[CR]Cool Gear - The Seat - The Tape - Dahltron Corp. - Plastics .

> I put "The Tape" on my Serotta in 1977. I used some rubber tapered tape
> which I don't remember the brand name underneath. Mine was the red color.
> I loved it. Would like to get a bikes worth of the combo again.
>
> Howard Darr
> Clymer PA

----------------

" Better Living Through Plastic "

" Just one word Ben . . . plastics . " - screenplay by Buck Henry

That black synthetic rubber handlebar wrap , with the tapered , "feathered" edges ? I remember that stuff , I have an unused roll of that , in a box , somewhere . Can't remember the brand name . It showed up at about the same time as "Bux Dri-Slide" lubricant , and an idea called "plastic-lined cable housing" ( that lined cable housing , mostly from England , was rare and unpopular for years ! ) . The black synthetic rubber wrap was supposed to end the numb-hands problem , by dampening out the vibrations in the handlebar . It was a good idea . It was well executed . It was fairly heavy . It dampened vibrations because of its mass .

Cool Gear was a well known company . They made The Seat . They made Cool Gear clothing ( I had one seriously fine long-sleeved Winter jersey from Cool Gear - loved it ) .

I remember seeing some The Seats . I remember seeing one that had blown out its padding . Not pretty . But , I also remember seeing one on a Teledyne Titan . If I had a perfect Teledyne Titan , or a perfect Graftek-Exxon G-1 ( in my opinion the only truly beautiful carbon-fiber-reinforced-plastic frame & fork set , in the entire World ) . . . If I had one of either of those , I'd make sure to have a The Seat on it .

I would have bet money that Cool Gear made The Tape as well . And , I would have lost that bet .

( NOTE - when installing The Tape - It is sensitive to nicked edges . If you are starting the job of wrapping the handlebar , and there are any damaged edges , use caution . If the edges get damaged after a good tight job of wrapping , the overlap will usually help to halt the splitting . The trick ? You have to wrap it tightly in order to have the overlap halt the splitting . But , if you try to pull it tight , it splits . Maybe putting an adhesive onto the bare handlebar before wrapping might help ? )

I'm holding a copy of the March 1976 issue of Bicycling Magazine ( got it from a list member - THANKS! ) .

Looking at the ad index on the last page , under Cool Gear . The ad index indicates a Cool Gear ad on page 45 . Look at page 45 , an ad for clothing and the improved The Seat . Ad states , " . . . racing has disclosed many areas where The Seat needed improving . The stainless tubing has been greatly improved . . . molded saddle itself has a new configuration . . . will not detach unless the front adjusting screw has been removed . . . new bridge . . . pad redesigned . . . " Cool Gear was , " a registered trademark of the Jacobs Corporation , Boulder , Colorado " .

Look at the ad index on the last page , under Skethia Design . The ad index indicates two Skethia Design ads , cover 2 ( inside front cover ) , and page 63 . The inside front cover is a full color ad for The Tape . Ad states , " . . . light cushion grip helps your hands cope with heat , cold and vibration . While its non-slip finish has the good looks of suede , The Tape is a durable man-made material . . . keeps its good looks longer . . . The Professional touch . " The Tape was , " Copyright Skethia Design Company , Marketed By Dahltron Corporation " . The ad on page 63 ? The " no. 1 PUMP " . I remember those ! I still have the non-functioning remains of one of those , in a box , somewhere . " Doubles Inflation! The world's only DOUBLE-ACTION bicycle frame pump. no. 1 PUMP Power Strokes In Both Directions Instant And Accurate Reading From Built In Gauge " Ad states it'll do up to 120 p.s.i. & weighs under 4 ounces . The appearance was amazing . The body was clear Lexan polycarbonate plastic . You pulled the hose out of the handle , as if it were a really old-style British or French pump . But the hose was permanently attached . That was the weak point . You had to give the incredibly thin , hard plastic , hose , a sharp pull to seat it air tight . It was usually not air tight . The built in air gauge didn't work very accurately on mine , but it was an amazing idea ! You could actually see the synthetic neoprene O-ring , which formed the seal on the piston of the pump . The body of the pump was crystal clear , remember ? There were finely etched lines , with numbers next to them , on that crystal clear body of the pump . When you had pumped up to a fairly high pressure , you simply let go of the handle . The piston came to rest with the neoprene piston ring indicating a particular pressure . What a concept !! On page 63 there is no mention of Skethia Design . " no. 1 PUMP Dahltron Corporation "

On pages 60 & 61 , the big two page spread from Bikecology . " No. 1 Pump Amazing 4 1/2 ounce pump that everybody is switching to! Available in presta and schrader valve. only $8.99 "

For price comparison , tires ( synthetics again ) from the same ad , quote , Michelin Elan 27 x 1 1/8" Our regular price $ 6.88 only $ 5.44 700C only $ 7.88 , end of quote .

" Plastic , the wave of the future "

" Meet George Jetson , Jane his wife , His boy Elroy , . . . "

Raoul Delmare
Marysville Kansas