Tuesday, May 3, 2011

New bike feel–changing bar tape

Spring is the air and I bet we are all racking up more miles outside than ever before. It is so nice to be off the trainer and feeling the warm sun on your back. It is also the time that you start to venture into the local bike shop and drool over all of the latest offerings.

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To help curb these feeling I like to change my bar tape. I have done this every year for the past couple of years. I know that I don’t need a new bike; I just want one. The new bar tape allows me to have that ‘new bike’ feel without that new bike price tag. Last year it was the European white (it sure got dirty quick – I changed it back in August – click here to see how to change your bar tape).

Well, a few weeks ago I happened to be in a bike shop and they had all of their bar tape on sale and this super bright green jumped out at me.  It caught my eye. I removed the white tape and installed the green.

It makes the bike look completely different. It makes the bike feel fresh and new.  I was able to fix the new bike blues with a little green for less than 10 bucks.

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A little bit of time and $10 bucks freshens the stead.

KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA

Close up of the bar tape.

What color is your bar tape and have you experimented with different colors?

5 comments:

Karen said...

AH! Had not considered new bar tape. All my training buds have been showing up with new bikes and I am quite jealous. Maybe I just need a fresh tape job :)

Kurt @ Becoming An Ironman said...

My current bar tape is a version of "off white." You know, the white that sweat has slowly turned. haha

I've been wanting to change it to some bright color like orange or yellow. Maybe I'll do that soon.

Love the green!

Tri4Success said...

Changed my bar tape and tires recently. Completely changes the look of the bike. Went from yellow to red. I see blue in the future sometime.

Matty O said...

Used to be white. Now it is kinda blah and dirt rubbed.

I like this idea. LOVE the contrast with the black and green, looks VERY sharp.

Think I will take you up on this... I will have Heather do it though, she is very artsy, my tape job would look like a 3yr old did it.

Francine said...

Very cool idea. Have you considered becoming the Tightwad Athlete or some such? I'm sure there's an opportunity out there.