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Retro on the road bike - Outfit & parts
Handlebar tape and grip rubbers
Old-style handlebar tapes are still produced today, and the classic BikeRibbon Professional made from the typical grained artificial leather (€7.30) is suitable for bikes from the 70s and 80s. For even older bikes, the Tressostar cotton belt from Velox (approx. 6 euros). Those who like it more colourful will love the Cotton ribbons from Samurai (from 25 euros).
Brake lever covers are available for the most common Campagnolo models as faithful replicas, available on Ebay (from approx. 20 euros). For brakes from other manufacturers, there are universal covers from Dia Compe (11 euros).
Racing caps
Apis, the largest manufacturer of cycling caps from Italy, supplies the racing bike retro community with new caps in a number of historical designs at a price of approx. 15 euros each. The caps are also sold by various German online shops >> e.g. here.
Gloves
Chiba offers new cycling gloves in a classic crochet look (Retro Crochet, 25 euros >> available here or Gusti Leder (Steve L., 15 Euro >> available here).
Tyres
Glued tubular tyres with a light sidewall and the typical herringbone tread pattern are also available from Challenge (Elite, 36 euros), Hutchinson (Tempo, approx. 20 euros) and Vittoria (Rally, approx. 20 euros).
DisadvantageThe tyres are of the cheapest type, roll poorly and offer little puncture protection. The modern lettering on the classic tyres is also distracting and should be concealed. High-quality tyres with a classic look are offered by Challenge (Criterium, 90 euros) or Tufo (Hi-Composite Carbon, 61 euros), for example.
Jersey
The Italian manufacturer De Marchi offers an extensive retro line with jerseys made of wool in a historical look (from approx. 100 euros). The specialist Woolistic revives woollen jerseys with the look of historic teams, and you can also commission designs you have created yourself (approx. 150 euros). The German provider Orwi offers a similar customisation service (from 120 euros).
Saddle
It is often worth visiting a saddler to have an old saddle re-covered, as the substructure is usually intact. Alternatively, Selle Italia has the Turbo model back in its programme - the classic from the 80s (110 euros >> available here). With the Concor, Rolls and Regal models, Selle Royal also offers a selection of new saddles that are almost indistinguishable from the historical models (from 110 euros). Leather saddles in the style of the 50s and 60s are available, for example, from gusti-leather.com from 65 euros.
Shoes
Stylish, perforated leather shoes, optionally even with plates for classic hook pedals under the sole, are offered by Magliamo from Belgium from 140 euros. The leather shoes from Sergio Classico (220 euros) are a step up in class and have the option of modern clipless pedals (road or mountain bike).
Drinking bottles
The Italian market leader Elite has the Vintage Squeeze in its programme as a visually correct drinking bottle for retro fans. The designs are based on historical teams, albeit not exactly. Price 4 euros each.
Camber ring
You might not want to entrust your health to the classic crash ring these days, but the leather ring definitely makes a "bella figura" at the parade before the start. Gusti Leder offers chic, sewn crash rings made of brown leather (45 euros >> available here). More colourful and somewhat more delicate models, e.g. with the Italian tricolour, are available from steeldream-bikes.com for 139 euros.
Jens Klötzer
Editor
