I wish Cycle Grip was still available... I had some that was on a bike for over 20 years and still looked great when I sold it. It was a long leather strip that went on like regular handlebar tape (no sewing) and had tapered edges like modern cork tape so it would lay flat when overlapped. It had perforations and stitching and resembled an old fashioned golf club grip. I've looked for a replacement over the years and have never been able to find anything. I found some perforated leather strips for tennis racket handles but the edges are thick so it doesn't look good overlapped. And modern golf clubs seem to have handles that slide on in one piece (even though many have a spiral pattern that looks wrapped). Some equestrian supply places sell reins that are wide enough and nice and long, but too thick (and again, square edges).
The sewn-on strips discussed in previous messages look great but I still like the looks and feel of the traditional spiral-wrapped handlebars. Anybody out there got some Cycle Grip squirreled away or know a good substitute?
Bob Hovey Columbus, GA
Original Mesage:
<< From: "Steve Rice" <sarice@earthlink.net> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: Re: Fwd: [CR]Re I hate tape...... Message-ID: <4120031221235813421@earthlink.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII MIME-Version: 1.0 Precedence: list Reply-To: sarice@earthlink.net Message: 6
Leather wrapped bars - I'm still doing it!!!
I purchase vegetable dyed leather, cut it into the correct size strip, dye it to match my Brooks Saddle - antique brown or black - punch holes and then stitch. I stitch with leather lacing. It makes a nice ridge to hold on to. It takes me about 8 hours to do one set of bars. The leather is much thicker than the old kits (I bought one before I decided to do it myself).
I have about 4000 miles on my Masi with this setup (including many rainy rides) and with the application of a little Proofhide and the buffing of leather palmed gloves, it looks better than when I installed it.
I just finished a set of bars for my new Sachs. This one has modern components, including Campy 10 speed. I was able to successfully stitch the leather over the bars with the cables underneath - looks better than any cork taped job and should last for years.
Steve Rice Shelbyville, KY
> [Original Message]
> From: Morgan Fletcher <morgan@hahaha.org>
> To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Date: 1/21/2003 6:29:36 PM
> Subject: Re: Fwd: [CR]Re I hate tape......
>
> Mara & Steven Maasland <TheMaaslands@comcast.net> writes:
> > Rhode Gear used to market a grreat little kit that came with the pre-
> > perforated leather, special waxed thread and a couple of very sturdy
> > needles. Back in the late 70's early 80's it retailed for about $20-25.
>
> I'm not sure if I remember right, but I think Cinelli also offered such a
> kit. Similar kits are available for cars as well.
>
> Morgan Fletcher
> Oakland, CA
> _______________________________________________
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