tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post2092158599650853919..comments2024-03-27T05:14:23.738-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: Fizik Microtex Handlebar TapeVelouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-85624707636002444762013-04-12T14:59:56.253-04:002013-04-12T14:59:56.253-04:00I love Fizik Microtex on my cx bike in it;s leathe...I love Fizik Microtex on my cx bike in it;s leather-esque format. It's grippy enough and hard wearing over a couple of cross seasons. Plus I can get it in a red that near on matches my Planet X Uncle John on the Pantone spectrum. CyclingFitnesshttp://cyclingfitness.hubpages.com/hub/Best-Bar-Tape-For-Road-Bikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-60039244928554948712012-12-28T23:13:33.126-05:002012-12-28T23:13:33.126-05:00Nope. Clear shellac darkens the color a bit. Just ...Nope. Clear shellac darkens the color a bit. Just not a dingy brown that u get with amber shellac, but a definite darkening--white goes to light gray and bright colors lose their zip.<br /><br />After some experimenting, and learning how to do a two-braid harlequin wrap with cloth using my old bars (about to be replaced), I find that while doing harlequin wrap is fun, the feel of naked cloth is too hard for me, and shellacked cloth is EVEN HARDER. Yuck.<br /><br />I love the feel of cushy cork (OK, so I am clearly in the minority here). BUT, I am thinking of doing a 3-color harlequin Fizik. with a 4-strand braid that should be 2-layers thick in all spots, this might have the perfect combo of style, cushioning and easy maintenance.<br /><br />Only drawbacks are high cost for 4 units Fizik (maybe can get away with 3) and width of the fizik at 3 cm. I think the narrower cloth will be better for the harlequin...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-61770087795074530202011-12-15T16:09:13.720-05:002011-12-15T16:09:13.720-05:00Do you know if the "Antique Brown" versi...Do you know if the "Antique Brown" version of this tape matches the brooks antique brown saddles?yikesbikesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-75728229137876127872011-06-15T11:28:37.955-04:002011-06-15T11:28:37.955-04:00The soft touch style only comes in like white/grey...The soft touch style only comes in like white/grey/black, not colors, right?<br /><br />There's also shiny patent leather red Fizik you can put on your bike and wear a latex outfit to match. :)Peppy (the amazing I can see colors cat)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-76674709631397447232011-06-14T17:55:58.143-04:002011-06-14T17:55:58.143-04:00I also love this tape. I love cloth tape, but it g...I also love this tape. I love cloth tape, but it gets really gross really fast because my hands get sweaty. For that same reason I can't shellac--my hands slip without gloves. The fizik stuff is the next best thing for me, specifically the soft touch kind. It feels less synthetic to me, almost like suede, but is otherwise the same as the regular microtex. I highly recommend it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-28152714300694824502011-06-14T16:32:40.634-04:002011-06-14T16:32:40.634-04:00I love this tape. Perfect amount of cushion, nice ...I love this tape. Perfect amount of cushion, nice grip, looks good IMHO on any bike, no fuss to put on, and really durable.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13249556186849245637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-54248547293946677482011-06-13T20:54:02.399-04:002011-06-13T20:54:02.399-04:00This same type of tape came with my new drop bar t...This same type of tape came with my new drop bar touring bike. I don't know if the brand is the same but mine doesn't get slippery when wet. I'm still getting used to the padding but after a couple of 70km trips (without gloves) I can't say it's uncomfortable. The only drawback is the white colour got dirty very easily, I'll try cleaning it with simple green as a previous commenter suggested.<br />The above comments made me be even more satisfied with it. If it's durable (and easy to clean) as they say it is I will install this same tape in the future, only in a darker colour.Jazzboyhttp://bicycle.webnode.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-77068308492081922062011-06-13T16:13:28.633-04:002011-06-13T16:13:28.633-04:00Regarding training and recovery,
