White handlebar tape

vertigo16

White handlebar tape is the best looking by a distance.

Problem is though, it becomes all brown very fast. Does anyone have any ideas about how to clean it (without getting the whole thing retaped - not the end of the world, admittedly) which actually work?

Thanks in advance!

keef66

Baby wipes. Or if they don't work, try some mildly abrasive toothpaste (white rather than multicoloured)

Honest.

I have black bar tape on both bikes. I have no idea if it's dirty or not, it still looks perfect!

majormantra

Washing up liquid, swarfega, or GT85 all work. Up to a point. It partly depends on the tape, but few if any can be cleaned to look like new.

schlepcycling

Try CIF (other cream cleaners are available).

fat_cat

Cilit Bang (the one containing bleach) Brought mine up like new, at least till I binned it on a corner and ripped the bar tape to shreds on some gravel. Now replaced with black tape as less hassle.

andi1363

Fizik microtech tape actually stays white!

sloppyschleckonds

WHITE IN SUMMER, BLACK TAPE IN WINTER

rolf_f

Black in summer, black in winter. Life's too short.

littledove44

I wash mine with hot water and car wash liquid every time it gets dirty in winter. Looks like new after six months.

In summer just wear light gloves to keep the grease off.

rusedy

Use daz in warm water with a cloth looks like new.

rayjay

andi1363 wrote:

Fizik microtech tape actually stays white!

I used to be a white tape only guy and tried them all.

Fizik is the best by a long shot. If you wipe it down after every ride with a soapy sponge it should stay pretty white for a long time.
Keep your hands clean as well. I take some latex gloves with me in case I get a puncture,

vertigo16

Thanks everyone, will try one or ore of the above and report back.

blueturtle

Toothpaste and an old toothbrush.Works a treat.Have had the same white handlebar tape for the last 3years. Still looks like new. The secret is to clean the tape on a regular basis.

t4tomo

White bar tape just looks crap unless it's brand new. In time you will come to realise this.

Strith

andi1363 wrote:

Fizik microtech tape actually stays white!

This, job done.

dee4life2005

+1 for white Fizik Microtec handlebar tape. Definitely stays white longer than any other brands I've tried.

rolf_f

dee4life2005 wrote:

+1 for white Fizik Microtec handlebar tape. Definitely stays white longer than any other brands I've tried.

This is the truth; as opposed to those that claim that it stays white - ie it doesn't, it just stays white for longer but when you unwind a bit of your Microtec and see the untouched stuff from underneath you'll know the difference between white and grey!

omega_vertigo

I have been told to use gumption but then was also told mineral turpentine. I tried the latter as I had that in the garage, it works great. The white tape looks brand new. Just use a clean rag, put some turps on rag and wipe tape.

M4VERICK

I had white tape and white campag hoods on my Bianchi..... the bike is now at my LBS having both replaced with Black. The White has been on there for 2k miles and just looks grubby. I've tried various products but it just doesnt cut it

To abide with Rule #8 // Saddles, bars, and tires shall be carefully matched I now will need to buy a new Black saddle

TakeTurns

I use lizard skin.

Why use anything inferior.

scottishgeek

M4VERICK wrote:

To abide with Rule #8 // Saddles, bars, and tires shall be carefully matched I now will need to buy a new Black saddle

Damn! Failed . White saddle and bar tape but black and red tyres.

littledove44

ScottishGeek wrote:

M4VERICK wrote:

To abide with Rule #8 // Saddles, bars, and tires shall be carefully matched I now will need to buy a new Black saddle

Damn! Failed . White saddle and bar tape but black and red tyres.

You still have options. The full rule is.

Valid options are:

Match the saddle to the bars and the tires to black; or
Match the bars to the color of the frame at the top of the head tube and the saddle to the color of the frame at the top of the seat tube and the tires to the color where they come closest to the frame; or
Match the saddle and the bars to the frame decals; or
Black, black, black

DeVlaeminck

t4tomo wrote:

White bar tape just looks crap unless it's brand new. In time you will come to realise this.

