Ahem. I tried wrapping bars for the first time last night having printed out the Park Tools guide. Everything was going swimmingly until the second length of bar-tape came apart in my paws! It was made of two strips of leather glued together (not very well) to make one. Then to top it all the cork and wood bar-end plug came apart in my other paw while making adjustments - it had to be removed with the only appropriate tool for removing corks. Just slightly shoddy quality control in my opinion. I'm hardly a ham-fisted gorilla and was being quite gentle, so, do be careful if you're using this tape yourself. Have written (email) to Brooks to see what they have to say. Have also returned the bits I did have left over to the bike shop I bought them from, spoke to a nice chap who said he'd sort it out (I'm assuming a replacement). I'll keep you posted if Brooks come back with a response. Anyway, the look I ended up with (not out of choice, just a lack of useable tape) is below. Not sure if I like it to be honest, just looks like what it is - half done.

wow, very surprised, didn't think you could make a fuji any uglier.

^^^ Arf!

A pic of you on a spoke-card?

;)

@Platini - where did you get your avatar from and can I see the full size pic in the interests of science?

Leave the corkscrew. Good for hill climbs.

hmmm, brooks bar tape + fuji track.

a bit like mixing decimals and fractions.

That's the missus (and her sister):-)

Schwingggg! ^

Oi! I hope that was addressed to my sister-in-law on the left (somehow I doubt it)...

I know, but hey, I don't feel obliged to follow fashion. The Brooks bar-tape (or any other leather bar-tape) should be comfortable and very long lasting, both reason enough for me...

Jol is the handlebar (and toe-clip) couturier.

i've wrapped and re-wrapped my bars in the same brook tape 3 times now, and it's perfectly strong.


Harden the fuck up, VanUden

nimhbus outed:

if only..

it's good to see somebody who rides on the drops a lot, too many people have them but never use them.

oooh

biting sarcasm there

Errr, yes, yes of course.

But are the two strips you use all one strip each? Or are either of them two bits stuck together to make one? I just think this is a bit shoddy when paying a bit extra for what should be premium stuff...

out of order

you can't handle the truth!

Somebody needs a hug ^

;)

the truth hurts sometimes
but only if you give a fuck.

! :)

it's two bits stictched together.

i guess it's hard or very expensive to get bits of leather that long. i took a bit of care when pulling on the bit that is stitched together, but it seems fine.

The last one I bought, the type with the holes in, had no seam, I think. But those crappy brandy-bottle corks fell apart on me, too, they're shite. The first one I bought (the older type without holes) was sewn together, and I had some trouble with one unstitching itself whilst winding it on. I guess they vary and you gotta be careful. Maybe you should stitch it together yourself? Or use Fizik?! I wouldn't buy leather tape again after using that stuff. Though I'm tempted by the sleeve type ones like JOL's.

@nimhbus & Skullhead - That's my point gents. The tape I had, the two pieces were glued, not very well, and not stitched. If they had have been stitched I imagine they would have held up fine instead of coming apart so easily.

Interesting that your corks fell apart as well Skullhead. Surely just a decent glue like a two-part epoxy resin (Araldite or something similar) would do the job in the factory?

well, i'd send it back then, or email brooks.

i think it's a bit overpriced/rated, it has to be said.

You have to have stems pointing downward on any road bike, other wise it looks shit.

This is especially so if you have a steel bike with drop bars and a "track" setup.

Stick on some front & rear panniers, one of those reflectors that pops out to the side, some mudguards and a large bell and you might get away with it.

Otherwise, flip it , flip it now!

i used to think as you do, but am getting into the flipped up look.

Not related but I bought a Gazelle badge for £4 at HH today. Teenslain's got it for you.

yeah, never mind about the correct riding position.

you wally

Obviously never been to an actual track or seen (or watched on TV) a road race, but thanks for the authentic knowledge!!

yeah I was being childish,

but being obsessive about proportions is kind of my thing.

Generally what looks wrong, is wrong.

You can just tell when is something is setup "just right" that bike just looks awkward.

In my (shallow) opinion it would ride better with lower bars irrespective of rider height.