brooks bartape .

[jags]

Lads what's the overall oponion on brooks bartape .
i have a chance of getting some at a good price and it will match my saddle,
but is it any good .

cheers
jags.

[Danneaux]

jags,

I've found it very pretty and good, except for feeling terribly slippery even/especially with mitts when it is wet. Sadly, it can also grow greenish mold if you ride in the rain a lot. It can also permanently stain your mitts the first few rides in wet weather.

It doesn't offer much padding on its own, but beats bare drop handlebars, and for all of it, it ages very nicely so long as it is allowed to dry in-between.

Hope this helps.

Best,

Dan.

[jags]

cheers dan i have gel under the fizik bartape so i would be leaving that there.
i need to replace the bartape have to say the fizik is excellent but i do fancy trying that brooks bartape.
it does rain every now and again here in sunny ireland so slippy bartape could be a big no no.

[Danneaux]

Y'could just use the Brooks to tape over the lot. That way, if it doesn't prove out, you can always revert to what you have.

As for being slippery...well hold tighter, Man! That's what brake hoods are for! 

All the best,

Dan. (...who they called "Death Grip" for awhile there)

[rualexander]

Jags
You may be interested in the Spa Cycles leather bar tape at half the price of the Brooks stuff http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?show=2809
Haven't used it myself but tempted to give it a go.

[Danneaux]

Rual,

The Spa tape looks an awful lot like this: http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/accessories/leather-goods-handlebar-grips/grand-cru-perf-leather-tape-w-plugs.html ...at much lower cost. Nicely found!

I've always promised myself to install the lace-on kind, but never felt I could afford it: http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/accessories/leather-goods-handlebar-grips/elkhide-sewn-on-bar-covers.html

The have 'em for non-drops as well: http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/accessories/leather-goods-handlebar-grips/elkhide-sewn-on-city-bike-grips.html

I'm just about to apply the padded vinyl tape over my Grab-On foam grips. To be honest, I dread the job, but it looks nice once the tape compression-wraps the foam, and it makes the foam last forever as well. I did it 20+ years ago to my tandem, and it still looks and feels like new. Thinking about it, the overall cost ends up the same as those lovely elkhide wraps. Ah, well; durability and comfort over beauty, I suppose.

Best,

Dan. (...who is trying to get a grip on things ['bars, anyway])

[rualexander]

Yes Dan I think it's probably the same stuff, their own brand leather saddles are pretty much the same too, apart from the price!
http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b0s204p0
http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/components/saddles.html

[il padrone]

This Dipell Retro leather bar tape has a stitched line through it. One function (apart from the look) is probably to give a slightly better grip in any wet conditions.




I have the Velo-Orange tape on my single speed (their earlier non-perforated version) and it has not been any real problem for grip, but I have not done a lot of wet-weather riding on that bike.

[Danneaux]

One function (apart from the look) is probably to give a slightly better grip in any wet conditions.

...and perhaps to minimize stretch when wrapping, as well. I did dampen the Brooks tape when wrapping, as it snugged up when dry. Made it stay in place much better in future rainy rides.

Don't tell anyone, but when the Brooks stuff gets wet...it smells. Not really pleasantly, either. No bad-bad, but not like new-shoes-leather-smell, either. More wet animaly tinged with old socks.

I still think it looks good, especially when age-darkened.

Best,

Dan.

[honesty]

According to the inhabitants of the CTC forum, the velo orange, Cardiff, and spa saddles are all made by Sobdeall in Taiwan. I would think that would be the same for the grip tape.

[jags]

have to admit it does look great, i'm getting this new brooks bartape for 20 euro from a guy on the boards.ie site  cant pass that offer up.

[jags]

This Dipell Retro leather bar tape has a stitched line through it. One function (apart from the look) is probably to give a slightly better grip in any wet conditions.




I have the Velo-Orange tape on my single speed (their earlier non-perforated version) and it has not been any real problem for grip, but I have not done a lot of wet-weather riding on that bike.

wow that would look fantastic on my Raleigh.can i get it here in ireland though.

[Danneaux]

You getting brown or black, Anto? Or...blue?

These things matter! Y'know you love blue, jags!

All the best,

Dan. (...who went with blue Morgan Concepts grips and blue A'Me brake hoods on his blue/blue rando bike)

[jags]

Dan as far as i know its green same colour as my saddle, but blue for my raleigh.
love blue .

[il padrone]

Dipell make the Retro tape with the stitching, a Competition tape and Vintage tape as well as Grippies (leather straight-bar grip tape). It is apparently all made from one piece of leather, ie. no joins, and has a few other features allegedly different to other leather tape.
http://commutercycles.com.au/news/2011/dipell-bar-tape/


It is available in several colours - blue, red, black, white, dark tan, honey and light brown. You could always order it on-line from here in Australia - http://constructeur.com.au/all-products/gripshandlebar-tape/dipell-leather-bar-tape/

But the price is quite high at $110. They seem to be billing themselves as a high-end classic product and you will buy VO or Brooks for a lot less money.