Cleaning handlebar tape

[pjgraham86]

I've just completed my third outing on my new road bike (a return after 10 years of hybrid use and loving it) and already the white handlebar tape has turned a horrible shade of grey despite me trying valiantly to wipe clean after each ride.

Does anyone have any tips for cleaning it effectively?

Thanks

peter

 

[4F]

WD40 on a kitchen cloth

 

[palinurus]

Good tip. I need to get some white tape for my road bike as I've just bought a white saddle and the old black tape just doesn't work.

Cleaned the bike the other day, never realised how often I grab the saddle when doing so.

 

[pjgraham86]

Thanks for the tip fatfella - will try that tonight.

P

 

[fossyant]

If it's cork tape, then washing up liquid on a cloth works well.

 

[kyuss]

If it's cork tape, then washing up liquid on a cloth works well.

Until you go out in the rain and discover that you haven't quite rinsed it properly and end up with foamy, slippery bars. Been there, done that.

WD40 or Xlite Bike Spray do a great job. My white tape is almost as white as the day it was fitted 2 years ago.

 

[02GF74]

clean with paraffin and tooth brush - gets rid of the oil/grease stains, then finish off with washing up liquid in water.

any stains left will be ingrained into the tape that you won't shift.

oh, and the same works on handle bar grips too. (on mtb)

 

[briank]

Cellulose thinners on a cloth will bring it up a treat.
Bit stinky, but it soon goes.