Brooks bar-tape f*ck up, be warned...

Ahem. I tried wrapping bars for the first time last night having printed out the Park Tools guide. Everything was going swimmingly until the second length of bar-tape came apart in my paws! It was made of two strips of leather glued together (not very well) to make one. Then to top it all the cork and wood bar-end plug came apart in my other paw while making adjustments - it had to be removed with the only appropriate tool for removing corks. Just slightly shoddy quality control in my opinion. I'm hardly a ham-fisted gorilla and was being quite gentle, so, do be careful if you're using this tape yourself. Have written (email) to Brooks to see what they have to say. Have also returned the bits I did have left over to the bike shop I bought them from, spoke to a nice chap who said he'd sort it out (I'm assuming a replacement). I'll keep you posted if Brooks come back with a response. Anyway, the look I ended up with (not out of choice, just a lack of useable tape) is below. Not sure if I like it to be honest, just looks like what it is - half done.

wow, very surprised, didn't think you could make a fuji any uglier.

^^^ Arf!

wow, very surprised, didn't think you could make a fuji any uglier.

A pic of you on a spoke-card?

;)

@Platini - where did you get your avatar from and can I see the full size pic in the interests of science?

Leave the corkscrew. Good for hill climbs.

hmmm, brooks bar tape + fuji track.

a bit like mixing decimals and fractions.

@Platini - where did you get your avatar from and can I see the full size pic in the interests of science?

That's the missus (and her sister):-)

Schwingggg! ^

Schwingggg! ^

Oi! I hope that was addressed to my sister-in-law on the left (somehow I doubt it)...

hmmm, brooks bar tape + fuji track.

a bit like mixing decimals and fractions.

I know, but hey, I don't feel obliged to follow fashion. The Brooks bar-tape (or any other leather bar-tape) should be comfortable and very long lasting, both reason enough for me...

Jol is the handlebar (and toe-clip) couturier.

i've wrapped and re-wrapped my bars in the same brook tape 3 times now, and it's perfectly strong.

Harden the fuck up, VanUden

nimhbus outed:

if only..

it's good to see somebody who rides on the drops a lot, too many people have them but never use them.

oooh

biting sarcasm there

Oi! I hope that was addressed to my sister-in-law on the left (somehow I doubt it)...

Errr, yes, yes of course.

i've wrapped and re-wrapped my bars in the same brook tape 3 times now, and it's perfectly strong.

Harden the fuck up, VanUden

But are the two strips you use all one strip each? Or are either of them two bits stuck together to make one? I just think this is a bit shoddy when paying a bit extra for what should be premium stuff...

wow, very surprised, didn't think you could make a fuji any uglier.

out of order

out of order

you can't handle the truth!

Somebody needs a hug ^

;)

the truth hurts sometimes
but only if you give a fuck.

you can't handle the truth!

! :)

But are the two strips you use all one strip each? Or are either of them two bits stuck together to make one? I just think this is a bit shoddy when paying a bit extra for what should be premium stuff...

it's two bits stictched together.

i guess it's hard or very expensive to get bits of leather that long. i took a bit of care when pulling on the bit that is stitched together, but it seems fine.