tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post8983405358172323858..comments2024-03-28T11:56:48.304-04:00Comments on The Retrogrouch: Give 'Em a Good ShellackingBrookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-54407418283274005262014-09-28T16:11:02.447-04:002014-09-28T16:11:02.447-04:00Brooks--I got it from an eBay retailer called &qu...Brooks--I got it from an eBay retailer called "customisedbikes".Justine Valinottihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10852069587181432102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-6761995305503851102014-09-28T09:07:38.828-04:002014-09-28T09:07:38.828-04:00Don't be ashamed about not shellacking bars! A...Don't be ashamed about not shellacking bars! Actually, I haven't seen or tried the velox cork tape -- so you're one up on me there.Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-22704439205963998842014-09-28T01:00:04.907-04:002014-09-28T01:00:04.907-04:00Perhaps I should be ashamed, as someone who owns a...Perhaps I should be ashamed, as someone who owns and rides four Mercians, of the fact that I've never shellacked my bars. I rode cloth tape (Tressostar, of course) for years, but I never heard about shellacking. I don't think most other American cyclists at the time had heard of it, either. Now that I've seen some bikes with shellacked tape, I might try it myself.<br /><br />These days, I'm riding another tape made by Velox in France: a cork-and-synthetic mixture that looks much like Cinelli (and is available in some of the same colours and patterns) but is a bit sturdier. Justine Valinottihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10852069587181432102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-61335251526417260732014-09-14T22:10:29.382-04:002014-09-14T22:10:29.382-04:00My favorite combo is Newbaum's lime green tape...My favorite combo is Newbaum's lime green tape with amber shellac. Without shellac it kindof hurts the eyes, but with after a few coats it takes on a nice earthy-grassy green color that really appeals to me.<br />AlfredUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05124810325800715371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-36662756430851589282014-09-14T18:28:42.397-04:002014-09-14T18:28:42.397-04:00Comfort is one of those things that everyone will ...Comfort is one of those things that everyone will have a different opinion about. I wear gloves and don't feel the need for padded bars. Some people of course like more padding (even with padded gloves). I've ridden century rides on the cotton tape + shellacked bars with no complaints. Everyone's different, though.Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-42936474271075955472014-09-14T17:30:45.803-04:002014-09-14T17:30:45.803-04:00Being a cyclist since the 1950's I don't r...Being a cyclist since the 1950's I don't recall shellacking bar tape. We either used cotton or plastic tape from the LBS or wrapped the bars with friction tape and cotton rim tape on top. Sure, shellacked cotton tape is pretty and durable, but how comfortable is it? On my last double century I wrapped my bars with foam pipe insulation.johnbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15624063335422874333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-36051113031903118132014-09-13T13:01:11.553-04:002014-09-13T13:01:11.553-04:00I'm familiar with French polish for furniture ...I'm familiar with French polish for furniture and woodworking -- I hadn't thought about it, but I suppose it is basically the same idea.Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-2035383088735347512014-09-12T07:20:25.482-04:002014-09-12T07:20:25.482-04:00I don't know of any that won't change the ...I don't know of any that won't change the color at least somewhat -- as I pointed out in the article, even "clear" shellac will make white tape a bit yellow, and will make yellow a bit darker. I got pretty lucky matching that purple bar tape with the purple head-tube on that bike in the pictures -- but normally I don't even try to match paint colors. I find it a little easier trying to match saddles.<br /><br />One thing about shellac is that it is a natural product (insects make it!) and that's one of the things I like about it. I've never tried other products, however, like polyurethane finish or clear lacquer -- either of which might be more clear than "clear" shellac and alter the color less (though they may still alter it somewhat). If you have some leftover pieces of cotton bar tape, you might experiment.<br /><br />Wish I could be more helpful!Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-38877090689276602262014-09-12T04:43:27.258-04:002014-09-12T04:43:27.258-04:00Does anybody know of a Shellack that won't mak...Does anybody know of a Shellack that won't make cotton wrap look darker? That's why I'm reluctant to shellack wrap that already matches the bands on my bike tubes. It turns yellow wrap into orange. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04196706653269618376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-18661195285997035012014-09-11T13:51:48.418-04:002014-09-11T13:51:48.418-04:00Thanks for the tip on the orange color -- that'...Thanks for the tip on the orange color -- that's a combination I haven't used. I can never find shellac flakes in shops near me -- woodworking shops are a good suggestion, but I don't know of one in my area, so I've always just ordered the flakes online, and keep them sealed up so they last a long while.Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-90884415600512448612014-09-11T13:32:49.116-04:002014-09-11T13:32:49.116-04:00Orange tape with amber shellac ends up being a pre...Orange tape with amber shellac ends up being a pretty decent match for a lighter brown (though darker than "honey") saddle. <br /><br />As for shellac flakes: if there is a woodworking shop in your area, such as Rockler's, they will usually have them. Online is cheaper, though maybe not as convenient.<br /><br />I haven't had a cloth-wrapped handlebar for so long. I've got two bikes that are nearing wrap replacement time. I may have to pick up some cloth tape for one of them just for S&G. Actually, one of them needs a darker brown to match the saddle and I've kind of gotten tired of the mottled brown cork look, so this could be just the thing for it. <br /><br /><br />Wolf.N/Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14710395292374599493noreply@blogger.com