Cotton bar tape and shellac

[fossala]

Anyone use cotton bar tape and shellac as an alternative to synthetic or leather bar tape?

 

[jazzkat]

Yes! On my fixed.

 

[Globalti]

Shellac? As in knotting solution? Why?

 

[fossala]

I've ended up ordering some, will give anything a go once.

 

[tyred]

I did but I used clear woodwork varnish rather than Shellac (mainly because I had loads of it).

 

[jazzkat]

I did but I used clear woodwork varnish rather than Shellac (mainly because I had loads of it).

I used clear varnish too.

 

[jazzkat]

I like the feel of it but after a couple of hours I find my hands getting tingly. Now it could be that because I'm more head down on my fixed that it's a position thing. I've got leather tape on a tourer and I don't have a tingly problem.
I made a mistake of putting a bit too much varnish on in one go. Lots of thin coats is the way to go. The white tape I put on has stayed white in a way that synthetic tape never has.

 

[fossala]

I use fizik gel pads on every bike anyway.

 

[jazzkat]

I use fizik gel pads on every bike anyway.

They might look a bit lumpy under the tape the cotton doesn't hide much, its pretty thin.
I find the cotton easier to wrap.

 

[fossala]

I can't see them under the leather I have on their at the moment. Nor the brooks leather before that.

 

[ayceejay]

Interesting. I tried it recently without the shellac and I am pleased with the result. As jazzcat says it is easier to wrap which is a big plus for me and it is way cheaper. I found that with gel pads plus regular tape AND gel padded gloves it was all too fat like masturbating in boxing gloves, with cotton tape and gel gloves there is a much better feel and no danger of going blind.
Do you just wrap the bars and brush on the shellac? What does the finished deal look like and what is the advantage over just the tape.

 

[jazzkat]

I can't see them under the leather I have on their at the moment. Nor the brooks leather before that.

Cotton tape is much thinner than leather though

it was all too fat like masturbating in boxing gloves,

I really want to know how you know this......on second thoughts
no I don't!

Do you just wrap the bars and brush on the shellac? What does the finished deal look like and what is the advantage over just the tape.

Just wrap the bars and brush on thin coats of shellac/varnish. The varnish makes the tape smoother (after a couple of coats) it also protects the cotton keeping it cleaner. Too many coats and it might get a bit slippy though.

 

[fossala]

He we go, some pics. Turned out well, looks good. I'll just have to see how it holds up.

I used clear shellac, it changed the colour of the twine only slightly. My get some amber and put one more coat on (already had 2).

 

[jazzkat]

Looks good!
Nice job on the twine too.