I think that the ...Regarding training and recovery,<br />I think that the most important part of resting up is simply not to push yourself. There are debates in the sports-training world over just how active "recovery time" should be because it's unclear just what works best, and it may be that different people recover differently. Your feeling is as good an indicator as any of whether you're giving your legs enough of a rest.<br /><br />In my experience, transport cycling is great recovery, because you do it every day and it can be as intense or easy as you want. At its slowest, transport cycling is probably less strenuous on your legs than walking. The difference between a hard training ride and a leisurely roll to the cafe is like the difference between running a 10K and walking around the block. You'd never see a marathon runner refuse to walk to the deli because he'd been on a run the day before. They're completely different animals, but complementary to each other if you'll let them be.Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08460921867391952318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-35634346386769537002011-06-13T16:11:18.017-04:002011-06-13T16:11:18.017-04:00I've found that clear shellac definitely yello...I've found that clear shellac definitely yellows over time, while amber shellac fades over time. If shellacking a dark base color with clear shellac, the yellowing is not too noticeable, but on a light color tape, the yellowing will definitely be noticeable.<br /><br />Shellac also becomes brittle. It's not so much a problem on cloth tape, which doesn't compress, but on cork tape, the shellac will crack and flake as the cork is subjected to being repeatedly squeezed.somervillainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13903377050982678550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-91441009209647983872011-06-13T11:42:58.186-04:002011-06-13T11:42:58.186-04:00In my experience, cloth tape changes in colour eve...In my experience, cloth tape changes in colour even with clear shellac. It's fine if you're going for a more organic or vintagey look, but not if you're hoping for a saturated primary colour.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-47331410388756730752011-06-13T10:35:00.281-04:002011-06-13T10:35:00.281-04:00MDI- I tried clear shellack on bright bordeux clot...MDI- I tried clear shellack on bright bordeux cloth tape. Gorgeous for a few weeks and then it faded with sun exposure. I now have amber shellack on yellow and it doesn't seem to fade, but gets darker and richer when I reapply.<br /><br />MonaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-80588162563018656832011-06-13T10:23:31.278-04:002011-06-13T10:23:31.278-04:00BTW, you can get Fizik in two shades of brown to m...BTW, you can get Fizik in two shades of brown to match the Brooks Honey and Antique Brown colors if you want a more traditional look, but only from European vendors. It's not available in the US for unknown reasons.<br />It may not be worth paying the shipping just for the tape, but if you are ordering other stuff it might be worth it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-82269950231838328582011-06-13T06:55:45.045-04:002011-06-13T06:55:45.045-04:00I love that stuff too, mine is kind of a black sue...I love that stuff too, mine is kind of a black suede.dave talsmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-54470541657316113232011-06-12T23:27:25.368-04:002011-06-12T23:27:25.368-04:00"I haven't tried the Microtex, partly bec...<i>"I haven't tried the Microtex, partly because I was put off by a "sweat and stink problem" mentioned in another cyclist's review."</i><br /><br />Ew : ) Haven't found that to be the case with mine so far, but will report back if I do.<br /><br />Stella Azzurra looks interesting. I would like to find a corkish tape in lilac though.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-53095171760207379932011-06-12T22:56:32.414-04:002011-06-12T22:56:32.414-04:00Update: went on a semi-serious rainy ride without ...Update: went on a semi-serious rainy ride without gloves. Verdict: not slippery. Weird. It seems like it wouldn't be comfortable and might slip, but yet it is and doesn't. Magic.<br /><br />BTW: the Fizik package is just enough to wrap 44cm Noodles which are a bane of tapes because "long." I always semi-run-out of cloth tape and try to really be careful about using the most efficient run on every loop. Some people just give up and use two rolls, but I think that's bogus. :)<br /><br />It's important to wrap such that your grip will tighten it all along the entire length of the drop bar. Fizik tape loves lots of tension when being wrapped, just like cloth. Also, you may notice these are wrapped from the stem as opposed to from the barends. The common wisdom is to start at the barends and work toward the stem in order to avoid tape edges peeling up from hand friction. But I like having the edges the way they are shown, it works well without gloves and the tape stays put (even my unshellacked cloth stayed put). Anyway, use whichever method you like, ours works for us.<br /><br />From what people seem to report online, this tape lasts for thousands of miles.MDInoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-36155704693439008172011-06-12T21:33:39.048-04:002011-06-12T21:33:39.048-04:00Yellow! Red! Fun colors.
