7 Comments

• 

  Mackey Smith

  a year ago

  Z

  Z

  Reply

  I think the excess tape on the handlebar is mainly to protect the brake and shifter cables and probably also the thumb throttle. I imagine this delivery bike lives outside (like a lot do in NYC) and if it's not uncommon for the cables to get a little moisture in them and freeze. 

  !Report as spam
• 

  Joe Crane

  a year ago

  Z

  Z

  Reply

  The owner is trying to make his/her EV bike less appealing for any potential criminal activities it would spark if not covered up. Bet the thing on the rack is actually a battery pack.

  !Report as spam
• 

  Jason Pokines

  a year ago

  Z

  Z

  Reply

  I'm not a hardcore biker by any means, but I've dealt with a lot of the same issues on a motorcycle in the rain and snowmobiles, so here's my two cents.

  
  

  I don't think any of it is for visibility unless that's retroreflective tape (it's not). People look at the rider, not the bike. The tape on the bars is likely all for paint protection. I think the struts for the rear pad have tape perhaps to protect the paint from being scuffed by the passenger's shoes. my theory about the rear pad is that it's covered for waterproofing the padding, but the top is a different material for traction-sake, to keep the passenger from sliding off.

  
  

  The shielding on the center of the handlebar is to protect from the forward spray coming off the tire. The extra wrapping on the fork isn't for branding. It looks more like it's for keeping ice build-up out of the brake mechanisms.

  !Report as spam
• 

  Aaron Jacobsen

  a year ago

  Z

  Z

  Reply

  Tapes a twofer maybe, better visibility, as theres also spokie dokie reflectors on the wheels and touch of frame protection but also covers component branding over the bike hence the strange placement on the shocks (probably worth $400), and over the Head Tube badge. Looks like the bikes potentially worth up to $2000 or more as its EV from the Rear hub and the pannier battery which looks like its also locked onto the frame as well.

  !Report as spam
• 

  Jason Livingston

  a year ago

  Z

  Z

  Reply

  It's likely that the large areas of shiny white are just to make the bike much more visible in low light compared to the stock dark paint, but it also helps protect the paint from scratches and chips from locking up to street signs. All those dings in the paint accumulate pretty quickly and then the wet salty conditions of urban winter biking can lead to serious rusting. Those DIY bubble wrap bar mitts are great, but if you want a solid OTS solution, you can get great neoprene ones for 12 bucks on amazon that even include reflective patches. 

  !Report as spam
• 

  Juan Cano

  a year ago

  Z

  Z

  Reply

  I think they also are trying to cover the logo of the bike to make it less appealing. Maybe. The tape around the shocks makes no sense.

  !Report as spam
• 

  Jacob Breinholt

  a year ago

  Z

  Z

  Reply

  I have seen some delivery guys tape the frame to keep the lock chain from chipping away all of the paint while they ride around. But that wouldn't explain all of what's going on here.
  

  !Report as spam