on the drops. I was running some Bontrager X-Lite Ergo bars and Christ they sucked hard. The K-Wings really hit the spot for me, partnered with Fizik tape.

As an aside, and as very much an apprentice Velominatus, how is this looking on the co-ordination front:

The tubs, I think came from Germany so they had my usual 120lbs which is what I ran for fast crits. I miss Marresi’s, or just great leather shoes. I do not miss toe clips (too many spills stuck to the bike). After Greg and Bernard used Look in the Tour I jumped at clipless and have never looked (Ha Ha) back. Although having said that I actually like clips except that you have to take the bike with you when you do that crash thing. I wish I had a better memory for names – the straps with the fiberglass strip between the leather – the Best, plus the little plastic pull tab you would screw on to the end of the strap, then do 2 straps, a la trackies and man you could pull so hard your knees would distend before you’d pull out.

Hey its a world gone by but the racing is still the same. Even so I was on the old Raleigh last week and a kid actually said “I can’t believe you take your hands off the bars to shift” – Jeesus don’t let him go for his water bottle, its a camelfuck hump for him!

I love that the chainstays rise UP to the BB, owing to the tiny wheels, I’m guessing.

What pressure were you running those tubs at? There seems to be no compression in them at all. What is that, like 500psi?!?

I had forgotten that it was 24″ what I remember is that we got really good sew ups for it. The chain ring was a 60 tooth ordered from some time trial outfit in England and it was a 5 speed. I was the test bunny for it and it was just at the end of my serious racing days and the season so I did not ride it that much – I really do not remember if I rode it up Mt. Washington… myth I think.

More later I am off for 165 km effort on flat (I hope) part of L.I.

I will be peaking in July!! Thanks John

Updated: I never read the second half of your comment regarding where it was. I was frazzled like that time Brett posted the picture of his skull tan lines.

Here is Rob on a real custom-steel-lugged American made racer. The bike was made by Ed Blank, an American who learned the craft in Italy. It sports small wheels, though they must be 24″ not 20″, huge front chainring, benotto tape job, no socks(track racer look) f’ing Marresi shoes(oh my heart be still), Castelli kit(skin suit?) and purple and white hairnet. So ‘core. Rob is mixing it up with the likes of Davis Phinney in this crit. This is a great photo, I must say. Rob also rode this once in the Mt. Washington Hill Climb and thought it was a great climbing machine.

So no Rule breaking for the big guy??

Just a thought; Rule #5 gets so much air time here and is my favorite that I had completely overlooked rule #6. Man that is so true it is now tied for first! Thank you Frank, you really are the Zenyodarati of the wheel – Awesome.

Talk about Obeying Rule 61. Not to mention Rule 5. And Rule 6, I’m guessing.

Note to self – Have to stop posting late at night.

The old Raleigh started out life with team colors (she was an insurance settlement for being run over, but that’s another story). The next year because I rode for a small local team with Bianchi as a sponsor and was given a tank of a Bianchi the 753 became Celeste color to hide her pedigree. Three years ago it had finally gotten tired looking so it was sent to Jacksons for a paint job. In a misguided moment I had them paint it canary yellow. I like to be seen in traffic. Next time it will go back to Celeste or team colors. . .

Whatever the color that bike is the love of my life. She took me to my highest highs (I saw god riding her at the top of Smugglers Notch). With the front derailleur off and 210 gram sew ups on light wheels she weighed 16 ½ lbs. and gave me 2 great rides up Mt. Washington. Plus many great crits, road races and time trials and I still ride her now – not so hard.

I am sorry to go on but if there ever was a great bike this was it. Snaps to follow – soon.

Rob’s bike, I bet, has that nice redish-pinkish headtube color, too. I had a brown Raleigh like that. Lost it. Shit.

@all
Am I the only one who wishes he could get his hands on some old Benoto bar wrap? I loved that stuff. Something about the way it shined that makes me want some. Not sure what I’d even do with it…

After completing assembly, would wash my hands to remove any grease before unboxing the rolls of tape. Back then, it was cloth tape only. Then I’d carefully wrap the bars to perfection. Well, my idea of perfection anyway.

My carbon Ibis sports the perfect tape job, if I can say so myself – though its a little dirty at the moment.

My steel Ibis commuter weapon wears a total crap tape job from years ago – now complete with rips and horrible electrical tape finsh near the stem. I’ll get around to redoing it eventually.

I’m all for matching saddle and tape colors – though I break that rule often.

Am pleased to report it’s v.easy to clean too. Do you guys have GT85, the very fine lube in a spray? That works a treat sprayed directly on and rubbed vigorously with a clean white cloth. Makes your whole bike (& house) smell shop-fresh too :¬)

And the Church of the White Tape is a good place to be. I never say Merckx ride with black bar tape.

It’s only recently I’ve been willing to commit allegiance to the church of white bar tape. For I quickly learned that commitment is what’s required once you take that road: dirty, dirty, dirty. With gloves, without gloves. Dirty.

Indeed, following until-bedtime maintenance of #1 bike last night, I am about to clock off work early to get back in time to perform the final, crucial act in advance of tonight’s chain gang: the cleaning of the bar tape. It’s either that or take #2 bike instead.

@John – it’s not wrong. It’s not dangerous. It’s required.

Combining bits is de rigeur, if you ask me. Send me some shots and we’ll post ’em. Cheers.

On an unrelated note, please don’t demean yourself as “John’s Wife”. You no doubt single-handedly led your floundering husband from Peugeot Purgatory into the Titanium frame, Campy Ultra-Shift 10spd Love Zone. Henceforth, you are to sign off as “Awesome Bitch”.

Marko :@brett
nice work, Mr. Silver Surfer.

That stuff went the way of the soy flat white long ago…

So I dug out some scraps of yellow tape I had laying around in the shop

Hey you have violated one of my rules. Do not misuse lie and lay as you have just done. You had tape lying around the shop, not laying. Puh-lease.

John’s wife