Care of leather tape

term1te
term1te Posts: 1,462
edited September 2010 in Workshop
I'm tempted to use leather handle bar tape next time I replace it on my somewhat retro bike. My concern is whether it will look bad after a few months of sweat, rain and grime. Do you need to do anything special to keep it looking good, or will it be ruined the first time I get chain oil on it? I'm also tempted to get a Brooks saddle to complete the look.
The Master
The Moser
The VN

Comments

  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Applying some Brooks proofhide helps to protect it - I fitted some VeloOrange leather bar wrap earlier this year - the sew-on stuff - looks great and the fact that it takes a 'patina' with use adds to the appeal.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • father_jack
    father_jack Posts: 3,509
    Buy a brooks anyway they'rrreeeee great! For a roadie look into swallow or swift. I've got Swallow ti, B17SE and Team Pro. I don't care if the swallow doesn't match road bike it feels nice to sit on
    Say... That's a nice bike..
    Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)
  • lae
    lae Posts: 555
    I've got a Brooks saddle and handlebar tape and I look after them with Proofide. I wouldn't use anything else on the saddle - most saddle soaps/oils will soften the leather which you absolutely do not want to do on a suspended saddle (i.e. one that is made from just a piece of leather, rather than leather stuck over a plastic base)

    The tape does get a bit grimy every couple of months. I clean it with a bit of water and a rag, then proofide it again. I've had it for a year and it's finally starting to match the look of my rather older saddle, when I bought it it almost looked like a different shade but it's got much darker and richer now.

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