I have a roll of bright...Yellow! Red! Fun colors. <br />I have a roll of bright apple green that I'm trying get up the gumption to use. <br /><br />Fizik tape is so good that it must be wrong. (I'm a cork/cloth/etc convert) It lasts and lasts, even if you take it off and re-wrap it again. Looks good. Feels good. Try the Microtex Soft Touch version - bar tape doesn't get any better than that.stevep33https://www.blogger.com/profile/10442696805007475062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-44905190077311285362011-06-12T21:04:36.378-04:002011-06-12T21:04:36.378-04:00Walt / MDI - Ha! It did not occur to me that the r...Walt / MDI - Ha! It did not occur to me that the red and yellow tape are hi-vis, but they definitely are. At the same time, I find the shades nice, especially on a "fast bike." Gotta let them know you mean business.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-21069153876375123852011-06-12T20:54:29.142-04:002011-06-12T20:54:29.142-04:00It was a really overcast day, too, in both picture...It was a really overcast day, too, in both pictures.<br /><br />These Fizik tapes really pop, don't they?<br /><br />Almost vulgar, like f-you yellow or red. :)MDInoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-458126273123644912011-06-12T20:14:38.255-04:002011-06-12T20:14:38.255-04:00"I want to see someone put 2-3 coats of clear..."I want to see someone put 2-3 coats of clear shellac onto white or yellow or orange tape. Does it still look bright?"<br /><br />MDI, the shellac'd bar tape will go amber where the sun hits it as it is photoreactive. So it will probably be honey-colored on the top and less so underneath.<br /><br />The uses shellac by the pound some days,<br /><br />Corey KCorey Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15381826721030941179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-79257478929214674682011-06-12T19:43:26.943-04:002011-06-12T19:43:26.943-04:00I've found that a layer of generic "cork&...I've found that a layer of generic "cork" (really 1% content???) tape stretched really tightly, then covered with cloth and shellacked works really well. A little more padding & circumference than plain cloth, and looks nicer/wears longer than cork. Mine is pretty grubby, and could use another coating, but is holding up wonderfully: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclotourist/4360566779/in/set-72157604046492434" rel="nofollow">www.flickr.com</a>cyclotouristhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08432432995861421062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-58828331455353981912011-06-12T19:20:08.474-04:002011-06-12T19:20:08.474-04:00Nice "yellow" tape! My favorite color! :...Nice "yellow" tape! My favorite color! :^))Walt Dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-30417769079136518312011-06-12T17:50:55.168-04:002011-06-12T17:50:55.168-04:00It looks awesome!It looks awesome!Dog Friendly Dallashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02948698509108585924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-30957089399724831412011-06-12T17:26:15.388-04:002011-06-12T17:26:15.388-04:00All my road bikes have black Fizik. For me it has ...All my road bikes have black Fizik. For me it has to be black, that's the main thing because years ago I settled on red frames and it just made aesthetic sense to me to have black tape given that tires, brake hoods, sometimes fork if it is carbon but not necessarily, and saddle are...black. <br /><br />With road bikes, gloves (of varying thickness) are the most easily and inexpensively controlled factor: sometimes I wear them, sometimes I don't. Depends on whether the ride is training or competition, distance, weather, or just lazing around with the gang. But the gloves have to black and gray.<br /><br />The bar plugs have to incorporate a skull and crossbones motif. It's not that that I notice them when riding, just nice to know they are there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-84024772527433064272011-06-12T17:09:29.103-04:002011-06-12T17:09:29.103-04:00I haven't tried the Microtex, partly because I...I haven't tried the Microtex, partly because I was put off by a "sweat and stink problem" mentioned in another cyclist's review.<br />http://euphoriabeforetotalimplosion.blogspot.com/2009/02/product-review-fizik-microtex-looks.html<br /><br />On the other hand, I've now got over 5000 miles on bars wrapped with Stella Azzurra Fabwik Tape. Fabwik has an interesting near cloth-like texture, but is cushier, more durable, and has held up great so far. Was highly recommended by another rider at my local bike shop, and I see it also mentioned favorably in the comments section of the sweat/stinky Microtex review.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-72852575335702878502011-06-12T16:54:00.602-04:002011-06-12T16:54:00.602-04:00Colors are a bit bright for me, and the texture st...Colors are a bit bright for me, and the texture still seems kind of plastic-y, like a tennis racquet--can't seem to find anything I like. They need more restrained, lower saturation colors for pretentious, shallow, retro-grouches like me.<br /><br />The perforations don't do much to disguise the synthetic nature of it either; it's very smooth and uniform. I still like the weave of cloth tape, and the random crackly texture of leather.<br /><br />I certainly appreciate the durability of modern synthetics, but design, texture, and color selection tends to leave much to be desired.<br /><br />Sticking with my maroon red cloth tape for now.Michaelnoreply@blogger.com