Tom's post brought back a question I've never had answered. When (and why) did people start shellacking their cotton handlebar wrap? I'd never heard of it until I was introduced to the Bob-ish Grant Peterson's essays on the subject, shellac tape finished off with fine twine.
I can be as anal as the next guy (or girl), but it's never made sense to me as the fresher the tape, the better the grip, the better it soaks up sweat. Shellacked tape is slippery, or sticky on a hot muggy ride (the summer weather we have here in Baltimore), and doesn't cushion in the least. I see it as a style thing that can extend the life of your tape and be repaired. I've heard the stories of fireplace ashes or artificial coloring to match paint, or many layers to match the natural saddle and gum hoods color. My wife restores oak furniture and shellac is the one surface she say's is easy to touch up. I only think of what a PITA it's got to be to do all that stuff with the fine twine, etc.
I think a bike looks right when it's as well set up for riding as it can be, and shellac & cotton just don't do it for me. It's gotta be easier to re-tape a bar than to go through all that trouble with Shellac. And even cork loses its cushion after many miles. Please! Someone tell me what's so great about the shellac obsession and why I might actually want to do it for a bike I'd like to ride.
Cheers,
Dan Artley in Parkton, Maryland USA