Whereas black tape looks crap as soon as you put it on.

neeb

Rolf F wrote:

dee4life2005 wrote:

+1 for white Fizik Microtec handlebar tape. Definitely stays white longer than any other brands I've tried.

This is the truth; as opposed to those that claim that it stays white - ie it doesn't, it just stays white for longer but when you unwind a bit of your Microtec and see the untouched stuff from underneath you'll know the difference between white and grey!

But it still remains white enough to look white as long as you don't unwind it to contrast with the covered bits... That's all that matters!

rolf_f

littledove44 wrote:

You still have options. The full rule is.

Valid options are:......

The rules are crap!

DeVlaeminck wrote:

t4tomo wrote:

White bar tape just looks crap unless it's brand new. In time you will come to realise this.

Whereas black tape looks crap as soon as you put it on.

No it doesn't! (puts DeVlaeminck in his place )

neeb wrote:

Rolf F wrote:

dee4life2005 wrote:

+1 for white Fizik Microtec handlebar tape. Definitely stays white longer than any other brands I've tried.

This is the truth; as opposed to those that claim that it stays white - ie it doesn't, it just stays white for longer but when you unwind a bit of your Microtec and see the untouched stuff from underneath you'll know the difference between white and grey!

But it still remains white enough to look white as long as you don't unwind it to contrast with the covered bits... That's all that matters!

This is true I concede - to some degree! But deep down, you are looking at your pale grey bar tape and trying to convince yourself that it still looks as nice as new, white bar tape but really you know it doesn't.

The Microtec works well enough on a Sunday best bike to be fair - but it doesn't stay looking good for long on a bike used daily in all weathers. The black stuff on my Ribble has been on for 18000 miles and 2 and a half years and still looks fine. I doubt that white Microtec would have survived in the same way.

markhewitt1978

Rolf F wrote:

Black in summer, black in winter. Life's too short.

+1 my bike came with white tape, after maybe half a dozen rides it was already looking grubby, replaced it with black, still looks brand new.

majormantra

TakeTurns wrote:

I use lizard skin.

Why use anything inferior.

Not sure about the latest stuff, but white Lizard Skins used to turn yellow over time. Even if it was still in the packaging in the shop. Presumably because of UV or something.

For 1/3 the cost, Microtex seems like far better value!

bigmat

If you ride hard you'll almost inevitably hit the deck sooner or later at which point bar tape almost always gets scuffed. Why pay a premium for lizard skins when its as likely to need replacing as anything else? +1 for Fizik tape, stays clean and is easy to wipe down when it does get dirty. Selle Italia stuff is a close second - looks nicer new (IMO) but tends to wear a bit quicker.

As for colour, I like red. Matches red saddle on best bike and red tyres on the commuter. Couldn't be bothered with white (never mind the fact its not really my bag...)

TakeTurns

lol at the above argument.

"If you ride hard, you shouldn't be using lizard skin"

If you ride hard, maybe you should only ride a rust bucket, because it'll be going in the scrap heap soon eyh?

Lizard skin is the best and is hardly paying a 'premium'.

ai_1

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

WHITE IN SUMMER, BLACK TAPE IN WINTER

No need to shout.
I use white primarily to improve visibility of the bike in winter - it's not the most critical visibility aid but everything helps. Not too bothered in summer.

vertigo16

Ai_1 wrote:

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

WHITE IN SUMMER, BLACK TAPE IN WINTER

No need to shout.
I use white primarily to improve visibility of the bike in winter - it's not the most critical visibility aid but everything helps. Not too bothered in summer.

I USE WHITE BECAUSE IT LOOKS WAY BETTER AND I WANT MY BIKE TO LOOK COOL

IT LOOKS COOL IN WINTER TOO

I fully advocate shouting for something important like this.