When is the last time you smelled your bar tape?

[Boeing]

OR Smelt????

After a Summer of pain in a time crunched schedule, the helmet hygiene thread got me to thinking. If my Straps smell this bad and my gloves are sticky, what about the bar tape\?

DDDDDDAAAAAMN, there must be a million organisms living on my top bar. yikes eeeewwwwww
but the chain is clean

 

[oldborn]

Finally someone have the guts to speak freely about it.
I found out that spill gel on bar tape is nice for some time, it gives you at least some sticky content of cycling, downhill skills for sure has some benefits.
Hard part is how to wash damn thing, especially when it comes to levers and small parts inside. Anyone?
Is there any study or science behind this?

P.S. What yikes eeeewwwwww is?

 

[Quixote]

I like to leave the smelling of bike parts and accessories to the professionals. Any good LBS will have a technician specially trained for this job...usually a backroom kind of guy. At any rate, I seem to remember that my bar tape was white when new and now is a lively cappuccino color. Cheers!

 

[oldborn]

I like to leave the smelling of bike parts and accessories to the professionals. Any good LBS will have a technician specially trained for this job...usually a backroom kind of guy. At any rate, I seem to remember that my bar tape was white when new and now is a lively cappuccino color. Cheers!

Agree with that pros should know their job, but here it is hard to find those kind of scientists/specialist. I heard that some LBS hiring blind people for that, or even dogs at least Specialized Concept Stores do it.

 

[Damiano Machiavelli]

I hear that Lance fans are most suited for this type of job. After years of chamois sniffing, they can ferret out the smallest germ with a single whiff.

 

[Boeing]

I hear that Lance fans are most suited for this type of job. After years of chamois sniffing, they can ferret out the smallest germ with a single whiff.

like smelling your finger eh DM?

 

[Notso Swift]

Agree with that pros should know their job, but here it is hard to find those kind of scientists/specialist. I heard that some LBS hiring blind people for that, or even dogs at least Specialized Concept Stores do it.

The Concept stores use retired Truffle Pigs, it is an experience you cant get anywhere else... there is a slight premium attached

 

[usedtobefast]

I hear that Lance fans are most suited for this type of job. After years of chamois sniffing, they can ferret out the smallest germ with a single whiff.

i am taking this space to "give hate a chance'
oh hey,smell this?!

 

[oldborn]

The Concept stores use retired Truffle Pigs, it is an experience you cant get anywhere else... there is a slight premium attached

That must be Cervelo, they are really pushing boundaries these days.

 

[ElChingon]

That's why its good to pre-wrap you bars and cables with electrical tape so the sweat doesn't corrode the metal parts, yes some of you have corrode free sweat but some of us do not. I've seen cables rust out and not to mention the ferrules. Meanwhile people wonder why their shifting or braking is not so good and slipping

You know you can use soap and water to keep the bar tape smelling good or at least not funky, wash not immerse in water. Works on you, right?

 

[Boeing]

That's why its good to pre-wrap you bars and cables with electrical tape so the sweat doesn't corrode the metal parts, yes some of you have corrode free sweat but some of us do not. I've seen cables rust out and not to mention the ferrules. Meanwhile people wonder why their shifting or braking is not so good and slipping

You know you can use soap and water to keep the bar tape smelling good or at least not funky, wash not immerse in water. Works on you, right?

Dude, you rode by the other morning and dropped me but I could smell your tape so I pulled off.

 

[mherm79]

You know you can use soap and water to keep the bar tape smelling good or at least not funky, wash not immerse in water. Works on you, right?

That's what I use after most rides. I have white bar tape and keep a bottle of water with a hint of dishwashing liquid and clean rag in the garage.

my bar tape still looks white after nearly 4 years.

btw...only started doing this after my LBS mechanic told me off for lettings my bar tape and my older bike go a bit funky

 

[ElChingon]

Dude, you rode by the other morning and dropped me but I could smell your tape so I pulled off.

Humm... I better use more Fabreze

 

[alitogata]

I like to leave the smelling of bike parts and accessories to the professionals. Any good LBS will have a technician specially trained for this job...usually a backroom kind of guy. At any rate, I seem to remember that my bar tape was white when new and now is a lively cappuccino color. Cheers!

Try this or something similar.. It does wanders and your bar tape will become again white as snow.. I know it sounds like and advertisement but trust me.. It works..!

 

[hiero2]

Just like my, ahem, you know, my bar tape don't stink.

Good one, folks! But, 4 year old bar tape? The only 4 year old bar tape I have is on bikes that don't get ridden. Idk how you could keep it from tearing or otherwise deteriorating for that long. Oh wait - you COULD wrap it with another level of tape to protect it! That might work!

I do remember the days when I used gel lever hoods - those went in the washer with my gloves.