Hi All:
My experience with innertube wrapped on handle bars is that it makes the bars feel too heavy. I do not like the '60's style of waterbottle holder on the bar either for than same reason. Cupertino Bike Shop used to use a foam similar to wetsuit material to pad the tops of the bars and tops of the drops. They would anchor the foam with masking tape then wrap the cloth tape over it. The overall appearance was a little a little unusual BUT the weight and comfort was good. Thanks also for the previous post re: the inboard/outboard orientation, etc. Currently my favorite method is to wrap bars with cloth (base coat) and then wrap again with Benoto (top coat). Obviously this may not work for certain restorations, but it does seem to be practical and looks pretty good (IMO).
Cheers,
Jim Narlesky
San Jose, CA
> Goldilocks:
>
> Here is one that may be jusssst right: used innertube. Amount of padding
effect
> could be tuned by how tightly you wrap it or whether you use the whole
tube
> rather than slitting it into two separate strips.
>
> This idea was borrowed from Roy Drinkwater who recommended it as a cheap
> interim wrap for use while dialing in stem length, lever placement, etc.
on a
> new build.
>
> I've only used it on a cobbled together Motobecane that I gave to a
friend.
> Felt pretty good to the touch and the price was right. Haven't tried to
use a
> whole unsplit tube yet. Let me/us know how it works if you pilot test it.
>
> Charlie Young
> Honeybrook, PA
>
> > In a message dated 11/6/2001 4:03:37 AM Eastern Standard Time,
> > bil4@mindspring.com writes:
> >
> >
> > > Also, my favorite mountain bike/city bike grips is old eighties road
bar
> > > foam with shellacked cotton bar tape over the top.
> > >
> >
> > I was about to ask what makes a good underlayment for cloth tape.
> > The foam is a bit too much for my taste. Two layers of cloth not enough.
> > I feel like Goldilocks(this ones too soft, this ones too hard, I want
one
> > just right!)
> > Thinking of something denser and with a smaller finished diameter so as
not
> > to be obvious.
> > Maybe inner tube? Tape meant for ball bats or racquets etc.?
> > Anything better to use?
> >
> > Pete Geurds
> > Douglassville, PA